TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Bread]

Not exactly, but because some firms define work experience distinctively. Some recognise volunteering, open days, and forage as a job opportunity whilst some don't and quite strict. Even, fulltime jobs like cashier at shop or waitress at McDonald's aren't job they want.

Willkie is the example, they provide their own bar to explain forage outside of work experience section. That's why maybe Vantage wouldn't allow candidates to save this part as it's more dynamic than the grades which is permanent.

That’s the thing tho, Vantage seems to have saved mine ages ago and it’s a pain having to change it each time :/

Idm entering it manually, it’s the faff of having to go through it and change names and dates that is annoying. Very strange as well bc I seem to be able to edit my marks on my vantage profile but not my work experience

 

[shadowboxer909]

I don’t rely on AI. I didn’t understand your original post. Your last explanation should’ve been your first !
Thank you anyway.

struggled to understand what you were “alluding to” at so asked ChatGPT incase anyone else wanted to know !

You asked ChatGPT to clear something up which is literally the definition of 'relying on AI', no?

I didn't elaborate because I didn't think it needed explanation considering it's probably the biggest legal news story over the past year and I didn't want to clog the forum up with a debate about it. Some people got it, some people didn't and that's okay lol.

 

[apap]

Not exactly, but because some firms define work experience distinctively. Some recognise volunteering, open days, and forage as a job opportunity whilst some don't and quite strict. Even, fulltime jobs like cashier at shop or waitress at McDonald's aren't job they want.

Willkie is the example, they provide their own bar to explain forage outside of work experience section. That's why maybe Vantage wouldn't allow candidates to save this part as it's more dynamic than the grades which is permanent.

Also, the style to answer whether bullet point or pros, American firm is more direct than British. I've seen magic circle and City firms prefer pros or combined with bullet point whereas the other prefer bullet points to show metrics and concise words.

Was this reply meant for me? Not sure what I said is invalid...

 

[apap]

Sure, but if you input all of the information a firm could possibly ask for into the centralised system, then in theory, it's not hard to only autofill the information actually asked for in that particular form.
In theory... the frustration is that it DOES save work experience. There's just no clear option to update it.

I agree! I just think it's probably because each firm is looking for different things. Some firms don't want volunteering and open days in the work experience because they have a separate section for those. This is why having a few work experience documents to copy and past from is good practice.

Last year I would rewrite my work experience on every application and it took me ages. Ram recommended I have two versions (150 and 250 words) saved to use every time.

The annoying thing is that some firms also want you to sometimes tailor it to their firm.

 

[Amgrad]

You asked ChatGPT to clear something up which is literally the definition of 'relying on AI', no?

I didn't elaborate because I didn't think it needed explanation considering it's probably the biggest legal news story over the past year and I didn't want to clog the forum up with a debate about it. Some people got it, some people didn't and that's okay lol.

Guys stop this debate. This all started from Trump and all the way to law firms to AI usage. As an American grad I feel very lame to this topic, everyday my friends at group chat is telling me about these topics.

If you want debate further then go to Quora, Fishbowl or Reddit. There are plenty of people who mock law firms and urged graduates to not apply certain firms and badmouthing them because of Politics, AI, etc 🤣

I hope this forum is stay healthy and remain peculiar than the others. 🙏🏻

 

[floral.tcla]

hey in interviews is it normal for both to be slightly late and for one to keep checking their phone or straight up doodling..? is it to test composure or they just did not want to interview?

 

[Bread]

hey in interviews is it normal for both to be slightly late and for one to keep checking their phone or straight up doodling..? is it to test composure or they just did not want to interview?

I’ve heard that some firms do this

 

[Amgrad]

Was this reply meant for me? Not sure what I said is invalid...

This was correct for you because what you've said is partially true. The timeline order is the feature of the platforms, not the sole intention of the firms. What I stated is more appropriate. So, that makes it less possible to save this work section.

 

[EuroTache]

Hi everyone, I have a dilemma.

I have received multiple VS offers, but I waiting to hear back from a TC interview. My decision of which VS I take/ if I do one, depends on the TC result. The VS offers have deadlines to respond by tomorrow, but I don’t expect to hear back about the TC for another week or so.

What shall I do?

 

[apap]

This was correct for you because what you've said is partially true. The timeline order is the feature of the platforms, not the sole intention of the firms. What I stated is more appropriate. So, that makes it less possible to save this work section.

Ok bro

 

[c.t.tc]

hey in interviews is it normal for both to be slightly late and for one to keep checking their phone or straight up doodling..? is it to test composure or they just did not want to interview?

you might be right but either way doesn't sound like a super pleasant experience - try not to overthink it too much!

 

[Lawlawland]

People on Akin Open Day...

I've not been let in. Is that the same case with y'all too?

 

[AP2000]

People on Akin Open Day...

I've not been let in. Is that the same case with y'all too?

Same here! There might be a bit of a delay

 

[l789]

Same here, I’m so stressed tbh, because grad rec said in the email to log in at 10.50am for a prompt start

 

[l789]

Same here! There might be a bit of a delay

Same here, I’m so stressed tbh, because grad rec said in the email to log in at 10.50am for a prompt start

 

[TCLA0322]

Latham open day invite! Failed so many times on getting this open day previously💪

 

[AP2000]

Same here, I’m so stressed tbh, because grad rec said in the email to log in at 10.50am for a prompt start

All good, they just messaged that they're having some technical difficulties No need to stress!!

 

[johnsmith]

Latham open day invite! Failed so many times on getting this open day previously💪

Congrats! Which one is this for?

 

[l789]

All good, they just messaged that they're having some technical difficulties No need to stress!!

Terrible behaviour from GR 😜🐵

 

[STEM Student]

Hi,

I was just wondering, if a firm rejects you for their open day, is it worth still applying to their Vacation scheme?

Does a rejection from the firm open day effect chances of getting into the VS?