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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

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Those who havent heard from latham for spring, can we assume rejection - given that they said we would hear back before the end of the month
It’s not end of the month just yet so I’d honestly just wait until 31st before making any assumptions. The only people who have heard are those who have done open days / first year schemes with the firm.
 
To those who studied law, do you think you have an advantage in the application process? I've heard law as a degree and in practice is completely different. Just wondering whether any of you feel that has prepared you for apps in any way
 
Actually they said:
Communication to candidates who are shortlisted to the next stage is anticipated to commence from Thursday 24 January 2024.
Updates to all candidates on final status is anticipated by Monday 5 February 2024

But i am waiting for my pfo as well😂
I also wish kirkland wc hl would give me pfo already.
I feel you mate!
 
To those who studied law, do you think you have an advantage in the application process? I've heard law as a degree and in practice is completely different. Just wondering whether any of you feel that has prepared you for apps in any way
From my experience, I think the short answer is no and I wouldn’t bother looking too deep into this tbh. Writing an application for a law firm vs law essays are completely different. The former requires concise, tailored, succinct writing style and the latter requires a more detailed, analytical, comprehensive writing style. If anything, law students struggle to change their writing style and therefore struggle with applications. If I knew you didn’t need a law degree to get into commercial law, I would’ve probably done economics or business (would’ve helped me better with commercial awareness) or even a STEM degree (very helpful in niche areas of commercial law, like IP, life sciences, energy, etc)
 
I feel like we are getting more messages from law firms saying they got unprecedented number of apps this cycle.
Travers Smith got over 2000 apps for summer vs, cooley had 70% increase, sidley saw an increase and pretty sure Akins in a similar situation.
Why is it getting more tougher each cycle😩
Just focus on yourself and you'll get in. Remember 20-30% of apps are practically automatic fails due to bad grammar/spelling or wrong names. I wrote my greatest ever app and attended an Open Day for a US firm just to write another firm's name in by accident. That was an automatic PFO.
 
Do you think it will look bad if you ask a firm to switch from spring VS to a summer, because of clashing scheme dates?
Not if you ask whether it’s possible to rather than framing that you need it moved.

Clashing schemes is a very regular occurrence and the firm will have a way they deal with such requests. The worst outcome is they say no and you have to work out whether to decline their offer or the other firm’s. Be mindful that they may ask you whether the other firm can move you instead too.
 
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