Thanks so much for the insights!!! The fact that you progressed passed the app stage is more than enough consolation for me because I just thought I wasn’t cut out. I hope you get something soon if you haven’t already!!
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
I’ve done a few ACs so far and one more coming up but I’m just feeling so deflated. Feedback received so far was basically you’re good but not good enough. Feel like I’m also bombing the ACs that I did but haven’t received an outcome because I would think about the parts that I didn’t do well. You might say well you don’t have to do well for every exercise and firms want to see potential not finished products but the brutal reality is there are lots of people out there that did better than you and perhaps across all exercises but you didn’t do so well in a few parts of the exercises and so you couldn’t get a vac scheme. And it hit harder if they take almost half of the AC attendees to their vac scheme
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Some international, some national (The firms I had ACs with). Mostly in London and full service. Not US firms.
London is definitely the most competitive area, but it’s great you are still getting good feedback. Maybe target firms with regional locations too, so you are mixing your focus
Thank you, all firms have a London presence but for some applications I put Bristol/Cambridge because they have a larger intake
Yea same it’s so annoying I’ve emailed them but I’m waiting for a reply idk
Hey!
I definitely have (+ a few times!). For one of my VS AC's, I felt that I hadn't spoken enough in the group task and actually had someone try to include me in the conversation multiple times (which I am grateful to them for!). However, I still ended up receiving an offer afterwards - personally, I'd say it is a sign that the value of your contributions in a group exercise matter far more than how often you speak. Even in my Reed Smith AC, I felt I wasn't able to finish my written exercise in the way that I wanted as I was running out of time, and I felt my group exercise performance wasn't particularly strong.
I think it is a useful reminder that sometimes we are our own worst critics - we tend to ruminate on the things that 'go wrong', rather than what goes right! Try to remember that you have probably done much better than you think!
Hey!
I did this before a few of my vacation schemes and I had a lot of success with it! I would actually encourage you to reach out to future trainees before trainees, as they will likely have more free time to assist you and will have gone through the process recently. I was lucky enough to have a few zoom calls with future trainees at the firms I had VS' with, and they were really useful in offering tips and helping to calm my nerves!
Hey!
Yes, I'd say it is definitely worth mentioning your non-law experience here. You could suggest things such as:
- A multi-generational firm will have different communication styles and levels of experience
- You'd adapt your approach depending on the individual (e.g. being proactive and receptive to feedback with senior colleagues, collaborative and supportive with peers, etc.)
- Your previous roles show you are comfortable working with people of different ages and can communicate appropriately (+ you might include a brief example here to demonstrate your point).
Therefore, it is definitely worth mentioning - I'd just try to keep it focused on respect and willingness to learn / adapt
Hey!
I am doing well, thank you - hope you are too!
I would approach it by showing that your reasoning still holds, but that you understand the firm is evolving and merging. With Winston & Strawn, you can still talk about being drawn to a lean London office where trainees can gain meaningful responsibility and close partner contact. This doesn't necessarily disappear if the firm grows, and could even become more valuable within a larger firm.
Therefore, rather than choosing between "small team" or "big global firm", I'd try to position it as a combination - this could perhaps look like the entrepreneurial feel of the London office alongside the international strength and client base that comes with a larger scale. This shows that you are thinking commercially about the future of the firm.
However, if in doubt, I would say that it is best to reference the benefits of the firm as it is. It is difficult to predict how the firm might change once the merger takes place, and it is better to root your answer in facts than to speculate on the future.
If the topic comes up elsewhere, you could discuss how expansion can deepen sector expertises, strengthen cross-border work and create additional professional development opportunities. The key is to show that you are aware of the consequences of the merger, and can see the growth as purposeful.
Best of luck!
Anyone have any tips for Russell-Cookes Video Interview over teams. After not receiving anything from firms this cycle, I finally managed to get to a firms next stage. I heard it was quite informal but that was it. Any insight would be great please. I am struggling on how to prepare and feel like i'll fumble it.
@Abbie Whitlock Hey Abbie how would you approach the question why law for a telephone interview at a commercial law firm
(off topic) is anyone familiar with kaspas ice cream? i saw this in one of their stores today
i looked at their variety of flavours and i find it incredibly hard to believe that there is “nothing artificial” in the ice cream. is there any way i can force them to say what the ingredients are?????
i looked at their variety of flavours and i find it incredibly hard to believe that there is “nothing artificial” in the ice cream. is there any way i can force them to say what the ingredients are?????
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