General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[TCLA Community Assistant]

With today’s announcement, I would be highly surprised if any open days, careers events or winter schemes take place in person now. I would also expect any Spring events to still be online too given general guidance is to work from home until March now.

 

[ibs97]

has anyone heard from a&o

 

[Pallatablelawyer]

With today’s announcement, I would be highly surprised if any open days, careers events or winter schemes take place in person now. I would also expect any Spring events to still be online too given general guidance is to work from him until March now.

Yes it seems u likely for there to be a winter and spring scheme

 

[Pallatablelawyer]

Yes it seems u likely for there to be a winter and spring scheme

*unlikely

 

[OB]

With today’s announcement, I would be highly surprised if any open days, careers events or winter schemes take place in person now. I would also expect any Spring events to still be online too given general guidance is to work from home until March now.

It'll be interesting to see if firms will see less applicants for winter/spring schemes compared to summer schemes in light of COVID and this announcement!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

It'll be interesting to see if firms will see less applicants for winter/spring schemes compared to summer schemes in light of COVID and this announcement!

From conversations I have had with firms so far, applications are generally up around 25-35%. It tends to happen as more candidates hedge their bets with more applications though.

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

From conversations I have had with firms so far, applications are generally up around 25-35%. It tends to happen as more candidates hedge their bets with more applications though.

Would you still say then that the number of 'viable'/high quality applications remains the same then?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Would you still say then that the number of 'viable'/high quality applications remains the same then?

that’s probably more like a 5-10% increase. Generally whenever applications numbers go up it’s because people who haven’t considered law before see it as a safer bet.

Will be interesting to see how international applicant numbers change though as I think this could drop because of Covid and Brexit but could also increase due to post study visas coming in.

 

[cryingoverTCs]

has anyone heard back from links for direct TC? :'(

 

[EMD]

Just got invited to an assessment centre by TLT (Manchester)!!
They’ve actually decided to postpone assessment centres til February and even though I applied via the direct route said that they will offer vac scheme places to those who do well at the assessment centre!! Interesting that they’re trying to avoid virtual ACs by the sounds of it - they said they’re delaying it because they want to give us the best possible experience.

 

[XARA]

does anyone know who to address the NRF cover letter to for the winter vac scheme?

 

[Emily77]

Rejection from Latham this morning - no feedback

Sorry to hear - is this after application or after VI?

 

[thirdtimelucky]

I've come across this question in a VS app If applicable, what do you do to keep up to date with your foreign language skills?, is this only for language students or can I talk about my Spanish skills (e.g volunteering at a charity doing translation work with service users)

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I've come across this question in a VS app If applicable, what do you do to keep up to date with your foreign language skills?, is this only for language students or can I talk about my Spanish skills (e.g volunteering at a charity doing translation work with service users)

Its for anyone with some level of proficiency in a language who is still actively keeping the language up.

 

[Frank]

I've come across this question in a VS app If applicable, what do you do to keep up to date with your foreign language skills?, is this only for language students or can I talk about my Spanish skills (e.g volunteering at a charity doing translation work with service users)

I'm doing duolingo. Does it count?

 

[LOGO]

Hi, I was just wondering , how would you structure a cover letter for an open day ? I was wondering if should be approached like a cover letter for say a vac scheme /TC. Sorry if this was said already . Or is there another forum where I can find guidance?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi, I was just wondering , how would you structure a cover letter for an open day ? I was wondering if should be approached like a cover letter for say a vac scheme /TC. Sorry if this was said already . Or is there another forum where I can find guidance?

same structure is appropriate:

Why the opportunity
Why the firm
Why you

(doesn’t necessarily matter which order these are in)

 

[Kablahc]

Sorry to hear - is this after application or after VI?

Post-app for direct TC!

 

[M5JM]

Hey Everyone

I hope you are all well. I’m new to the forum!

I know there are more important things going on in the world right now, but I just wanted to know how everyone copes with waiting for post-AC results? I completed my first AC at the beginning of September and I’m starting to feel really impatient.

How long does it typically take to hear back following an AC at this time of year? What things do you do to keep sane?

 

[Daniel Boden]

Hope everyone is doing well I was scrolling through trainees'/future trainees' profiles on Linkedin and could see that the majority of them graduated with a first class degree. From what I have observed, more people seem to have graduated with a first class this year. Does this insinuate that candidates who did not graduate with a first class degree this year, Russell Group or not, have a deem chance of securing a TC at city firms? Thank you

I think firms will be taking results this year with a pinch of salt tbh so I wouldn't worry! There's been a lot of disruption to studies for A-levels and for university study which firms will take into account so you definitely will still have a good chance of securing a TC at city firms!