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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
gibson dunn first stage interview?! rly unexpected as theyve already given out so many offers but so happyyy
any insights would be very appreciated, i can share white & case final interview, morgan lewis TI and more
any insights would be very appreciated, i can share white & case final interview, morgan lewis TI and more
I have been wondering also but I think they would had said “Monday” specifically if it was going to be today - I think “early next week” meant they could hedge their bets and I bet it will be tomorrow evening or Wednesday. I can’t even imagine how many applications they have had this year with the general increase everywhere and them being so popular…
congrats!! can i ask which scheme this is for?gibson dunn first stage interview?! rly unexpected as theyve already given out so many offers but so happyyy
any insights would be very appreciated, i can share white & case final interview, morgan lewis TI and more
Thank you so much for sharing this! Are there any other resources of this kind for firms not included in AS? I'm a recent state non-law grad who has luckily secured a vac scheme but have no idea on how to prep/ increase my chances of converting.
Hey!
I'm doing well, thank you - I hope you are too!
That is a great question! I would always recommend checking out this list of Training Contract Interview Questions from TCLA, as it is very comprehensive (though I wouldn't try to prepare for every question!) and should give you an idea of what to expect. From my experience with strengths-based interviews, I would say that the Character and Personality section and the Scenarios and Ethical questions are most similar.
I have also found a list from Prospects, who list the following as potential questions:
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
- What energises you?
- How would your close friends describe you?
- Do you most like starting tasks or finishing them?
- Do you prefer the big picture or the small details?
- Describe a successful day. What made it successful?
- What are you good at?
- What are your weaknesses?
- What did you enjoy studying at school or university?
- When did you achieve something you're really proud of?
- What do you enjoy doing the least?
- Do you find there are enough hours in the day to complete your to-do list?
- What tasks are always left on your to-do list?
- How do you stay motivated?
- How do you feel about deadlines?
- Have you ever done something differently the second time around?
- Do you think this role will play to your strengths?
Best of luck with the interview!!
Hey!
Absolutely not a silly question at all (and I wish I had asked this last cycle, haha!). From my experience, in most cases they are completed on a laptop via an online platform. However, I did have to complete a handwritten one last cycle which threw me off slightly - it is always worth checking any details of the AC that you are provided with and, if you aren't given any indication, anticipate that it could be handwritten!
Addleshaw Goddard AC London!
Did VI 1 month ago.
Any tips or insights would be massively appreciated - it'll be my first AC after a brutal application round.
Did VI 1 month ago.
Any tips or insights would be massively appreciated - it'll be my first AC after a brutal application round.
veryyy unfair for a VI i think, lowkey feel like they’ve set us up for failure here
Hello!@Abbie Whitlock I hope you are well! I'm in a bit of an odd situation and would love your advice on how to proceed.
Last Tuesday, I was fortunate to receive a VS offer from Firm A. They gave me until COB the next Tuesday (tomorrow 17/02) to accept. On Wednesday, the day after, I had an AC at Firm B whose VS dates would clash with those of Firm A. At the end of my AC, I told gradrec at Firm B about my circumstances and they said that they would contact me either end of that week or by Monday (today). However, I have not heard back yet and I doubt gradrec will still be working at this hour.
Should I send an email to Firm B to ask for a follow up, or should I just wait until COB tomorrow? I don't want to give the impression to Firm B that I'm rushing their processes, as I do genuinely really like Firm B. But I'm also not sure how to word the email without sounding like I'm too anxious for a response?
I would be greatly appreciative of any insights you could offer! Thank you for your time
I am doing well, thank you - hope you are too!
First of all, huge congratulations on the VS offer!! In terms of the situation, I would say that you have handled it well so far by flagging it to Firm B at the AC.
I would send a short and polite email to Firm B either this evening or first thing tomorrow morning - it is unlikely that they will view this as pushy, as they understand that you have a deadline and are simply enquiring on whether they are able to provide an update. It helps to keep it brief and factual - you could reiterate your strong interest, re-mention the expiring offer, and ask if they could give any indication of timing.
If needed, you might be able to ask Firm A for a brief extension - firms are used to these kinds of requests, and even if they can't grant the extension, they won't view it negatively!
I hope you are able to get a response soon, and congratulations again!
Hi! Does anyone have insights on the Gibson Dunn first-stage interview? Any tips would be really appreciated!
Thank you!Hey!
I'm doing well, thank you - I hope you are too!
That is a great question! I would always recommend checking out this list of Training Contract Interview Questions from TCLA, as it is very comprehensive (though I wouldn't try to prepare for every question!) and should give you an idea of what to expect. From my experience with strengths-based interviews, I would say that the Character and Personality section and the Scenarios and Ethical questions are most similar.
I have also found a list from Prospects, who list the following as potential questions:
Overall, there isn't generally a right or wrong answer for strengths-based questions - I would focus on being transparent and honest, and include examples to back-up and illustrate your points.
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
- What energises you?
- How would your close friends describe you?
- Do you most like starting tasks or finishing them?
- Do you prefer the big picture or the small details?
- Describe a successful day. What made it successful?
- What are you good at?
- What are your weaknesses?
- What did you enjoy studying at school or university?
- When did you achieve something you're really proud of?
- What do you enjoy doing the least?
- Do you find there are enough hours in the day to complete your to-do list?
- What tasks are always left on your to-do list?
- How do you stay motivated?
- How do you feel about deadlines?
- Have you ever done something differently the second time around?
- Do you think this role will play to your strengths?
Best of luck with the interview!!
Thank you so much, Abbie! This is really helpfulHello!
I am doing well, thank you - hope you are too!
First of all, huge congratulations on the VS offer!! In terms of the situation, I would say that you have handled it well so far by flagging it to Firm B at the AC.
I would send a short and polite email to Firm B either this evening or first thing tomorrow morning - it is unlikely that they will view this as pushy, as they understand that you have a deadline and are simply enquiring on whether they are able to provide an update. It helps to keep it brief and factual - you could reiterate your strong interest, re-mention the expiring offer, and ask if they could give any indication of timing.
If needed, you might be able to ask Firm A for a brief extension - firms are used to these kinds of requests, and even if they can't grant the extension, they won't view it negatively!
I hope you are able to get a response soon, and congratulations again!
For a firm that was once at the top of my list, Addleshaw Goddard has left a bad impression. This year was my first time applying to them - I completed the WG in October and didn’t even receive a simple confirmation email. We’re now in February and there’s still been absolutely nothing. Not even a holding email to acknowledge the application or offer some reassurance, which all firms I have applied to this cycle have had the courtesy to do.
What makes it worse is seeing people who applied much later progress to VIs, ACs and even offers, while there’s just been complete silence on my (any many other applicants) end - which leaves me to think there may be other (potentially discriminatory) factors at play.
It honestly feels disrespectful. Candidates put a huge amount of time, effort, and emotional energy into these applications, and the complete lack of communication shows a real lack of regard for that.
What makes it worse is seeing people who applied much later progress to VIs, ACs and even offers, while there’s just been complete silence on my (any many other applicants) end - which leaves me to think there may be other (potentially discriminatory) factors at play.
It honestly feels disrespectful. Candidates put a huge amount of time, effort, and emotional energy into these applications, and the complete lack of communication shows a real lack of regard for that.
I've always gotten the vibe that is is maybe less overt, and slightly more fair nowadays, but the above post is definitely still a huge part of legal recruitment. So much of the process is handled by HR and split between multiple components and exercises. But in partner interviews, rapport goes a long way
Vacation schemes are where it's most evident. Again, there are usually a couple of assessments happening throughout the scheme, but I've always been told feedback from your supervisor and other colleagues is the most important thing. You might be rocky in a group presentation, but if multiple lawyers will go to bat for you, saying "that one is the perfect future trainee!" it holds weight. Which, unfortunately, does advantage those from similar backgrounds to an extent.
reminds me of a scheme i did last summer. we had a whole vac scheme chat on whatsapp which was quite active (people sending lunch pics, office pics, pics from the socials and generally chatting, was quite nice). this one guy, in addition to the scheme socials, had gone for after work drinks with the guys in his team like 3 times in a two week scheme, and one time sent a picture at like 1am from some bar/club lol. he was also a pretty nice guy and really bright so he deffo deserved it regardless, but when I saw he got the TC i just remember thinking "that's how you get the TC!" 😂
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