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  1. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @helloj We're in the midst of preparing a vacation scheme tracker list, which will go live this week. Currently, I can confirm that Sidley Austin will be opening for winter vacation scheme applications on 1 August. We should have more details for other firms as they update their vacation...
  2. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @Lastseasonwonder Wanted to add some more suggestions in addition to the great advice that you've already received on here. First, I just want to say you're definitely not alone in feeling stuck at this stage. Over the past year, I've met many capable candidates finding themselves in...
  3. Ram Sabaratnam

    PLS HELP - SQE & Visa

    Hiya @Poppypops124 Thanks for sharing this. Can I just check who your course provider is? If it's ULaw or BPP, then, it’s worth noting that both typically require students to be on a valid student visa once you've enrolled in their full-time SQE programmes. There are usually conditions...
  4. Ram Sabaratnam

    Application help!

    Hiya @natasha.jayne In terms of the personal statement, I really wouldn’t overthink it. This isn’t like a training contract application or even like applying to any other graduate programme; the goal here is simply to give a clear and reflective account of why you’re pursuing the conversion...
  5. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Hiya @Antariksh Singh Jamwal I've posted a reply to your question here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/low-grade-high-ranking-in-class.9708/#post-214645 In short, it’s definitely something worth flagging in your application. Law firms are generally familiar with the fact...
  6. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Hiya @👩🎓 Just to clarify: a percentile is not the same as a percentage. A percentage is your raw score (e.g. getting 75% of questions correct), whereas a percentile tells you how well you performed relative to others in your norm group. So if you’re in the 75th percentile, that means you scored...
  7. Ram Sabaratnam

    Low grade, high ranking in class

    Hi @Antariksh Singh Jamwal Firms do take international grading systems into account, and they’re used to seeing candidates from jurisdictions like India where the grading scale operates very differently. Many firms refer to guidance similar to what UK universities use when converting overseas...
  8. Ram Sabaratnam

    My TC Diaries

    Hiya @studenttolawyer This is a fantastic way to track your progress and keep yourself accountable as you work toward your goals. You're clearly putting a lot of thought into your approach/strategy for the upcoming cycle, and it’s great to see how much you’re already doing to strengthen your...
  9. Ram Sabaratnam

    Training Contract Advice

    Hiya @Anjolao Welcome to the forum, and lovely to see another Canadian here! I'm also originally from Canada :) You're absolutely right to start thinking about training contract applications now. To answer your question: while grades are important, I don't think it would be accurate to say...
  10. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @lawyersum Really great question and this sounds like a fantastic opportunity. I also think there’s still a lot of confusion around how a master’s degree is viewed by law firms, and it’s worth addressing properly. To be clear: doing a master’s won’t disadvantage you (and it won't...
  11. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @Alturistic whale! Absolutely :)
  12. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @applicant457 Glad you asked this and are starting to prepare now. Way too many people leave their preparation for the next cycle too late. The summer before applications open is one of the best windows you’ll have to prepare properly, without the pressure of deadlines or competing...
  13. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @mariistm Congratulations on both your offers! That's fantastic! I think a brief, professional email thanking them for the opportunity/offer, but stating that you'll be declining the offer is perfectly fine. Grad rec deals with these sorts of emails all the time, so I wouldn't worry too...
  14. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @TCLA0322 Yes, I think this is a good idea. Reapplying can be a smart move, especially if you’ve strengthened your profile since the last cycle. In your case, having gone from a 2:1 to a First and gaining new internship experience are both clear improvements that you can clearly point to...
  15. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @Lastseasonwonder I've just looked at this and it seems the questions from the last cycle included the following: Please use this section to tell us about yourself, your skills, achievements and why you want to train as a solicitor and work at Ashurst. (750 words max)* Tell us in 250...
  16. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @WiddyJ Unless the open day is clearly limited to first years or undergraduates, there’s no reason not to apply. I’ve attended several myself as a career changer, and no one seemed particularly concerned about what stage I was at. Even if you’re unsure whether you’ll be selected, the...
  17. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Hi @1stCycleApplicant Congrats on your offer! In terms of your first question, you could in theory delay the SQE and keep applying elsewhere, especially if you haven’t signed a formal contract or received funding. Most firms don’t bind you until the point at which you accept financial...
  18. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Hiya @sunshine101 I don't think you should! During the last application cycle, I spoke with several candidates who had their applications progressed from the initial stage closer to late August and even September. I wouldn't worry just yet. Good luck and I hope you hear back soon with good news!
  19. Ram Sabaratnam

    Where firms recruit from (Vacation Scheme vs Direct TC applications) 2024-2025

    Hiya @alfyundercat A&O Shearman typically has both vac scheme and direct training contract routes. As their recruitment process has undergone some changes since their merger, it's difficult to say what proportion of their trainees come directly through the vac scheme versus the direct training...
  20. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Hiya @Poppypops124 First of all, congratulations on both offers! That's no small feat! I don’t think there’s a universally right answer here. As you've indicated yourself, both options have clear advantages. I think that if you’re considering this as a question of which firm is better, you’ll...

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