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📅 2025–26 Applications: Vacation Schemes, Open Days & Training Contracts
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Ask 4 future trainees ANYTHING! *New TCLA Team Members*
Hey @hello123 and first of all congrats for getting the interview, it is a huge achievement! In terms of general tips and preparation, I advise you to read the recent Complete Guide to Competency Interview Preparation I have written. You will find a list of my best tips and a detailed...- Andrei Radu
- Post #143
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I can confirm Kirkland has not only kept its position as one of the top 10 by deal value, but was actually ranked number 1. While I cannot access the Bloomberg article directly, I have found a number of other sources referencing it and providing the M&A table, such as Lawyer Monthly and The...- Andrei Radu
- Post #10,269
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hey @AS24, I hope you are well too and all the best for the new year :)! For your first question, I think you should still aim to cover the same three basic 'Why commercial law', 'Why firm' and 'Why you' in the cover letter, though perhaps with an increased emphasis on the 'why you' part. To...- Andrei Radu
- Post #10,266
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I think most of the answer for 'why a city law firm' will be similar to the usual 'why commercial law', but I would use one or two different sentences to reframe it and address the City element. I would focus on the City's standing as one of the world's leading financial centres and the...- Andrei Radu
- Post #10,098
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
For Davis Polk here is a 2021 thread discussing different candidates' interview experiences which should give you a broad idea of what you can expect. I will also take the opportunity to plug the new Davis Polk firm profile I have written this year. If you have not already, I definitely advise...- Andrei Radu
- Post #10,096
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I agree with Jessica's points, I will just add that for the simple 'Why law' question you should seek to emphasize more general features of legal practice that attract you. It is perfectly acceptable to say that your masters confirmed your interest in pursuing a legal career because you have...- Andrei Radu
- Post #10,091
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hi @legaldruid I actually wrote an in depth guide discussing this issue which you can access here. I would advise you to read section A (as it describes my general VI/competency interview preparation method) and section B (as it provides my best VI-specific tips), but please let me know if you...- Andrei Radu
- Post #10,086
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hi @Miss Chocolate, of course :)! I do not think you have to change it. If it is your most recent or substantial work experience, recruiters will understand it is natural to keep it. But while the substance of your points may stay the same (though do analyze whether you can analyze any parts of...- Andrei Radu
- Post #10,075
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
My rule of thumb for using abbreviations for firm names has been that it is acceptable if the firm refers to itself that way or if it is referred to that way in the legal press. I vaguely remember seeing 'W&C' in one or two articles but I definitely feel this is the exception rather than the...- Andrei Radu
- Post #10,067
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Ask 4 future trainees ANYTHING! *New TCLA Team Members*
Hi @rain2801 I definitely think you should still give it a shot. Firms have always cared a lot less about high school grades than about university performance, simply because that is most relevant to assessing your potential in the industry. They do not expect you to have always have a flawless...- Andrei Radu
- Post #140
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Ask 4 future trainees ANYTHING! *New TCLA Team Members*
Hi there, simply click on the 'Premium Database' button on the bottom of the left sidebar. After you do that, you should see a link sending you to the page where you can request premium access.- Andrei Radu
- Post #139
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Is a conversion course necessary for a non-law undergrad to secure a TC?
Hi there! Firstly, I want to empathize that beyond the fact that a law conversion course is not a strict requirement for securing a TC, it is not close to even being a 'soft expectation'. I have known many non-law students who got VSs and TCs at top firms without having completed it - in fact...- Andrei Radu
- Post #2
- Forum: General Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I completely agree with what @jta227 and @Jessica Booker said. I only have two things to add. Firstly, I think it would be beneficial to do some extra research on the firm, which will allow you to naturally discover questions you might have an interest in asking. I would specifically target my...- Andrei Radu
- Post #9,810
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
It seems the VS and TC applications are separate, but I doubt they are completely independent. I do not have specific information for Withers but when I was doing my VS at Slaughter and May, they had a similar system with a separate TC application. That essentially meant two things. Firstly, our...- Andrei Radu
- Post #9,805
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I think it it is perfectly fine to address it to the graduate recruitment team unless instructed otherwise - I was progressed in multiple applications in which I did that. Even if for some reason a particular recruiter might have a preference regarding to whom the cover letter is addressed to...- Andrei Radu
- Post #9,776
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
If you can write a high quality application during this time, I think it is definitely still worth a shot for the VS. Last year I also only submitted my White & Case application in the last week before the deadline and I was still progressed.- Andrei Radu
- Post #9,774
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
If you were able to add value to your analysis by discussing how a certain element has been dealt with in another deal that would definitely be impressive, but you are certainly not expected to do that. As Jessica said, firms are looking to test (i) the level of your commercial awareness - just...- Andrei Radu
- Post #9,771
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I think it would be beneficial, for the same reason I believe referencing past unsuccessful vacation schemes is beneficial - it quickly communicates to the person reviewing your application the fact that another recruiter judged you to be a significantly stronger candidate than the majority of...- Andrei Radu
- Post #9,663
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I normally went for two or three points, but if you the time limit is quite restrictive (say, 60 seconds) or if the reason both quite uniquely applicable to the firm and also very important to your experience as a trainee there, I think it is fine. For instance, I would not expect a recruiter at...- Andrei Radu
- Post #9,651
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I have heard that they have a roughly 1/2-1/3 candidate per place ratio, but that it sometimes differs on a year by year basis. I would say this places the pure statistical odds just about the same as in your average AC elsewhere.- Andrei Radu
- Post #9,640
- Forum: Applications Discussion