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Join Premium →Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training ContractNow half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
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Register on Zoom →How to Secure a Vacation Scheme (Ropes & Gray)1 Dec 2025 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)In this interactive session, Maya Shah, Senior Early Careers Specialist at Ropes & Gray, will walk you through every stage of the firm's application process.
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Register on Zoom →How to Stand Out in Law Firm Interviews (Willkie)3 Dec 2025 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)Willkie’s new graduate recruiter and two trainees will break down what the firm looks for at the interview stage, common pitfalls to avoid, and how you can demonstrate confidence, clarity, and genuine motivation throughout an assessment centre.
Search results
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Be mindful that this is not about passion, it is asking you about ambition and drive. Ambition will be slightly different to passion - typically it means when have you set yourself high goals to achieve something, while passion is just about exploring something that is of personal interest to...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #1,995
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
What is the third example? Which one do you think shows your ambition and drive the most?- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #1,990
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
It is just lighthearted internet "slang" for a rejection - otherwise known as "please f**k off"- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #1,988
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
You could use the competition and I have seen such answers work well. But I think you really need to demonstrate how you applied commercial thinking (try to think of this more as your unique/innovative/creative thinking in a commercial context rather than applying factual knowledge) rather than...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #18,004
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
No - you don't need to tell Grad Rec/HR and there is little point of informing them. The purpose of a coffee catch up is not to demonstrate to HR/Grad Rec that you have shown initiative or interest, it is for your benefit only to help you understand more about the firm.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #18,002
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
It technically won't be for nothing - it will give you an exemption for SQE1 which means you could skip some of the prep (probably do a shorter prep course just focused on SQE2) and would obviously not have to pay out for the SQE 1 exams or prep course. I just think this is a really expensive...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,999
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Ask A Graduate Recruiter Anything!
As long as it still makes sense with the rest of your cover letter and is aligned to that firm still, then that is fine. I personally don’t think that “why commercial law” is needed in a cover letter though. My suggestion is usually - why the firm, why the opportunity, why you. Obviously there...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #5,199
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Law firms don’t care where you do your LPC. It really won’t have any impact on future applications whether you choose one or the other (or any other LPC institution). The only thing I would stress is how viable the LPC as a course (no matter who the provider is) will be. With many firms...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,992
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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pre employment checks for VS/TC
If you can provide any other form of proof that could be helpful. A decision will be made as to whether a reference for this won’t be needed by Vero and the firm in question. Typically it depends on how it fits into your profile - if they can get every other reference for other employment then...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #80
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Ask A Graduate Recruiter Anything!
There doesn’t need to be distinct sections. What you have suggested is perfectly fine and I have seen it work well in many instances.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #5,197
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Some firms like to be thorough. I know it can be a lot to ask for, but they will only be asking things they think are relevant and important for them to help them make the right selection.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,987
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
To me they are different. The first one is why specifically the vacancy you are applying to. This doesn’t need to be anything about the firm as such, just the individual job opportunity. For instance, if this is a TC that could be the seat options, secondments, TC structure, training, personal...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,982
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Don’t try to over think/formulate it - flexing and adapting to the group/exercise rather than setting an expected agenda/discussion is important. If roles are needed though it is important to define them early and make sure everyone is clear on who is doing what. My advice is to try and forgot...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,980
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
I’d wait until you know whether you are selected for interview or not, and then see if the firm has flexibility. Your vacation scheme firm may also be more flexible than you think and may be able to give you a couple of hours/half day off to attend an interview (this is actually quite common...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,977
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
It would be best to train and qualify with a firm with a strong family law practice area. There will be hundreds of law firms that do family law, that I don’t think you’d need to compromise by applying to law firms that don’t work in that field just to hedge your bets. Family law is so...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #1,981
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA General Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
More than likely in a communual area/canteen area, unless there is a coffee shop very close to the office. When you arrange them, I would typically ask where might be convenient for them to meet or if they have any preference of where to meet.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #661
- Forum: General Discussion
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pre employment checks for VS/TC
Yes, potentially they will. They won’t need to speak to your supervisor though - they will just need confirmation that it took place. Sometimes organisations cannot confirm work experience (if you weren’t paid for instance) and so it may be the case a reference can’t be provided by anyone. Then...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #78
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
Your team mate would have been scored down for that behaviour. Hopefully the feedback will make them realise this isn’t how to work in teams.- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,962
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)
It won't be a standard response. If you didn't make the standard or the firm felt like there were many more stronger candidates ahead of you, you wouldn't be on the reserve list. Some firms can experience fluctuating acceptance rates. All it takes is for a lot of other firms' scheme dates to...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #17,956
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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SRA Character Suitability Test
Hi @dawn25 You can actually start the suitability test early and given your circumstances, I would advise doing this now if you can. I am not 100% sure of the technicalities around debt orders, but it may mean you on the face of it that you would not pass the suitability test based on section...- TCLA Community Assistant
- Post #2
- Forum: General Discussion