TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[SamiyaJ]

Hi guys,

I hope you’re all well!

I’m not posting much nowadays as life is hectic (same as everyone else tbh) and my mental health has taken a bit of a toll.

In terms of applications, I am waiting to hear back from Mayer Brown (pretty sure it’s a PFO as my SJT results weren’t great), Farrer & Co and HFW TC post apps. Need to do some more applications but I have PGDL exams coming up so I’m busy with revision.

In terms of work- I have a good job with decent salary, but we were recently hit with the bombshell that a lot of redundancies are coming as the organisation has to cut millions from the budget by 1 Jan 2026!!! So now that’s another worry.

Probably will sound like such an entitled brat saying this but I’ve had a look for any legal positions available and they either require 50 years of legal experience, or the money is terrible. I don’t mind taking a bit of a cut but the salaries being offered are abysmal and I need money to live and also pay for uni!! So I am thinking of looking for another non-legal position in the meantime, but I’m worried it would give a negative impression on my commitment to law when doing applications.

If there’s any advice anyone can give then I’ll really appreciate it, but I just wanted to get this off my chest 😭

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi guys,

I hope you’re all well!

I’m not posting much nowadays as life is hectic (same as everyone else tbh) and my mental health has taken a bit of a toll.

In terms of applications, I am waiting to hear back from Mayer Brown (pretty sure it’s a PFO as my SJT results weren’t great), Farrer & Co and HFW TC post apps. Need to do some more applications but I have PGDL exams coming up so I’m busy with revision.

In terms of work- I have a good job with decent salary, but we were recently hit with the bombshell that a lot of redundancies are coming as the organisation has to cut millions from the budget by 1 Jan 2026!!! So now that’s another worry.

Probably will sound like such an entitled brat saying this but I’ve had a look for any legal positions available and they either require 50 years of legal experience, or the money is terrible. I don’t mind taking a bit of a cut but the salaries being offered are abysmal and I need money to live and also pay for uni!! So I am thinking of looking for another non-legal position in the meantime, but I’m worried it would give a negative impression on my commitment to law when doing applications.

If there’s any advice anyone can give then I’ll really appreciate it, but I just wanted to get this off my chest 😭

Hi @SamiyaJ I am sorry to hear about your situation and I definitely understand how much of a toll rejections can have on mental health, particularly when happening at the same time as other difficult things in life.

As for your question, I do not think getting another non-legal position will have a negative impact on recruiters' view of your commitment to law. They know how competitive the job market is and that for various reasons people may not be able to enter the profession as early as they would like. At the same time, non-legal work experiences build many valuable transferable skills. In my vacation schemes I have met many candidates who had been working in other industries, some for periods extending over several years. As such, if the non-legal job you are considering is one that would be a much better fit for you at the moment, I would not worry about this being seen negatively when you are applying.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Man I swear the wait after a vac scheme to find out if you got the TC has to be the most nail-biting, anxiety-inducing, nerve-wracking period of anyone’s life

Very similar experience for me - I remember my heart skipping a beat every time I got a notification or a phone call. When I finally did get the call, my anxiety made me struggle so much to make the initial small talk that comes with it that the graduate recruiter just took mercy on me and told me the outcome directly. While I don't suppose this will help much, know that it is truly a universal experience 🥲

 

[Andrei Radu]

Does anyone think it’s a good idea to connect with and message legal recruiters on Linkedin to assist me in landing a job at firms the practice commercial law or in-house legal departments?

I think this could only be a good idea if:

1. This is a small firm/company so they do not advertise their openings on websites or other big platforms; or
2. You have some specific questions about the application process that are not answered on the firm's website.

Besides these situations, graduate recruiters are unlikely to do much to help you get the job, as the application processes firms set up are designed to be as fair and impartial as possible and graduate recruiters are bound to act in accordance with these norms.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone think it’s a good idea to connect with and message legal recruiters on Linkedin to assist me in landing a job at firms the practice commercial law or in-house legal departments?

It would be better to register with the recruitment agencies or apply directly to suitable vacancies if the recruiter works for a particular employer.

 

[User5678]

when did you apply to kingsley napley?

one hour before the applications closed on deadline day.

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/a...firms-to-cut-125m-trump-deals/5122997.article This is jokes to me idk lol

 

[gilo]

Long shot but did anyone make notes from white and case legal cheek event yesterday they would be happy to share with me - was hoping to attend but personal matter prevented last minute

 

[ashwright]

Hi @ashwright I am so happy to hear about your experience - moments like this are why I love doing this job 🥲 thank you so much for the kind words and keep us updated on the response!

Heya, Andrei! I have some good news - I got invited to the AC!!!!!!!!!!! (My first ever one!)

I owe this entirely to your advice. To be honest, my head was spinning when I got told about it, but the only thought that was crystal clear in my mind was 'I need to thank Andrei'. Thank you so, so, so much. You are genuinely incredible.

I'd appreciate any advice (from you & anyone else) on approaching the AC. I'm going to keep on top of commercial awareness, but things like identifying potential legal issues from a business proposal are what I'm a bit nervous about. I'm guessing it would entail identifying general legal issues/risks/considerations (e.g., data protection concerns, competition law stuff) but I'm not sure how to 1.) learn the potential issues; 2.) articulate them beyond a sweeping statement like 'competition law stuff'.
I'm also a bit unsure about what a group exercise might entail but I'm going to have a scavange of the most frequently referred to TCLA overview posts on it.

Thank you again. I really appreciate your incredible support

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hi @SamiyaJ I am sorry to hear about your situation and I definitely understand how much of a toll rejections can have on mental health, particularly when happening at the same time as other difficult things in life.

As for your question, I do not think getting another non-legal position will have a negative impact on recruiters' view of your commitment to law. They know how competitive the job market is and that for various reasons people may not be able to enter the profession as early as they would like. At the same time, non-legal work experiences build many valuable transferable skills. In my vacation schemes I have met many candidates who had been working in other industries, some for periods extending over several years. As such, if the non-legal job you are considering is one that would be a much better fit for you at the moment, I would not worry about this being seen negatively when you are applying.

Hi Andrei,

Thank you so much for your reassurance!!

 

[tarty23]

When writing about a past internship (not vac scheme), is it worth mentioning if you received a full-time role but turned it down?

 

[User5678]

When writing about a past internship (not vac scheme), is it worth mentioning if you received a full-time role but turned it down?

You could just write “offered a full time role” don’t mention you turned it down.

 

[wantatc]

Didn’t convert my SVS feeling very demoralised rn

 

[andrecsaa]

Long shot but did anyone make notes from white and case legal cheek event yesterday they would be happy to share with me - was hoping to attend but personal matter prevented last minute

I joined in the end, so I don’t have any notes to share.

However, I remember that grad rec suggested putting your preferred practice area at the top of the list to increase your chances of getting it in your first seat.

They also mentioned that a one-page cover letter is enough (1000 words), and it’s worthwhile to spend some time on the other sections, like your CV/work experience, since they consider everything.

The rest was pretty much the same, be sure to review your writing, do some research on the firm, and explain why you, why law, why W&C, and why the guaranteed international secondment matters to you.

Hope this helps a bit!

 

[Justin]

Has anyone heard back after uploading the CV to Sky?

 

[aphelion]

I just got a missed call from Mishcons grad rec saying they'd like to speak with me for 5 mins for 'feedback' after my AC for the summer VS. Did anyone else get a call today and if so what was the news? Would like to think they wouldn't bother calling to reject but 'feedback' sounds ominous. Tried calling back but obviously it's too late now and I hate that I'll have to wait until Tuesday 😭

 

[tianna09]

KN seem to have sent out test invites at 17:40 and PFOs at 17:50 yesterday.
I applied about 11:45pm on the last day and got a PFO.

oh gosh thats making me feel a bit nervous, i havent received anything and i applied on the 19th march so maybe theyre working backwards lol who knows.

 

[abbiewhitlock03]

I just got a missed call from Mishcons grad rec saying they'd like to speak with me for 5 mins for 'feedback' after my AC for the summer VS. Did anyone else get a call today and if so what was the news? Would like to think they wouldn't bother calling to reject but 'feedback' sounds ominous. Tried calling back but obviously it's too late now and I hate that I'll have to wait until Tuesday 😭

I don’t know if it’s any consolation because it was a different firm, but when I got offered my spring VS at stephenson harwood they started the call by saying it was ‘to discuss feedback’ and they then gave an offer.

Maybe don’t write it off as a rejection just yet!

 

[sxw517]

Do Mishcon call with both negative and positive news after an AC?

 

[aphelion]

I got a call back from Mishcons, summer VS offer!!!!