TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[BillSikes]

Any recent responses for DLA post-WG (Manchester)? They keep sending me the same e-mail everyday ffs proper annoying.

 

[Tintin06]

Who else is going to Baker McKenzie's Employability Open Day on Wednesday?

 

[Tcvspfo]

non-rolling

Thank you and that is such a relief

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

There is a thread here on this topic: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....to-a-training-contract-top-tips-in-2021.3454/

Hi there, is there a thread on TCLA for tips in order to convert vac schemes into offers? I have tried searching but can't find anything. Thank you

@Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

 

[gazdgazd11]

anyone knows if Gibson Dunn is really strict on grades?

 

[yasmars]

anyone knows if Gibson Dunn is really strict on grades?

They don't auto-reject based on academics.

 

[LawyerUpPal]

I graduated in 2017. I also did a masters confused on what to do and trying to make myself more competitive - I don't think it helped that much just paid for another fancy title from a top university. I never had done a vac scheme prior to 2023 but had loads of work experience in other industries including consulting. I was so close to giving up but I got a TC at a silver circle firm in August - the end of the last cycle. It was going to be my last cycle before giving up - I literally got the TC 'last minute' because once September hit I would have not started the new cycle. I start my TC in March 2025 (so soon! I got very lucky) and I am currently working at the firm in another role until the TC starts . Long story short, don't give up, give it your all, it's not too late! I understand your frustration so you are not alone!

I graduated in 2017. I also did a masters confused on what to do and trying to make myself more competitive - I don't think it helped that much just paid for another fancy title from a top university. I never had done a vac scheme prior to 2023 but had loads of work experience in other industries including consulting. I was so close to giving up but I got a TC at a silver circle firm in August - the end of the last cycle. It was going to be my last cycle before giving up - I literally got the TC 'last minute' because once September hit I would have not started the new cycle. I start my TC in March 2025 (so soon! I got very lucky) and I am currently working at the firm in another role until the TC starts . Long story short, don't give up, give it your all, it's not too late! I understand your frustration so you are not alone!

I'm not sure why people are so hard on themselves with age. I met a trainee at HL last month who was 38. He was an aerospace engineer and decided to become a commercial lawyer. I did a VS last Spring at SH, and there was a 40-year-old guy on the scheme. We all went to him for advice; he was bright, friendly and kind. I've met people who have been trying to get a TC for 8 years! The beauty of living in countries like the UK and the US is that we can do anything at any age, whether going to Uni for the first time or becoming a trainee solicitor.

 

[BBsharkk]

Has anyone had experience not progressing after an AC with a firm and successfully secured a VS/TC in the subsequent cycle?

 

[Tclarocks123]

Is CC work experience section bullets or prose? Help please.

 

[Boating]

Is the Ashurst test that Arctic shores games test? Or is it 3 seperate assessments?

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Is CC work experience section bullets or prose? Help please.

imo always just do prose unless it says.

 

[Apple]

Has anyone had experience not progressing after an AC with a firm and successfully secured a VS/TC in the subsequent cycle?

I haven't personally done this, but after failing in the Macfarlanes AC, in my feedback call grad recruitment specifically encouraged me to apply for their TC in the same cycle. Slaughter and May also did this - so its defo possible.

 

[BillSikes]

Just got rejected from a paralegal role because they wanted someone with paralegal experience, despite me having paralegal experience lol

They are scum. why do they even bother inviting us for interview. I had the same - interview with Shoosmiths and was rejected on spot for lack of experience. Why invite me? clown firm.

 

[BBsharkk]

I haven't personally done this, but after failing in the Macfarlanes AC, in my feedback call grad recruitment specifically encouraged me to apply for their TC in the same cycle. Slaughter and May also did this - so its defo possible.

I think it's more of a generic "encouragement" in the sense that they don't have a specific policy barring people from applying after failing an AC. But I don't know anyone who actually pulled it off in the very next cycle....

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

After applying for HSF, how long does it generally take to receive the test?

 

[Apple]

I think it's more of a generic "encouragement" in the sense that they don't have a specific policy barring people from applying after failing an AC. But I don't know anyone who actually pulled it off in the very next cycle....

Plenty of firms have a no-second-interview policy, if they wouldn't legitmately consider you I dont think they would encourage you to reapply.

 

[yumjuicebox]

For applications that require referees, does anyone know what is required of the referees? Like, are they asked to write a reference letter or just fill in a form verifying that what I've represented in my application form is accurate?

I ask this because I'm thinking of asking my dissertation supervisor to be my academic referee, but they're currently on research leave and I don't want to ask too much of them (i.e., get them to write a whole reference letter) if they're so busy already

Thank you!

 

[studentdelaw786]

They are scum. why do they even bother inviting us for interview. I had the same - interview with Shoosmiths and was rejected on spot for lack of experience. Why invite me? clown firm.

they also rejected me after interview cos they changed the role location to Solent, despite advertising it as remote initially.

absolute scumbag move.

 

[lolololol]

does anyone know which attributes linklaters look for from the capp assessment? also any wg prep advice would be appreciated!

 

[DisciplineTC2526]

anyone knows if Gibson Dunn is really strict on grades?

^
@Amma Usman - could you please advise here?