TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[amy2602]

Hi guys! Not sure that this is the right place to post, but I thought people may have some experience/insight into this.

I have an upcoming summer VS, and I was wondering if you knew when I would start my TC if I am successful in the VS? I'm guessing I would start in 2027 (Start/mid intake??), and I understand this is dependant on the firm's intake availability. If correct, what do people do for that year's gap between starting the SQE?? Should I try and get a headstart with the content/structure also?

Paralegaling/working is ideal for me, but has anyone had any experiences on what to do?!

Thanks in advance, a slightly confused final year!!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi guys! Not sure that this is the right place to post, but I thought people may have some experience/insight into this.

I have an upcoming summer VS, and I was wondering if you knew when I would start my TC if I am successful in the VS? I'm guessing I would start in 2027 (Start/mid intake??), and I understand this is dependant on the firm's intake availability. If correct, what do people do for that year's gap between starting the SQE?? Should I try and get a headstart with the content/structure also?

Paralegaling/working is ideal for me, but has anyone had any experiences on what to do?!

Thanks in advance, a slightly confused final year!!

I would speak to the firm about this - unfortunately our community won't know the answer to this, only the firm will.

If you are able to start earlier, it may also be the case that the firm has earlier intakes, so it is worthwhile speaking to them and stating an interest in starting earlier if that is something you want to do.

If you did have a year out, I would do anything YOU want to do. It is not important to paralegal or prepare for the SQE before you start the course or your TC. Getting a whole year to do something you want to do is going to be much more difficult after you have started your legal career than it will be now. Many lawyers will tell you to go and do something you want to do rather than something for the career, whether that be travelling, volunteering, working in another industry, further study. You can paralegal if you want to, but its definitely not necessary for your future career.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi guys! Not sure that this is the right place to post, but I thought people may have some experience/insight into this.

I have an upcoming summer VS, and I was wondering if you knew when I would start my TC if I am successful in the VS? I'm guessing I would start in 2027 (Start/mid intake??), and I understand this is dependant on the firm's intake availability. If correct, what do people do for that year's gap between starting the SQE?? Should I try and get a headstart with the content/structure also?

Paralegaling/working is ideal for me, but has anyone had any experiences on what to do?!

Thanks in advance, a slightly confused final year!!

Hiya @amy2602

Just wanted to add to the sage advice of @Jessica Booker! As she mentioned, the start date of your training contract depends quite a bit on the firm. Most firms tend to recruit trainees around two years in advance, so if you’re doing a vacation scheme this year, it’s likely you’d be starting in 2027. That said, some firms do occasionally offer earlier start dates depending on their internal needs. If you’re happy to share which firm you’re applying to, I’d be more than happy to check whether there’s any guidance available (they don’t always make it obvious lol).

In terms of what to do before the SQE, it really comes down to how much time you have and what kind of experience you want to get out of the next year or so. I’d suggest starting to revise the underlying law a few weeks before your SQE prep course starts, just to give yourself a head start (but I wouldn’t worry about going too deep too early unless you really want to). I completely agree with Jess. This is your time before your TC, and you should use it in a way that feels meaningful to you. I spent most of my year working and then took myself off on a long (and fairly intense!) backpacking trip through Asia before starting my SQE prep with ULaw. I had friends who went to live abroad for several months to learn new languages, and others who tried completely different types of work - one of them spent six months working in a Michelin star kitchen learning how to cook pretty incredible food (and now I'm always knocking on his door for a free meal)! Whatever it is, I think it’s really worth making space to do something just for yourself before jumping into a course that’s pretty full-on.

Good luck with your vacation scheme!

 

[lawstudent2]

Does anyone have any advice for preparing for the Macfarlanes dinner phone interview. The email said it would be discussing motivations for the dinner and research on the firm but 15 mins for that just for a dinner seems quite excessive so I don't know if I should prep other things?
Thanks

 

[Chris Brown]

Hi guys! Not sure that this is the right place to post, but I thought people may have some experience/insight into this.

I have an upcoming summer VS, and I was wondering if you knew when I would start my TC if I am successful in the VS? I'm guessing I would start in 2027 (Start/mid intake??), and I understand this is dependant on the firm's intake availability. If correct, what do people do for that year's gap between starting the SQE?? Should I try and get a headstart with the content/structure also?

Paralegaling/working is ideal for me, but has anyone had any experiences on what to do?!

Thanks in advance, a slightly confused final year!!

It is possible that you could begin the TC in an earlier intake (September 2026), but I think that would depend on whether you are a law or non-law finalist. If you are a law finalist, the only thing you would need to do between graduating and commencing the TC is the SQE course, which you could begin in September 2025 (almost immediately after completing the Summer VS and obtaining a TC offer). 😄

If you are a non-law finalist, I think the earliest intake would probably be September 2027. This is because the firm would most likely require you to do the PGDL prior to the SQE (September 2025 PGDL and September 2026 SQE course). It is also possible that you can ask to defer the start date, if for example you wanted to spend some time travelling prior to starting the TC. 😅

Best of luck with your Summer VS and I hope you are able to convert it into a TC offer! 🐐​

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Does anyone here know how VS candidates can assess a firm to determine if it’s the right firm for them, during a VS? I know associates and partners will assess us but what kinds of things can and should VS’ers look for in a firm? I have a Spring VS fairly soon so starting to think about this in the event I am somehow able to convert it into a TC offer! Please help. 😅🥲

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam​

Hiya @Chris Brown

Just wanted to add to the excellent comments by @Andrei Radu. Loved his point that the vac scheme is particularly useful in helping you feel out the more intangible aspects of a firm. In my case, there were a few key things I paid attention to during my schemes.

One was how receptive people were to me asking for work. I try to be proactive and enjoy chatting with people to see where I can get involved. At some firms, that wasn’t always easy. People were polite but not especially keen to loop me/vac schemers into live matters. At others, I found that even busy associates would find time to get me stuck into something, which I really appreciated. This really highlighted how collaborative people seemed. The more open and team-oriented the culture felt, the more excited I was to picture myself working there.

I also looked at how people gave feedback. When they offered feedback, did it feel like a genuine learning opportunity, or more like a box-ticking exercise for them? Since I knew I was leaning towards firms with strong learning-on-the-job cultures, it mattered to me that people took time to explain what I’d done well or where I could improve. This was particularly important to me, since US firms don't always have such structured learning. Feedback on my work was my way of seeing whether I could effectively teach myself how to complete tasks to a high standard.

And lastly, I’d echo what Andrei said about friendliness/sociability and how this can vary from firms. I still remember getting lost on my first day at one firm and a partner offering me a tour and inviting me to get involved with a PE matter (this interaction really stuck with me). It was important to me that people could be seen chatting near the coffee area, or that I'd see senior associates/partners at social events.

Overall, I'd recommend having a think about what factors really matter to you. You're going to do amazing!

 

[Chris Brown]

As @Jessica Booker said, while a VS is an amazing opportunity to gain insight into what your life at the firm could look like, there is only so much you can experience in a few weeks. It will be very difficult to assess some important elements, such as the level to which you enjoy the work and the high-pressure tight-deadlines environment. As a vacation schemer you can only be trusted with so much, and in most cases no one in the firm will be really relying on your work product or will generally treat you like a real trainee. In truth, when deciding if a firm is right for you/deciding between different firms you are doing a VS with, I think there are two aspects to consider:

1. Differences on paper: how good a firm is in the practices that interest you, their financial position, their strategy, their approach to training etc. These are all points you will have already been aware of and considered at the application stage, so in theory they should be a good fit. While discussing them with practitioners during the scheme might give you further insight, particularly in regards to how the firm compares to its competitors, this is not something is likely to dramatically change your view about how good of a fit it is "on paper".
2. Intangible differences: this is I think the true benefit of a VS - to give you a chance to see whether you feel you are a fit for the place "in practice". This will simply come down to how you feel day to day at the firm. You will have heard endless talk of "firm culture" and seen so many firms describe theirs in almost identical manners and might be tempted to think "cultural fit" should in many cases just be a non-factor. However, from my experience it is true that there are relevant differences between social dynamics at different firms. In some places people tend to be social and outgoing; in others more reserved and focused on work. In some firms partners tend to be very serious, while in others they will take themselves way less seriously and be a lot more willing to joke around with associates and trainees. In some places you will see a higher degree of competitiveness and individualism, while in others people focus on the team more; in some firms, associates will seem to be quite passionate about their work, whereas in others they will be more cynical; in some, people will be more relaxed, in others they will tend to be hyper-ambitious. However, it is difficult to make reliable generalizations. Sometimes, the dynamics can differ more on a department by department basis rather than a firm by firm bases; and in many cases your assessment will also be greatly influenced by your luck regarding the particular people you will get to interact more with. In my opinion, the best you can do is to try to engage with as many people as you can and get a feel for the firm as a whole, and then simply see how comfortable you feel in that space. Fundamentally, and as it happened in my case, I think the question of fit tends to come down to a gut feeling more than anything else.

Hiya @Chris Brown

Just wanted to add to the excellent comments by @Andrei Radu. Loved his point that the vac scheme is particularly useful in helping you feel out the more intangible aspects of a firm. In my case, there were a few key things I paid attention to during my schemes.

One was how receptive people were to me asking for work. I try to be proactive and enjoy chatting with people to see where I can get involved. At some firms, that wasn’t always easy. People were polite but not especially keen to loop me/vac schemers into live matters. At others, I found that even busy associates would find time to get me stuck into something, which I really appreciated. This really highlighted how collaborative people seemed. The more open and team-oriented the culture felt, the more excited I was to picture myself working there.

I also looked at how people gave feedback. When they offered feedback, did it feel like a genuine learning opportunity, or more like a box-ticking exercise for them? Since I knew I was leaning towards firms with strong learning-on-the-job cultures, it mattered to me that people took time to explain what I’d done well or where I could improve. This was particularly important to me, since US firms don't always have such structured learning. Feedback on my work was my way of seeing whether I could effectively teach myself how to complete tasks to a high standard.

And lastly, I’d echo what Andrei said about friendliness/sociability and how this can vary from firms. I still remember getting lost on my first day at one firm and a partner offering me a tour and inviting me to get involved with a PE matter (this interaction really stuck with me). It was important to me that people could be seen chatting near the coffee area, or that I'd see senior associates/partners at social events.

Overall, I'd recommend having a think about what factors really matter to you. You're going to do amazing!

Thank you so much @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam for your responses! You guys are both GOATed frfr! 🐐

I will definitely try and evaluate these aspects during my VS’. I imagine it may most likely come down to a gut feeling in the end! 😅​

 

[trainee4u]

The general rule is that applications will be open until 23:59 on the day of the specified deadline. A minority of firms will close applications at 12:00 (at noon) instead, but in my experience this always comes with an express notice. Since for Farrer nothing of the sort is mentioned in the FAQ or the applications page, and since as of this time it seems the applications portal is still open, I think it is very likely the general rule will hold true.

Ime Allhires is always midnight. Candid is often 5pm or some other afternoon time but usually midnight
I also had one that appeared to be set to midnight Hong Kong time, which wasn't disclosed anywhere (London-Asia, so there was a degree of logic)

 

[applicant3000]

Anyone heard from Faegre Drinker? Or know when we can expect to hear?

 

[FCL25]

Hi. Can anyone please clarify the following TC application question:

“Shoosmiths is a firm of individuals, with a culture that will actively allow you to grow your skills and challenge yourself. Focusing on one previous experience (in personal, work or study), what skills have you developed that will support your career as a solicitor?”

Is this asking me to focus on one skill I developed from a single experience or could it be numerous skills I gained from one experience?

 

[Mayooshi]

Has anyone heard back from Blake Morgan post call with HR?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi. Can anyone please clarify the following TC application question:

“Shoosmiths is a firm of individuals, with a culture that will actively allow you to grow your skills and challenge yourself. Focusing on one previous experience (in personal, work or study), what skills have you developed that will support your career as a solicitor?”

Is this asking me to focus on one skill I developed from a single experience or could it be numerous skills I gained from one experience?

Hiya @FCL25

Given that the word limit for the Shoosmiths application questions is 300, I think it's worth discussing more than one skill. While the prompt says to focus on one experience, I don’t think that restricts you to just one skill. I think @Andrei Radu and @Amma Usman would have more to say here, but I think you should fine if you could distill 2-3 specific and concrete skills that you’ve developed through a single meaningful experience.

I'd also encourage you to avoid generic phrases like "analytical" or "research" skills. Break down what you actually did that showed those skills in action. For example, if you’re highlighting adaptability, show what the challenge was, how you responded to the challenge, and what you learned. Then briefly connect it back to life as a solicitor at Shoosmiths. When making the connection, draw out how those skills will help you navigate client work, take initiative, or thrive in the firm's environment. That final link helps show that you’re not just reflecting on the past experience, but applying it to the sort of environment alluded to in the question prompt. If you’re unsure which experience to choose, I’d suggest picking one where you were clearly out of your comfort zone but rose to the occasion by drawing on 2-3 specific skills that are transferrable.

Good luck with the application!

 

[y3920]

Hi there. Does anyone have any advice on how to deliver a 5-minute presentation during an AC? The topic is "tell me an interesting news story" on my initial app. I am struggling in terms of structure as I need to add new developments and nuanced analysis on top of the written answer I've provided. Many thanks!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi. Can anyone please clarify the following TC application question:

“Shoosmiths is a firm of individuals, with a culture that will actively allow you to grow your skills and challenge yourself. Focusing on one previous experience (in personal, work or study), what skills have you developed that will support your career as a solicitor?”

Is this asking me to focus on one skill I developed from a single experience or could it be numerous skills I gained from one experience?

I would go with 2-3 skills or characteristics developed from one experience.

It will be important to explain how that skill(s) will support you as a lawyer too.

 

[fbtrainee]

Anyone have any advice insights on the bclp ac? I have one coming up soon, the ac will have a case study presentation, mark up exercise and a strength based interview. You get 90 minutes to prep for a 15 minute presentation based on the case study, within that time you're also expected to complete a mark up exercise. I'd really appreciate any tips on this!

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

@Jessica Booker Hi jessica! Just wanted to ask a Q about the VS accelerator programme - how long is it?

Edit: Also whether the VS exercises have been uploaded. If not, then by what date can we expect to have this content available? Just asking so I can be strategic about purchasing the Gold subscription!

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Is Shoosmiths deadline tmr a midnight deadline?

 

[BillSikes]

Laughing just seen my Browne Jacobson scores.

I got 4,3,6 last year - and Middle for both verbal/numercial intellect and got invited to TI so don't worry.

 

[BillSikes]

Is Shoosmiths deadline tmr a midnight deadline?

yeahhhh

 

[brbgp]

4 minutes, twenty questions, 12 seconds each, I suggest making sure you have a good PC, internet connection, and a mouse (laptop trackpad/pointer slows you down).

Did anyone else find some of the questions insanely difficult? or am I just stupid lol