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📅 2025–26 Applications: Vacation Schemes, Open Days & Training Contracts
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Spelling error on vac scheme application
Anecdotally, some firms operate a "three strikes and you are out" policy for typos/spelling errors, and my impression is that this is the "harsher" end of the spectrum. As such, although not ideal I would not expect the two errors to necessarily result on their own in a rejection. Also, like...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3
- Forum: General Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I would not worry about this. To the extent that these interactions will matter at all at the interview stage (which is quite unlikely), I think it will actually be very helpful to have shown that you can establish more informal relations with people at the firm. At many networking events and...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,300
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hey @IneedaTCASAP and first of all congratulations on the open day invites! You have been selected after a competitive application process and this does mean that the firm sees you as a strong candidate. I completely agree with @Jessica Booker's response: focus on what actually interests you -...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,292
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I think if you can also explain the reason behind your interest in learning about an aspect of the firm, it should make your answer more persuasive. However, I think you should try to mention at least two aspects that you want to learn about, so I would advise you to keep the explanation as...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,289
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I don't think there is a right and wrong approach to structure as long as you cover everything you are asked for and as long as it is clear and easy to follow. However, the structure I would implement would be this: Why commercial law: in around 250-300 words, I would explain the substantive...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,288
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
The only firm I know that does this is Linklaters, but there may be others - maybe @Jessica Booker can tell you more. I also know that in the last cycle Latham reviewed applications from open day attendees separately from normal VS applications, but they did not guarantee an AC.- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,286
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Thank you for the kind words, it really means a lot to me 😊!!- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,284
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
In determining what region a firm should choose to open an office in, I would focus on the following aspects: Projected growth: Which regions in the world are projected to see significant growth in their legal markets? Here, there's many that come to mind, such as Singapore, Brussels, Sao...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,279
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I would not be too worried about this. The very nature of these tests necessitates there will be one area that is classified as a 'weakness' - that tells you nothing about how close you are to the firm's desired personality profile. If anything, I am tempted to speculate that if there was one...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,267
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I remember I was also quite surprised when I saw the 'shortlisted' email last year and I remember I felt very restless in the period between that and the moment I received the actual AC invite. I think for me that was a roughly 3-4 week period, although this included Christmas time, which might...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,266
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I had only attended one event (a presentation evening with my university) before applying in the last cycle and still received a VS offer. I would say that if you have at least one interaction (whether in person or virtual), you should not worry too much about this. There is definitely a point...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,265
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hi @legallady123 I think that if there is any disadvantage, it will be only a very slight one. In many cases, for myself included, a sufficiently high-quality application was progressed although it was only sent in the last day of the rolling period. Moreover, rolling firms also receive the vast...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,264
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Which firms are strict on academics?
I cannot think of any firms that are anecdotally grade-focused besides the ones you already mentioned. Other MC firms and generally other UK firms are known to only ask for a 2.1. There are many trainees at such firms that only achieved low or mid 2.1s, so I do not think your grades will be an...- Andrei Radu
- Post #2
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I think this will be fine. Since you have not yet attended it, I do not think recruiters will expect you to list it among the first - 'most recent' implies that the experience in question has already come to pass. Beyond the linguistic interpretation point, I think the recruiters should also be...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,262
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Definitely, please see it here:- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,178
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hi @KBanana! I think it is fine to write about an upcoming open day - and especially for Paul, Weiss, which has been extremely competitive from what I hear. I think whether the proposed sentence works depends on the context of the rest of answer. When I was listing upcoming events, I would...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,177
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I think you definitely can and should mention the open day. Many firms actually host open days with the specific purpose of informing candidates for the next application cycle. Moreover, the mere fact of having attended an open day will help a lot with distinguishing you from other applicants by...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,152
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hi @Izzy1026! So I've listed bellow a number of tips for improving VI performance. In terms of how to 'prepare', I would advise you to simulate VI conditions and then record yourself, exactly as you would in the actual exercise. Prepare really well for the big 3 (Why commercial law, Why the...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,150
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hi @abhuzaifa! I actually wrote a comprehensive post on this recently, I have quoted it bellow. However, if you have any further questions about VIs or DLA Piper I am very happy to discuss that :)!- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,149
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
@ashwright I do not remember very well, but I think it was roughly 1 month to 1 month and a half (I applied in December, but the open day was only taking place in March). I would not expect there to be another interview stage for the open day - even the VI element at the end of the SJT is rather...- Andrei Radu
- Post #3,147
- Forum: Applications Discussion