TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[trainee4u]

Anyone know what the process is for DAC Beachcroft’s new vac scheme? On the website it simply says hiring process: ‘applied’ ‘hired’ and that candidates will be ‘informed of application outcomes by early August’… does this mean no tests/interviews ???

looks like it's more of an unpaid internship hence less competitive

 

[Jaysen]

Hi everyone, I have an interview with Perkins Coie coming up, if anyone has done it can you dm me pls? Would be great to get some insight, thank you

Just sharing this podcast with Perkins Coie in case it helps for your interview!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

In terms of applying for open days, do firms typically prefer to allocate spaces to undergrads, or is it still worth applying as a postgrad?

Hiya @WiddyJ

Unless the open day is clearly limited to first years or undergraduates, there’s no reason not to apply. I’ve attended several myself as a career changer, and no one seemed particularly concerned about what stage I was at. Even if you’re unsure whether you’ll be selected, the process of applying tends to be useful in itself. It forces you to read about the firm with a bit more structure, since you'll still need to make an application and because selection for these opportunities is still competitive. Often that same research can be reused later on, whether or not you get the open day. Hope you apply and good luck!

 

[DisciplineTC2526]

What were the questions for Ashurst's VS last year please?

 

[TCLA0322]

Is there any point reapplying to firms that rejected post-AC during this cycle? (But my grade level went up from 2.1 to 1st, and a new internship experience was added)

 

[asplawyer100]

looks like it's more of an unpaid internship hence less competitive

This isn’t the impression that I got seeing as they’re advertising it as a vacation scheme which could presumably lead to a TC? I would be surprised if a large city firm like DAC hosted an unpaid vacation scheme in any case

 

[Jessica Pearson]

This isn’t the impression that I got seeing as they’re advertising it as a vacation scheme which could presumably lead to a TC? I would be surprised if a large city firm like DAC hosted an unpaid vacation scheme in any case

I spoke to someone from HR at the firm, and she said that you'll still have to apply for a TC after the vacation scheme. I think it's because the application is quite straightforward.

 

[mariistm]

hi guys, i got 2 TCs this year and had to make the hard choice between them. any advice on how to email the firm I didn’t choose? I find it very awkward

 

[FM302989]

hi guys, i got 2 TCs this year and had to make the hard choice between them. any advice on how to email the firm I didn’t choose? I find it very awkward

"Thank you for your training contract offer.

We received a number of training contract offers and I am sorry to inform you that we will not be progressing with your offer any further.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide you with feedback at this stage.

Thank you for your interest in myself and I wish you all the best with your trainee solicitor recruitment."

_ _ _

Jokes aside - just thank them for the offer and say that unfortunately you've decided to accept the offer presented by a separate firm. Say you've enjoyed meeting, interacting with the team and your time on the Vacation Scheme (if applicable) and you are grateful for the opportunity provided. Hopefully you can re-connect down the line

Keep it short and sweet

 

[applicant457]

Hi guys,

what would you say is the best way to spend a summer before applications, to be fully prepared!

 

[mariistm]

"Thank you for your training offer offer.

We received a number of training contract offers and I am sorry to inform you that we will not be progressing with your offer any further.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide you with feedback at this stage.

Thank you for your interest in myself and I wish you all the best with your trainee solicitor recruitment."

_ _ _

Jokes aside - just thank them for the offer and say that unfortunately you've decided to accept the offer presented by a separate firm. Say you've enjoyed meeting, interacting with the team and your time on the Vacation Scheme (if applicable) and you are grateful for the opportunity provided. Hopefully you can re-connect down the line

Keep it short and sweet

Haha, imagine, I’d get my revenge…

Thanks so much!

 

[FM302989]

Hi guys,

what would you say is the best way to spend a summer before applications, to be fully prepared!

• part time jobs
• sports and hobbies (these are to assist the extra curricular/non-academic achievements questions)
• reviewing what areas of law you want to work in or take an interest in. From there, start understanding what lawyers are instructed to do here, what documents are drafted, what trainees would typically do. This assist the 'why law/practice area' question
• From the practice areas, look up which firms work in these areas, are well ranked or growing. This will assist the 'why x firm' question
• Research firms from their websites, Chambers Student (if applicable), news published on their LinkedIn, legal 500, Lex 100 overview, consider reaching out to trainees and ask them questions you genuinely want to know about the firm or that aid with your research and understanding of their business and training programme. This will also assist the 'why x firm' question
• Get a Lexology account (free) to receive client friendly legal updates from articles published by law firms each morning
• Consider getting a Watson's Daily account for commercial awareness overviews every morning

 

[lawyersum]

Hey guys, what are your opinions on pursuing a master's degree? i've got a solid academic and non-academic background (i.e multiple work experiences, part-time jobs, leadership positions). Funding wise, I anticipate to get relief from some bursaries, so I'm not too worried about that. I want to do it out of genuine interest and the uni has a great history of a startup producing, innovative culture, which I want to get involved in. The only thing is I'm not sure whether a masters is viewed negatively on your application. I mean I will be supplementing my time there with non-academic things to develop my profile further but idk there's a stigma attached around a masters which i keep thinking will negatively impact me. (For context, I'm not an international student). Thoughts and experiences are welcome

 

[trainee4u]

Hey guys, what are your opinions on pursuing a master's degree? i've got a solid academic and non-academic background (i.e multiple work experiences, part-time jobs, leadership positions). Funding wise, I anticipate to get relief from some bursaries, so I'm not too worried about that. I want to do it out of genuine interest and the uni has a great history of a startup producing, innovative culture, which I want to get involved in. The only thing is I'm not sure whether a masters is viewed negatively on your application. I mean I will be supplementing my time there with non-academic things to develop my profile further but idk there's a stigma attached around a masters which i keep thinking will negatively impact me. (For context, I'm not an international student). Thoughts and experiences are welcome

this is asked frequently.

is this a legal masters?

there's no stigma, it just doesn't particularly help.

the main thing is that you are applying for law jobs 2+ years ahead, so should apply for those jobs while doing the masters. do you have an LLB/GDL already? if so the masters is a good way, assuming affordable, to spend time prior to starting a TC, noting that GDL = 1 year, SQE = 1 year.

 

[trainee4u]

I spoke to someone from HR at the firm, and she said that you'll still have to apply for a TC after the vacation scheme. I think it's because the application is quite straightforward.

yes i didn't apply or speaking to them but it did make it reasonably clear that it's intended to help students and career changers specifically understand about a legal career - an outreach effort more than a recruitment process.

no idea about pay though.

 

[lawcool]

Is anyone still waiting to hear from Perkins coie VS post interview :/

 

[Gr33n]

Vac schemes are so draining can I just get the tc already 😭💀

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

yes i didn't apply or speaking to them but it did make it reasonably clear that it's intended to help students and career changers specifically understand about a legal career - an outreach effort more than a recruitment process.

no idea about pay though.

I just checked their website for this opportunity and I’m not seeing it, has the application closed please? I’d really like to apply.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

What were the questions for Ashurst's VS last year please?

Hiya @Lastseasonwonder

I've just looked at this and it seems the questions from the last cycle included the following:

• Please use this section to tell us about yourself, your skills, achievements and why you want to train as a solicitor and work at Ashurst. (750 words max)*
• Tell us in 250 words why you are applying to Ashurst and what you know about the firm. (250 words max)*
• In 250 words tell us what a commercial lawyer does. (250 words max) *

Please just bear in mind that their application form questions do tend to change slightly year on year. Nevertheless, this should give you a good flavour of what the questions will look like in the upcoming cycle.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Is there any point reapplying to firms that rejected post-AC during this cycle? (But my grade level went up from 2.1 to 1st, and a new internship experience was added)

Hiya @TCLA0322

Yes, I think this is a good idea. Reapplying can be a smart move, especially if you’ve strengthened your profile since the last cycle. In your case, having gone from a 2:1 to a First and gaining new internship experience are both clear improvements that you can clearly point to in your application.

That said, the key to making a reapplication work is reflecting meaningfully on what happened during your ACs the first time and showing that you’ve taken steps to improve. During my first cycle, I got to AC at several firms but wasn’t successful; commercial awareness and written exercises were my weak spots. Before the start of my second cycle, I focused on sharpening that through consistent reading, mock interviews, and application feedback and eventually received offers from some of those same firms I’d been rejected from. However, a couple of things to keep in mind:

• Some firms won’t allow reapplications post-AC; so double-check their policy first.
• Others will allow it but expect to see clear evidence of growth; I think you should be fine on this front.
• If you do reapply, make sure your application isn’t just a rehash of last year’s; your new experience should be front and centre, and you should aim to see what else you can do to improve your profile since the last process (especially in areas where you struggled at AC).

The insight you’ve gained from going through the AC are valuable, so don’t let them go to waste. If anything, it potentially gives you an edge at those very firms going into the next cycle. Best of luck!