• 📅 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

    To jump in before @Jessica Booker comes back to you, in my view you should not worry about this. If anything, your approach shows you are walking a fine line and finding a good balance between (i) being open-minded and using AI for improving efficiency; while (ii) also taking responsibility for...
  2. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here, but my approach for the cover letter was to focus on my why the firm reasoning and keep the 'why me' section relatively short, only around 200-300 words. I then chose to discuss academic achievements and more academic-focused extracurriculars...
  3. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @FutureTraineeMaybe while I don't think this is in itself a big issue, since, as some other people have pointed out, the graduate recruitment team will know you may not have enough space to list all you firm motivations in the 'Why Goodwin' section. However, I think it is not ideal to have...
  4. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @LawAspirer while I do not have any specific information about Dentons' VI, I thought it may be useful to give you some general VI preparation resources. I have recently wrote a through Guide for Competency Interviews which includes (i) a step by step preparation plan and (ii) a list of my...
  5. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I don't think the question discriminates between current/past extracurriculars. The only situation in which I would have a preference for the former is if the past extracurricular activities happened a longer while ago (3+ years), which is not the case here. Thus, I would just decide which...
  6. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I do not have any specific information but I would not be surprised if this were the case, as Sullivan & Cromwell is part of this particular category of so-called 'traditional' white-shoe NY firms, some of which are said to be quite focused on academics (such as Cleary Gottlieb, Davis Polk, and...
  7. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Just to jump in before @Jessica Booker or @Ram Sabaratnam get the chance to respond, I think you should write about your experiences and interests without worrying too much about overlaps with the information in the CV. The CV is meant to contain a short and factual summary of your experiences...
  8. Andrei Radu

    My TC journey!

    While I think different strategies apply for different formats, there are a couple of pointers which I would say are generally applicable for all or almost all types of written exercises: Time-management: You might have heard this so many times already, but I have to stress that most written...
  9. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Law firms look for different things when assessing commercial awareness, and partially they just want to see whether you can identify a story in the commercial world, summarize it, and explain the reasons for your interest. Thus, you have a lot of discretion in choosing which topics to write on...
  10. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I completely agree with @Jessica Booker - I think general practice is that an error in reported grades will substantially influence your application assessment only if (i) it is a significant enough discrepancy to materially change your candidate profile; or (ii) the firm suspects you of...
  11. Andrei Radu

    My TC journey!

    Huge congratulations for progressing with Willkie, it is a huge achievement! Willkie's applications are incredibly competitive, and by reaching this stage it already means you were selected as likely having done better than 95% of other candidates. This should provide you with the confirmation...
  12. Andrei Radu

    Any other firms with Vacation Scheme applications similar to Linklaters?

    Hi @meherxsandhu Linklaters' process is definitely quite unique and I remember it was a really nice surprise for me last year as well. It has the significant benefit of substantially reducing the entry cost to an application. Unfortunately, none of the firms I applied to had a similar system...
  13. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    First off, I can completely empathize with how disappointing it can feel to be rejected from a firm you really like and after putting a lot of effort in the application. However, remember that this is no indication as to your worth - even the very best candidates have to face so many more...
  14. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @member3804 I think to have a great AC group exercise performance, you need (1) to ensure you show the desired interpersonal traits like collaboration and leadership; and (2) you want to ensure you showcase the desired substantial commercial/legal analysis and negotiation skills, which...
  15. Andrei Radu

    Tips on being a paralegal in a US firm/very busy firm

    Hi @Sim96 while I do not have paralegal work experience, I would expect the best way to get an answer to these questions is to ask someone from the firm directly during your induction, as different firms and different teams within the firm might have different preferences. However, I thought to...
  16. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hey @BBsharkk I did attend an open day at Davis Polk, but I completely agree with @Ram Sabaratnam that this was not necessary for my success. Last year I only attended open days at two of six firms who invited me for an AC. There are some firms who care more about open days than others but I...
  17. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    While I am not completely certain about this, the way I see it, the "why are you interested in the work we carry out" bit could potentially be interpreted as a "why are you interested in the work of commercial lawyers (particularly in the transactional sphere)". It also seems to me that...
  18. Andrei Radu

    Indian-qualified lawyer, completed masters in UK and now applying for a TC

    Hey @taahaakhan279 while I have not had the same trajectory as you, I definitely empathize with feeling so overwhelmed by the application process. Getting to understand the recruitment environment and the world of City law firms is definitely challenging and can take a lot longer than people...
  19. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    To add to @Amma Usman 's great response, I definitely agree that you should continue to apply to other firms. Mentioning a previous vacation scheme experience as part of an application/interview with another firm will definitely boost your chances. Not only will it give you substantive...
  20. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I would not worry too much. I also applied around the end of October last year and only heard back with an AC invite around the end of December.

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