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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hello!For DLA Piper's first question - Describe a specific personal experience that shaped your motivation to pursue a legal career. How has this influenced your career ambitions? - does this need to be one specific event? I've never had a lightbulb moment where I thought this makes me want to be a lawyer but it's more something that's come over time. I travelled for a long time after uni and a lot of my ambitions have come from these experiences but I worry this doesn't answer the question but I can't really see how else I would go about it.
Grateful for any insight/inspiration
I completely get where you're coming from - a lot of people don't have a single "lightbulb moment" that pushed them toward law, and that's honestly very normal! However, I'd say it's best to focus your answer around one specific personal experience, even if your motivation developed gradually. The question specifically asks for "a specific personal experience", so I would say they're looking for you to anchor your answer around a moment or situation that you can describe clearly.
That doesn't mean you need a big "lightbulb moment" - it could just be one experience that represents or crystallised what motivated you to pursue a career in law. For example, something that made you appreciate problem-solving, negotiation, advocacy, or international collaboration - this can be any experience that ties into your wider motivations towards law.
I think it's a great idea to bring in your travels or other broader experiences, I would just try and pick one defining example. For instance, you might choose a moment that stood out in particular - such as an interaction, observation, or situation that sparked your curiosity about how law shapes society, business, or people's lives. You can then explain how that particular experience made you start thinking about law in a more concrete way and influenced what kind of work or environment you see yourself in.
In other words, I would use one experience as the lens through which you show how your motivation developed. That way, your answer stays focused and personal while still reflecting the wider journey that's led you towards a legal career.
I hope that helps, and best of luck with the application!
That's amazing news - huge congratulations!!! You should be super proud, and I hope you take some time to celebrate the achievement!Been offered a winter vacation scheme
Hello!Had to give up my place for a competitive open day due to work commitment..does anyone know how to deal with this kind of thing? It's also a firm that I'm genuinely interested in
It's totally understandable to feel disappointment in this situation - it's always frustrating to miss out on something you were really looking forward to, especially with a firm you're genuinely interested in.
I would try not to see it as a setback. The fact that you were offered a place on a competitive open day already shows you're doing all the right things with your applications - it's a sign that the firm recognises your potential! I'd take this as an encouraging sign as you continue to write applications for open days and vacation schemes, as they really are a competitive process!
If you haven't already, you could drop the graduate recruitment team a quick email to thank them for the opportunity and explain that you can no longer attend this event but remain really interested in the firm. A proactive and polite follow-up might leave a really good impression!
I know it feels super disappointing in the short-term, but try to see the positives for your long-term growth and celebrate your successes so far
Would be curious to know if anyone has heard from freshfields post second stage test?
Thanks Abbie, that's really nice to hearHello!
It's totally understandable to feel disappointment in this situation - it's always frustrating to miss out on something you were really looking forward to, especially with a firm you're genuinely interested in.
I would try not to see it as a setback. The fact that you were offered a place on a competitive open day already shows you're doing all the right things with your applications - it's a sign that the firm recognises your potential! I'd take this as an encouraging sign as you continue to write applications for open days and vacation schemes, as they really are a competitive process!
If you haven't already, you could drop the graduate recruitment team a quick email to thank them for the opportunity and explain that you can no longer attend this event but remain really interested in the firm. A proactive and polite follow-up might leave a really good impression!
I know it feels super disappointing in the short-term, but try to see the positives for your long-term growth and celebrate your successes so far
If you don't mind, could you share some tips or advice on how can I demonstrate my genuine interest to the firm when writing my application? The reason i wanted to attend their open day is because i find them the easiest way to show my interest to the firm. Now that I can't attend it, do you have any recommendations on how can I leverage this in my application answer? I also attended some of their virtual events like practice area masterclass and ask trainee event, not to say they're not useful, but i feel like attending an open day would be better and make it easy to link everything together, hence a stronger answer. Would really appreciate your two cents and maybe some ideas or guidance.
Hi all. Needed some help. I just discovered my deadline for Hogan Lovells test is today and it says it is a 40 min job simulation test. Does anybody know what kind of video interview questions they'll ask? I don't think it would be in real time given that it is 7.30pm already and the deadline it says is 11.59. Feeling so anxious and don't know how i can prepare in 4 hrs 
For Amberjack it is possible I've realised. I did one around a week ago and got 9/9 grit, 9/9 applied intellect, 8/9 creative force, 8/9 digital mindset but maybe this one was just easier than others I've done
It definitely can be gamed, having watched some content on it, but some of the phrasing is very similar to contend with it, I think! Kind of shame it can be gamed though, as I think the answers people give end up being inauthentic.
Amazing result though - well done!
Is Kirkland summer vac scheme rolling, also is there any point applying for DLA piper and white & case as I see they are progressing people now?
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At DLA's discovery day, they said the deadline is not rolling. But I went to Leeds so I'm not sure on London (given the earlier deadline)???
Burges Salmon Winter AC
Hi guys, my first post on this forum, but I have received an invite to their AC. I can say the countless hours of sacrifice researching the firm and online test practice during the summer were worth it. I have never done an assessment centre before, nor have I ever reached this stage in my life. Regardless of what happens, I'm just happy I made it to that stage.
Does anyone have any general tips and advice for a newbie?
I honestly don't want to go into the AC, and have the mindset that everyone is my competition. I want to enjoy this day. How can I truly just be my authentic self, without putting the assessors off?
This is my second cycle, and I feel really confident I can do well.
P.S. for those interested in the firm, I know they have the spring and summer vac schemes open, so make sure you apply!.
Please constantly practice the Watson-Glaser test and Situational Judgment Scenarios, use ChatGPT, to help with Watson Watson-Glaser / Situational Judgment Test. I sucked at these, now I look a them with indifference (being neurodivergent), without having to spend a fortune.
Hi guys, my first post on this forum, but I have received an invite to their AC. I can say the countless hours of sacrifice researching the firm and online test practice during the summer were worth it. I have never done an assessment centre before, nor have I ever reached this stage in my life. Regardless of what happens, I'm just happy I made it to that stage.
Does anyone have any general tips and advice for a newbie?
I honestly don't want to go into the AC, and have the mindset that everyone is my competition. I want to enjoy this day. How can I truly just be my authentic self, without putting the assessors off?
This is my second cycle, and I feel really confident I can do well.
P.S. for those interested in the firm, I know they have the spring and summer vac schemes open, so make sure you apply!.
Please constantly practice the Watson-Glaser test and Situational Judgment Scenarios, use ChatGPT, to help with Watson Watson-Glaser / Situational Judgment Test. I sucked at these, now I look a them with indifference (being neurodivergent), without having to spend a fortune.
Is the Eversheds Sutherland Vac Scheme not open to final year students? It reads: We welcome applications from penultimate year law under-graduates, final year non-law graduates as well as candidates who've already graduated or taken different career paths.
Is this them excluding final year law students but letting everyone else have at it?
Is this them excluding final year law students but letting everyone else have at it?
If the assessors are put off by your authentic self, chances are you won’t want to work there anyway. Just prepare for the exercises and be yourself! Good luck.
How strict is Sullivan & Cromwell with grades? I got a mid 2:1 in first year, but it's not a high 2:1. Chambers Students says they're looking for a high 2:1 but that info isn't on their website. Would I be ok in applying?
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