TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[CG_101]

Hi guys, this is gonna seem like a weird question. If you don't get anything in second year, ie, you have a Summer free on your CV, and you apply again for vac schemes in third year, are you at a disadvantage? Assuming grades remain consistent and you do some sort of informal experience in the summer?

I guess my question is, do firms look badly on candidates for not having done a vac scheme at the end of second year?

 

[Jessica Booker]

It was more to do with the kinds of posts that they were reacting to, not the haha reactions themselves. 🙂

For clarity it wasn’t about what they were reacting to.

The TCLA team had restricted the individual’s account 4-6 weeks ago due to them not abiding by TCLA’s terms, which meant we were manually approving their posts before they went live.

They didn’t like this and had kept corresponding with the team in a manner that was also against TCLA rules. When we extended the period that their account would be restricted, they went on this laughing emoji spree on the forums, something that isn't picked up by the restrictions system.

It was an act of defiance. As the individual was unwilling to change their behaviour and ultimately doubled down, we have now banned them.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Vinson & Elkins Interview/Presentation! 😁😁

Heya huge congrats! Is this the round after the initial app?

 

[Ricky]

Heya huge congrats! Is this the round after the initial app?

Thank you. After video interview.

 

[simplyfaith]

This is quite scary considering they have got SVS offers from HSF and AG! I hope they aren’t like this in real life as well. 😞

You won't believe who got a presidency offer from the USA... twice.

It only gets more twisted the further up you get. We're just getting started.

Stay true to your values and maintain a strong community. It'll be alright.

 

[anonymous.15]

hey, sorry to hear this if you don't mind me asking when did you hear about Latham and GD?

I heard from GD yest and from Latham on 4th feb '25

 

[lawelmo]

Hi guys just wondering if anyone has heard back from DWF? I’ve not heard a thing and I’m wondering if that means PFO?

I got a PFO last Friday

 

[NCTC2025]

This is quite scary considering they have got SVS offers from HSF and AG! I hope they aren’t like this in real life as well. 😞

I've actually had a bit of a weird interaction with them irl. They texted me about the AG AC on the TCLA messages function and told me they were attending the same interview slot as me (there were 3 slots on the day). On the day of the AC, I knew who they were because they'd previously listed on the forum all of their applications and the stages they were at and it was an exact match. I also spoke to them about TCLA and they said that they had likely texted me. After the AC, they texted me via TCLA messages that they had shifted their interview to slot 2 so had not interacted with me even though we had identified each other during the AC...

TBF they seemed nice enough in person and might have been trying to protect their privacy but just felt it was a bit awkward especially if we were on the same AG scheme.

 

[Hamaaida Khan]

I applied to Gibson Dunn on the 31st of Dec and haven't heard back yet. Does anyone know if they've started sending interview invites for apps submitted towards the end of Dec?

 

[anonymous.15]

Cooley post-WG and Davis Polk PFO. Both expected but Cooley hurts 🥲😂

Davis Polk has sent out a lot of PFOS including me , who are they taking in then ????

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Andrei Radu Hi!! This isn't a strictly VS/TC question, but you have answered a similar question for me before so I was wondering if I could quicky get your thoughts on this. I am applying for paralegal roles at the moment. With some firms, the recruitment process is moving quite quickly and for some of them, I haven't heard back since submitting my application. I want to avoid having to accept an offer when I am still waiting on firms I would prefer. What's the best way of approaching these firms to get a response? Thank you!!

If you get an offer from another firm and you only have a short period before you have to respond to it, you should definitely let the other firms know. It is quite a common circumstance and many of them will be willing to speed up the process. In some cases, I have anecdotal evidence of firms actually looking more favorably on candidates in this situation - I have been told that certain Magic Circle firms have a policy to immediately progress to the final stage candidates with a an expiring TC offer from a reputable firm.

However, if you think the time you will have to consider an offer will be very short (say, less than a week) you might want to email the other firms once you got the final stage interview invitation. This is a less common situation, but I still expect at least some to try to be flexible. Regardless, I do not see any circumstance in which you telling them about the situation will be held against you, so I do not think there is any reason not to try it.

 

[anonymous.15]

I applied to Gibson Dunn on the 31st of Dec and haven't heard back yet. Does anyone know if they've started sending interview invites for apps submitted towards the end of Dec?

people have started receiving interview offers in nov and in dec , even the interviews were going on in jan , got my PFO from GD this week .

 

[g.cl.2020344]

I applied to Gibson Dunn on the 31st of Dec and haven't heard back yet. Does anyone know if they've started sending interview invites for apps submitted towards the end of Dec?

Heya I applied 2nd Sept lol and emailed them last week and they said they r still reviewing applications loll

 

[jta227]

Hi guys, this is gonna seem like a weird question. If you don't get anything in second year, ie, you have a Summer free on your CV, and you apply again for vac schemes in third year, are you at a disadvantage? Assuming grades remain consistent and you do some sort of informal experience in the summer?

I guess my question is, do firms look badly on candidates for not having done a vac scheme at the end of second year?

Generally, I don't think so. Obviously I can't speak for any specific firm or gradrec staff member, but there are plenty of people who don't get vac schemes in second *or* third year and get them subsequently. That being said, just because you don't have a vac scheme doesn't mean your summer has to be "free" - can do many productive things: volunteering, informal work experience/shadowing, doing a personal activity (blog/podcast/society etc.) or just having a job (even in Tesco).

 

[Star Light]

There are 4 vacation scheme 'slots' and I have selected the last one that runs. Do you think this put me at a disadvantage - I wanted to apply to the 3rd one out of 4 but the spaces were all filled up.

 

[lolololol]

has anyone heard from WFW post-vi?

 

[Cool pigeon]

There are 4 vacation scheme 'slots' and I have selected the last one that runs. Do you think this put me at a disadvantage - I wanted to apply to the 3rd one out of 4 but the spaces were all filled up.

No- just go with the one that works for you

 

[Cool pigeon]

Anyone else book the Skadden vac scheme on the 7th April?

 

[TCpleasex]

Hi guys, this is gonna seem like a weird question. If you don't get anything in second year, ie, you have a Summer free on your CV, and you apply again for vac schemes in third year, are you at a disadvantage? Assuming grades remain consistent and you do some sort of informal experience in the summer?

I guess my question is, do firms look badly on candidates for not having done a vac scheme at the end of second year?

I finished my law degree in 2022 & LPC in 2023. I never done any VS in undergrad or on the LPC & I have been progressed to the next stage for 2 firms this cycle so far.

I met some firms at a law fair through uni & a lot of them said they understand some students genuinely can’t attend through work or finances. I don’t think they necessarily mind if you’ve not done any VS as long as you can show why you are a suitable candidate for the role you’re applying to.

I haven’t been applying to US/MC so I can’t speak for them but this seemed the general consensus amongst other firms.

 

[Miss Chocolate]

If you get an offer from another firm and you only have a short period before you have to respond to it, you should definitely let the other firms know. It is quite a common circumstance and many of them will be willing to speed up the process. In some cases, I have anecdotal evidence of firms actually looking more favorably on candidates in this situation - I have been told that certain Magic Circle firms have a policy to immediately progress to the final stage candidates with a an expiring TC offer from a reputable firm.

However, if you think the time you will have to consider an offer will be very short (say, less than a week) you might want to email the other firms once you got the final stage interview invitation. This is a less common situation, but I still expect at least some to try to be flexible. Regardless, I do not see any circumstance in which you telling them about the situation will be held against you, so I do not think there is any reason not to try it.

Thank you so much, this was really helpful!! I think if I make it to the final interview, I will email the firms that are ghosting me 😭