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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
those guys legit have 5 direct tc spots just to give 4 of those to their paralegals
A bit of a silly question... for Cooley's summer programme, one of the questions is 'Please tell us about interests and activities you pursue and positions of responsibility that are relevant for the role.' I was wondering if I should place advising at my university's legal clinic in this section instead of the work experience section as I have done previously? Also, would this count as a position of responsibility?
I ask this because its probably my strongest point, but I don't want to repeat what I have said in the work experience section. My other positions of responsibility largely come from my paid employment, so I don't want to mention them in this question. I also have a couple of positions of responsibility from Year 11 but I am very reluctant to use these seeing as it's been four years since then and it seems a little juvenile... 😓
I ask this because its probably my strongest point, but I don't want to repeat what I have said in the work experience section. My other positions of responsibility largely come from my paid employment, so I don't want to mention them in this question. I also have a couple of positions of responsibility from Year 11 but I am very reluctant to use these seeing as it's been four years since then and it seems a little juvenile... 😓
Can anyone please help me with Weil video interview insights? I can help with FF Stage 2, Macfarlanes VI, Latham VI
Hey!
Not a silly question at all!
In short, yes, advising at your university legal clinic could count as a position of responsibility, and it is also fine to refer to it in both sections if it is one of your strongest points.
A good way to approach it is to use each section for different purpose. In the work experience section, you can keep it factual and concise (e.g. what the clinic is, your role, the type of work you did). Then, in the "interests / activities and positions of responsibility" question (which is usually longer) you can go into more depth about the responsibility element: client contact, taking ownership of matters, exercising judgment, teamwork, impact, skills developed, etc. That way, you aren't repeating yourself, just building on it!
I'd say that legal clinics are generally viewed very positively by firms, and they're likely to be more relevant than positions from Year 11 (although you can definitely still include these if relevant in some way).
It's usually fine if this slightly overlaps with other sections of your application - the graduate recruitment team expect some crossover, especially when an experience is particularly strong. The key is to use the space to emphasise the responsibility and skills involved, as that is how you will demonstrate how it is a position of responsibility (and also link to the firm / role!).
I hope that helps!
a former paralegal with a TC at the firm, common in some other firms too
Thank you so much!Hey!
Not a silly question at all!
In short, yes, advising at your university legal clinic could count as a position of responsibility, and it is also fine to refer to it in both sections if it is one of your strongest points.
A good way to approach it is to use each section for different purpose. In the work experience section, you can keep it factual and concise (e.g. what the clinic is, your role, the type of work you did). Then, in the "interests / activities and positions of responsibility" question (which is usually longer) you can go into more depth about the responsibility element: client contact, taking ownership of matters, exercising judgment, teamwork, impact, skills developed, etc. That way, you aren't repeating yourself, just building on it!
I'd say that legal clinics are generally viewed very positively by firms, and they're likely to be more relevant than positions from Year 11 (although you can definitely still include these if relevant in some way).
It's usually fine if this slightly overlaps with other sections of your application - the graduate recruitment team expect some crossover, especially when an experience is particularly strong. The key is to use the space to emphasise the responsibility and skills involved, as that is how you will demonstrate how it is a position of responsibility (and also link to the firm / role!).
I hope that helps!
Hey!, really sorry to hear this, hope you're doing ok! - was this for spring/summer? keep going!
Hey!, I applied for the DTC and received test invite today, hope that helps!Hi, sorry to hear that
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