TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jennifer2003]

For the Cooley in person event on November 20th, one of the questions is “what motivates you towards a career at Cooley” (300 words). I was wondering if anyone has any advice for how much to write about a specific sector/practice area, and how much to write about culture/values/pro-bono and if there’s anything else that is commonly advised to include in a “why this firm” answer!

 

[Legallywhatever]

For Burges Salmon WVS Q, they’re saying ‘can you share a specific instance during your research, a conversation, or an event that convinced you that Burges Salmon was the right firm for you’.

Do we literally only need to write about one instance?

 

[futuretraineeihope]

Hi I have a few questions about a Video Interview I have.
(1) any tips generally as I am usually so much worse at pre-recorded interviews than live phone or teams ones.
(2) when speaking about a deal, how recent does it need to be -- there is a deal in particular that id love to talk about but it was in December 2024 -- is this too long ago?
(3) how many deals/clients should we prepare for a 20 minute interview? I have a few interesting ones in mind but they could be used for a variety of different questions and I am unsure if I need to know multiple in depth or if I can use the same one as it Is unlikely there will be multiple commercial questions.

 

[Maddy]

Did anyone who applied closer to the Ashurst deadline receive any AC invite?

 

[TCchaser]

Has anyone been able to apply to Weil yet? The website says application opened on October 1 but when I click apply, it doesn't bring up the option to apply for vacation scheme, just insight days.

I emailed the grad rec and this was their reply:

"Thank you for your email and interest in pursuing a vacation scheme at Weil. We are experiencing some technical issues with our ATS at the moment, but the role be live asap. Please do keep checking our website."

 

[topkop]

Has anyone had any rejections from the A&O winter vac scheme?

 

[futuretraineeihope]

another question: when asking about a sector I am interested in and an example of a recent deal -- do I need to speak about myself and why that sector deal in particular stands out to me?

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

Just tried to apply for the PWC vacation scheme as a graduate, it screened me out of the process as not eligible.

I'm a graduate and was just in the middle of applying but took a pause. I tried to return but they said graduates are not eligible (despite the website saying otherwise). Quite annoying 🙄

 

[lawstudent2]

Has anyone heard back for the Paul, Weiss open day next week?
Also the Mischon undergraduate open day and the Mayer Brown open day?

 

[whywhy88]

Anyone have an idea when Paul, Weiss may start sending test invites for the WVS?

 

[Bottega_Veneta]

Anyone have an idea when Paul, Weiss may start sending test invites for the WVS?

Hey! My understanding is that they removed the test this year? I could be wrong but I remember grad rec saying this somewhere. The next stage is interview I believe.

 

[Amgrad]

Hi I have a few questions about a Video Interview I have.
(1) any tips generally as I am usually so much worse at pre-recorded interviews than live phone or teams ones.
(2) when speaking about a deal, how recent does it need to be -- there is a deal in particular that id love to talk about but it was in December 2024 -- is this too long ago?
(3) how many deals/clients should we prepare for a 20 minute interview? I have a few interesting ones in mind but they could be used for a variety of different questions and I am unsure if I need to know multiple in depth or if I can use the same one as it Is unlikely there will be multiple commercial questions.

I can help to answer the second question. December 2024 isn't that old, it's still relevant to this cycle, especially big law firm like White & Case they ask about the recent deal in the past 2 years on the essay.

Same goes to Uni where most instructors told us to cite a recent article im the last 2 years. IMO, you can put as old as 2023 deals.

 

[Amgrad]

Hey! My understanding is that they removed the test this year? I could be wrong but I remember grad rec saying this somewhere. The next stage is interview I believe.

Yes, it's confirmed by the grad team. Here is the reference to quote: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....-paul-weiss-anything-2025-26.9940/post-217642

 

[aspiringsolicitor2027]

Ashurst WVS written exercise invite! Does anyone have any insight on how to prepare for this?

Amazingggggg, Congrats!! Do you mind me asking when you applied?

 

[Legal_Beaver]

Just had confirmation that HSF AC invites haven't gone out

 

[johnsmith]

Anyone else qualified for the AS competition quarter finals?

 

[e_turbo2]

@Andrei Radu Hey! I have been enjoying your responses around structuring answers on apps. Just wondering if you have an idea of the best way to structure the answer to this Q-
What do you find attractive about BCLP's sectors/departments and which area(s) are you interested in having exposure to in your Training Contract and why? Max 500 words it is quite lengthy! How many sectors/departments would you recommend discussing? Thank you

 

[berocca567]

Just had confirmation that HSF AC invites haven't gone out

Was there any indication of when they might?

 

[TortillaTC]

For those that haven’t got the first HL test yet, I emailed grad rec and haven’t heard back (I applied 29th September). Will keep you updated

 

[jojo23]

If I inputted a grade incorrectly on a submission (via all hires), what should I do? If I contacted them, would it look detrimental/unprofessional?