TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TheLegalEdit]

Has anyone heard from A&O post video interview for the Winter Vac Scheme?

 

[johnsmith]

HSF Kramer PFO

Sorry to hear! Don’t be disheartened though, the way their VS process works with the AC being interview based next they have probably had to be really harsh on shortlisting! Plenty of other great firms to apply to 😄

 

[legal18]

Hi @legal18 thanks a lot for the kind words, I really appreciate it !

As for your question, here is how I would approach it:

• Firstly, explain the concept of profit in simple terms, as earnings minus costs, and exemplify with sources of earnings and sources of costs most businesses have.
• Having explained how generating profits essentially boils down to either increasing earnings, or reducing costs, or both, I would then describe in layman terms the general strategies a business can use to maximize earnings. Things I could mention include increasing market share (perhaps via geographic expansion, increased hiring, or M&A) to improve the total volume of business and therefore the margins of profit; or finding gaps in the market, where you can tap on existing demand no one else is servicing; differentiate your business' brand via effective marketing, invest in talent or research and development of tech products that will result in a better quality offering to your client base. etc. Whatever general strategy point I would choose to mention, I would the illustrate with the best example I could find of a company successfully doing this.
• The second half of the answer would instead be focused on minimizing costs, where I could mention strategies like: creating economies of scale to increase the efficiency of supply and distribution chains and improve market bargaining power; structuring operations and transactions in a tax efficient manner; automating processes (especially now with generative AI), outsourcing, etc. Once again, I would seek to illustrate these strategies with the best examples of companies who have efficiently implemented them.

Thanks for this Andrei!! Do you have any thoughts on the ‘maintain’ aspect of the question and how to weave that in?

 

[johnsmith]

Has anyone received the HL job simulation test yet after the first stage test? I completed it 27th September so trying to workout if I’ve not made the cut!

 

[Harvey Specter]

Has anybody heard back at all from Davis Polk & Wardwell about the insight day (either invite or PFO)? I think it takes place next week.​

 

[GiveMeTC2026]

DLA Discovery Day invite!

 

[fbtrainee]

DLA Discovery Day invite!

congrats! is this for London?

 

[GiveMeTC2026]

I applied and I’m a graduate. I made it to video interview, so if that was the case I think I would have been screened out. On the website it says first year onwards

That is confusing as it says graduation year then it says you are not eligible to apply. Unless I am missing something.

 

[GiveMeTC2026]

congrats! is this for London?

Thank you and no regional office.

 

[Bbhu19]

Thank you and no regional office.

Congratulations 🎉🎉, what region and when did you apply if you don’t mind answering?

 

[Amgrad]

Today's Legal Cheek Virtual Law Fair Wrap Up 🎉

• Weil Gotshal & Manges: Apologised that they had technical issues and will open the app later this week with a possible extension
• Taylor Wessing: Will share the details for open days a week before the day for those invited last week.
• King & Spalding: Encouraged to apply their insights day, open to all candidates by unsolicited app (emailing).
• Vinson: Unable to sponsor visa and don't have DTC
• Sullivan: Don't have official statistics for VS conversion rates/undisclosed data, but for international grad they advise to apply direct TC
• Akin: Encouraged to apply their open day, but I cannot find the link for registration, anyone can help? Deadline is 20/10
• Cooley: Will release the outcome of open day as earlier as the end of October.

Firms that I hope can attend, but they not represent at the fair: Milbank, Ropes Gray, Jones Day, Sidley Austin

 

[zara elles]

That is confusing as it says graduation year then it says you are not eligible to apply. Unless I am missing something.

It says: We allow applications from penultimate year (and onwards) law students and final year (and onwards) non-law students.

I applied and got through initial stage too - so just hoping I am included in 'and onwards'

 

[AngelBaird]

DLA Piper open day invite!!!

 

[lawyerbee1234]

Any HSF AC invites - surely they haven't PFO'ed before sending out the invites?!

 

[Bbhu19]

DLA Piper open day invite!!!

Is this for London?

 

[AngelBaird]

Is this for London?

This was for Manchester!

 

[lawschool123]

Ashurst WVS written exercise invite! Does anyone have any insight on how to prepare for this?

 

[RBUCL]

Anyone progressed past the first online assessment with Mayer Brown?

 

[abc124]

Ashurst WVS written exercise invite! Does anyone have any insight on how to prepare for this?

Congrats, did you get it today?

 

[lawschool123]

Congrats, did you get it today?

Yes, this evening!