• 📅 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

    From what I am told, its first part is a situational judgement test while the second is basically a short video interview.
  2. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I really do not know much about this topic, but I have heard for places in Middle East offices firms will expect you to have: (i) a really strong reasoning as to why you want to work there as compared to any other offices; and (ii) to show you have the necessary language skills and...
  3. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Just to add to @carys09 's great answer, I think even if you did not have any interactions with HL you can perhaps discuss how the events you have attended have developed your interest in practice areas or sectors the firm is really good in. This is the approach I took when writing an answer for...
  4. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    It will likely be sufficient in that I wouldn't expect recruiters to mark you down for writing a standard-sized answer. However, I think you should not focus too much on a particular 'target' wordcount. Instead, I would take the opportunity to simply concentrate on writing the best possible...
  5. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Besides a few firms that are known to emphasize early submission as a really important criterion, if you can write a strong application I would say it is worth submitting even very close to the deadline. For instance, I progressed past the application stage with two firms who were recruiting on...
  6. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Very difficult to say, because different firms assess candidates on different criteria. Slaughter and May may be very competitive if you do not have a first, while Kirkland might be very competitive if you do not have substantial PE/M&A related work experience. Chambers published an article on...
  7. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    If the rest of the application is strong enough I don't think a few errors of this nature should be a big issue, especially when partially caused by tech problems. Furthermore, emailing HR about this shows a number of positive qualities, like proactivity and an ability to take responsibility for...
  8. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Just to add to @Amma Usman's great response, I think to the extent that you can make connections to the firm in the work experience section (such as mentioning why particular skills demonstrated by your work experiences align well with the responsibilities and tasks in the firm's main practice...
  9. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hey @NJS I think both can work, as long as you can explain (i) why this general commercial issue/more particular story interested you more than other general commercial issues/more particular stories; and (ii) how it directly impacts the business and practice of law firms in the future...
  10. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    The firm indicated that they expect successful candidates to be on track for/have achieved a high 2.1, but that they will take into account mitigating circumstances and that therefore this is not an absolute requirement.
  11. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    While I do not know the context in which this question was asked, I would say based on my own interview experience that it wouldn't be impossible to be asked something like this even if you have not applied to these other firm. The interviewer may want to test your ability to think on the spot...
  12. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I think recruiters focus the most on ascertaining whether you have sensible substantive points and on whether you can communicate them properly. As such, the way you go about articulating your thoughts does play a factor, but as long as your points are good and overall clearly expressed it's not...
  13. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hey @svb risk management intern and thanks for the great question. Just to add to @Amma Usman's excellent response, I think finding the 'unique' part of Latham's leveraged finance practice that you can tie your motivation to is easier than you would think. Basically, I think you have already...
  14. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hey @3000to1shoteverytime that's a great question. For almost every firm I know (with the exception of a very select few that really emphasize grades or WG results), once you got to the AC stage progression is 99% down to AC performance. I have not heard of any firm that still considers...
  15. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Just to add to @Amma Usman's great response, I think you should aim to write 2-3 paragraphs using this easy to follow structure: Explain the story of a selected extracurricular/prize/achievement/etc using the usual STAR structure. To the extent possible, quantify your achievement at the...
  16. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I think the best way is to leverage interactions you have had during the AC. Just as you might mention a conversation with a trainee at an open day to support one of your points, you can mention a conversation with a partner/associate in an interview. This might be especially valuable if they...
  17. Andrei Radu

    Navigating Work Experience

    Great to hear @jamescockayne, all the best :)!
  18. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I would definitely not simply assume that. The way SJTs are designed, most candidates will often have a lowest scoring bracket. Moreover, if you ask me, (i) applied verbal intellect is very relevant for the practice of trainees, as your basic tasks will always revolve around reasoning around...
  19. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    1. There wasn't just one singular reason why I ended up choosing Davis Polk, it was more that the firm scored best on most of my relevant selection criteria: Client relationships and quality of work: the firm's US reputation, and especially its long standing institutional relationships in Wall...
  20. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I did not and still progressed to the AC stage, as did a number of other people I know who progressed past the application stage. If you particularly like DLA and have the time to invest into writing a high-quality cover letter, it will definitely not hurt your chances. However, if there are...
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