TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[alexandrabyatt]

Do you think the online assessment will be a pass/fail situation or whether it’ll be viewed holistically with the rest of the application (written app)

On their FAQ they say they operate on a tiered system where each stage gets you to the next. From what I can tell, the application and assessment are considered separate stages, in which case the assessment will be judged completely separately.

 

[Ambs123]

Depending on the firm, what the question was, and how badly you messed it up.

If it makes you feel better, I also messed up a few questions during my AC and this was confirmed in my post-AC feedback, where the grad recruiter listed some questions that I also felt like I had answered badly. However, I still passed the AC which just goes to show that firms hardly expect perfection.

That definitely made me feel better! Thanks for response I really do appreciate it. And congrats on passing your AC

 

[solba]

how much does the order of preference in terms of office locations matter when your app’s being assessed? i put office A as my first option for shoosmiths and office B as my second option but now would actually rather B as my first. Is it worth emailing grad rec asking to switch or should I wait for the final outcome first?

 

[Deleted member 21782]

Just had my interview with W&C. @Jessica Booker Can I ask from a grad rec perspective, what differentiates people at interview? I'm assuming everyone is impressive already, so really intrigued to know what they like and what differentiates all the talented people who make it to the final stage.

I would find it difficult myself if I interviewed people because I am sure more people do really well in an interview than do not.

 

[Fd321]

Another day of not hearing back from CRS has anyone else who applied to the VS not heard?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Just had my interview with W&C. @Jessica Booker Can I ask from a grad rec perspective, what differentiates people at interview? I'm assuming everyone is impressive already, so really intrigued to know what they like and what differentiates all the talented people who make it to the final stage.

I would find it difficult myself if I interviewed people because I am sure more people do really well in an interview than do not.

Not everyone will be impressive in all honesty. Some people can write a good application or have impressive achievements, but then don’t really show the skills and motivations needed at interview.

Even if we remove the people that fall into those categories, there isn’t one thing that differentiates people, especially across opportunities or firms. Some people do well in areas but just fall down in certain assessments or competencies. What those are will always be different from person to person.

 

[rosec]

I know every firm may be different but generally speaking, do firms usually take everything into account (your written application, maybe VIs etc.) when deciding to give you an offer or do they solely base it off of interview/ AC performance?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

how much does the order of preference in terms of office locations matter when your app’s being assessed? i put office A as my first option for shoosmiths and office B as my second option but now would actually rather B as my first. Is it worth emailing grad rec asking to switch or should I wait for the final outcome first?

What stage are you at in the process?

 

[gabynosaure]

After submitting your application did you automatically get a link to the online assessment or is that the next stage?

It’s the next stage

 

[Fd321]

@Jessica Booker hi I have seen some firms put on their website that they are not formally running a trainee recruitment scheme for 2025 but are accepting speculative applications. Do you think this would mean that the competition would be less fierce as obviously less people are likely to make speculative apps? Or do you think the reason for why they’re not advertising TCs is because they already know who will be filling their spots? As it seems in other years they have advertised TCs? Thanks

 

[Curiosity]

Are Penningtons still ignoring people after the assessment centre?

 

[Former Future Trainee]

To people who do not have accommodation in their VS location, do you usually book a hotel for this duration? I currently face this predicament...

 

[hopefulfuturetrainee24]

To people who do not have accommodation in their VS location, do you usually book a hotel for this duration? I currently face this predicament...

The vac scheme I did last year - there were a few people staying in hotels as they had travelled. Some stayed for the full 2 weeks while others stayed Sunday-Thursday travelling home on Friday night to save a bit of money. No one outside the area (Birmingham) commuted, but there were train strikes during these 2 weeks which may have affected their decision. If it’s somewhere like London I’d book early to avoid availability getting filled up

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

To people who do not have accommodation in their VS location, do you usually book a hotel for this duration? I currently face this predicament...

Halls of residence I would say are the most commonly used in summer anyway.

Hotels are typically quite expensive, although I have heard of vac schemers getting good deals for long stays in Premier Inns/Travelodges.

Increasingly seen people use AirBnB too.

 

[solba]

What stage are you at in the process?

Hi Jessica, I’ve already completed the test which is the final stage for the vacation scheme, but there’s still an AC for the training contract later on if you’re successful. They use the same application for both so you can be unsuccessful for the VS and still get a training contract AC (which is what the office location preference is for).

 

[Fd321]

Finally received that long awaited CRS PFO

 

[EM23]

Spring Vacation scheme offer from Farrer & Co I am literally shaking!!!

Just a question do you think it would be too much to ask if they have any space for me to be moved to the summer dates? They have said the vac scheme is over subscribed would I be pushing my luck?

 

[toribabylawyer]

has anyone gotten an offer for summer vs at Stephenson Harwood?

 

[user9809]

Can’t believe I’m typing this. Squire Patton Boggs vacation Scheme offer! thanks for all the advice. This was my first AC

 

[Emilia]

Spring Vacation scheme offer from Farrer & Co I am literally shaking!!!

Just a question do you think it would be too much to ask if they have any space for me to be moved to the summer dates? They have said the vac scheme is over subscribed would I be pushing my luck?

Congratulations! I think you could ask them as worst case scenario they say know and then you’d have to stick to the Easter one.

Can I just ask when you found out and was if by phone or email as I’m waiting post AC. Also did they say anything about when other people would find out?