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Register on Zoom →Ace Your Vacation Scheme Applications with Reed Smith10 Nov 2025 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)Join Reed Smith for this practical session on how to write a strong vacation scheme application ahead of key deadlines. Understand what recruiters look for and how to get past the application review stage.
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Register on Zoom →Write Winning Vacation Scheme Applications with Osborne Clarke11 Nov 2025 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)Hear from Recruitment Advisor Patrick Fermin Ryan at Osborne Clarke on how to write a successful vacation scheme application. Gain expert advice on what makes applications stand out and how to approach yours with confidence.
Search results
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I believe that they only started hosting a vac scheme two years ago, so they are accustomed to using the direct TC route and I would guess that it takes some time before that route loses its viability :)- James Carrabino
- Post #1,947
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
@NaimK I'm always incredibly happy to be able to help :)- James Carrabino
- Post #1,946
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
This is where I think the adage 'Show, don't tell' comes in. Simply telling the firm that you are mostly interested in them is meaningless. As @Jessica Booker said, the firm knows that you wouldn't be applying if you weren't interested in them, but they also know that you'll be happy wherever...- James Carrabino
- Post #1,945
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Vacation Scheme Didn't Work Out? Things You Should Consider About Making Direct TC Applications
Hi @jo congratulations on your vac scheme and I really admire your drive to continue putting in applications! Both @AvniD and I had success with the direct TC route so I think that your approach is quite resourceful :) To answer your first question, I would put down your vac scheme in your...- James Carrabino
- Post #23
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Free Month of TCLA Premium (Bronze) Every Week (21-22)!
We are thrilled to present this week's award to @F1_Legal for a truly outstanding reflection on your training contract journey that I am sure will inspire countless members going forward! It is a pleasure to have witnessed your commitment to the forum in recent months and we are particularly...- James Carrabino
- Post #53
- Forum: General Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Hi everyone, just a friendly reminder that you have only a few more hours until 11:59pm tonight to respond to this Starred Thread and be in contention to win a free month of TCLA Premium! Look out tomorrow for a new starred thread :)- James Carrabino
- Post #17,853
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Ask TCLA's New Community Managers Anything!
Of course @nisadee, always incredibly happy to help 😊- James Carrabino
- Post #193
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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x
@aetheriius congratulations on your VS and TC offers! As @Jessica Booker says, there should be no negative repercussions doing what you are proposing, apart from leading the first firm to be unimpressed when you renege. Also, I should mention that I personally know multiple people who were very...- James Carrabino
- Post #4
- Forum: General Discussion
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City firm has offered to interview me for a TC immediately after a Vac Scheme offer.
Hi @ChicoAnon, you have found yourself with a tricky decision to make, but take a step back for a second! You have done a phenomenal job not just to get selected for a vac scheme but to get offered the opportunity to forgo the vac scheme altogether and interview directly for a TC! If you can...- James Carrabino
- Post #2
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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How does BCL affect TC's?
Hi @intrigueee it is excellent to hear from you! I would not worry too much about continuing your extra-curriculars during a one-year master's programme, as long as you have significant extra-curriculars to point to from your previous education. I am not sure that many students self-funding the...- James Carrabino
- Post #2
- Forum: General Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
For the Orrick application, I think that it is possible to construe the application questions differently from material that you would include in the cover letter in order to avoid overlap. The questions that I think you are referring to which you consider to be 'Why law' and 'Why Orrick' are...- James Carrabino
- Post #1,931
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I did not have any experience with this firm but I would tend to go with what the firm's website says, as long as you are sure that you are checking the correct part of their website and have also navigated to their application portal to check that as well. It may be that they received enough...- James Carrabino
- Post #1,930
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Congrats to both of you on this amazing achievement!! 😊- James Carrabino
- Post #1,929
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
As others have mentioned, I am not quite sure these numbers will be correct and to be honest, it is absolutely impossible to predict the kind of numbers you are dealing with because there is likely to be a lot of information that you are not aware of. For example, they may not be filling all of...- James Carrabino
- Post #1,928
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Hi @PM2021, I am really glad to hear that you are considering the direct TC route - @AvniD has created an excellent thread here about things to consider when going down that route! I think that the closest thing to what you are looking for is a list of firms with an indication of how likely...- James Carrabino
- Post #1,927
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Let's hear about TCLA members' hobbies!
Is anyone planning to watch the boat race tomorrow? You might bump into me down at the river if so!!- James Carrabino
- Post #48
- Forum: General Discussion
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TC Application Writing Group
@Adrian_S I am incredibly sorry to hear this and I know that all of the TCLA team offers our support if you need it. Please do let us know if you need advice on anything during this period or simply need to talk. I wish you the best for what I am sure is a challenging time 🤝- James Carrabino
- Post #30
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
@F1_Legal massive congratulations for this achievement!! You have been such a great member of this community and it is wonderful to know that your commitment and hard work paid off! I am incredibly flattered that you found my advice useful 😊 I should also mention how excellent your reflections...- James Carrabino
- Post #1,926
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
@syw you can find @George Maxwell's thoughts on this exact question here and my slightly different thoughts here and then should feel free to choose which approach best suits you :)- James Carrabino
- Post #1,925
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I remember last year it was 1pm - their deadline can be weird! Usually I would assume 23:59, however, if it is not very clear from the website. And whilst I may have submitted some apps close to 23:59... you can bet I had the apps for my top-choice firms submitted well in advance!- James Carrabino
- Post #1,924
- Forum: Applications Discussion