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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
You are clearly a competent and desirable applicant if you are able to reach the AC stage twice, that itself is an achievement so you definitely shouldn’t feel like you are not good enough.Second ever AC and rejection. I’m floored. This thread helped me a lot to get these ACs and can’t thank everyone enough- I’ve ever had the opportunity to get to the video interview stage with big firms like Dechert, Dentons etc. so im forever grateful.
HOWEVER I DONT KNOW WHAT IM DOING WRONG!!!!( in person) it’s my first ever cycle. How many cycles does it actually take. I’m not from the UK so it’s not as competitive but it’s pretty similar lol. I feel like genuinely giving up. Does it ever get better? I genuinely feel like I can get any app I want to the video/ interview or TC interview stage, BUT THEN IT ALL GOES WRONG IN THE ASSESSMENT CENTRE OR/ AND THE INTERVIEW.
How specific are you meant to be with STAR- is anyone able to answer a STAR competency question for a TC? Maybe my examples are too long. Could anyone pretty please provide me an example of this?
100 million thoughts are going into my head I just feel like maybe I’m not good enough and I’m not cut for this, maybe I should change careers, I’m 28 soon, it’s concerning
THANK YOU ALL!
If you haven’t already you should definitely ask both firms for feedback as they are the only ones who will be able to say what went wrong. Once you receive that take some time to reflect on it and work on your weaknesses so that you will be in an even better position for your next AC.
Thank you so much. I always feel out of place in most firms so I think it must be imposter syndrome. I do have a somehow strong Eastern European accent and I often feel like this may be the problem, but that’s impossible because the firms I apply to are international, and I also speak 4 languages so my accent is all over the place. However, I still articulate myself well I feel. I just wish I was a native English speaker, so I wouldn’t make silly mistakes when I’m nervous e.g saying one thousand hundred instead of one hundred thousand
but that’s because I’m nervousAnd thank you. DLA told me I’m not structured and I need to use different examples for star. So I’ve done that, but I have not received feedback for my second AC. I will get it in a couple of weeks.
There were a lot of students doing it last year so I think it's safe to say that they will be sending more offers. They may also be waiting for people that currently have an offer to reject or accept before they send any more out.
I'm sorrySecond ever AC and rejection. I’m floored. This thread helped me a lot to get these ACs and can’t thank everyone enough- I’ve ever had the opportunity to get to the video interview stage with big firms like Dechert, Dentons etc. so im forever grateful.
HOWEVER I DONT KNOW WHAT IM DOING WRONG!!!!
How specific are you meant to be with STAR- is anyone able to answer a STAR competency question for a TC? Maybe my examples are too long. Could anyone pretty please provide me an example of this?
100 million thoughts are going into my head I just feel like maybe I’m not good enough and I’m not cut for this, maybe I should change careers, I’m 28 soon, it’s concerning
THANK YOU ALL!
Most people I speak to take three cycles. The first cycle is learning 'what to do', the second is learning how to do well, and the third is pulling it all together from the start of the cycle.
But it's only your first cycle! So it definitely does get better. Often, it's not the case that you did anything wrong, but that there were other candidates who stood out.
STAR should be really specific. I'd pick one very clear example of one situation, focus most of your answer on the actions you took, and talk about your answer in a way that is memorable. I encourage every applicant to make a point to show off, not in the way you deliver your answers, but in being very precise about what you did that went above and beyond.
I know it's rubbish to get rejected, and please give yourself time to recover. The best thing you can do is separate the rejection from your identity as an applicant. The more you associate a rejection with 'maybe I'm not good enough for this', the more you're likely to give up. But if you're able to see the rejection as a data point: 'Okay, I didn't get this one. I should work out why, and then move on to the next one', the more you're likely to last the time it takes to get the training contract.
thats true thank you so much! - although this year they are only doing one cohort whereas last year they did 2 so its defo more competitive
@Jessica Pearson Thank you very much for your reply and for your time.
I would be interested in a paralegal role (entry level) at a criminal law firm, but they usually ask for experience. 
I’m basically in the same boat and honestly I think that ACs are something that we just have to get used to, each AC gives us a better idea of what is expected/desired so ‘failing’ one is never a waste of time. Plus, making it to the AC stage is so impressive in itself and it says that we are desirable candidates, we just need to work on interviewing/exercises/etc.Second ever AC and rejection. I’m floored. This thread helped me a lot to get these ACs and can’t thank everyone enough- I’ve ever had the opportunity to get to the video interview stage with big firms like Dechert, Dentons etc. so im forever grateful.
HOWEVER I DONT KNOW WHAT IM DOING WRONG!!!!
How specific are you meant to be with STAR- is anyone able to answer a STAR competency question for a TC? Maybe my examples are too long. Could anyone pretty please provide me an example of this?
100 million thoughts are going into my head I just feel like maybe I’m not good enough and I’m not cut for this, maybe I should change careers, I’m 28 soon, it’s concerning
THANK YOU ALL!
With STAR I think just briefly explaining the situation and task for context and really focusing on the action and result is the best approach. The situation and task can be one sentence each.
In all fairness, it doesn't seem like many have received offers at this stage, so I still think more people will be receiving offers.
Any insights for White & Case VI? I can trade with Reed Smith VI, Stephenson Harwood VI, OR (Morgan Lewis TI and Macfarlanes VI - they allow reapplications)
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