TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[DesperateForVac]

Anyone heard from Clyde and Co?

 

[Tintin06]

I have a question to the community, for instance Sidley offers 17 TCs, they do four schemes which hosts around 20 candidates per scheme which comes to a total of 80. With the conversion to TC being difficult, what exactly should a candidate do to secure the offer and how do they assess you (specifically in Sidley). Does anyone have views on this?

Also any idea on how many candidates they send AC invites?

That's a pretty low conversion rate. It's helpful to know such details. Feel better about my rejection now. Conversion rates can be very low. Always worth keeping that in mind. They are a great firm though. Big issue with the US firms. Goodwin seems slightly better plus others. We should hear more next year. I like Sidley's straightforward application process. No SJT or Watson Glaser, IIRC. Best of luck if you're applying.

 

[James Wakefield]

If you complete your VI on Christmas Day, are you allowed to wear a Santa hat? Asking for a friend.

On a serious note, Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[kokoprep]

That's a pretty low conversion rate. It's helpful to know such details. Feel better about my rejection now. Conversion rates can be very low. Always worth keeping that in mind. They are a great firm though. Big issue with the US firms. Goodwin seems slightly better plus others. We should hear more next year. I like Sidley's straightforward application process. No SJT or Watson Glaser, IIRC. Best of luck if you're applying.

Thank you Tintin, hope you get an offer soon as well! Btw for Sidley did you apply for winter or?

 

[wqueens8]

anyone heard back from bakers for summer VS yet? I applied on Friday, deadline is 1st Jan. Worried I left it too late as I know they're rolling.

 

[kokoprep]

anyone heard back from bakers for summer VS yet? I applied on Friday, deadline is 1st Jan. Worried I left it too late as I know they're rolling.

Nope haven’t heard back😔

 

[kokoprep]

Hi - Any advice on Baker McKenzie test and what do they cover?

 

[lolololol]

anyone heard back from hfw svs?

 

[kokoprep]

Is there any point of applying to Milbank when they hire predominantly from oxbridge?

 

[tosin4774]

In an application, I am asked how a firm maintains its competitive advantage. I believe it is through its innovation. How can I expand on this point @Amma Usman

 

[Tintin06]

Is there any point of applying to Milbank when they hire predominantly from oxbridge?

Yes it’s always worth applying, honestly. They have a very small intake. One hire changes that a lot. So their Oxbridge percentage also fluctuates. Oxbridge people also heavily apply there. The figures may well perpetuate that. It’s a great firm quite honestly. You should apply for their scheme.

 

[User5678]

Is there any point of applying to Milbank when they hire predominantly from oxbridge?

Please do apply if you like the firm!! I have a friend who has gotten a training contract there (we go to warwick) but she has stellar grades in her law degree (high 2:1 or a first I’m not very sure but I think Milbank expects that from oxbridge too). There is defo a chance so take it

 

[happdyln]

Has anyone had an AC for DLA Leeds yet?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does being in touch and knowing the grad rec, help in any manner? I was having a discussion about this with someone I met at an open day and they told me it defo helped them! Views?

Grad Rec know far too many people for this to be a shoo-in. I think you can impress graduate recruitment with interactions with them (this has happened with me, although still hasn’t led to a more favourable outcomes all the time) but knowing them means very little in all honesty.

 

[kokoprep]

Grad Rec know far too many people for this to be a shoo-in. I think you can impress graduate recruitment with interactions with them (this has happened with me, although still hasn’t led to a more favourable outcomes all the time) but knowing them means very little in all honesty.

makes sense - thank you jessica

 

[BillSikes]

I am interested to know whether anyone on this forum legitimately does not apply to firms that have video interview?

 

[TCCG2023]

Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!
I have an upcoming AC at CMS London - any insights would be appreciated! Thank you 🥰

 

[Gin]

Congratulations! I received an invitation to the Weil VI today. Any tips if you have already done that? Thanks

Hey I received the Weil VI invitation as well! Have you guys got any tips? Much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Gin]

Hey has anyone done the VI at Weil? I've never done any VI before so it's really appreciated if anyone could share some tips. Tysm!!!

 

[pepsicola96]

Quick q, what's the consensus on doing an insight scheme in a non-london office, if the end goal is to qualify in London?

To put it plainly, I'll be applying for the CMS insight programme, it is offered in my uni city, and also in London. It would be far preferable to do it in my uni city of course, I wouldn't have to travel across the country, or pay for accomodation. While the scheme is paid (£475), after trains and airbnb or whatever for a week, I would definitely be losing money, vs in my uni city I'd be earning, which would really help me out. My uni city is also close to my home city, where I'm planning to be for the week after for family commitments.

But from a career perspective, I'm keen to work in London. It's a little vague on the website, it is an insight scheme and not a vac scheme after all, but it does say you "may be fast tracked to an assessment centre for a training contract". At the same time, I'm actually really interested in the graduate solicitor apprenticeship at CMS rather than a traditional training contract, so I don't know how that affects things.

Basically I'm asking, is it really silly of me to do an insight programme in my uni city, just to get more legal experience and firm exposure to then later apply for the graduate solicitor apprenticeship in London?