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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

NJS

Legendary Member
Premium Member
  • Aug 21, 2021
    390
    648
    I've taken some time to bask in the news, and I'm still in shock that I'm able to write this, but after 7 years of applying, I have FINALLY been offered a TC!
    I had kind of mentally prepared myself that this would be my last cycle before I had to start seriously thinking about a Plan B, but I knew deep down that this was all I wanted to do. All the struggles have paid off though, and I have achieved my dream!
    Honestly to anyone who is thinking about giving up, if this is truly what you want then push a little more, your offer could be just around the corner!
    This forum and website has been invaluable. I truly do not believe I could have gotten as far as I did without it. Thank you to everyone who has offered advice, insight, encouragement and even just the laughter and jokes. The legal community has some amazing people in it!
    This is the news we like to hear, 7 years is incredibe determination and real journey you should be proud of, that's charactersitcs that will make you a great lawyer, congratulations!
     

    sibs23

    Legendary Member
    Jan 15, 2021
    228
    474
    I've taken some time to bask in the news, and I'm still in shock that I'm able to write this, but after 7 years of applying, I have FINALLY been offered a TC!
    I had kind of mentally prepared myself that this would be my last cycle before I had to start seriously thinking about a Plan B, but I knew deep down that this was all I wanted to do. All the struggles have paid off though, and I have achieved my dream!
    Honestly to anyone who is thinking about giving up, if this is truly what you want then push a little more, your offer could be just around the corner!
    This forum and website has been invaluable. I truly do not believe I could have gotten as far as I did without it. Thank you to everyone who has offered advice, insight, encouragement and even just the laughter and jokes. The legal community has some amazing people in it!
    HUGE CONGRATULATIONS from a fellow 7 cycle applicant!! It's an amazing feeling when the hard work pays off!!💓 Enjoy this moment for as long as you can.
     

    traineedreamer

    Valued Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    M&A Bootcamp
    Oct 23, 2019
    123
    507
    YESSSSSSS congratulations !!!! so many Ws in the forum recently this is awesome

    This is the news we like to hear, 7 years is incredibe determination and real journey you should be proud of, that's charactersitcs that will make you a great lawyer, congratulations!

    HUGE CONGRATULATIONS from a fellow 7 cycle applicant!! It's an amazing feeling when the hard work pays off!!💓 Enjoy this moment for as long as you can.
    Thank you all so much! ❤️
     

    Chris Brown

    Legendary Member
    Jul 4, 2024
    605
    2,304
    I’m happy to share I have accepted a TC offer from my dream US firm! This decision was the most difficult one I have had to make in my life so far, but I am excited for what’s ahead in this TC and commercial law journey. 😅

    Over the past 6-7 months, a lot of people have asked me about my experience going through this application cycle. I figured I would make a few posts addressing this, with the first being a breakdown of my entire cycle (see below):

    Vacation Scheme (‘VS’) offers:

    Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
    Covington & Burling
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
    Stephenson Harwood
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher

    Direct Training Contract (‘DTC’) AC offers:

    Baker McKenzie
    Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe

    Winter VS PFOs:

    A&O Shearman: PFO post SJT/VI
    Ashurst: PFO post OT
    Dechert: PFO post app
    Jones Day: PFO post app
    Linklaters: PFO post WG
    Norton Rose Fulbright: PFO post OT
    Simmons & Simmons: PFO post SJT/VI

    Spring & Summer VS PFOs:

    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner: PFO post VI
    Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: PFO post OT
    Hogan Lovells: PFO post WG
    Macfarlanes: PFO post OT
    Paul Hastings: PFO post VI
    Ropes & Gray: PFO post app
    Travers Smith: PFO post app
    White & Case: PFO post VI

    Direct TC PFOs:

    Slaughter and May: PFO post app
    Sullivan & Cromwell: PFO post app

    To anybody who will be applying for VS or DTC in the upcoming cycle, I hope this offers some reassurance that rejection is 100% redirection. I received 17 PFOs this cycle, but remembered that it would only ever takes 1 yes. ☝️

    Since so many of you have PM’d me asking for application strategy and interview advice, I will make a separate post for that. Best of luck to everyone who will be applying in the upcoming application cycle for VS/DTC. 😅​
     
    Last edited:

    BillSikes

    Legendary Member
    Premium Member
    Feb 16, 2024
    302
    347
    I’m happy to share I have accepted a TC offer from my dream US firm! This decision was the most difficult one I have had to make in my life so far, but I am excited for what’s ahead in this TC and commercial law journey. 😅

    Over the past 6-7 months, a lot of people have asked me about my experience going through this application cycle. I figured I would make a few posts addressing this, with the first being a breakdown of my entire cycle (see below):

    Vacation Scheme (‘VS’) offers:

    Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
    Covington & Burling
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
    Stephenson Harwood
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher

    Direct Training Contract (‘DTC’) AC offers:

    Baker McKenzie
    Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
    Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe

    Winter VS PFOs:

    A&O Shearman: PFO post SJT/VI
    Ashurst: PFO post OT
    Dechert: PFO post app
    Jones Day: PFO post app
    Linklaters: PFO post WG
    Norton Rose Fulbright: PFO post OT
    Simmons & Simmons: PFO post SJT/VI

    Spring & Summer VS PFOs:

    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner: PFO post VI
    Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: PFO post OT
    Hogan Lovells: PFO post WG
    Macfarlanes: PFO post OT
    Paul Hastings: PFO post VI
    Ropes & Gray: PFO post app
    Travers Smith: PFO post app
    White & Case: PFO post VI

    Direct TC PFOs:

    Slaughter and May: PFO post app
    Sullivan & Cromwell: PFO post app

    To anybody who will be applying for VS or DTC in the upcoming cycle, I hope this offers some reassurance that rejection is 100% redirection. I received 17 PFOs this cycle, but remembered that it would only ever takes 1 yes. ☝️

    Since so many of you have PM’d me asking for application strategy and interview advice, I will make a separate post for that. Best of luck to everyone who will be applying in the upcoming application cycle for VS/DTC. 😅​
    Can I ask what uni you went and what grade you got?
     

    Jaysen

    Founder, TCLA
    Staff member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    M&A Bootcamp
  • Feb 17, 2018
    4,756
    8,849
    • Like
    Reactions: Eros

    Jaysen

    Founder, TCLA
    Staff member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    M&A Bootcamp
  • Feb 17, 2018
    4,756
    8,849
    I've taken some time to bask in the news, and I'm still in shock that I'm able to write this, but after 7 years of applying, I have FINALLY been offered a TC!
    I had kind of mentally prepared myself that this would be my last cycle before I had to start seriously thinking about a Plan B, but I knew deep down that this was all I wanted to do. All the struggles have paid off though, and I have achieved my dream!
    Honestly to anyone who is thinking about giving up, if this is truly what you want then push a little more, your offer could be just around the corner!
    This forum and website has been invaluable. I truly do not believe I could have gotten as far as I did without it. Thank you to everyone who has offered advice, insight, encouragement and even just the laughter and jokes. The legal community has some amazing people in it!

    This is insane! A shout out to you for persisting. I can only imagine how tough that must have been. But you did it!!
     
    Hi, guys!
    I hope you’re all having a fantastic summer break.
    I was looking for advice regarding whether firms would reject me straight away because of my poor first-year results (low 2:2), although I managed to get a First Class in my second year.
    I know grades form only one part of the whole application, and although I have legal and non-legal work experience and have attended many open days with leading law firms, where they emphasize strong communication, teamwork, and resilience skills, no one seems to answer my question on whether I could be a strong candidate just because of one setback in my first year of law school.
     
    I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who provided advice, guidance and reassurance on this forum (new account as I forgot my previous account details),this was my first round applying for a TC and I managed to secure it at my dream firm (DLA) thanks in part to the advice and guidance on this platform.

    To those wondering, I did not go to a Russell Group university, I don't have perfect grades. My two cents is to remember to be kind, on my Vac scheme I was reminded that I wasn't in competition with the other applicants, those that could set aside that mindset, work together and form friendships and partnerships appear to have been successful.

    I can't say if my approach was the correct one given how many different people are successful with various approaches but I only applied for one firm because it resonated with me and I felt as though it was a cultural fit for me and thankfully they agreed.
     

    legallady123

    Distinguished Member
    Mar 30, 2021
    69
    94
    Hi, guys!
    I hope you’re all having a fantastic summer break.
    I was looking for advice regarding whether firms would reject me straight away because of my poor first-year results (low 2:2), although I managed to get a First Class in my second year.
    I know grades form only one part of the whole application, and although I have legal and non-legal work experience and have attended many open days with leading law firms, where they emphasize strong communication, teamwork, and resilience skills, no one seems to answer my question on whether I could be a strong candidate just because of one setback in my first year of law school.
    I got multiple 2:2s in first and second year with mitigating circumstances but firsts in my third and fourth year, and graduated with a first class degree overall. I completed a VS at an international firm and also got a TC offer a couple of years ago. This year I managed to pass a few firms application stage. There are some firms that outright rejected me this year and I do believe it may have been because of my grades (such as slaughters and Davis Polk.) So my experience is that many firms will definitely consider you if you have a good degree classification overall and extracurriculars / work experience. Just be conscious of the few that really care about grades.
     

    Ram Sabaratnam

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 7, 2024
    523
    1,163
    I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who provided advice, guidance and reassurance on this forum (new account as I forgot my previous account details),this was my first round applying for a TC and I managed to secure it at my dream firm (DLA) thanks in part to the advice and guidance on this platform.

    To those wondering, I did not go to a Russell Group university, I don't have perfect grades. My two cents is to remember to be kind, on my Vac scheme I was reminded that I wasn't in competition with the other applicants, those that could set aside that mindset, work together and form friendships and partnerships appear to have been successful.

    I can't say if my approach was the correct one given how many different people are successful with various approaches but I only applied for one firm because it resonated with me and I felt as though it was a cultural fit for me and thankfully they agreed.

    THIS! No Russell Group? No perfect grades? Didn't stop you and you nailed it! Big, big congratulations!! Also appreciated the emphasis you put on showing kindness and choosing collaboration over competition during your vac scheme. Hope you can rest easy for a few weeks and enjoy the win 🥳
     

    Ram Sabaratnam

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 7, 2024
    523
    1,163
    If I got told I’d hear back by the end of this week, and I’m seeing a small number of offers roll out, do we assume rejection?

    Hiya @x_lauren112

    Not necessarily, since firms don’t always release outcomes all at once. It’s possible you’re still under consideration, or they’re just moving more slowly than expected (which, to be fair, happens a lot). Once the deadline they've sent passes, I think you can send a polite follow up email, but try not to take the silence as a bad sign just yet. Good luck and I hope you hear back soon.
     

    Ram Sabaratnam

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 7, 2024
    523
    1,163
    Hi, guys!
    I hope you’re all having a fantastic summer break.
    I was looking for advice regarding whether firms would reject me straight away because of my poor first-year results (low 2:2), although I managed to get a First Class in my second year.
    I know grades form only one part of the whole application, and although I have legal and non-legal work experience and have attended many open days with leading law firms, where they emphasize strong communication, teamwork, and resilience skills, no one seems to answer my question on whether I could be a strong candidate just because of one setback in my first year of law school.

    Hiya @Charles Leclerc

    Just wanted to add to what @legallady123 has already insightfully said in response to your question.

    I don't think your grades will necessarily be an issue. Many firms understand that first year can be a difficult adjustment, and what matters is how you’ve responded since (great job on getting that First in your second year!).

    That said, whether you’re ultimately seen as a strong candidate depends on a range of factors; not just your academics or experiences, but also how effectively you present your story, how competitive the cycle is, which firms you’re targeting, and whether you can convincingly demonstrate commercial awareness (this last point is where I see many candidates struggle, even when they have excellent grades and decent work experience).

    At this stage, your focus should be on presenting your narrative in a compelling, reflective way on your application forms. To help with this, I’d strongly recommend getting a full application reviewed by someone who has experience reading or marking applications for the kinds of firms to which you're applying. Personally, I found TCLA's application review service really useful after my first cycle. It gave me clarity on both my written style and what needed strengthening in my profile. If your university has careers advisers with experience in legal recruitment, they can also be helpful, but it really depends on how well they understand the legal market.

    You’ve already done a lot of the right things in terms of gaining experience and building skills, and I'd encourage you to now focus on sharpening how you communicate all of that to firms.

    Good luck with applications!
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Jaysen

    Ram Sabaratnam

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 7, 2024
    523
    1,163
    Hi - is anyone able to dm me regarding competing TC offers? All the firms are excellent, and I'm quite lost about which one to accept. I understand that this is a very privileged position to be in, but I would really appreciate some advice because it's a huge decision!

    Hiya @linkedinwarrior245

    Happy to discuss this if you still need help. Feel free to DM me :)
     

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