TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Farhan65756]

Nope but saw someone post a couple weeks back that they got an interview so assumed a rejection

Yeah I saw that too but that was only 1 person. There surely has to be more people who got invited and they woulda mentioned it here

 

[Elizabeth12]

Anyone heard back from Stephenson Hardwood after doing the interview and test for their summer VS?

 

[mp2000]

Anyone heard back from Stephenson Hardwood after doing the interview and test for their summer VS?

Not yet but as the first scheme is taking place next month I'm hoping we'll hear something soon!

 

[NikkiT]

Has anyone completed Cooley's Summer Programme before?

 

[NikkiT]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, do vacation schemes usually have specific hours per day?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, do vacation schemes usually have specific hours per day?

This should be detailed in any employment contract/offer letter as it will vary from firm to firm.

London firms tend to be 9.30-5.30, while regional firms are more likely to be 9.00-5.00pm.

Some firms will run slightly different weekly total hours though - 35 hours (the above) is common, but you may find firms have a 37.5 or 40 hour contracted week, which could be something like 9.00-5.30 (37.5 hours) or 9.00-6.00 or 8.30-5.30 (40 hours):

 

[lawstudent2003]

Hi! Has anybody heard from Kennedys Leeds office? I know they sent an email a while ago saying they were finalising decisions but I still haven't heard of anyone hearing back yet? This is post app. Thanks!

 

[AlegalA]

HD PFO- finally
Only waiting on withers now...

 

[EzeLaylor]

I emailed Latham about whether their direct TC route will be open at all this year and they said it’s very unlikely they’re going to open it…

Thanks @desperateTCseeker1998

 

[NikkiT]

Does anyone have any advice for vacations schemes generally? How to succeed/turn them into TCs? @Jessica Booker

 

[mp2000]

Anything new from SH?

 

[PFOenthusiast]

Ashfords Summer scheme invite!

 

[mp2000]

Ashfords Summer scheme invite!

You did it! Massive congratulations!

 

[FTS209990]

Hi @Jessica Booker - I’d really appreciate your advice!

I’ve secured 2 one-week VS: one at firm A starting on 17 June and the other at firm B, which offers two options, starting on either 3 June or 10 June.

I just had an AC with firm C, and if successful, I’d be invited to attend a VS on 3 June. Annoyingly, last week, I mistakenly told firm B that my preferred VS week was 3 June.

What do you think is the best thing to do? Ideally, I’d like to do all 3. Should I ask firm B if they could change my VS to w/c 10 June now, or wait until I hear back from firm C (by the end of May)? Does it look bad if I ask to change due to my mistake, especially for a firm that hasn’t made me an offer?

It also might be worth noting that I could do an AC for direct TC with firm B in late June, but I’m worried this would impact my chances.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker - I’d really appreciate your advice!

I’ve secured 2 one-week VS: one at firm A starting on 17 June and the other at firm B, which offers two options, starting on either 3 June or 10 June.

I just had an AC with firm C, and if successful, I’d be invited to attend a VS on 3 June. Annoyingly, last week, I mistakenly told firm B that my preferred VS week was 3 June.

What do you think is the best thing to do? Ideally, I’d like to do all 3. Should I ask firm B if they could change my VS to w/c 10 June now, or wait until I hear back from firm C (by the end of May)? Does it look bad if I ask to change due to my mistake, especially for a firm that hasn’t made me an offer?

It also might be worth noting that I could do an AC for direct TC with firm B in late June, but I’m worried this would impact my chances.

I would wait back to here from firm C before speaking to firm B. And it wasn’t a mistake if you have been offered a conflicting scheme after you have confirmed something. Be mindful that firm B might not be able to move you though, so assuming you receive an offer from firm C, you may have to choose between firms B and C.

 

[13h]

has anyone done an escape room/puzzle style task as part of an AC before? would appreciate any tips

 

[Miss Chocolate]

@Jessica Booker

Hi, I was wondering if I could your opinion on this. So I have only secured one vacation scheme this summer so far and I am really keen on the firm. However, I have no idea how many people they will keep on so I don't know if I would be better off making more applications just to be safe? There's a few firms I am kind of interested in (but not massively). Thank you!

 

[FTS209990]

I would wait back to here from firm C before speaking to firm B. And it wasn’t a mistake if you have been offered a conflicting scheme after you have confirmed something. Be mindful that firm B might not be able to move you though, so assuming you receive an offer from firm C, you may have to choose between firms B and C.

Thank you for responding! @Jessica Booker

I thought it was a mistake because if I had told firm B my preferred date was 10 June, I could have potentially participated in all three VS.

So do you think it’s better to ask firm B if they could move me later on? I just thought asking now would give them more time to make arrangements (if even possible).

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker

Hi, I was wondering if I could your opinion on this. So I have only secured one vacation scheme this summer so far and I am really keen on the firm. However, I have no idea how many people they will keep on so I don't know if I would be better off making more applications just to be safe? There's a few firms I am kind of interested in (but not massively). Thank you!

Generally I would advise making a broader range of applications. You could always wait until your vacation scheme concludes though to work out if you need to do this or not. If firms’ deadlines are before you would know this, then I’d recommend applying anyway.

 

[TonyStark]

Can anyone recommend any resources that would help me understand what a trainee is expected to do in the main departments of a law firm e.g. what are the tasks/what are the main deliverables that are being produced?