• Hey Guest, Have an interview coming up? We’ve opened new mock interview slots this week. Book here
  • Received a training contract offer? We're hiring. It's fully remote. Apply by 27 April 2026
  • TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.
    Join →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

I'm struggling to structure my answer to 'What is motivating you towards a career at Cooley' in 300 words for their open day. I'm mainly drawn because of their life sciences sector (I'm a biochemistry student) and the range of transactional work they do with life sciences companies, but of course a lot of firms have a strong life sciences practice and I am struggling to explain why specifically Cooley's life sciences sector. I am also worried about focusing on one sector too much, and making it sound like I am not interested in anything else they do. I also don't know how much to write about the training/culture/diversity, or if i should instead focus on another practice instead of training?
 
  • ✅
Reactions: Abbie Whitlock
@Andrei Radu Hi Andrei! I have been enjoying your responses and I wanted to ask you on some guidance in how to answer this question for DLA Piper's Discovery Day application. I found it particularly hard in how to answer why I am interested in one of their regional office specifically.

The question for your reference: In no more than 300 words, please tell us how you believe attending a Discovery Day at the Birmingham office will enhance your knowledge of both DLA Piper and the legal industry. We’re particularly interested in what attracts you to DLA Piper specifically and which aspects of the firm, and office, you are most excited to explore further during the event.
 
I'm struggling to structure my answer to 'What is motivating you towards a career at Cooley' in 300 words for their open day. I'm mainly drawn because of their life sciences sector (I'm a biochemistry student) and the range of transactional work they do with life sciences companies, but of course a lot of firms have a strong life sciences practice and I am struggling to explain why specifically Cooley's life sciences sector. I am also worried about focusing on one sector too much, and making it sound like I am not interested in anything else they do. I also don't know how much to write about the training/culture/diversity, or if i should instead focus on another practice instead of training?
I'm not sure if I would be of much help, but I just wanted to highlight that I'm struggling with this too as everyone I've met from Cooley has been contagiously lovely which makes me want to apply but I'm personally not really interested in their sectors so it's a challenge to draw any personal link to the work they do.

It is ultimately an Open Day and the point is very much to find out more about them so I wouldn't worry too much about focussing more on one sector. However, do also try and sprinkle in some amount of "why law" given your non-law background because this is probably an implied part of the question too.

I would say that it's great to highlight your interest in the life sciences sector, maybe look for specific clients and deals which you can relate to (remember to be as specific to London as possible as well) on their website, Legal 500/Chambers, or the many profiles out there (Legal 500 Future Lawyers/Chambers Student/Legal Cheek/TCLA). It might also help you identify if there's a specific part of the market they operate in e.g. listed companies, emerging companies, mid-high value companies etc.

You could also cover their small trainee intake and how it translates to collegiality, early responsibility, and more on-the-job training too. I know they're very active in the VC space and work directly with many founders too so if there's something that you could link to that, I think it would be good.
 
Hi guys,

Quick question - I was recording the VI for NRF and someone in my building decided to start work and bang a rope against my window. This was very audible in my VI responses so I waited and took longer than necessary to respond to the questions and even re-recorded one. This made me exceed the recommended 5 min prep time

Would you recommend contacting grad rec and letting them know? or is the 5 min prep time not something that is taken seriously?
 
I'm not sure if I would be of much help, but I just wanted to highlight that I'm struggling with this too as everyone I've met from Cooley has been contagiously lovely which makes me want to apply but I'm personally not really interested in their sectors so it's a challenge to draw any personal link to the work they do.

It is ultimately an Open Day and the point is very much to find out more about them so I wouldn't worry too much about focussing more on one sector. However, do also try and sprinkle in some amount of "why law" given your non-law background because this is probably an implied part of the question too.

I would say that it's great to highlight your interest in the life sciences sector, maybe look for specific clients and deals which you can relate to (remember to be as specific to London as possible as well) on their website, Legal 500/Chambers, or the many profiles out there (Legal 500 Future Lawyers/Chambers Student/Legal Cheek/TCLA). It might also help you identify if there's a specific part of the market they operate in e.g. listed companies, emerging companies, mid-high value companies etc.

You could also cover their small trainee intake and how it translates to collegiality, early responsibility, and more on-the-job training too. I know they're very active in the VC space and work directly with many founders too so if there's something that you could link to that, I think it would be good.
This is really helpful thank you so much!
 

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.