TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock i have a video interview to complete and I’m not very strong at these. There is only one question. Please could you help with some tips on how to prepare for it? Thank you!

Hey!

I can definitely relate, as video interviews were always my weakest point! I would really recommend checking out the TCLA Wiki page for video interviews - many of the posts (especially Andrei's competency interview advice) was super helpful for me last cycle!

In general for video interviews, it's really important to make sure that you are fully answering the question and that any examples that you use actually fit with the question. I used to have a tendency to want to use my strongest example and try and fit it to the question, however, the graduate recruitment team can usually tell and it'll look better to use an example that fits best (even if it is a less 'substantive' experience)

Another main thing I did was practice - it can be very weird to talk to a computer screen, so it really helped me to have a go at answering the most common interview questions in the mirror (even if it felt a little silly!). I had a tendency to ramble in my video interviews, so knowing roughly how long it would take me to cover my main topics was really helpful.

If you are given unlimited prep time, make sure that you utilise this, as it is really useful to have a clear idea of what you are going to say before you start recording. I would avoid writing a script as this can sound robotic and could reflect badly on your overall performance, but I stuck a post-it note with all the key points I wanted to discuss and used that when practising (and in the recording). If you are only given a minute or so to prepare, I would try to make a rough bullet-point plan that just highlights the main points you want to address and any specific examples - just in case your mind goes blank and you need to jog your memory!

Overall, just answer truthfully and be yourself. I think there's a tendency to think you have to come across as super composed and scripted for a video interview, but this isn't necessarily how you would behave in an actual interview. Take a moment to relax before recording, and try and come across as approachable and friendly - show them your personality and what your strengths are!

I hope that helps, and best of luck with the video interview!!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock - hope you are well! I have got a vacation scheme coming up at a strong national law firm, and I have been thinking of my seat choices. Personally, there are definitely some seats that I prefer over others, however I'm also genuinely very happy to explore any area of work. I was wondering if there is a strategy I could apply to seat selection that would allow me higher chances of success towards a TC (evidently, this is dependent on a range of factors but just for a starting point - thinking about it from a 'setting myself up for success' way)

1. Should I go for the biggest departments / teams so that I have access to the more structured support to fall back on, and potentially impress people who have a bigger impact on the firm's revenue stream?
2. Should I choose the areas that firm is "known for" - high Band rankings (this would have some, but not complete overlap, with the above)
3. Or should I select seats in smaller teams, where I can get to know members more closely, and potentially make a clearer impact?


Any tips to the selection process would be very appreciated! Thank you so much in advance

Hello!

Huge congratulations on the vacation scheme - that is amazing news!

I would honestly keep it quite simple - the best "strategy" is usually to pick the area that you are genuinely most interested in and think you'll perform well in. You are far more likely to impress if you are engaged, asking good questions and actually enjoying the work.

If you are truly unsure, I think all three of your approaches are sensible in different ways:

• Bigger teams can mean more structure and exposure
• The firm's strongest / best known areas could carry visibility
• Smaller teams could allow you to make a clearer impression

There really isn't a guaranteed formula for conversion! On my first vacation scheme, I chose Real Estate because I had previously paralegalled in that area and thought it would help me make a stronger impression. However, when I was later rejected, one of the key feedback points was that I hadn't asked enough questions about the work and the context - on reflection, this was probably because I felt comfortable with it. It made me realise that sometimes choosing an area that you don't have experience in, but are genuinely interested in, can work better. Therefore, I would pick the area that you are most likely to ask questions, show curiosity, and demonstrate that you are actively learning!

If you are still torn, it does make sense to lean towards a core or high-demand practice area, but only if you have an interest in it. Ultimately, firms are assessing your attitude, work ethic and fit - you will demonstrate these best in a seat you are genuinely interested in

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Hey is this for Orrick?

No...

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

I am so burned out from this cycle and starting a new job that I haven't done anything to prep for the AC and the written exercise i have this week smh idk if there is any hope for me for them atp

If you need advice preparing for ACs, I would recommend familiarising yourself with your application and research notes (if you have any). Look at the firm's website especially their recent news or deal. Also look at any news happening in sectors the firm specialises in. Then, on the morning of, look at any recent news or stats regarding the UK economy.
That should ensure you cover the main things. Also keep in mind things like SWOT and PESTLE. If you ask about the firm on here, some people may have insights.

 

[Bbhu19]

No...

Ok thanks for replying, sorry can’t help with WG practice, I genuinely don’t have any tips for that

 

[wrpark]

Hey guys, I'm working on my Kingsley Napley work experience app and 3 of the questions sound very similar so I don't really know how to distinguish my answers to these, would appreciate any help on figuring these out!:

- Why have you chosen to apply for a work experience placement at Kingsley Napley? Consider alignment with your own goals and provide specific examples to support your response. (250)
- How do you see Kingsley Napley’s work experience programme contributing to your journey and long-term career aspirations? (250)
- Which of our practice areas are you interested in? (250)

I initially thought Q1 should be about practice areas and Q2 more about what the work experience can offer / what I can learn, but with Q3 in the picture I really don't know what to do haha.

@Abbie Whitlock

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu (and everyone else), I could really use some honest advice, and sorry in advance for how long this is.

Last year (after graduating) I focused fully on TC applications. I made 7 applications and reached 3 assessment centres, but was ultimately rejected. The feedback was mainly that my answers were too long and I lacked commercial awareness.

I was upset, but also encouraged bc I believed that 3 ACs from 7 applications suggested my academics/profile were competitive. So I moved to London, tried to secure a paralegal/legal role, and when that didn’t work out I took a part-time retail job and dedicated my time to improving for this cycle.

This year I submitted 17 applications and only got 1 interview and then got rejected (Skadden). I’m still waiting for feedback, but honestly I feel crushed. It genuinely feels like I went backwards despite putting in far more effort.

Since last year I have:
• completed an internship at Barclays
• paid for application review support + mock interviews
• refined my CV/ work experience section multiple times
• improved my answers and structure
• actively worked on commercial awareness

I truly believe this year’s applications were significantly stronger than last year’s, yet the results were dramatically worse.

I also had interviews last year with Gibson Dunn and White & Case and was told reapplying would be fine and prior applications/ interview performance wouldn’t affect any future ones. However, Gibson Dunn (applied November) hasn’t responded at all despite follow-ups, which has been particularly discouraging as they and Skadden are my top firms. I also completed the VI for White & Case in December and still haven’t heard back, even though candidates who completed it later have already been invited to ACs/ received PFOs.

At the same time I’m struggling financially in London on a part-time retail salary and cannot seem to land a paralegal role. Everything requires experience. I’ve applied through agencies, cold-emailed, called firms, sent speculative applications and nothing has worked.

So I’d really appreciate advice on three things:

1. How can I realistically obtain a paralegal/legal role with no past experience?
2. What should I be doing between now and next cycle beyond daily commercial awareness study + interview practice + completing TCLA courses?
3. Do firms genuinely review your application if you have previously interviewed? I am especially concerned about Skadden and Gibson Dunn, as these are genuinely my dream firms.
4. I know this is wrong and not advisable, but could I apply with a new email and not disclose that I have previously interviewed? Since I’ll be changing my last name this year (for unrelated reasons, I promise I am not crazy), would that make it harder for firms to connect me to my previous applications? I appreciate this may not be the right approach, I’m just feeling stuck and trying to understand my options.

I want to be clear: I’m not looking for sympathy, just honest guidance on what to change because clearly something isn’t working.

Thank you to anyone who reads all of this/ offers any advice, I really appreciate it

Hey!

Firstly, I'm really sorry to hear that you're dealing with this - it is a truly exhausting process, especially when you put so much effort in and don't get the outcomes you'd like.

On paralegalling in London, it is essentially a very saturated market right now - struggling to secure a role isn't a reflection of your ability, it is just unfortunate that hundreds of applicants are all applying for one role. Practically, I would suggest broadening the scope as much as possible - legal assistant, case admin, document review, compliance, etc. My paralegal role was largely admin based, and while it wasn't always substantively legal, it still gave me a much clearer understanding of how a law firm operates day-to-day, how matters are managed, how fee earners prioritise work, and how important certain skills are. It also helped me become comfortable in a professional office environment - this ended up being really useful for vacation schemes!

In terms of what to do before next cycle, I would perhaps adopt a more targeted approach. If previous feedback mentioned length and commercial awareness, I would focus on tightening answers further - being sharper, more structured, and more decisive in analysis rather than broader. It might help to conduct some mock interviews and ask someone who will really challenge you to be brutally honest!

On the commercial awareness point, I think that you probably are more commercially aware than you think, especially if you have put in a sustained effort since last year. When I aimed to improve my commercial awareness, the main thing I changed that I found really useful was thinking about where a law firm might be instructed in a deal, and which practice areas would be involved. This shows that you understand both the legal and commercial dimensions. For example, in one of my VS interviews, I discussed the Universal park being built in the UK, and highlighted how various departments across a firm would be instructed (e.g. construction, finance, employment, real estate, etc.). This shows that you understand and can explain how law firms bring value to their clients, and was how I practiced applying the commercial concepts in real time. It might help to incorporate this into your commercial awareness routine (if you don't already do something similar) to train your brain to analyse commercial stories in this way.

On reapplying, I would be hesitant about using a different email. Whilst there isn't anything inherently wrong in doing so, you might have to disclose previous applications later on in the process to the firm (or it could come up in another way), and it might reflect badly if they view it as you trying to conceal past interviews. I would say that generally, reapplying is very normal and acceptable - usually, a firm will have a set policy if their process differs (e.g. Reed Smith's three-application limit or Travers Smith's policy post-interview/VS). Therefore, I would say that firms do genuinely review your application if you have previously interviewed - I understand why you feel stuck, but I don't think trying to reset your history is the answer. It is far better to show clear progression in your application and interview performance, as that displays resilience and growth, which firms value!

Finally (and apologies this is so long!), three ACs from seven applications last year strongly suggests that you are competitive. A worse outcome this year does not automatically mean that you have regressed - from what I've seen, it seems that application numbers have greatly increased this year and firms sometimes change hiring numbers. You are not wrong to feel stuck, but nothing you have written suggests that you are incapable. It is unfortunately an extremely competitive system, and there is sometimes an element of luck involved. If you keep putting in the effort and reflecting on areas that you can improve, I'm sure you'll hear positive news soon!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey guys, I'm working on my Kingsley Napley work experience app and 3 of the questions sound very similar so I don't really know how to distinguish my answers to these, would appreciate any help on figuring these out!:

- Why have you chosen to apply for a work experience placement at Kingsley Napley? Consider alignment with your own goals and provide specific examples to support your response. (250)
- How do you see Kingsley Napley’s work experience programme contributing to your journey and long-term career aspirations? (250)
- Which of our practice areas are you interested in? (250)

I initially thought Q1 should be about practice areas and Q2 more about what the work experience can offer / what I can learn, but with Q3 in the picture I really don't know what to do haha.

@Abbie Whitlock

Hey!

They do sound similar, but they're testing slightly different things. I would separate them by:

1. Why Kingsley Napley?

This is about the firm itself, so I would focus on what differentiates Kingsley Napley - e.g. its private client strength, culture, size, client base, notable matters, etc. You could reference the practice areas briefly, but the emphasis should be on: why this firm over others? It helps to tie it to yourself as well, such as your long-term goals and personal values.

2. How will the work experience contribute to your journey?

This is more forward-looking and personal, so I would shift the focus onto:

• Skills that you want to develop in the programme
• Exposure that you hope to gain
• How this placement helps you confirm or test your interest in certain areas
• How it fits into your long-term plan

Overall, it is mainly about showing that you have made a deliberate choice to apply to Kingsley Napley's programme specifically, and why.

3. Which practice areas interest you?

This is where you go deeper into the specific practice areas. I would pick 1-2 areas and explain:

• What the area involves (very briefly)
• Why it interests you (linking to your past experiences or future career goals)
• Why Kingsley Napley's practice motivates you specifically (e.g. ranking, client type, type of work)

In short, I would split the three questions into:

1. Why the firm
2. Why this experience for you
3. Why these specific practice areas

There will still be some overlap, but changing the focus of each answer helps to avoid sounding repetitive. I hope that helps!

 

[aliiiisonxooox]

@Abbie Whitlock having some issues with wrapping my head around AC’s and case studies. I know it’s usually M&A, but if a business is looking to expand internationally with an aggressive expansions, what would be the legal and commercial risks for the business?

For legal I have: consumer laws, employment laws, tax compliance and corporate structure risk etc?

Commercial risks: over expansion and underperforming-> lose money; market demand/ competition risk; supply chain and operational risks.

Am I understanding this well? I’m not too sure.. thank you so much 😊

 

[AryanAgg]

If anyone has attempted the winston & strawn WG already, would like to know about the difficulty level if possible?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

If anyone has attempted the winston & strawn WG already, would like to know about the difficulty level if possible?

 

[AryanAgg]

I've played this and it wasn't hard so you're saying it's okay-ish?

 

[M85672]

My only hope this cycle now is Ropes...not sure what else I need to do to just get even an AC after spending pretty much 40 hours a week since September on applications..

Onto DTC applications now!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I've played this and it wasn't hard so you're saying it's okay-ish?

Ngl I never thought I’d see the day where WG and okay-ish are in the same sentence…

I’d say in typical WG fashion it’s more like this but you’re probs gna say this isn’t hard either…

 

[AryanAgg]

Ngl I never thought I’d see the day where WG and okay-ish are in the same sentence…

I’d say in typical WG fashion it’s more like this but you’re probs gna say this isn’t hard either…

Nah this is hard lmao

 

[trainee4u]

If anyone has attempted the winston & strawn WG already, would like to know about the difficulty level if possible?

It's a genuine Pearson WG. I'm not sure everyone gets the same questions, and one thing is that for example there is sometimes an excerpt and then a set of strong/weak arguments, and then the next time you might get the same excerpt but different arguments. Some of the questions are very easy and some a bit ambiguous.

They say "there are no trick questions", so IME that means:

1. there's no backdoor algebra/maths, which some other providers use
2. there's no "answer these 4 questions within 2 minutes or die" - you get a full 30 minutes which you can use across all questions
3. they don't seem to be inclined to go for negation tricks (like increasing X but the text says Y is increasing)

Overall I'd rate it average difficulty.

 

[AryanAgg]

It's a genuine Pearson WG. I'm not sure everyone gets the same questions, and one thing is that for example there is sometimes an excerpt and then a set of strong/weak arguments, and then the next time you might get the same excerpt but different arguments. Some of the questions are very easy and some a bit ambiguous.

They say "there are no trick questions", so IME that means:

1. there's no backdoor algebra/maths, which some other providers use
2. there's no "answer these 4 questions within 2 minutes or die" - you get a full 30 minutes which you can use across all questions
3. they don't seem to be inclined to go for negation tricks (like increasing X but the text says Y is increasing)

Overall I'd rate it average difficulty.

I see, thanks for the insight, I'll probably do 2-3 practice tests then attempt it.

 

[Novaa]

If anyone was thinking of applying to Ashurst for DTC, they’re doing virtual Ashurst Unpacked events through Feb & March and they seem helpful for application research!!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

If anyone was thinking of applying to Ashurst for DTC, they’re doing virtual Ashurst Unpacked events through Feb & March and they seem helpful for application research!!

View attachment 8006

I tried registering for a few the other day but then it redirected me to CvMail… I decided I cba cos I was not about to deal with that at all lmao…​

 

[AryanAgg]

I tried registering for a few the other day but then it redirected me to CvMail… I decided I cba cos I was not about to deal with that at all lmao…​

Is CvMail that bad of a system?