TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[jprfsx]

Hello, I have a question that maybe doesn't belong on TCLA but I would appreciate any advice people have.

I am not particularly interested in Commercial/Corporate law but am more interested in Immigration/Family/Public Law and have applied to firms that offer these seats but many of which also have commercial seats and some of the application process is geared towards those areas. I have an AC for Irwin Mitchell and interview for Russell Cooke coming up which fit into this category.

Should I make clear where my interests lie? Should I be prepared to talk about corporate/commercial awareness at length? I am interested in current affairs and understand it well but I don't want to be disingenuous talking commercial deals etc when this isn't where my legal heart lies. Any thoughts will be much appreciated.

 

[RachelLouise22]

Also has anyone received a rejection from Hill Dickinson

 

[YUKI1201]

I had my AC on Monday and am still waiting! They told us that we'd hear back within a few days/by the end of the week "because we were in the Monday group" so I was expecting something today latest but haven't heard anything yet

I was in the Monday group too! Haven't heard back (not surprised as I absolutely bombed one of the scenarios) but I guess we'll find out next week then

 

[Rob93]

Hello, I have a question that maybe doesn't belong on TCLA but I would appreciate any advice people have.

I am not particularly interested in Commercial/Corporate law but am more interested in Immigration/Family/Public Law and have applied to firms that offer these seats but many of which also have commercial seats and some of the application process is geared towards those areas. I have an AC for Irwin Mitchell and interview for Russell Cooke coming up which fit into this category.

Should I make clear where my interests lie? Should I be prepared to talk about corporate/commercial awareness at length? I am interested in current affairs and understand it well but I don't want to be disingenuous talking commercial deals etc when this isn't where my legal heart lies. Any thoughts will be much appreciated.

I would be upfront about your interests. If you're really not keen on commercial work they'll likely sniff it out anyway, and even if they don't would you really be happy training at a firm where your passions aren't viewed as an asset?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Yeah I'm contemplating a very deliberate course of ratcheting up responsibilities over the next year or so, with a view to basically be working at NQ level by the point of qualification. It's early days so I haven't properly broached this point with my supervisors or HR, but it's the trajectory I'm aiming at.

Good luck with it I hope they give you extra responsibility as you deserve it. You work so hard on applications and you deserve it.

 

[Giovanna]

I was in the Monday group too! Haven't heard back (not surprised as I absolutely bombed one of the scenarios) but I guess we'll find out next week then

Well it's reassuring to hear that it's not just me ahah! I have no idea how to tell how the scenarios went just because I have no idea what they're looking for specifically (and not to mention it was my first ever AC so I have even less of an idea) but I think the competency one went quite well so at least there's that? 😆

 

[Rob93]

Good luck with it I hope they give you extra responsibility as you deserve it. You work so hard on applications and you deserve it.

Thanks man! Honestly I'm not banking on being able to do this, but I'm at a point where I'm trying to create my own opportunities. I know I'm cut out for the job but the formalised grad rec process evidently finds me lacking, so I figure best to be a bit enterprising.

 

[Jessica Booker]

My graduation falls in the middle of my three week scheme, would be be inappropriate/hurt my chances of securing tc if I ask to have it off?

It’s not inappropriate to ask - but they could say no, so just be prepared for that possibility.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

This is non-application but for all those who have graduations coming up are you lot graduating from BPP by any chance as I got my graduation in a few week's time also so was just wondering. Sorry for the non-application related question.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Thanks man! Honestly I'm not banking on being able to do this, but I'm at a point where I'm trying to create my own opportunities. I know I'm cut out for the job but the formalised grad rec process evidently finds me lacking, so I figure best to be a bit enterprising.

I love your mindset keep at it and hopefully you will get your TC this year and I hope you do get your TC this application cycle.

Yes there is no harm in asking them to upgrade you.

 

[crispychicken]

Hello, I have a question that maybe doesn't belong on TCLA but I would appreciate any advice people have.

I am not particularly interested in Commercial/Corporate law but am more interested in Immigration/Family/Public Law and have applied to firms that offer these seats but many of which also have commercial seats and some of the application process is geared towards those areas. I have an AC for Irwin Mitchell and interview for Russell Cooke coming up which fit into this category.

Should I make clear where my interests lie? Should I be prepared to talk about corporate/commercial awareness at length? I am interested in current affairs and understand it well but I don't want to be disingenuous talking commercial deals etc when this isn't where my legal heart lies. Any thoughts will be much appreciated.

I am very into tax law, and I have previously been rejected by 3 firms post-AC because I was 'clearly only interested in tax law'.

I think you can talk about your interests in immigration/family/public law, but at the same time, you need to show that you are open-minded to all the other seats/practice areas that they offer.

 

[summer207]

Hello, I have a question that maybe doesn't belong on TCLA but I would appreciate any advice people have.

I am not particularly interested in Commercial/Corporate law but am more interested in Immigration/Family/Public Law and have applied to firms that offer these seats but many of which also have commercial seats and some of the application process is geared towards those areas. I have an AC for Irwin Mitchell and interview for Russell Cooke coming up which fit into this category.

Should I make clear where my interests lie? Should I be prepared to talk about corporate/commercial awareness at length? I am interested in current affairs and understand it well but I don't want to be disingenuous talking commercial deals etc when this isn't where my legal heart lies. Any thoughts will be much appreciated.

When discussing ‘why this firm’, you can discuss where your interests lie and have strong evidence for why these areas interest you and what the firm can offer you. But also come across as being open-minded about other areas. You might love family law now and after a TC, decide to qualify in clinical negligence, you never know!

I don’t know much about those firms but from my impression, they are full-service and although they may have a seat in corporate/commercial, the majority of their other seats seem to be in line with your interests. It’s also great that you mention immigration/family/public, it shows your interests aren’t tied to one specific practice area. The only issue I can think of is if the firm has a compulsory corporate seat and you come across as not wanting anything to do with corporate.

Regarding commercial awareness, that’s something to always be prepared for, but you can also relate news stories to other practice areas outside commercial. A news story can have implications for immigration whilst simultaneously affecting businesses. If anything, it shows you can approach things from a wide vantage point. Hope this helps!

 

[A.Diane01]

Hi all,

I have secured a VS (hurrah!) however being a postgrad student it is the only one I’ll be able to do over summer as we don’t get a summer holiday & uni are kindly letting me attend the scheme.
I’m now looking to apply to direct TC, but is it proper or ‘the thing to do’ to mention that I have secured a VS scheme at another firm on the applications? I’m not sure whether this is like an ‘ew’ thing to do or whether it demonstrates my commitment to the law (especially as a non-law student). What are peoples thoughts?

@Jessica Booker would you have any insight?

thanks in advance guys

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all,

I have secured a VS (hurrah!) however being a postgrad student it is the only one I’ll be able to do over summer as we don’t get a summer holiday & uni are kindly letting me attend the scheme.
I’m now looking to apply to direct TC, but is it proper or ‘the thing to do’ to mention that I have secured a VS scheme at another firm on the applications? I’m not sure whether this is like an ‘ew’ thing to do or whether it demonstrates my commitment to the law (especially as a non-law student). What are peoples thoughts?

@Jessica Booker would you have any insight?

thanks in advance guys

Yes, I actively encourage people to add upcoming vacation schemes to somewhere in their application - usually great for brief references in motivational questions or “extra information” sections.

 

[A.Diane01]

Yes, I actively encourage people to add upcoming vacation schemes to somewhere in their application - usually great for brief references in motivational questions or “extra information” sections.

Thankyou!

 

[theag]

Amazing news! Vac scheme offer from Charles Russell Speechlys🤩🥳

It's not been easy as an international student to secure something, but persistence is key!

Congratulations! Do you have any tips for the video interview & the AC with CRS?

 

[Hele25]

Has anyone heard from BCLP?? I completed my tests on the 1st December 😂💀 assume PFO?

 

[Hele25]

Yes, I actively encourage people to add upcoming vacation schemes to somewhere in their application - usually great for brief references in motivational questions or “extra information” sections.

Does this solely apply to VS offers? I have managed to get a legal summer internship with a tech company that won’t start until June. Would this also be good to include briefly somewhere in applications? Thanks

 

[Giovanna]

Anyone have any advice for the Hogan Lovells AC specifically? Specfically what to expect from the case study (I'm unsure if it's any different from other firms' case studies as it seems to be merged with the competency/motivational interview) and the situational interview, if possible!

 

[Jessica Booker]

In light of this, if you’re applying for a TC, would you advise mentioning you already hold a training contract offer somewhere else?

Edit to add context: I’m planning to apply to a firm that I’ve recently discovered that I feel is better aligned with my interest than my current TC firm. I plan to add upcoming vacation schemes (because the seats I’ve chosen align with the firms specialist areas) but I don’t know whether to mention my TC offer as there’s no real experience I’ll be gaining.

This is slightly different - a vacation scheme is no commitment while a training contract is.

It is also slightly different if you have accepted your TC offer. If you have accepted, you are ultimately saying you will renege on them, which then puts question as to whether you would also renege on the firm you are applying to if you got an even better offer.

I think it is fine to mention it briefly in an extra information type section if you have received the offer and have an extended deadline to accept it, but I wouldn’t mention it if you have either accepted it or would need to accept it before the recruitment process with the firm you are applying to concludes.