• 📅 Vacation Scheme Applications 2025–26

    Planning to apply for winter, spring or summer vacation schemes? Join our dedicated threads for support, deadlines, and discussion:

    Let’s make this your strongest application season yet 💼

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  1. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @JustwantaTC I do not think this would have any negative impact to the recruiter's perception about your motivations for commercial law. Recruiters are well aware how competitive the job market is and are also aware that many people need to be employed to fund living expenses, so it is very...
  2. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I do not have much to add to the great advice from @trainee4u here. The one thing I would also say about interviews is that while you can mention the influence of factors beyond your control (eg how extensive your past work experience was), it is important to take ownership of the fact that you...
  3. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Having done the normal Milbank VS last year, I can tell you @Jessica Booker is definitely right in that the firm will likely end up making more offers than they have TC places available. Some candidates will be doing other VSs so sometimes end up choosing other firms, while others completely...
  4. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    To take your questions in turn: • Both because of how these exercises are generally conducted and because of how the firm has specifically referred to assessing you on your ability to show "client care" and "empathy", I am quite confident you are supposed to answer as if you are talking to the...
  5. Andrei Radu

    Picking Between Training Contracts

    The only people I know at those firms are very junior (future trainees or first year trainees) so I doubt they could help you much. My advice would be to just reach out to a middle/senior associate at the firm and try to get on a short call with them - they will know a lot more about this. If...
  6. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I think generally speaking practice area interests make for some of the most persuasive 'why the firm' reasons, as they make a direct link between the firm's work and your motivations. Many of my why the firm answers and those of other successful applicants I know were based almost entirely on...
  7. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    That's absolutely amazing to hear @ashwright 🥳 🥳🥳 huge congratulations!!! I am so happy I managed to help you along the way, stories like yours are why I love doing this job - so if you need any other advice in the future, just give a shout. But right now, my only remaining tip for you is to...
  8. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Hi @Eeeazyyy8 practicing the WG is certainly very important, but it also matters to have the right understanding of how approach questions when you are practicing. I have quoted bellow a post in which I discussed the way I went about it:
  9. Andrei Radu

    Picking Between Training Contracts

    Hi @Jane101 and first of all huge congrats on your offers, this is an amazing achievement. Both Baker McKenzie and Ashurst are great firms and I do not think you can go wrong with either. Having been in a similar position to you last cycle, my advice would thus be to take it seriously but also...
  10. Andrei Radu

    Hello!

    Hi @pisine it's great to see you joined our forums, a big welcome from TCLA :)! Please let us know about any and all questions you may have about the applications process or commercial law, we will be very glad to help.
  11. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @Kodak123 I know how difficult it must feel to be rejected after a VS, but you should know that getting to this stage already demonstrates that you have everything it takes to succeed. Conversion is a game of really small margins and luck certainly plays a significant role, as different firms...
  12. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @Meghna and huge congratulations for getting to the final stage 🥳 ! My best advice for preparation is presented in a step by step manner in the Complete Competency Interview Guide. It describe the approach that secured me an offer 4/4 times I implemented it.
  13. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I know they focus more on the lower/mid-market segment in PE, where main US-based competitors would be Goodwin, Jones Day, Akin, and McDermott. Generally, I think Legal 500 will be quite helpful for this kind of more granular comparisons, as they divide up practice areas in more narrow market...
  14. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    If becoming a KC is your main goal Freshfields is probably the better bet. Both firms are really strong in international arbitration but Freshfields generally edges White & Case for other types of contentious work. Furthermore, Freshfields is definitely the more historical brand name in England...
  15. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I think the cover letter answer provides you with different word limit constraints but also gives you a lot more flexibility in navigating that. If the word cap is a lot higher (I have seen firms accept two page cover letters or up to 1500 words) this will simply mean you can discuss your...
  16. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I completely understand how disheartened you must be feeling right now; nothing is as frustrating as getting so close to a goal just to not get over the final hurdle. Nothing I or anyone can say here can really chance that. In these circumstances it is a normal emotion that you need to process...
  17. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Also, almost forgot, but I have written a couple of posts about group exercises, I will quote them bellow:
  18. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @ashwright and huge congratulations, I'm so happy to hear the news 🥳🥳 ! First off, my advice is to take a moment to celebrate this before jumping into preparations; I remember the first time I got an AC invite, it was one of the most exciting moments in my life - probably even more than when...
  19. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I think this could only be a good idea if: This is a small firm/company so they do not advertise their openings on websites or other big platforms; or You have some specific questions about the application process that are not answered on the firm's website. Besides these situations, graduate...
  20. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Very similar experience for me - I remember my heart skipping a beat every time I got a notification or a phone call. When I finally did get the call, my anxiety made me struggle so much to make the initial small talk that comes with it that the graduate recruiter just took mercy on me and told...

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