TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

Hi! I have a TC offer with a firm and I have signed the contract. But I have also just received a vac scheme offer from another firm. Can I still do the vac scheme with that firm? It's not prohibited in the contract but should I disclose this to the firms on both sides? Will this be frowned upon?

You should check your VS terms as well as your TC terms. But ultimately if neither contract have terms and you are not taking financial support from the TC firm before your VS ends, you can do both.

However, if there is no chance you would accept a TC with the VS firm over the TC firm, then decline the VS offer and let someone else take it up instead.

 

[trainee4u]

However, if there is no chance you would accept a TC with the VS firm over the TC firm, then decline the VS offer and let someone else take it up instead.

Still reasons to do it: money, experience, contacts, fun.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Still reasons to do it: money, experience, contacts, fun.

Indeed - but generally I would recommend doing other things to gain those same elements rather than a vacation scheme with a firm you aren’t ever going to consider for a TC.

 

[Chris Brown]

anyone ever had an application succeed where it was lowkey riddled with typos (okay I've spotted 3 where there's just an extra word or a fullstop missing due to lots of editing)

I have managed to get past application stage for a few firms even though I am certain I had some typos and spag errors (White & Case, Willkie, BCLP and Paul, Weiss). I missed the , for Paul, Weiss at least 3x in my application and I have an interview soon. I’m lowkey worried they might ask about it. 🥲​

 

[laurenn42]

Is anybody attending the OC AC in the London office on the 13th and want to meet a bit earlier in the morning? DM me if so!

 

[Chris Brown]

Pretty sure the answer's a yes. But, if you get rejected for a VS at Stephenson Harwood, you have to wait until the next application cycle to make a VS/TC application, right?

In the FAQ section of their graduate recruitment website, it says you can re-apply if unsuccessful but only once per cycle. If you do re-apply there needs to be an improvement in your application:

FAQs

Stephenson Harwood Graduate Careers

www.shlegal-futuretalent.com

 

[Miss Chocolate]

In the FAQ section of their graduate recruitment website, it says you can re-apply if unsuccessful but only once per cycle. If you do re-apply there needs to be an improvement in your application:

FAQs

Stephenson Harwood Graduate Careers

www.shlegal-futuretalent.com

Thank you so much !!!! 😊

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Hi guys, please what’s the best way to address a partner , an associate and a client when writing an email or a letter to them in a written exercise? So for instance would you say “Hi …..” or “Dear ….” , for a client, would you say Mr or Mrs / Hi… followed by their names / Sir or madam?

 

[bubblebobaprincess]

This application season has truly been rough…had an ac the other week where they had over 7000 applications and had shortlisted down to 30 and I was rejected a few days later, only starting to pick myself up now but I am so burnt out!

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

This application season has truly been rough…had an ac the other week where they had over 7000 applications and had shortlisted down to 30 and I was rejected a few days later, only starting to pick myself up now but I am so burnt out!

7000! Who was that?

 

[jta227]

Hey all - recognise this may not be the best place to ask this but slightly stressed and not sure any other pages receive quite as many viewers.

Have received a TC offer to start August 2027, and need to complete PGDL as well as SQE beforehand. My offer expires early March, and have only finished deliberating now (signing tomorrow). I went onto Ulaw to enrol into Sep 2025 courses, but the only options there for either London campus are part-time courses? Same story for BPP.

Have I missed all the places for full-time PGDL study this September? I must be missing something because this can't make any sense. How could I be too late to apply and get a place on these courses if my offer letter hasn't even expired yet? Moreover, there are loads of interviews and TC offers still to be released for 2027 start, and I assume a bunch of people who need to enrol in the Sep 25 PGDL courses too.

Please someone tell me I'm not crazy and I am missing something!!!

Not sure what your offer letter says but lots of firms will have arrangements whereby those with TC offers are guaranteed a place at the firm's chosen place that they send their future trainees to study.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

anyone doing an AC at links this week or knows someone who is doing an ac, can they confirm if this week is the last week of ACs in this cycle?

 

[Chris Brown]

This application season has truly been rough…had an ac the other week where they had over 7000 applications and had shortlisted down to 30 and I was rejected a few days later, only starting to pick myself up now but I am so burnt out!

7000! Who was that?

I knew getting a TC at a city law firm was competitive but damn I didn’t realise it was like this lmao. 7,000 is actually insane!! How does a firm even begin cutting down from 7,000? How did they manage to go from 7,000 to 30, that’s also insane!! 😮😖​

 

[Miss Chocolate]

A bit of a random question...

Also not sure why I am worrying about this considering I don't even have a TC offer yet. But, you know, manifesting and whatnot....

Does anyone know if it's possible to do the SQE part-time/remotely? The paralegals at my firm are working full-time AND sitting exams for SQE1 and SQE2. Crazy. The reason why I ask is because honestly if it's possible to do it remotely for most firms on a case-by-case basis if you request it, I would love to be able to move overseas somewhere for a couple of months instead of paying disgusting rent in the UK and suffering in this weather during winter 😭

 

[jta227]

A bit of a random question...

Also not sure why I am worrying about this considering I don't even have a TC offer yet. But, you know, manifesting and whatnot....

Does anyone know if it's possible to do the SQE part-time/remotely? The paralegals at my firm are working full-time AND sitting exams for SQE1 and SQE2. Crazy. The reason why I ask is because honestly if it's possible to do it remotely for most firms on a case-by-case basis if you request it, I would love to be able to move overseas somewhere for a couple of months instead of paying disgusting rent in the UK and suffering in this weather during winter 😭

Both are possible, but some firms may require that their sponsored trainees do it in person and full time - so basically it depends on the firm. Some firms will be open to discuss individual circumstances.

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

If anybody has a list of firms that sponsors visas for their vacation schemes, could you please share it with me?

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

If anybody has a list of firms that sponsors visas for their vacation schemes, could you please share it with me?

I think generally, firms don't do this, as it's too costly when hiring someone for 2 weeks. I think White & Case does and there may be other US firms who do it.

 

[SeniorJunior]

Hello 👋🏻
Anyone who has done an AC with Addleshaw Goddard for a VS, how long did it take you to hear back please?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Really hoping for good news for us this week!!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey all - recognise this may not be the best place to ask this but slightly stressed and not sure any other pages receive quite as many viewers.

Have received a TC offer to start August 2027, and need to complete PGDL as well as SQE beforehand. My offer expires early March, and have only finished deliberating now (signing tomorrow). I went onto Ulaw to enrol into Sep 2025 courses, but the only options there for either London campus are part-time courses? Same story for BPP.

Have I missed all the places for full-time PGDL study this September? I must be missing something because this can't make any sense. How could I be too late to apply and get a place on these courses if my offer letter hasn't even expired yet? Moreover, there are loads of interviews and TC offers still to be released for 2027 start, and I assume a bunch of people who need to enrol in the Sep 25 PGDL courses too.

Please someone tell me I'm not crazy and I am missing something!!!

Congratulations on your TC.

I strongly suspect this is not correct. I would call the universities to speak to them, assuming your firm does not have a preferred supplier. If the firm does, then they are likely to have a reserved place for you anyway.

It’s definitely not to late to apply - these universities are selling places in the weeks before the programme starts and even then the courses are massively under sold and typically are only about 50% full.