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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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Weekly Application Pitfalls
By the way, to everyone following this thread: I am going to post each week's tips separately in comments below (in addition to updating the main post at the top) so that forum users will see when the thread has been updated! The updates will represent the most common mistakes that I see in the...- James Carrabino
- Post #10
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Weekly Application Pitfalls
Hi @vertikamalviya, I don't have much experience with DLA Piper myself but I think @George Maxwell has directed you to the right place! Happy to answer any other questions you have :)- James Carrabino
- Post #9
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Weekly Application Pitfalls
I am so happy if I was able to help with that distinction and apologies for the delay to my response! That sounds like a pretty good approach in my opinion! I would say that the kind of 'soft skills' which you are presumably relating to client service, such as communication skills, seeing the...- James Carrabino
- Post #5
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
By the way everyone, I have just updated my Weekly Application Pitfalls thread here under DECEMBER WEEK 2 for those of you who would like advice on how to avoid common errors in your applications :) I am updating this post based on the errors I come across frequently throughout my role as a...- James Carrabino
- Post #5,448
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Is this the page you are looking for? The information here is from last year but I would think it is similar this year for the most part- James Carrabino
- Post #5,447
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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What am I doing wrong?
@enjcorps if I had only applied to the first 20 firms I applied to, I would only have got past the application stage once! This whole process is a massive learning curve and we are here to help - keep working hard and keep reaching out for advice and you will start seeing results I am sure :)- James Carrabino
- Post #12
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Rejection Following VS- Where to go from here?
Thank you @George for soliciting my expertise in dealing with post-VS rejection! Hi @Anita, I want to start by saying how sorry I am to hear that you have found yourself in this position. I was rejected from three vacation schemes in the space of three months and every single one was...- James Carrabino
- Post #6
- Forum: Interviews Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I think it is very unlikely they have filled all their ACs prior to their application deadline. I could be wrong as I cannot speak for every firm, but most firms see over half of their apps come in within the last week before the deadline. It is possible that they will have to be more selective...- James Carrabino
- Post #5,421
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I am very sorry to hear this. Is it possible that they have a policy of not considering applications from those who have reached AC stage previously? Otherwise, it could have been flagged that you applied before, at which point they recognised that you submitted a very similar application and...- James Carrabino
- Post #5,418
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
It's a huge step just passing that initial screening :) The times that I did were limited and I knew that there was still a distance to go but it would always massively boost my confidence in my ability to navigate the process!- James Carrabino
- Post #5,411
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Most firms will not be recruiting for the 2023 intake this year, but occasionally space becomes available at certain firms and they advertise 2023 intake openings on their websites/job pages when that is the case!- James Carrabino
- Post #5,410
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Congrats!!- James Carrabino
- Post #5,408
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
It is usually recommended to do so, yes. No need for addresses or the like though!- James Carrabino
- Post #5,407
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Share your interview nightmares, sticky situations and stories!
Haha, I think for the first one I laughed nervously and then they sort of backtracked and gave a brief explanation before saying that we should continue with the interview. With the second I just totally related with the guy and was like hey that's fair enough :)- James Carrabino
- Post #26
- Forum: General Discussion
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Gowling WLG Behavioural Assessment
There is a lot of luck involved in video interviews, but being really well prepared (but not scripted) and knowing a lot about the firm is the only thing I think I can say with certainty will help you excel in them!- James Carrabino
- Post #19
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Ask TCLA's New Community Managers Anything!
They are looking for names and will often follow up with a question about what characterises the firms you are applying to in general and why you would choose their firm over the other choices. If you have applied widely then do not list 10+ firms; choose 3 or 4 firms which you think are similar...- James Carrabino
- Post #90
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Excellent stuff, congrats!!- James Carrabino
- Post #5,290
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Ashurst does!- James Carrabino
- Post #5,288
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Reed Smith reviews first to make sure that you have met the correct benchmarks throughout your application, but does give the test to the vast majority as far as I am aware- James Carrabino
- Post #5,287
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Hi @Anonymous28377, it is great to hear from you and welcome to the forum! First of all, congratulations on your second-year grades!! I have explained elsewhere that starting university with lower grades and bringing them up is absolutely the right way to be doing things. It is much more...- James Carrabino
- Post #5,285
- Forum: Applications Discussion