• 📅 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

    Hey Tom - I think the answer depends on how much emphasis the firm places on early applications and how much emphasis it places on attending events, how much you think attending that event might improve the quality of your application, and level of interest you have in this particular firm. I've...
  2. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Unless Dechert makes a clear distinction between an academic referee and a company/organisation referee, I would guess your university counts as an 'organisation'. Every law firm I applied for which asked for references primarily wanted an academic reference. Some also gave the option to put...
  3. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I would not say it's too late. While Jones Day definitely has a reputation of emphasizing early applications, I would not expect them to reject a great application submitted one month before the deadline just because you didn't send it one or two weeks before that. A friend of mine applied...
  4. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I'm very glad to hear the response was helpful! I agree that you should try to expand on your previous commercial experiences as much as possible. While it will be helpful to show your renewed interest in commercial law by doing some virtual work experiences, I don't think that should be your...
  5. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Firstly, regarding your inability to apply for vac schemes this year: there are some firms which will cover travel costs for you, including flights. Two firms I can think of on the spot who are willing to do this are Slaughter and May and Paul, Weiss. As such, supposing there is no conflict with...
  6. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    I think the general policy is to first call and then follow up with an email - almost everyone I know who got a TC was first called by someone from the firm. However, some firms (especially the ones offering a high number of TCs) can also just email if they are particularly busy.
  7. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi there, it's nice to meet you and have you on our forums :)! I completely understand how anxiety-inducing it is when you are just starting your first applications at commercial law firms - it was the same for me and almost everybody else I know who ended up securing a TC. Just try to keep in...
  8. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    While I think it would have been ideal to also provide a short narrative with an explanation as to what you learnt from some of these events, I definitely agree with @Jessica Booker that this is not really an issue, as the firm does not ask for it directly. At most, if you had done a great job...
  9. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    This sounds great if you ask me. Your answer finds a nice balance between demonstrating specific knowledge of a market sector (which can set you apart from other applicants) and keeping the subject matter accessible enough for the well-informed reader. I would therefore not worry about it being...
  10. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    If this question is for an interview or written assessment, I think it is definitely acceptable to go into more technical legal detail, as long as you are not missing out on also at least mentioning the broader commercial impacts. For an application form/video interview, it is more complicated...
  11. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi there! My interview preparation approach, which led to a VS offer 4/4 times I implemented it, was essentially split in four phases: Step 1 - Preparing ideas for answers The first and most difficult step in preparing for interviews is learning how to respond to a wide variety of questions...
  12. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    If you would be able to attend the open day at least one or two weeks before the application deadline and if this is a firm you are particularly attracted to, I think you should wait. While firms who recruit on a rolling basis place different levels on emphasis on the time at which you submit...
  13. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I agree with @NMA's response here - if you can still write a high-quality application, it is worth applying even when very close to the deadline. Last year, a firm which reviewed applications on a rolling basis invited me to an AC even though I submitted mine a few minutes before the deadline...
  14. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I would agree with @patternteddybear that a one page CV is ideal, but that a two page one is also fine. Throughout my past application cycle, I always used a two paged CV in applications that required it and I progressed to the further stages multiple times. The only further caveat I'll add is...
  15. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    If you include all the relevant module grades in the application form, I do not think you need to necessarily also include them in the CV - especially GCSE and A level grades. I was successful in my Slaughters VS application and my CV only included university module grades + overall grades at A...
  16. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I know someone who had not completed their work experience and still progressed to the interview stage. As far as I'm aware they also did not have prior interactions with the firm, so I do not think it is a deal-braker. That said, the fact that they have a separate Yes/No question for it might...
  17. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    This sounds fine to me - as long as you properly explain the reason behind your current more expansive interest in commercial law at large (which you seem to have done), I don't think there's any issue with mentioning that the origin of the interest was in a specific practice that a firm does...
  18. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi Lauren, my top tip for the WG is to read really carefully the instructions for each section and note them down in a number of short bullet points, which you can then go back to when having difficulty during the assessment. The biggest mistake I've seen people make with the WG is to treat it...
  19. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    No - Paul, Weiss has just launched its first UK training program this year.
  20. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Unless the firm asks you to discuss 'why law' and 'why the firm' in the same question (eg 'Why do you want to begin a legal career at out firm?'), I don't think there will be any expectation for you to tailor it to the firm. Thus, I do not think it is necessary to find any direct links or...

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