TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[gazdgazd11]

I still can’t believe it but I received a TC offer from an amazing firm, and I’m forever grateful for all the support here. I promised myself I’d include some lessons I’ve learned in my journey and post them here shortly. For those who feel hopeless, securing a TC is definitely possible. It requires a lot of work but it is possible.

 

[olaaelk]

May I ask when you applied

i heard back on the 23rd!

 

[legallady123]

I still can’t believe it but I received a TC offer from an amazing firm, and I’m forever grateful for all the support here. I promised myself I’d include some lessons I’ve learned in my journey and post them here shortly. For those who feel hopeless, securing a TC is definitely possible. It requires a lot of work but it is possible.

Congratulations!!

 

[zonnonomo]

I still can’t believe it but I received a TC offer from an amazing firm, and I’m forever grateful for all the support here. I promised myself I’d include some lessons I’ve learned in my journey and post them here shortly. For those who feel hopeless, securing a TC is definitely possible. It requires a lot of work but it is possible.

ur win feels personal, congratulations !!!

 

[Amma Usman]

I still can’t believe it but I received a TC offer from an amazing firm, and I’m forever grateful for all the support here. I promised myself I’d include some lessons I’ve learned in my journey and post them here shortly. For those who feel hopeless, securing a TC is definitely possible. It requires a lot of work but it is possible.

Amazing news, congrats! I hope you celebrate well

 

[Amma Usman]

Would it be a bad idea to pre-write applications starting around now?

Trying to pump up my rookie numbers

This is definitely a good idea, and I’ve advised many people to do the same. Just be mindful that the application questions for each firm may change each cycle. Though for some firms, I’ve seen them not change for many years. Regardless, if you have structured answers to the work experience section, why commercial law, and why X firm, you won‘t go wrong. These will likely apply to multiple firms, help you save time, and even if they’re not directly applicable at application stage (unlikely), they will be needed at later stages/ACs.

 

[aphelion]

After yesterday's TC offer, I got a TC rejection today from a similar type of firm where I thought I aced the VS. Just goes to show how subjective and unpredictable this process is, and how important it is to keep going because you never know who will value your potential!

 

[confusedbird]

I understand the pressure of not hearing back yet. However, often times, GR will review applications in stages and batches. Emailing them will not make them get back to you any faster. Especially now that VS’ are ongoing and there’s a lot of internal work to do. I understand it’s hard, but I suggest waiting till they get back with a response. In the meantime, there are still a couple of direct TCs open, which you could consider applying for. Or alternatively, you could spend the time re-strategising for the next cycle!

Sorry I should have clarified. I meant updating them with my final grades because the applications did not have an option to edit them.

 

[confusedbird]

I think most of uni have this policy in the handbook- if you achieve half of your modules in the next degree classification (i.e. in your situation: above 70%)- and your overall grade is in the 1.5% margin (some uni is 2%)- then you can submit an application of appeal to the uni: and they will considering your situation. Please check your uni's handbook- this may vary between different universities.

Appreciate this a lot. I meant how do we go about explaining this to a firm if required. I realise I would most likely not have to but I was just being paranoid 🫣

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

Anyone doing the Mishon Vac Scheme? Tips for group exercises. There is a group exercise section of 4-5 people.

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

Is anyone else waiting for Penningtons Manches Cooper TC outcome? post vac scheme

 

[trainee4u]

On my VS:

* lots of formal events, interviews etc with specific lawyers. however, there's the opportunity to potentially interact with lots of other people by coming and saying "hi", asking out for coffee, etc. - are HR likely to ask the whole office for feedback on each VSer from which it might be ascertained your general level of sociability?
* is it better to ask questions or just get on with the work? I was given some fake work and told to ask if necessary - there's a bit of a learning curve and initially I probably didn't properly understand but while working through it my understanding of the concept improved and I didn't ask questions on the basis that I suppose they have better things to do than talk to VSers - I'm not at this point a trainee so they don't have a commercial interest in teaching me things, prior to me actually signing a TC, so maybe it's better to work things out alone.....
* was asked by partner to consider a client legal enquiry. Wasn't really clear what the purpose of this request was - it could either be because the partner doesn't know, or simply to give me an opportunity to experience client work. Was told "no need to draft but you can take some notes". I drafted because it seems to me more effective to write things formally. Was then asked the next day to have a chat to discuss the matter, which rather awkwardly was five minute before my final interview so very limited time, and I gave my conclusion on the main point based on the UK legislation and EU directive, and also noted a possible complication that I had identified.
Partner had a different conclusion on the main point so I explained why I had come to my conclusion and he said that what I was seeing as multiple things was in fact one. There was also a bit of awkward interaction because the matter could have fallen under one of two subsections, and I'd chosen one subsection and he the other. Ultimately his conclusion was more cautious than mine, and being cautious makes a lot of sense. I wasn't entirely convinced that his was the right conclusion but obviously had to acquiesce after initially explaining why I'd come to my conclusion.
Not sure if I handled this very wrongly and should have treated it purely as an opportunity to learn from him as it might have come across as arrogant - the timing was very far from ideal as I was about to go off to interview so I had a choice between listening to him or trying to share what I'd come up with. I guess it's a question of whether as a VSer one is supposed to show ability to analyse, or more treat it as an opportunity to learn. Bit confusing really.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Would taking up a criminal law paralegal role negatively affect my training contract/VS applications next year?
If anybody could provide some insight, I would be extremely grateful
@Amma Usman @TCLA Community Assistant

 

[Amma Usman]

Would taking up a criminal law paralegal role negatively affect my training contract/VS applications next year?
If anybody could provide some insight, I would be extremely grateful
@Amma Usman @TCLA Community Assistant

No no no not at all! Law firms value any experience anyway, regardless of the sector. So, a paralegal role, regardless of specialisation, places you as a competitive candidate.

Picture these two candidates.

Candidate 1 is a paralegal in PE at a top US firm. Of course, having direct experience in say paralegaling in PE, for example, would benefit a candidate applying for a TC at a transactional law firm. However, all this matters less than their ability to apply strategically and leverage their current and past experiences!

Candidate 2 was a paralegal in criminal law. They leveraged their ability to understand the disputes practice area through the various activities they were responsible for in proceedings. They linked this to some corporate law related work they were given and saw they liked corporate more for XYZ reasons. If they didn’t complete the criminal paralegal role, they would've never known this.

There you go.

Every experience matters - and so does your thinking…your strategy!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

No no no not at all! Law firms value any experience anyway, regardless of the sector. So, a paralegal role, regardless of specialisation, places you as a competitive candidate.

Picture these two candidates.

Candidate 1 is a paralegal in PE at a top US firm. Of course, having direct experience in say paralegaling in PE, for example, would benefit a candidate applying for a TC at a transactional law firm. However, all this matters less than their ability to apply strategically and leverage their current and past experiences!

Candidate 2 was a paralegal in criminal law. They leveraged their ability to understand the disputes practice area through the various activities they were responsible for in proceedings. They linked this to some corporate law related work they were given and saw they liked corporate more for XYZ reasons. If they didn’t complete the criminal paralegal role, they would've never known this.

There you go.

Every experience matters - and so does your thinking…your strategy!

Thank you so much!!!! @Amma Usman

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi there,

Absolutely! For group exercises, the key is to stay calm and focus on working well with others. Make sure you’re actively listening to what everyone is saying and contributing in a way that shows you’re engaged. It’s not about taking over or leading everything; it’s about being collaborative and ensuring the group stays on track. Paying attention to time is also important. If you notice things are running over, gently steer the group back without sounding bossy.

Speak clearly and confidently when you share your thoughts, but don’t feel like you have to talk constantly. Quality over quantity always makes a better impression. If the discussion starts to feel chaotic, just stay composed and focus on how you can add value to the task. Showing positive body language is another great way to make an impact. Simple things like maintaining eye contact, nodding when someone speaks, and sitting upright show that you’re engaged and approachable.

Remember, the assessors aren’t looking for perfection but for someone who works well in a team, stays focused, and brings a positive, solutions-oriented mindset to the table. You’ll do great!

Hi, congratulations again on your first virtual AC invite!

For the group exercise, focus on presenting your views in a way that’s both respectful and collaborative. Express your ideas confidently, but also engage with and encourage others’ contributions to showcase your ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Since this is for an in-house role, it's essential to understand how the advisory scope differs from private practice. In-house lawyers are typically specialists in the specific industry they serve, providing expert advice tailored to the business's needs. However, when matters require niche expertise or go beyond their scope, they may seek support from private law firms. I have usually been asked about this difference in past ACs I’ve been to, so it’s helpful having some points under your belt on the advisory-related differences.

To prepare, familiarise yourself with the industry the company operates in and think about how their legal team might approach commercial and operational challenges. During case studies or group discussions, focus on offering practical, solution-oriented advice that balances legal compliance with business priorities.

Best of luck, you’re going to do great!

Hey!

So critical reasoning tests will usually be Watson Glaser or some variation of it. But it’s not just that. Firms sometimes include verbal reasoning or situational judgment tests (SJTs) as part of their critical thinking assessments too. All of them test how you process information, make judgments, and spot inconsistencies, so it’s worth being familiar with each type.

In terms of resources, there are loads online. I found the practice tools on Amberjack assessments, JobTestPrep, and AssessmentDay really helpful. They all offer mock tests that mirror the real thing quite well. That said, it's always best to go straight to the source when you can. For example, if you check Clifford Chance’s grad recruitment site, they’ve got a practice Watson Glaser that you can try out, and I’d definitely recommend giving it a go.

For group exercises, I don’t think there’s a ton you can actively prepare in advance. I’d say make the most of your group members opinions too - you’ll find working in a team is great as many people’s ideas help bolster the final outcome. 2 heads are better than 1. Also, what helps most is knowing what’s going on in the world. If you're familiar with pressing topics like ESG, US tariffs, AI developments, or anything similar, you’ll usually find a way to link them to whatever discussion you're given. Those aren’t the only topics, though, but the point is most of these exercises are testing how you think on your feet and apply commercial logic. M&A and private equity are also good areas to study, and there are loads of resources on TCLA for that — both on the forum and in the Premium or Gold content.

Let me know if you’ve got any other questions at all.

In my opinion, the main skill law firms, and even any organisation, are trying to test by placing group exercises is the extent to which you are a team player. How well you work in a team. From my perspective on this, it can be a real dealbreaker if you are set a task and are unable to work with your team and solve it together. You will find that it’s even sometimes better working in a team, as there’s more collective knowledge to utilise, ultimately helping your contribution be better. Taking turns to speak helps. If there’s also someone in your team that appears a bit shy or less engaged, offer to make them feel at home and involved by asking for their own thoughts on a matter. This not only improves your candidacy, but also makes them feel valued as a team member, which anyone would love to feel.

My overarching reason for saying all these is looking at the work law firms, and in fact virtually any successful profession, produces. All hinging on the collaborative effort of many people. Teamwork is what ensures the tough days are gone through quicker and more efficiently.

Feel free to let us know if you’ve got any more questions at all. This was a really good one.

Anyone doing the Mishon Vac Scheme? Tips for group exercises. There is a group exercise section of 4-5 people.

Hi! The above should help!

 

[Amma Usman]

Sorry I should have clarified. I meant updating them with my final grades because the applications did not have an option to edit them.

If you haven’t heard back yet, then emailing them with grades will not do much right now unfortunately. The GR team themselves will be the one’s to ask for any updated marks. Unless the firm has a policy of updating them on these, I recommend just waiting for them to get back to you with further instructions. Then again, you could always email the firm’s specific team to confirm. But, so far as the grades you submitted are at least a 2:1 overall, I reckon you have nothing to worry about!

 

[Amma Usman]

After yesterday's TC offer, I got a TC rejection today from a similar type of firm where I thought I aced the VS. Just goes to show how subjective and unpredictable this process is, and how important it is to keep going because you never know who will value your potential!

Love to see it! Congrats

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi, I am looking to get some insight on Kirkland TC. I have heard that they mostly just give TC offers right after the vac scheme interviews- without actually holding a vac scheme or going through DTC. I was wondering to what extent this is true

If a firm advertises both routes, I suggest applying for which one appeals to you more. Generally, I recommend candidates applying to VS’ more than TCs, (depending on the extent of your legal work experience), as it means you’d have more globally recognised firms on your CV, whilst still getting a chance to convert into a TC offer.

 

[Amma Usman]

Would it be a bad idea to pre-write applications starting around now?

Trying to pump up my rookie numbers

This is not a bad idea at all. I’d just be mindful that requirements/application questions may change. Regardless, the below will be asked at several stages and across several firms, so prepping for them will save you time come September!

• Work experience section.
• Why commercial law.
• Why law - notice the difference to the above.
• Why X firm.
• Why you.