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  1. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @Katy12345 This could definitely be a possibility. If you're successful in securing a vacation scheme offer, it’s worth raising this with graduate recruitment to see if there’s flexibility. For now, I’d focus on the assessment centre and securing the vacation scheme first. I had a similar...
  2. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @elena11 It's great that you're thinking ahead about this! When discussing other firms you've applied to, it's generally a good idea to mention firms that are similar to the one you're interviewing at. This is not necessarily just to seem more 'genuine,' but because it helps demonstrate...
  3. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @papaya Having been in a very similar position, I completely sympathise. I'm sure @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman and @Andrei Radu would have more time say here, but wanted to chime in before. First off, yes, I think’s absolutely worth applying for direct training contracts! These routes...
  4. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @Miss Chocolate It might still be worth applying for their business services stream, given the quite wide range of seats that stream allows for. Based on looking at their website, the business services stream actually has the following seats available: Banking Commercial Dispute...
  5. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @Miss Chocolate Yes, you're right! Hill Dickinson’s training contracts are divided into three distinct streams: business services, healthcare, and marine. This basically means that trainees choose a stream when applying and will complete their four seats within that area. So, if you apply...
  6. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @jojo23 Just to add to what everyone's said (and also congrats on getting that word count up), I wanted to echo the great comments by @Amma Usman here to anyone still working on the Ropes application! With Ropes' question, it’s important not just to identify the traits you’re discussing...
  7. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @lawaspirant21 I think this really depends on the firm, but securing a training contract without a vacation scheme is definitely possible, although it can be a bit trickier without any legal experience at all. Most people I know who’ve successfully secured a TC without a vacation scheme...
  8. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @legal18 I think @Amma Usman and @Andrei Radu would have much more to say, but I wanted to set out some initial thoughts below. If the written exercise requires comparing two business options (e.g. an investment, acquisition, or merger) you should structure your response clearly to ensure...
  9. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Heya @TCseeker17 I'm sure that the very wise @Jessica Booker would have much more to say here, but I wanted to chime in about my experience. I think this will ultimately depend on the firm, but in general, I've found that where firms host two vacation schemes over the summer, they generally...
  10. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @AS24 Well done on getting to the VI stage! While the questions may have changed, when I did the V&E VI, we were given 1 minute to think of our answers and 1 minute and 30 seconds to respond. There was one motivational question, and the rest focused on personality and past experiences...
  11. Ram Sabaratnam

    Applying to a firm you already work at

    Hiya @random6035 @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu and @Jessica Booker would have much more to add here, but I don't think the principles of application writing really change that much here. That said, your position as a paralegal might give you a unique perspective into the inner workings of the firm...
  12. Ram Sabaratnam

    Desperate third year law student

    Hiya @lilypetunia1 I'm sure that @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman and @Jessica Booker would have much more insight here, but I wanted to send across some thoughts in the meantime. I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling lost right now. It’s completely understandable, and I remember feeling the same way...
  13. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @suhana @Andrei Radu and @Amma Usman would definitely have more to say here, but I just wanted to chime in beforehand. I think this is a really good question. It's easy for discussions of “commercial" and "legal" factors to overlap significantly when drafting a written exercise. That...
  14. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @cjwx (and anybody else waiting to hear back from CRS) From my experience applying a few cycles ago, it can take around 3-4 weeks to hear back from the firm. I received my response during the second week of February the year I applied. At that time, the vacation scheme application process...
  15. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @floral.tcla There's no harm in doing so, but it likely won't have any bearing on your chances if you don't reply. Good luck and I hope you hear back with great news soon!
  16. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @Law queries (and for anyone else waiting post WG) If I remember correctly, Cooley doesn’t release the pass mark or any feedback report for their Watson Glaser test. I believe this was intentional to maintain fairness across all applicants. This policy might have changed, but I distinctly...
  17. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @FutureTraineeMaybe Just jumping in here, but I'm sure @Andrei Radu and @Amma Usman would have much more to say. When answering this question, you'll want to focus on what makes a legal career in the City of London distinctive and compelling. City firms are at the heart of one of the...
  18. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Heya @lawstudent2 I think taking 3-4 minutes for the big questions (e.g. why law, why the firm, and why you) is absolutely fine. What’s most important is that the interviewer can follow and recall the main points of your answer, and this is where structure becomes essential. Summarising your...
  19. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @BobThebIlly First off, well done on those impressive scores for assumptions (88%) and evaluating arguments (100%). Those are fantastic and show you’ve really nailed those sections! Let’s focus on the “drawing conclusions” part and see how you can improve in the short time you have. The...

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