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

[John Travoni]

Not yet, was starting to get worried 😭 What did you apply for TC or SQE?

Same, haven’t heard back either. I don’t think anyone has. And I applied for the direct TC.

 

[justhangingout]

Feel like I keep asking this but is anyone still waiting to hear from HSF re Spring VS? Seems they are sending out ACs and PFOs for summer and wondering if maybe they’ve forgotten to send me a PFO lol

yeah im the same yet people are still posting about it ... haven't seen any PFOs so fearing the worst

 

[GXA123]

yeah im the same yet people are still posting about it ... haven't seen any PFOs so fearing the worst

I have received a PFO for spring a month ago

 

[Jessica Booker]

I have just received an email from Gibson Dunn saying that they are reviewing a high number of applications and they will respond to me as soon as possible. Do you think this is the first sign of a rejection letter?

No - it’s just a polite update to say they will get around to reviewing your application soon.

 

[LEL]

Is it ok to ask the firm you're doing a vac scheme at if they're willing to provide any financial assistance for booking a hotel for the duration of the scheme? They haven't mentioned it at all so idk whether it's rude?

 

[AspiringTrainee]

Is it ok to ask the firm you're doing a vac scheme at if they're willing to provide any financial assistance for booking a hotel for the duration of the scheme? They haven't mentioned it at all so idk whether it's rude?

Some firms do offer additional financial assistance for things like that. You just need to ask if they can. It won’t be construed as rude as they will be able to understand peoples finances are different.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Not yet, was starting to get worried 😭 What did you apply for TC or SQE?

No it is still early days for them and direct TC.

 

[Kubed]

Some firms do offer additional financial assistance for things like that. You just need to ask if they can. It won’t be construed as rude as they will be able to understand peoples finances are different.

Is it ok to ask the firm you're doing a vac scheme at if they're willing to provide any financial assistance for booking a hotel for the duration of the scheme? They haven't mentioned it at all so idk whether it's rude?

I don't imagine there's any harm in asking but I think the salary they provide for the duration of the scheme is intended to cover expenses such as accommodation/travel? Could be wrong but that's what I've always assumed.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it ok to ask the firm you're doing a vac scheme at if they're willing to provide any financial assistance for booking a hotel for the duration of the scheme? They haven't mentioned it at all so idk whether it's rude?

It isn’t rude to ask. You should just explain you will find it hard to cover the costs of a hotel and you are asking whether the firm can support in anyway. Make sure you have done some research as to how much the hotel might cost. My recommendation is to also look at halls of residence as these tend to be the cheapest option for a period of a week or two. You might also find some cheaper AirBnB type properties too. You don’t have to be based in central London either. You could easily commute from the outskirts of London (places like Croydon) too so think about where you will be looking to stay that will be more reasonably priced than a hotel in a EC postcode.

Many firms won’t be able to support with the costs of a hotel but I know a couple that have.

Other solutions include giving you your first pay up front (and booking the hotel on a pay when you arrive basis).

I have also known vacation scheme students to stay in partners’ houses/flats in London as they are typically living elsewhere for the summer/not commuting it to London as much. Also some trainees often have spare rooms, particularly if their house mates are on a secondment somewhere.

 

[kaykay]

Received an invite for the next stage of Simmons' process this morning. Does anyone have any advice for the VI? TIA!

Hey, I hope it went well! DO you mind if I ask you how it went and the kind of questions they asked? I have mine this week. Thanks!

 

[kaykay]

Just received Simmons and Simmons VI + tests - Does anyone know what type of questions they ask? I have searched the TCLA forums but there are not any specific details?

Hey! I hope the tests and interview went well! Do you mind if I ask you the types of questions in the interview and about the logical reasoning test?

 

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

Not too sure but I know Shearman prefers Oxbridge as it adds prestige to the firm not sure about others tho

@Donuttime

I'm not sure who told you this, but you've been misinformed!

I want people from all universities to apply to Shearman. If you meet the entry criteria, please do apply.

 

[Ambs123]

Same, haven’t heard back either. I don’t think anyone has. And I applied for the direct TC.

I think Kennedys may be non-rolling? So don’t worry too much ! ))

 

[Rob93]

As an Oxford grad I don't really see how employing Oxbridge students enhances the reputation of the firm per se. In fact, a fair number of fellow "jurisprudence" students are totally not fit for teamworking, the corporate environment, or working with others in general, because of their personality traits. Likewise, I believe that oftentimes better candidates can be found at RG and non-RG universities: the candidates that will be a better fit for the firm's long-term success. What Oxbridge students do get, however, is a massive advantage when it comes to applying. For instance, pre-covid firms would hold interviews in Oxford, so students did not have to travel to London and could prep at ease. Also, firms keep coming all the time and organise free drinks, dinners, and events, such as „meet XY firm” in Oxford, which provides students with massive networking opportunities, again, at ease. In November, HL randomly sent free power banks that could be collected from the law library maybe to market themselves. Moreover, the careers service is very OP, with ex magic circle recruiters going through your application with you. These advantages partly explain why it may seem that Oxbridge students are so often recruited; they just have massive advantages over other applicants when it comes to applying.

Re: prestige, there is a sort of halo effect that oxbridge educations confer. This is ofc somewhat true within the UK, but has become less significant in the past few decades.

It remains very significant outside of the UK. The broader English-speaking world (and much of the rest of it) is more than a little reverential about oxbridge, so you can see why this would be a plus for firms with int'l client bases - having oxbridge grads on staff underwrites your credibility. This is less of an issue for firms which are well-established in the London market, but US firms which are still 'challengers' in the UK are more inclined to lean into this.

 

[Abii]

This may just be conjecture on my part but I think the dominance of oxbridge may in part also be due to self-selection out of the process by many students that went to lower ranked / non-RG institutions. I myself went non-RG for undergraduate and many undergraduate friends just won’t even apply to more prestigious law firms as they have decided they don’t stand a chance. I also think A level requirements play a role here, those that meet the A level grades of AAB - ABB require by management firms are more likely to have gone to oxbridge/RG universities.

I do agree that better universities get better access to law firms - my undergraduate university law fair was not visited by MC/US/SC/city law firms whereas they almost all attended the london RG I did my masters at and held exclusive events for that university as well.

 

[ssolicitorz]

pfo from Bird & Bird---- greaaaaaat

 

[Miki3999]

This may just be conjecture on my part but I think the dominance of oxbridge may in part also be due to self-selection out of the process by many students that went to lower ranked / non-RG institutions. I myself went non-RG for undergraduate and many undergraduate friends just won’t even apply to more prestigious law firms as they have decided they don’t stand a chance. I also think A level requirements play a role here, those that meet the A level grades of AAB - ABB require by management firms are more likely to have gone to oxbridge/RG universities.

I do agree that better universities get better access to law firms - my undergraduate university law fair was not visited by MC/US/SC/city law firms whereas they almost all attended the london RG I did my masters at and held exclusive events for that university as well.

Yes, in my view firms should combat such harmful biases, because their existence, apart from being wrong, limits the firms’ talent pool.

 

[Rob93]

This may just be conjecture on my part but I think the dominance of oxbridge may in part also be due to self-selection out of the process by many students that went to lower ranked / non-RG institutions. I myself went non-RG for undergraduate and many undergraduate friends just won’t even apply to more prestigious law firms as they have decided they don’t stand a chance. I also think A level requirements play a role here, those that meet the A level grades of AAB - ABB require by management firms are more likely to have gone to oxbridge/RG universities.

I do agree that better universities get better access to law firms - my undergraduate university law fair was not visited by MC/US/SC/city law firms whereas they almost all attended the london RG I did my masters at and held exclusive events for that university as well.

Self-selection is absolutely a huge part of it. Interesting point about A levels, I hadn't thought of that (didn't do A levels and elected to go to a less prestigious uni in my home country cause I liked the programme there better).

I did my LLM at a London RG and yeah, the access and support there was miles beyond what I found in my UG or GDL (City, which is great for barristers but thin on the ground for solicitors' firms)

 

[skmx]

has anyone who did the cms ac this week - heard back either way (good or bad)?

 

[Rob93]

Honestly the shift to online recruitment events is probably the best thing to happen to diversity in the profession in years. Huge boon in terms of accessibility outside the hallowed halls of institutions ancient and venerable.