TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[chirag12]

Hi,
I know that forage virtual experience internships can give you a good idea of what type of law you want to go into
However, I wanted to ask whether forage virtual experience internships are useful for a vacation scheme or training contract application as they are open access and most people would probably include it in their applications. If it is useful, could you explain how?

Thanks

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi,
I know that forage virtual experience internships can give you a good idea of what type of law you want to go into
However, I wanted to ask whether forage virtual experience internships are useful for a vacation scheme or training contract application as they are open access and most people would probably include it in their applications. If it is useful, could you explain how?

Thanks

How useful they are depends on your circumstances. It can help you build knowledge of an area of law if you haven’t studied it or worked in it, and if that is relevant to the firm you are applying to, then that could demonstrate your interest in the topic and your proactiveness to learn more about it.

If you have work experience in the subject or you have studied it at university, you are less likely to find it useful, and also it’s going to add less new evidence to your applications.

I personally think they are a great way to show you are pushing your own self development, so generally recommend them. I just encourage people to be selective in which ones they do. Once you have done a few, you probably start to get less benefits from the next one.

Also firms have access to your data once you complete the Forage internships that they have hosted. And they do tap up people who have completed the courses for opportunities with the firm, so it’s a good way for the firm to have your data too.

 

[LegalLegal11]

If a VS has told you that they'll get back to you within 3 weeks, is it typical that the later you hear back the lower chance you have of getting the TC as they'll do acceptances first? Or are there no determinations to make regarding how long it takes a firm to get back to you?

 

[chirag12]

How useful they are depends on your circumstances. It can help you build knowledge of an area of law if you haven’t studied it or worked in it, and if that is relevant to the firm you are applying to, then that could demonstrate your interest in the topic and your proactiveness to learn more about it.

If you have work experience in the subject or you have studied it at university, you are less likely to find it useful, and also it’s going to add less new evidence to your applications.

I personally think they are a great way to show you are pushing your own self development, so generally recommend them. I just encourage people to be selective in which ones they do. Once you have done a few, you probably start to get less benefits from the next one.

Also firms have access to your data once you complete the Forage internships that they have hosted. And they do tap up people who have completed the courses for opportunities with the firm, so it’s a good way for the firm to have your data too.

HI,
That makes a lot more sense. Thanks

 

[AlexJ]

If a VS has told you that they'll get back to you within 3 weeks, is it typical that the later you hear back the lower chance you have of getting the TC as they'll do acceptances first? Or are there no determinations to make regarding how long it takes a firm to get back to you?

I wouldn’t read too much into it- my firm kept pushing back when I would hear but I got an offer in the end. Will vary from firm to firm and could be for any number of reasons

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

If a VS has told you that they'll get back to you within 3 weeks, is it typical that the later you hear back the lower chance you have of getting the TC as they'll do acceptances first? Or are there no determinations to make regarding how long it takes a firm to get back to you?

No - I wouldn’t say that is typical at all.

 

[laurabeaumont]

If a VS has told you that they'll get back to you within 3 weeks, is it typical that the later you hear back the lower chance you have of getting the TC as they'll do acceptances first? Or are there no determinations to make regarding how long it takes a firm to get back to you?

I have heard circumstances where both those who are offered/waitlisted/not offered the TC were all told on the same day. It is completely personal to the GR in question how they operate. Perhaps some do have a set process, but I am sure some also do not (although I do caveat this by saying I've never worked in GR and so do not have knowledge of any pre-existing convention). If I was personally thinking it through in your shoes, I'd honestly say the longer they take to get back the longer they are thinking my application over - it is not a no until you have resolutely heard a 'no'.

 

[hannah04]

I know a few people who heard back last week following the summer vacation scheme with a TC offer, but I havent heard back yet. Is this bad news for me?

 

[Deleted member 3712]

Has someone got experience working with a mentor from GROW mentoring? I applied to be a mentee around April/May during the last round that opened but I haven’t received a response. The new round for applications is opening soon in autumn. Is anybody else on here in the same boat?

Could someone who has been successful please give me tips on how to craft a good application?

 

[davinap99]

I have finally secured a training contract!!! 🎉🎉🍾🍾

I would like to thank the entire TCLA Community for all their help over the last 4 years!! I’ve been on this platform since my final year of undergrad studies and I never thought I’d be able to secure a TC. The community here really helped me develop and boost my self-confidence.

@Jaysen and @Jessica Booker thank you for all your help across the 4 years I’ve been on this platform!!

As I have some free time (as my TC starts in March), I would like to give back to this community as much as I can. Therefore, everyone feel free to ask me any questions or concerns you may have and I’ll do my absolute best to answer them as much as I possibly can!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I have finally secured a training contract!!! 🎉🎉🍾🍾

I would like to thank the entire TCLA Community for all their help over the last 4 years!! I’ve been on this platform since my final year of undergrad studies and I never thought I’d be able to secure a TC. The community here really helped me develop and boost my self-confidence.

@Jaysen and @Jessica Booker thank you for all your help across the 4 years I’ve been on this platform!!

As I have some free time (as my TC starts in March), I would like to give back to this community as much as I can. Therefore, everyone feel free to ask me any questions or concerns you may have and I’ll do my absolute best to answer them as much as I possibly can!

Amazing news and you are a testament to showing how determination and perseverance pays off! Congratulations and well done.

 

[izzy1036]

Does anyone know MoFo's graduate recruitment email? For some reason, when I try to send an email with [email protected], it doesn't work. Just want to ask them a question about mitigating circumstances.

 

[laurabeaumont]

I have finally secured a training contract!!! 🎉🎉🍾🍾

I would like to thank the entire TCLA Community for all their help over the last 4 years!! I’ve been on this platform since my final year of undergrad studies and I never thought I’d be able to secure a TC. The community here really helped me develop and boost my self-confidence.

@Jaysen and @Jessica Booker thank you for all your help across the 4 years I’ve been on this platform!!

As I have some free time (as my TC starts in March), I would like to give back to this community as much as I can. Therefore, everyone feel free to ask me any questions or concerns you may have and I’ll do my absolute best to answer them as much as I possibly can!

AMAZING NEWS!!!

 

[Jaysen]

I have finally secured a training contract!!! 🎉🎉🍾🍾

I would like to thank the entire TCLA Community for all their help over the last 4 years!! I’ve been on this platform since my final year of undergrad studies and I never thought I’d be able to secure a TC. The community here really helped me develop and boost my self-confidence.

@Jaysen and @Jessica Booker thank you for all your help across the 4 years I’ve been on this platform!!

As I have some free time (as my TC starts in March), I would like to give back to this community as much as I can. Therefore, everyone feel free to ask me any questions or concerns you may have and I’ll do my absolute best to answer them as much as I possibly can!

Amazing to see you persevere over the last four years. Really well done and thank you for offering to give back!

 

[davinap99]

Thank you @Jessica Booker @Jaysen and @laurabeaumont

 

[chirag12]

Hi,

I am confused about how mentioning non-commercial law work experience in an application when applying to a commercial law firm can be useful. Would commercial law firms not think that this does not show a passion for commercial law but other areas instead?

For example, if you have done Barclay's legal work experience week, an internship with the government legal department how could you write this in your application to show that you still have an interest in commercial law? The Barclays work experience is mostly hosted by an in-house lawyer rather than a law firm.

I am probably wrong but just want some guidance.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hi,

I am confused about how mentioning non-commercial law work experience in an application when applying to a commercial law firm can be useful. Would commercial law firms not think that this does not show a passion for commercial law but other areas instead?

For example, if you have done Barclay's legal work experience week, an internship with the government legal department how could you write this in your application to show that you still have an interest in commercial law? The Barclays work experience is mostly hosted by an in-house lawyer rather than a law firm.

I am probably wrong but just want some guidance.

You could discuss what you did and discuss how that led to your interest in commercial transactions.

Something like having working in an in-house company where I drafted finance documents or shareholder agreements led my interest in commercial law.

I would put it something like this and then talk about being involved in legal transactions like these interests me.

Something similar to this.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[davinap99]

Hi,

I am confused about how mentioning non-commercial law work experience in an application when applying to a commercial law firm can be useful. Would commercial law firms not think that this does not show a passion for commercial law but other areas instead?

For example, if you have done Barclay's legal work experience week, an internship with the government legal department how could you write this in your application to show that you still have an interest in commercial law? The Barclays work experience is mostly hosted by an in-house lawyer rather than a law firm.

I am probably wrong but just want some guidance.

In my experience, non-commercial law work experience is equally valuable because it is about the transferable skills that you learnt. Graduate recruitment teams understand that not everyone can get commercial legal experience but what they are looking for is the skills you’ve learnt from it.

For example, with your Barclay’s legal work experience week, what are the transferable skills that you learnt? Did you do anything during the week that had a commercial element to it? How did the week continue to persuade you to pursue a career in law? What tasks did you enjoy? Why? These are the kind of questions you need to be thinking about. 🙂

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi,

I am confused about how mentioning non-commercial law work experience in an application when applying to a commercial law firm can be useful. Would commercial law firms not think that this does not show a passion for commercial law but other areas instead?

For example, if you have done Barclay's legal work experience week, an internship with the government legal department how could you write this in your application to show that you still have an interest in commercial law? The Barclays work experience is mostly hosted by an in-house lawyer rather than a law firm.

I am probably wrong but just want some guidance.

Many commercial law firms work with the GLD lawyers on a wide range of issues. If they are the firm’s client, the work they do is commercial, even if they are not a “commercial” organisation.

 

[chirag12]

You could discuss what you did and discuss how that led to your interest in commercial transactions.

Something like having working in an in-house company where I drafted finance documents or shareholder agreements led my interest in commercial law.

I would put it something like this and then talk about being involved in legal transactions like these interests me.

Something similar to this.

Hope this is helpful.

Hi,
That makes much more sense. After reading this I am more confident using work experience from places other than law firms.

Thanks