TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[RaniaH062002]

Is it for their Open Day?

It is yes

 

[ninarosee]

Does anyone know whether Jones Day and Hogan Lovells require a 2:1 in every module, or if they focus on overall degree classification?

 

[berocca567]

This may have already been asked, but can you apply to Linklaters Direct TC and Vac Scheme?

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Hi! Would you mind sending me the example as well? It'd be really helpful

billyonthespeeddial that would be super helpful for me too if your willing could you DM me?

Hi! I've had the same question, do you mind DMing me the example as well? Would be highly appreciated. Thank you!

Could you also kindly share this with me??

Hi! Sure. I'll send this to all of you as soon as possible Just remember that it's just one successful application, not the best or definitive way to do it

 

[an03]

Yes, the personal link is the most important part!

I've DMed you with an example from one of my successful applications

Would you mind sending me the example too please?

 

[noahsmiit01]

I've noticed a few firms have this common question in the application where you need to tick either the Yes or No box and then give an explanation:
Have you chosen to use AI tools (such as ChatGPT) in your application? Provide a short explanation of your choice – 100 words

If the answer is No, then how do I even structure this question 🤣

 

[fffvfdsfv]

i was rejected post interview for slaughters 2024 vs - can i still apply to the tc? does this affect my chances?

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Good evening everyone. Does anybody have any advice on how to genuinely make a personal connection with facts about the firm and yourself? I find that I can get loads of stats and info about a firm, but it ends up reading like a shopping list in my answer. For example, with energy deals (I’m very interested in the sector), I usually make the connection with a firm’s excellence in a particular area to my heritage (APAC/ South Asia) and being interested in that region. But with more ‘drier’ deals or facts such as PE, real estate, M&A I struggle to find a meaningful personal connection beyond ‘I did a Forage programme on it’. Would be grateful for any tips

Hey @lawyersum!

This is a very good question. One piece of advice that I would give to candidates when reviewing their applications at TCLA is to think about the personal link as 'evidence' that you are indeed interested in a specific area of law or a practice area at a law firm.

You are absolutely right about the danger of making your answer look like a 'shopping list'. So, to make those statistics, facts, deals, etc. come across as more genuine and personal to you, I direct applicants to one question - 'Why is this important to you?'

Now, here's the catch - you want to keep asking yourself this question until your answers go beyond the surface-level points, such as (some common examples I have seen in 200+ applications) being an international student, coming from a specific region, studying the module at university, reading the news, to more refined, in-depth reflections on the almost psychological rationale behind your interests and passions.

So, to illustrate my point about what you have mentioned about areas such as an M&A:

1. Begin by really thinking about the aspects of this practice area that interest you. Avoid generalisations and clichés, such as 'complexity' or 'fast pace'. Try and explain how you understand those concepts in your own words. What does complexity mean to you? For example, to me, complexity is about bringing multiple independent pieces of dense information together and trying to understand how they fit together. It may mean something entirely different to you!

2. Continue by asking yourself: Why exactly am I drawn to [X aspect] of M&A work? Here, you want to provide an in-depth, personal reason. Try and find genuine reasons and stick to simple, everyday language.

This is an area where I see many candidates struggle. You don't need to invent anything new here - you already have all the answers within yourself. For example, when I would talk about my interest in the client-facing nature of work, I would explain this by saying something along the lines of 'I want to work in [X area] because I genuinely enjoy building lasting connections with people, as doing so allows me to get to know their problems on a much deeper level'.

3. Finally, make sure that you provide a very specific example from your professional, educational, or extracurricular experiences that would confirm that you do indeed have an interest or enjoy [X aspect] of the work.

So, the key to a convincing explanation as to why you are interested in a specific area of law isn't necessarily straightforward - you don't need to have done an M&A module at university to present a convincing argument for your interest in this type of work.

Instead, focusing on the qualities and aspects of a specific practice area and drawing parallel examples from your own experiences can also work.

I hope this helps!

 

[ninarosee]

i was rejected post interview for slaughters 2024 vs - can i still apply to the tc? does this affect my chances?

Yes, you can still apply for the direct TC. I’m currently on a virtual webinar with the firm, and one of their trainees mentioned that they were rejected after their VS interview but secured a TC through the direct route.

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Hi everyone, I’m trying to refine how I demonstrate genuine interest in a practice area when writing applications. My usual approach is to pick a specific practice area I’m interested in and highlight how the firm has added value to clients through its advice. However, I’m unsure whether there should also be a personal link to the area—something about why it appeals to me personally—and if so, how to express that effectively. Do you have tips or examples of how to combine a firm-focused angle with a personal connection in a way that feels genuine rather than forced?

Hi @dannyp123,

This is a great question, and a very important one at that - demonstrating genuine interest is a must when it comes to writing a strong and convincing application.

You are absolutely right - it is essential that you have a personal link to the area. Think about it this way - without a personal example, how would the recruiter know that you are actually passionate about the practice area?

My key piece of advice would be this: try not to simply regurgitate or list information about the firm in your answer. The writing space is already so limited as it is! The firm will already know all the information about itself - the recruiters are more interested in knowing why exactly a particular fact resonated with you.

So, you want to spend the bulk of your answer or paragraph not on stating the facts about the firm, but explaining why a specific fact is important to you and illustrating that explanation with an example from your educational, professional or extracurricular experiences.

Here is a structure that I developed over time and used in my own applications:

1. Name the aspect of the firm that you find interesting. I would try and pick something very specific and detailed that will show the reader that you are going beyond a quick search of the firm's website and rankings.
2. Explain why this specific fact caught your attention. Did you find anything to be especially interesting about this aspect of the firm?
3. Draw a parallel with one of your own experiences. For example, if you are mentioning a specific aspect of the firm's culture, have you encountered this type of culture before? If so, what exactly did you enjoy about being immersed in it?

Adopting a structured approach such as this one will hopefully make it a bit easier to draw a connection between the firm and yourself

I hope this helps!

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

I've noticed a few firms have this common question in the application where you need to tick either the Yes or No box and then give an explanation:
Have you chosen to use AI tools (such as ChatGPT) in your application? Provide a short explanation of your choice – 100 words

If the answer is No, then how do I even structure this question 🤣

Hi @noahsmiit01,

I can totally see how this can be a tricky question!

I would consider acknowledging the general usefulness of AI for proofreading, stylistic choices or diversifying vocabulary, but also justify why you decided to stick to your own skills and abilities when drafting your answers and coming up with arguments. There could be a variety of reasons for this - one that immediately comes to mind is that AI tends to use generic words and primitive reasoning.

I do want to emphasise that there isn't one correct answer to this question - I imagine that the law firm would be looking for your genuine reflection on the use of AI in an application

 

[chiichii]

has anyone heard back from HSF Kramer about their open day??

 

[Sunshinepink]

Hi there,

I think it depends on the questions - for motivational questions, I would stick to 2-3 well developed points and structure each point with PEE. First, start with the Point you are making, then explain it further, then back it up with an example from your CV and how you link that back to the question. E.g for why law it would look something like this:

1. Client-Facing work (P)
- E1: In commercial law firms, I am drawn to the client-facing nature of the work, where lawyers translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable advice. I enjoy the idea of building long-term relationships and supporting clients through transactions that are often pivotal to their business strategy.
- E2: Pro Bono clinics, citizens advice helped me develop interpersonal skills and achieve my client's best interests at all times

2. International work:

• E1: I am motivated by the international dimension of commercial law, where firms advise on cross-border matters that require seamless coordination across jurisdictions.
• E2: Having lived and worked in different countries, I have developed cultural adaptability, resilience, and the ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. These experiences have made me a stronger candidate for an international practice, as I can approach problems with a global outlook and appreciate different perspectives.

3. Problem solving nature - intersection of business and law
-E1: I am particularly interested in the problem-solving aspect of commercial law, which often requires combining complex financial mechanisms with nuanced legal frameworks. This intellectual challenge excites me, as it demands creativity as well as precision.

• E2: My legal experience has shown me how lawyers operate at the intersection of business and law, shaping strategies that go beyond technical analysis and directly impact commercial outcomes. This blend of analytical rigour and commercial awareness is what attracts me to the profession.

For competency based questions, I would suggest using STAR, and emphasize the 'Action' and 'Result' of the answer particularly. law firms really want to know exactly what you did in those situations, including what you tried that didn't work and what you ultimately learned and how you carry that with you in your future tasks or roles

Thank you so much!

 

[chiichii]

Hi! Sure. I'll send this to all of you as soon as possible Just remember that it's just one successful application, not the best or definitive way to do it

could you send me a copy as well please? It'd be extremely helpful!! x

 

[chiichii]

Does anyone know how to prepare an answer for Paul Weiss open day? The website said it's competitive, and I don't feel very confident about it! Haha

 

[ZNadeem]

Does anyone know how to prepare an answer for Paul Weiss open day? The website said it's competitive, and I don't feel very confident about it! Haha

For open day applications, I’d suggest keeping it focused with 1–2 short paragraphs that highlight 1–2 USPs of the firm you’d really like to learn more about. A good structure is the PEA approach: make your Point about a USP, give Evidence from your background or interests that explains why it resonates with you, and then add Analysis on how attending the open day will help you explore that USP further.

 

[kn]

any insights on the latham test and video interview?

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Did Ashurst change test providers for their online tests this year?

Sorry guys, if anyone has done the Ashurst test, could you confirm if its Artic shores, the one with the balloons and lock test at the end?

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Hi all,

I’m currently drafting my Ashurst vacation scheme application and was wondering if anyone has a general rule of thumb for word count when writing the work experience section. Do you aim for a specific range, or is it more about quality over quantity? Any guidance or examples would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

I do between 80 and 120 and one of mine is 150 words. I have gotten through written application twice with this strategy but obviously the rest of my application was good enough. I think your whole application should be flawless, no mistakes no AI, etc.

 

[iklawapps]

This might be a stupid question but does anyone know if firms likely check your Forage submissions. I think some of my submissions were awful and I skipped the video tasks (like I did them but I didn't want to record myself online), and I'm wondering if I should not use that experience. Thank you for the help!