TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[1stCycleApplicant]

DLA wg invite. Applied on their deadline.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu
I was hoping if you could provide tips on how to sound more natural and less robotic in video interviews. This is because I'm noticing that as I practice more, I'm able to remember more information, but this also means I'm speaking quite robotically. I'm trying to pause in between and slow down but I feel like this comes across quite artificially. Do you have any tips to prevent this?

Thank you

Hey!

I totally get what you mean - it's really common to feel "robotic" in video interviews, particularly once you've practised your answers a lot! A few things that you could try that usually helped me sound a bit more natural:

• Stop memorising full answers: I found it really helped me to switch to bullet-point prompts rather than practising whole sentences, as it allowed me to still add bits as I went along. For example, you might follow a structure of: key point, example, outcome - and practice with those bullet-points. This forces you to speak in your own words each time, which will help you sound more natural
• Recording yourself answering with different wording each time: for example, you could set a rule such as "I can't repeat the same phrasing twice". Therefore, when you are practicing, it helps you stay flexible and stops your brain from reciting a script
• Use conversational markers: it was really useful for me to use phrases that make it sound like you are thinking out loud, rather than reading from a mental script. This could be small things such as "so", "what I found was..." or "the reason I chose that example is..."
• Practice under realistic pressure: I'd do mock recordings with a timer and no notes (or just the bullet-points from above). The more you get used to speaking "off-the-cuff", the less stiff it'll feel in the real thing
• Focus on clarity rather than perfection: a natural answer will have tiny imperfections - things such as a slight pause, a correction, a filler word here and there. What matters is that you respond to these by not letting it throw you off for the rest of the answer - these will make you sound human, not necessarily unprepared!
• Smile slightly while you talk: this sounds really silly, but it does change your tone and makes your delivery warmer and more engaging. I think it's always important to remember that you sometimes act more "robotic" in a VI than you normally would in a usual interview, so it can help to try and let your personality shine through

You are already doing the right thing by being aware of it. With a bit of adjustment, you'll find a good balance between being well-prepared and sound like yourself. Best of luck!!

 

[londonlawyer]

Is it okay to use abbreviations for agreements like SPA, LPA and PPM in a CV for a paralegal position?

 

[cf26]

The CMS DTC deadline says 30th Nov, does that mean it closes at midnight tonight or at 23:59 tomorrow?

 

[qaz99]

The CMS DTC deadline says 30th Nov, does that mean it closes at midnight tonight or at 23:59 tomorrow?

From my exp this usually means 23:59 tomorrow, but I would submit it before the 30th just to be safe

 

[Andrei Radu]

Thanks so much for your response! Do you reckon we're going to see a marginal improvement in deal activity/exits because of this?

I would not expect the new Budget and the associated increased government borrowing to have much of a positive impact in terms dealmaking activity, outside of perhaps some specific sectors the government will be able to invest more into - although it is doubtful that given the current budget deficit issues, economic stagnation, and persistent inflation we will see a significant ram up in investments.

The other potential consequences mentioned, to the extent they actually materialise, would have a negative effect: crowding out effects and increasing interest rates will make general borrowing and therefore financing of transactions more difficult, while decreasing confidence in the UK's ability to repay its debts should lead to a decrease in willingness to invest in the UK economy. The only tailwind I cans see as a result of the new Budget would have more to do with the increased taxes/spending cuts, as those reinforce investor confidence in the fiscal prudence of the Government.

 

[TortillaTC]

For Skadden, is it a good idea to include selective mentoring schemes (law ones I did via my uni) under the WE section?

 

[wooliewoo]

Hi! Could anyone provide any insight on whether the B&B VI repeats the Qs on the application forum (like I remember them doing last year)? And if so, how would you go about this e.g., do you repeat what you said or think of something completely new?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

I would not expect the new Budget and the associated increased government borrowing to have much of a positive impact in terms dealmaking activity, outside of perhaps some specific sectors the government will be able to invest more into - although it is doubtful that given the current budget deficit issues, economic stagnation, and persistent inflation we will see a significant ram up in investments.

The other potential consequences mentioned, to the extent they actually materialise, would have a negative effect: crowding out effects and increasing interest rates will make general borrowing and therefore financing of transactions more difficult, while decreasing confidence in the UK's ability to repay its debts should lead to a decrease in willingness to invest in the UK economy. The only tailwind I cans see as a result of the new Budget would have more to do with the increased taxes/spending cuts, as those reinforce investor confidence in the fiscal prudence of the Government.

Thanks so much for your response! I agree that the potential consequences would lead to a negative effect. However, interest rates have been cut thrice this year and once again (potentially) in December, and the budget seems to have been received better than expected (softening inflation). Inflation has come down to 3.6% after some persistent months at 3.8%.

Besides the budget, do you reckon these are actually positive economic indicators for (somewhat) better dealmaking? Of course not 2021/22-style but mild improvement(?). I was also wondering about if/how this affects the attractiveness of private credit.

 

[asplawyer100]

DLA wg invite. Applied on their deadline.

Which office?

 

[Someoneinlaw]

From my exp this usually means 23:59 tomorrow, but I would submit it before the 30th just to be safe

Please I will like to know the outcome of your application if you do end up applying, because they literally rejected me the next day 😭and I think it's because I applied late but if you get the WG then I know its because my application was trash lol

 

[lawstudent2]

Does anyone know what time the Skadden and Eversheds deadlines are on the 1st?

 

[Harvey Specter]

Does anyone know what time the Skadden and Eversheds deadlines are on the 1st?

I think Skadden is 23:59 on the 1st, so just over 48 hours till their deadline. Probably best to get it in at least a few hours before in case there are technical difficulties with the platform!​

 

[user55998384]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock and @Andrei Radu: for a q on why the firm, i have structure it in terms of paragraph 1) work paragraph 2) int presence and 3) blended in qality of training + pro-bono work - i have advised to have quality of training as a point on its own but i do not have too much substance on it as attending insight days + speaking to trainees there was no like specific stnad outs that i got so do you think my structure is okay?

 

[gmcaolaw]

Who do we address the Davis Polk cover letter to?

 

[lawstudent2]

I think Skadden is 23:59 on the 1st, so just over 48 hours till their deadline. Probably best to get it in at least a few hours before in case there are technical difficulties with the platform!​

Thanks!

 

[yk1906]

Do you think it's a mauvais ton to mention an upcoming internship if it's at a very prestigious place?

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Which office?

London

 

[yk1906]

Do you think it's a mauvais ton to mention an upcoming internship if it's at a very prestigious place?

@Abbie Whitlock

 

[Amgrad]

Davis Polk keeps sending me a reminder to my unsubmitted app, whilst I think it'd be a waste to apply if I am ineligible as I don't have a law degree or studying PGDL. How can I tell them to withdraw my app if there's no button like Linklaters?

Also, specific question for @Andrei Radu since you a future trainee there, how is your experience at Barbri? I heard its alumni has the highest SQE pass rate compared to other providers, wondering after completing PGDL at BPP/ULaw we can pick Barbri as SQE prep?