TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[badmintonflyinginsect]

I was unable to convert my VS into a TC this cycle. How should I approach mentioning/speaking about this in applications + interviews (if at all)?

 

[trainee4u]

I was unable to convert my VS into a TC this cycle. How should I approach mentioning/speaking about this in applications + interviews (if at all)?

specifically I'd highlight the positives of getting the the VS and what you learned from it and not mention the implied that you didnt convert.

however, if you were to mention it you'd probably focus on what you learned and highlight that you are adaptable or perhaps focus on the parts that you didn't do well on.

e.g., "following unsuccessful interview for TC post-VS, I proactively [don't say this if you were sent it] sought feedback, and it was highlighted that other candidates had more extensive legal work experience."

so here you give a reason that's "not your fault" (obviously if they said 'they didn't like my personality and had little legal work experience' you'd ignore the 'bad personality' feedback and go with a truthful but partial answer)

and explain why this is mistaken

"I learn quickly and am confident that I can thrive as a trainee from day one."

but also can highlight what you're doing to address that

"however I am working at the CAB providing legal advice/doing work experience at my local solicitors' firm to increase my legal work experience. "

Essentially show that why you were not taken on is something that's fixable AND how you are fixing it.

For example if my work comes across well on paper but poorly in interview I'd say that and explain how I'm spending several hours a day practising and am seeing results from endeavours.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Any post-interview news from Winston yet?

 

[kleinbottle]

Hi, I'm new here so I'm not sure where to post this! I have a friend who completed the Milbank Spring Scheme, and she mentioned that a few training contracts have already been offered. For context, I think they give 8 general TCs and 4 LevFin track ones. I'm due to do the Summer Vacation Scheme for the LevFin track, and she told me there are only two LevFin TCs left — and that's before the summer cohort even starts. How do I stay positive when it feels like I'm working towards such a small chance? And is there a chance I'd be offered a general TC if I was good enough, even if I just sit in LevFin during my scheme?

 

[tryingtogetajob555]

has anyone heard back from Devonshires after their interview?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi, I'm new here so I'm not sure where to post this! I have a friend who completed the Milbank Spring Scheme, and she mentioned that a few training contracts have already been offered. For context, I think they give 8 general TCs and 4 LevFin track ones. I'm due to do the Summer Vacation Scheme for the LevFin track, and she told me there are only two LevFin TCs left — and that's before the summer cohort even starts. How do I stay positive when it feels like I'm working towards such a small chance? And is there a chance I'd be offered a general TC if I was good enough, even if I just sit in LevFin during my scheme?

I'd stress that the number of offers made do not mean the number of places taken. People turn down offers even for high profile firms like Milbank.

Firms can also offer later intakes if they do have a very strong cohort of vacation scheme students.

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Does anyone that has received interview invite know how book interview for Moore Barlow please? We were sent a spread sheet where all the available interview dates are , do we put our names in front of our choices or reply Grad rec with our preferred dates?

 

[JonjoShelvey]

Been offered a Linklaters training contract following a vacation scheme! Thanks all for the support on this forum

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Standing Been offered a Linklaters training contract following a vacation scheme! Thanks all for the support on this forum

That’s fantastic news! Congratulations

 

[Ruth A]

does anyone have insights on faegre drinker pleasee xx

 

[eguizot]

Did anyone get a VI from Fox Williams? How was it?

Have you heard back yet? I have not heard anything

 

[theruleofno]

Hi, I'm new here so I'm not sure where to post this! I have a friend who completed the Milbank Spring Scheme, and she mentioned that a few training contracts have already been offered. For context, I think they give 8 general TCs and 4 LevFin track ones. I'm due to do the Summer Vacation Scheme for the LevFin track, and she told me there are only two LevFin TCs left — and that's before the summer cohort even starts. How do I stay positive when it feels like I'm working towards such a small chance? And is there a chance I'd be offered a general TC if I was good enough, even if I just sit in LevFin during my scheme?

Ur cooked doing the LevFin route. I know someone on that Vac Scheme and they were in until like past midnight almost every day

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi, I'm new here so I'm not sure where to post this! I have a friend who completed the Milbank Spring Scheme, and she mentioned that a few training contracts have already been offered. For context, I think they give 8 general TCs and 4 LevFin track ones. I'm due to do the Summer Vacation Scheme for the LevFin track, and she told me there are only two LevFin TCs left — and that's before the summer cohort even starts. How do I stay positive when it feels like I'm working towards such a small chance? And is there a chance I'd be offered a general TC if I was good enough, even if I just sit in LevFin during my scheme?

Having done the normal Milbank VS last year, I can tell you @Jessica Booker is definitely right in that the firm will likely end up making more offers than they have TC places available. Some candidates will be doing other VSs so sometimes end up choosing other firms, while others completely move away from the commercial law route. Thus, I think based on the numbers in my cohort the offer rate was closer to the 35-40% mark. Thus, even on paper, your chances may not be as low as you think.

Beyond that, you need to keep in mind that it is the partners who are the ultimate decision makers for hiring decisions. It is not as uncommon as you may think for firms generally, and also Milbank in particular, to end up hiring slightly above their stated target. If the firm is convinced that the talent pool in a given cohort is exceptionally high, and the partners really like you, they can make you an offer even if though in theory there were no more places available. You can never know that will be the case, but if that's gonna happen anywhere, Milbank is definitely a good shout. They have had an amazing year as a firm, growing their average PEP by an incredible 33% to reach a figure of $6.8 million. This puts them in the top 10 most profitable firms in the world, overtaking titans like Sullivan & Cromwell. They have also been growing their London base a lot in recent years, both in terms of general size and in regards to the trainee cohort - in my year it was a total of 6, a couple of years before that it was 4.

As for your question about changing from the LevFin track, while perhaps not impossible in theory I think it is very unlikely to happen in practice. The very reason this track was implemented this year was because levfin the team has been very busy and in constant need of trainees and NQ associates, a need which was not sufficiently serviced by hiring done via the normal manner. Milbank's problem was not getting enough people in levfin, not the other way around - so I doubt they would take action which might undermine the solution they have come up with.

Finally, as for general pieces of advice, I have two. Firstly, try to learn as much as you can about levfin work as you can before the TC. As other forum members have stated, the scheme will likely be very work intensive so your performance in that regard that will be the primary consideration in their decision-making. Secondly, the attitude I would advise you to have is to focus on what you can control. Everyone on the scheme will be in the same boat as you and fighting the same odds. There is no reason to presume you are more disadvantaged by them than the others are. Ultimately, of course, the TC decision does not rest with you. What you can control is whether or not you do your best to maximize those odds by preparing as well as you can and having a great attitude throughout the scheme. Going in with this mindset, of simply aiming to perform to the best standard I can hold myself to, was really helpful for me when in your position, as I knew that even if I would not get the offer, I would have nothing to reproach myself for.

 

[Andrei Radu]

I was unable to convert my VS into a TC this cycle. How should I approach mentioning/speaking about this in applications + interviews (if at all)?

I do not have much to add to the great advice from @trainee4u here. The one thing I would also say about interviews is that while you can mention the influence of factors beyond your control (eg how extensive your past work experience was), it is important to take ownership of the fact that you could have performed better in certain ways. Almost no candidate will have an absolutely flawless academic/professional background, and when firms ask about parts you may be less proud of, they aim to assess whether you are self-aware enough to accept your mistakes and to attempt to move past them or if you fall to the temptation of instantly deflecting negative feedback and blaming it on circumstance.

At the applications stage, I do not think there is any need for you to explain why you did not convert a VS. Just having it in your CV and mentioning it in connection to your motivation will be a significant boost to your candidate profile, as it will have show how far the track to a TC you went. The question as to why you did not go all the way is simply not so relevant at a stage where they just aim to filter out the candidates that will not make it to a second or third stage.

 

[JustwantaTC]

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker would a paralegal role in a high street firm be okay to take up after failing to get a TC for two cycles and after one vac scheme? Would this be a wise move in terms of motivations for the new cycle? I just don't want to be unemployed whilst applying so weighing up my options here. thank you for any advice you may have

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker would a paralegal role in a high street firm be okay to take up after failing to get a TC for two cycles and after one vac scheme? Would this be a wise move in terms of motivations for the new cycle? I just don't want to be unemployed whilst applying so weighing up my options here. thank you for any advice you may have

Yes - it is fine to take a non-commercial role up. Many people applying for training contracts are in non-legal and/or non-commercial roles. Focus on demonstrating the transferable skills and knowledge from your role and consider how you can demonstrate your pursuit of commercial law through other activities.

 

[kleinbottle]

Ur cooked doing the LevFin route. I know someone on that Vac Scheme and they were in until like past midnight almost every day

Oh gosh really? I've heard conflicting advice from people that it's obviously good to stay late to show that you're committed, but that staying too late can indicate that you can't manage the workload properly

 

[Apple]

Hi, I'm new here so I'm not sure where to post this! I have a friend who completed the Milbank Spring Scheme, and she mentioned that a few training contracts have already been offered. For context, I think they give 8 general TCs and 4 LevFin track ones. I'm due to do the Summer Vacation Scheme for the LevFin track, and she told me there are only two LevFin TCs left — and that's before the summer cohort even starts. How do I stay positive when it feels like I'm working towards such a small chance? And is there a chance I'd be offered a general TC if I was good enough, even if I just sit in LevFin during my scheme?

Receiving a VS offer at Milbank is an incredibly small chance in itself, and yet here you are with the offer. Try to stay positive and not get bogged down by numbers, even though its easier said than done, and I'm certainly guilty of it myself.

 

[JustwantaTC]

Yes - it is fine to take a non-commercial role up. Many people applying for training contracts are in non-legal and/or non-commercial roles. Focus on demonstrating the transferable skills and knowledge from your role and consider how you can demonstrate your pursuit of commercial law through other activities.

thank you @Jessica Booker, have you seen people be successful in vac scheme, tc apps whilst working in high-street firms in distinct areas like conveyancing or family?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Oh gosh really? I've heard conflicting advice from people that it's obviously good to stay late to show that you're committed, but that staying too late can indicate that you can't manage the workload properly

It depends how you are utilising your time and if you are actively contributing to live team/department matters.

If you are hanging around just to be seen, this won't be looked at positively, or if you are sticking around to do tasks that are not needed that evening or to help colleagues who are also working late, then again that won't be positive. If you have spent all the usual working day in coffee catch ups and then just are doing things you could have done within the working day, again, not a positive.

But if you are having a positive contribution to matters that the team are working on that evening and staying late themselves to do, then this will be seen as helpful and therefore positive.

I'd stress working past midnight is exceptionally rare and not expected. Most supervisors will be pushing you out the door in the evening unless they know there is something you can easily contribute to with little supervision or support.