TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi, if anyone knows about this and can be brutally honest I'd really appreciate it. I just got my second year grades back and they were not what I expected - I ended up with an average of around 64 but that's with two high 2.2s and some high 2.1s to get it there. Is that going to get me immediately rejected from some of the higher firms eg magic circle and large US? I just want to be realistic going into the next cycle with these grades and not waste my time and increase disappointment as I know the two 2.2s despite being on the border are prolly not what they want still. Thanks

Hiya @lawstudent2


Wanted to get some honest feedback to you, and hope this helps. The truth is, some US and Magic Circle firms can be pretty particular when it comes to academic consistency. That said, many are more flexible than you might think. They’ll usually look at what subjects the lower grades were in. For example, a 2:2 in something like tax or family law might not be as concerning to them as a 2:2 in contract or tort. They’ll also be thinking about the overall pattern (e.g. was this a one-off dip? Did your performance pick up later? Were there any mitigating circumstances that you've mentioned?)

But here’s the most important part: please don’t self-select out. Way too many candidates self-select out based on assumptions that may not be true and often based on very weak evidence (this is something I've found frustrating when meeting really great candidates on here who may have a few blips in their academic record). A well-crafted application can absolutely help balance out academic performance in certain modules. I’ve seen plenty of people with uneven transcripts go on to secure offers at US firms because they demonstrated excellent commercial awareness, showed growth, and drafted strong applications.

So yes, be realistic, but don’t write yourself off unless you have strong evidence that these grades are going to be a deal breaker at some firms (this is actually quite difficult evidence to get in the case of some firms). Just focus on what you can control heading into this next cycle. Good luck!

 

[trainee4u]

Is there usually 'free time' in a VS schedule!? I have a four-day VS, and a firm has invited me for Zoom interview & online assessment during that time, lasting a rather excessive 90 minutes.

I have said "er, I'm doing a VS", and they've replied "sorry we're busy and can't offer you any other time - maybe you can get away for 90 minutes". Given I don't have my VS schedule but would need to book a slot, and I'm being paid to impress for a mere four days, going along with this seems very foolish. I mean even emailing them asking for the schedule seems rather presumptuous.

Any thoughts!?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Is there usually 'free time' in a VS schedule!? I have a four-day VS, and a firm has invited me for Zoom interview & online assessment during that time, lasting a rather excessive 90 minutes.

I have said "er, I'm doing a VS", and they've replied "sorry we're busy and can't offer you any other time - maybe you can get away for 90 minutes". Given I don't have my VS schedule but would need to book a slot, and I'm being paid to impress for a mere four days, going along with this seems very foolish. I mean even emailing them asking for the schedule seems rather presumptuous.

Any thoughts!?

Heya @trainee4u

That’s a really tricky dilemma. You're right to be thinking carefully about this, especially since it's such a short scheme and you’ll want to make the most of every moment.

In most vac schemes, there usually is some breathing room built in (e.g. time for coffee chats, breaks between tasks, or just a bit of downtime), though not necessarily 90 mins. That said, it’s hard to predict in advance exactly when that will fall without seeing your schedule. I think it's completely reasonable to drop the grad recruitment team a polite message asking if a schedule is available yet, just so you can plan ahead. However, just be aware that they may not be able/willing to offer you a sense of the schedule yet.

I’m sorry the other firm isn’t being more flexible about the timing, but hope it works out!

 

[Amma Usman]

Is there usually 'free time' in a VS schedule!? I have a four-day VS, and a firm has invited me for Zoom interview & online assessment during that time, lasting a rather excessive 90 minutes.

I have said "er, I'm doing a VS", and they've replied "sorry we're busy and can't offer you any other time - maybe you can get away for 90 minutes". Given I don't have my VS schedule but would need to book a slot, and I'm being paid to impress for a mere four days, going along with this seems very foolish. I mean even emailing them asking for the schedule seems rather presumptuous.

Any thoughts!?

I have responded to a similar question on this a few days back and my thoughts on this stay the same. Unless you have no passion to secure a TC with your VS firm, then this is not advisable. I had once gotten two ACs during a VS, but turned them down because my interest in training at the firm I was doing a VS at, was greater. You risk affecting your performance greatly at your VS firm by taking a 90 minute break. Traditionally, these breaks will usually be only an hour (60 mins), plus we haven’t even taken into account commuting timings which add to that time contraint. Emailing the VS firm with a question on scheduling will also not change the fact that to get a 90 minute break is still difficult and places a strain on your chances. Ultimately, communication is key, as well as balancing your interests.

 

[trainee4u]

I have responded to a similar question on this a few days back and my thoughts on this stay the same. Unless you have no passion to secure a TC with your VS firm, then this is not advisable. I had once gotten two ACs during a VS, but turned them down because my interest in training at the firm I was doing a VS at, was greater. You risk affecting your performance greatly at your VS firm by taking a 90 minute break. Traditionally, these breaks will usually be only an hour (60 mins), plus we haven’t even taken into account commuting timings which add to that time contraint. Emailing the VS firm with a question on scheduling will also not change the fact that to get a 90 minute break is still difficult and places a strain on your chances. Ultimately, communication is key, as well as balancing your interests.

Thanks for the thoughts - there's no commute per se, as it's online (although realistically I wouldn't feel comfortable doing an interview for a different firm from the firm's office, so I'd need to find a location elsewhere, which would probably add around 15 minutes to my downtime).

As I understand it the 90 minutes is comprised of a 45-minute interview and an assessment: it's not clear whether the assessment can be done separately; I've emailed to ask, but I suspect not - a 45-minute interview seems more doable, but 90 minutes seems excessive.

 

[lawstudent2]

Hiya @lawstudent2


Wanted to get some honest feedback to you, and hope this helps. The truth is, some US and Magic Circle firms can be pretty particular when it comes to academic consistency. That said, many are more flexible than you might think. They’ll usually look at what subjects the lower grades were in. For example, a 2:2 in something like tax or family law might not be as concerning to them as a 2:2 in contract or tort. They’ll also be thinking about the overall pattern (e.g. was this a one-off dip? Did your performance pick up later? Were there any mitigating circumstances that you've mentioned?)

But here’s the most important part: please don’t self-select out. Way too many candidates self-select out based on assumptions that may not be true and often based on very weak evidence (this is something I've found frustrating when meeting really great candidates on here who may have a few blips in their academic record). A well-crafted application can absolutely help balance out academic performance in certain modules. I’ve seen plenty of people with uneven transcripts go on to secure offers at US firms because they demonstrated excellent commercial awareness, showed growth, and drafted strong applications.

So yes, be realistic, but don’t write yourself off unless you have strong evidence that these grades are going to be a deal breaker at some firms (this is actually quite difficult evidence to get in the case of some firms). Just focus on what you can control heading into this next cycle. Good luck!

Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time and that does help a lot

 

[bangarangbass39]

Do law firms have waiting lists for training contract offers? Especially if you’ve been rejected after completing a vac scheme and a TC interview with them?

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Hi, does anyone know if RPC is fine with using point form in the Work Experience section? The word limit is only 150 words.

Also, did anyone ask if we could put extracurricular activities/positions of responsibility in this section too?

 

[Kakaboo]

Hi, does anyone know if RPC is fine with using point form in the Work Experience section? The word limit is only 150 words.

Also, did anyone ask if we could put extracurricular activities/positions of responsibility in this section too?

They must be 150 is insane

 

[Kakaboo]

Hello, I start my vac scheme tomorrow. What questions should I ask trainees? And can someone pls give me a prompt on how to introduce myself and ask what do you do here haha. Also I want to talk to people in the corporate and intellectual property teams. What questions should I ask them which sounds insightful? Am I allowed to ask them about deals?

 

[Gin]

Hi does anyone know is the deadline for Perkins Coie is today 23:59 or tomorrow?