• 📅 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

    Huge congratulations @traineedreamer 🥳 🥳 your story is genuinely one of the best examples I have seen of determination and of why you should never give up chasing your goals; and I am sure it will motivate many forum members who are having second thoughts right now to keep moving forward! I...
  2. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Just to add to Jessica's response, I am also quite certain there is no issue with selling past applications. Written applications are your own work and therefore you have a (at least prima facie) right to do as you wish with them. As compared to information or materials you may have obtained...
  3. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Firstly, to be able to make relevant comparisons between their work you will need to have a high level understanding of what each practice area does. A useful concept here is the transactional/contentious/advisory distinction: Transactional practices: core purpose is to enable clients to...
  4. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I do not think it will be a disadvantage. Firstly, firms are aware that not all universities offer options for all specialist modules - for instance, because some academics in the department left, my university has not even been able to offer a competition law course this year. As such, there...
  5. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I think @Amma Usman is completely right that you can either withdraw or ask for flexibility. The only thing you should keep in mind is that it will likely be easier for the firm's whose offer you have not accepted yet to switch your dates if there is another scheme they could take you on. If...
  6. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @Adithi I completely understand how disappointing, disheartening, and anxiety-inducing it is to end up rejected everywhere as an international student - I have been in the exact same position only two years back. It is a difficult mental state to be in; and I think you should go easy on...
  7. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @baj5 and congratulations on getting to the final stage, it is an incredible achievement! Although this has been posted a couple of times on the forum, I just thought to link again my Complete Competency Interview Guide, as it contains my best tips both for preparation and for the interview...
  8. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @Cool pigeon my advice would be to go with the last option and be honest about your approach, although I would perhaps focus a bit more on the US firm with the larger trainee intake when making comparisons. Firstly, that's because I think any disadvantage vis a vis the interviewer's...
  9. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Mayer Brown's application process is known to be quite idiosyncratic and I do not think they have much of an expectation for you to make many links to your 'why the firm' reasons at this stage. That said, I think if you have any good opportunities to do so (ie. where there is a clear alignment...
  10. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    In my experience when the caliber of candidates is very high, some firms have a tendency to give more TC offers in the spring. As Jessica said, firms will never offer all the TCs in the spring, but I know firms which made a number of offers of representing around 60-75% of the available TC...
  11. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @Kakaboo as some other forum members have said, I think more often the problem with group exercises is that you will not be able to contribute as much as you would like, as everyone will be constantly fighting over airtime. The only context in which you would be asked to say more is if you...
  12. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I think you are fine to keep most of the general themes and substantive motivations the same: firstly, because they were judged good enough to have your application progressed in the past; secondly, because the firm will have no expectations for your fundamental motivations and candidate profile...
  13. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    In my experience it can also be the case that some hyper-social vacation schemers end up not converting for this very reason. Firstly, like Jessica pointed out, doing this will likely mean you have less time to invest in your work; and for many firms both the quality and quantity of your work...
  14. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Besides the commercial topic questions recommended by another forum member (which I also think tend to work very well, especially when there is a clear link with the partners' practice area) I would also consider asking questions based on the interviewer's personal experiences, such as: What...
  15. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hey @FutureTraineeMaybe I empathize with how disappointed and frustrated you must be feeling, and the first thing I will say is that these are very normal and natural sentiments to have right now. It is a uniquely painful experience that I have also gone through a number of times in my life - to...
  16. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I would focus on the following three criteria when making my decision: What practice areas am I most interested in: this is firstly relevant because you want to have a good vacation scheme experience, and if you are working on and learning about that which interests you, it substantially...
  17. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    It's difficult to say how high your chances are but I would say they are not as low to be near zero. The significant majority of the rejected candidates are not placed on the reserve list, but from what I know generally there are more people on the reserve list who end up not being invited to...
  18. Andrei Radu

    K&E / Kirkland and Ellis research

    I think the key reason why Kirkland does not have a truly full service offering and why it has not expanded in a greater number of jurisdictions is the same one, namely, that it would not be conducive to increasing profitability. Firstly, Kirkland consciously targeted growth in jurisdictions...
  19. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I would not say there is no chance. Slaughter and May is known to interview people over a very extended period, and this cycle seems to have been particularly busy for many firms. Moreover, since they have not responded to you yet, it could be the case that you have been placed on a waiting...
  20. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I know last year they did at the end of February/beginning of March, so I expect they will come back to you soon.

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