TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Aliceczernia]

Any Stephenson Harwood Summer VS offers? Or is it too early?

 

[lllaaawww098]

Anyone still hasn't heard from dentons?

 

[13h]

anyone through to the bupa ac?

 

[wz_13]

Anyone got rejections from bupa?

 

[jplaw1010]

What is Macfarlanes' test? Is it WGT, SJT, Verbal Reasoning?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Anyone still waiting on SH vacation scheme email (pre-test), have you reached out and heard back from grad rec? Thinking of sending an email

 

[AZ97]

Bakers post-AC PFO

 

[CHLTC]

So I didn’t get a single Vac Scheme again.

After a dozen applications, dozens of tests, multiple interviews, multiple ACs, not 1 Vac scheme offer.

I have:

• a first class degree from a Russell group university
• A distinction at the GDL
• an LSE Corporate Law diploma

• Over 4 legal work experiences including being a paralegal for over a year in a London city firm.
• Over 6 other work experiences non law related

• I speak multiple languages
• And was a music and sports scholar at school
• I have also worked for multiple charities

And after all this, I still don’t have a Vac scheme offer.

Someone prevent me from just giving everything up after all that effort.

What is it I can do? After all this I’m still not good enough ?

 

[SR99]

So I didn’t get a single Vac Scheme again.

After a dozen applications, dozens of tests, multiple interviews, multiple ACs, not 1 Vac scheme offer.

I have:

• a first class degree from a Russell group university
• A distinction at the GDL
• an LSE Corporate Law diploma

• Over 4 legal work experiences including being a paralegal for over a year in a London city firm.
• Over 6 other work experiences non law related

• I speak multiple languages
• And was a music and sports scholar at school
• I have also worked for multiple charities

And after all this, I still don’t have a Vac scheme offer.

Someone prevent me from just giving everything up after all that effort.

What is it I can do? After all this I’m still not good enough ?

I hear you. Just remember that the one meant for you is out there - don't give up. Rejection is redirection and I truly believe that the firm that is meant for you will be the 1 yes that you need. You have amazing credentials and the right firm for you will recognize how great you are!

 

[tdog]

Just asking again if anyones heard anything post WG for Orrick.

Had an invite for AC just come through

 

[legallyperhaps]

Has anyone else not heard back from Simmons & Simmons Bristol (or really any location) post AC? It's been almost 5 weeks since my AC and they initially said they'd get back within 2 weeks

 

[CHLTC]

So I didn’t get a single Vac Scheme again.

After a dozen applications, dozens of tests, multiple interviews, multiple ACs, not 1 Vac scheme offer.

I have:

• a first class degree from a Russell group university
• A distinction at the GDL
• an LSE Corporate Law diploma

• Over 4 legal work experiences including being a paralegal for over a year in a London city firm.
• Over 6 other work experiences non law related

• I speak multiple languages
• And was a music and sports scholar at school
• I have also worked for multiple charities

And after all this, I still don’t have a Vac scheme offer.

Someone prevent me from just giving everything up after all that effort.

What is it I can do? After all this I’m still not good enough ?

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

 

[zdzd]

So I didn’t get a single Vac Scheme again.

After a dozen applications, dozens of tests, multiple interviews, multiple ACs, not 1 Vac scheme offer.

I have:

• a first class degree from a Russell group university
• A distinction at the GDL
• an LSE Corporate Law diploma

• Over 4 legal work experiences including being a paralegal for over a year in a London city firm.
• Over 6 other work experiences non law related

• I speak multiple languages
• And was a music and sports scholar at school
• I have also worked for multiple charities

And after all this, I still don’t have a Vac scheme offer.

Someone prevent me from just giving everything up after all that effort.

What is it I can do? After all this I’m still not good enough ?

It’s really a game of luck at the end of the day unfortunately it’s frustrating that you can do everything that grad rec recommends to make your application stand out and attend countless fairs and events, but it really does come down to luck.

I highly doubt it’s a matter of you not being good enough. Maybe just take a break for a little bit to re-centre yourself and get back into the right mindset. You’ll get that yes eventually

 

[Deleted member 17013]

So I didn’t get a single Vac Scheme again.

After a dozen applications, dozens of tests, multiple interviews, multiple ACs, not 1 Vac scheme offer.

I have:

• a first class degree from a Russell group university
• A distinction at the GDL
• an LSE Corporate Law diploma

• Over 4 legal work experiences including being a paralegal for over a year in a London city firm.
• Over 6 other work experiences non law related

• I speak multiple languages
• And was a music and sports scholar at school
• I have also worked for multiple charities

And after all this, I still don’t have a Vac scheme offer.

Someone prevent me from just giving everything up after all that effort.

What is it I can do? After all this I’m still not good enough ?

What was your feedback from the unsuccessful ACs?

 

[ABHT]

Had an invite for AC just come through

Haha ye same for me.

 

[holz567]

Just had my final PFO post AC, which officially marks the end of this cycle and my third cycle overall.

I'm so lost right now and I just don't understand where I'm going wrong. I've got a first class degree from a RG university, spent a year abroad, have 8 months working as a paralegal, was involved in plenty of extracurriculars, and help contribute to my own small business.

It all looks great on paper, but I get to that final AC stage and just can't convert it to a VS. I prepare as much as I can and don't even feel like they go particularly badly, which makes it even more frustrating.

I've had 5 ACs across 3 cycles, which is encouraging. This last one just leaves the frustration of having to do it all over again. The thought of more rejections next year makes me feel sick.

Anyone have any thoughts on what I can do to improve and take that leap?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

So I didn’t get a single Vac Scheme again.

After a dozen applications, dozens of tests, multiple interviews, multiple ACs, not 1 Vac scheme offer.

I have:

• a first class degree from a Russell group university
• A distinction at the GDL
• an LSE Corporate Law diploma

• Over 4 legal work experiences including being a paralegal for over a year in a London city firm.
• Over 6 other work experiences non law related

• I speak multiple languages
• And was a music and sports scholar at school
• I have also worked for multiple charities

And after all this, I still don’t have a Vac scheme offer.

Someone prevent me from just giving everything up after all that effort.

What is it I can do? After all this I’m still not good enough ?

You are getting multiple interviews and assessment centres - you clearly are a good candidate to be getting to those stages frequently.

It sounds like you may just need some practice or focus on interviewing skills or potentially another type of assessment. What feedback have you received from firms when you have reached interview/assessment centre stage?

 

[mp2000]

Is this for spring or summer?

Spring

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

MoFo PFO.

Does anyone know how many TCs Morgan Lewis gives to vac schemers and direct TC applicants? Is there a point in doing a direct TC app?

 

[CHLTC]

You are getting multiple interviews and assessment centres - you clearly are a good candidate to be getting to those stages frequently.

It sounds like you may just need some practice or focus on interviewing skills or potentially another type of assessment. What feedback have you received from firms when you have reached interview/assessment centre stage?

From previous feedback, I have been told I do not score high enough during Business Case Studies.

And to be honest, I don’t find that surprising.

But how exactly are we meant to get experience in these business case studies? It’s not something a law degree teaches and it isn’t really something being a paralegal teaches either.

I have tried practice ones online. But every time I do a real case study, each firm it is individual to the firm and always feels just that little bit different. It sometimes feels like it is something I can’t prepare for and therefore can’t get better at. Urgh.