TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[baj5]

hi everyone, I just got rejected by the firm I completed a vac scheme with this summer. I am waiting to get feedback which I will of course incorporate into my next cycle but do any of you have any advice? Whether it's on how to keep going or anything else at all, it would be appreciated!

 

[Boating]

Question for anyone who is subscribed to Watson's Daily - what device/browser/medium do you tend to read it on? I really want to subscribe, but when I used it on a trial basis, I found the UI on its app a bit hard to read/use. I'm not sure whether it's better to view it as an email, on the iPhone app or the website? It might just be a me-problem, so please lmk either way 😅

Similarly, I'd appreciate if anyone has had any experience with Finimize - the price is a bit prohibitive & I don't think I understood how to use it properly during the trial. If anyone thinks it's worth getting, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Watson daily on a laptop, and worth for like £5 or whatever it is.

Finimize not really worth it, unless your'e into investing which is what its good for (even then most the stories can be found on free publications, money stuff, etc....)

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

So I don't know if this helps but I worked full time as a paralegal and have just secured a TC. Working as a Paralegal is a solid back up plan as whilst the pay is extremely low and it is long hours after two years you can qualify as an NQ you don't actually need a TC under the SQE regime. You just need to choose a solid firm that has a history of converting paralegals to NQs - i.e. AG, Macfarlanes etc.

Thanks for your response. I agree with someone else's response - that it is quite difficult to secure a paralegal role at such firms, particularly given recent market.

But yes that helps - great to hear you secured a TC whilst working FT as a paralegal.

Onwards and upwards!

 

[V2002]

Hello, Has anyone completed an AC for Morgan Lewis? Any guidance or tips would be much appreciated, especially on how to structure a case study panel interview! I have never done one.

 

[Future Trainee 2027 secured]

Getting a paralegal role can be tough too though.

That's true, I found that my experience in another sector was actually key to securing the paralegal position - I have been informed that they were hiring for a really long time but applicants didn't have the relevant experience. I was lucky as the field I worked in gave me indirect exposure i.e. I understood how the product worked from a front-of-house perspective, even though I had never worked in the legal field previously. My experience is extremely non-traditional so I wouldn't advise it, I can only say I was fortunate and it worked for me - but if you are struggling with getting a TC or paralegal role, I may suggest looking at other areas - compliance, audit, tax, finance to build experience and get money and apply in your downtime along side - Again I was very lucky (1 application cycle and 1 firm) and please take this with a pinch of salt - however I can't see getting experience in something else as a downside as everything is transferable (if you don't believe me I was told an applicant who was a chef was given a TC two years ago which is amazing - demonstrating that many skills are sought after and experience is also invaluable)

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman , hope you are well. Could you please share any compilation of the best tips that ensure how to convert your VS to a TC? (in case something of this sort exists on the forum?) Thanks in advance

 

[TortillaTC]

When did people start receiving the WG after submitting their app to Hogan Lovells?

 

[financelawyer]

Hi has anyone found success in reapplying to firms after being rejected at app stage or even interview stage ?

and if I do apply, should I completely change all the answers ?

should I mention how I have improved on the feedback given from the last AC?

and do firms acc compare w previous applications by the same person at all

 

[lawstudent2]

Anyone know which firms are strict on grades? I know that essentially all say a 2.1 is fine but I've heard that some, such as slaughters, are stricter and want a high 2.1 only. Since my grades are a low 2.1 I want to make sure I am applying to suitable firms and am not wasting any time

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Anyone know which firms are strict on grades? I know that essentially all say a 2.1 is fine but I've heard that some, such as slaughters, are stricter and want a high 2.1 only. Since my grades are a low 2.1 I want to make sure I am applying to suitable firms and am not wasting any time

Slaughter and May and Jones Day. Not "strict", but they do pay attention to grades beyond whether it's a 2.1.

 

[lawstudent2]

Slaughter and May and Jones Day. Not "strict", but they do pay attention to grades beyond whether it's a 2.1.

Thanks that's helpful to know

 

[Gr33n]

The weekend during a vac scheme never really feels like a proper wknd tbh

 

[ashwright]

Quick question about commercial awareness!

Even though I regularly read the FT + listen to FT adjacent podcasts, I still find myself lacking a lot of the foundations of commercial awareness. I read most of 'All You Need to Know about the City' a couple of years ago and made loads of flashcards - I found this super helpful in learning the basic ideas of profit, debt, shares, M&A etc.

I wanted to check if you guys have any recommendations for similar resources which help build the foundations? I'd appreciate anything with a 1.) similar general finance theme and/or 2.) a similar beginner's guide more geared towards law + practice areas. A more 'law-specific' resource would be nice because I'm not super familiar with practice areas etc. Reading law firms' website descriptions of practice areas is a bit more ambiguous than I'd like.

Investopedia is great but a more structured resource (e.g., course, book) would be preferred! I know the TCLA offers courses but I'm not too sure which would be best for my very basic needs. Thank you in advance!