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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 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.
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Join live session →Live Chat with BCLP’s Graduate RecruiterToday · 5:30 pm (UK) Hosted by Isabel Elsey Live Q&A on applications & interviewsJoin us for a live Office Hours session with BCLP’s Graduate Recruitment team. This is your chance to ask Isabel Elsey your specific questions on how to write a standout vacation scheme application and what BCLP looks for during interviews and assessment centres. Get clear, practical advice directly from the person who reads and assesses applications.
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I think this competency interview guide written by @Andrei Radu is very useful when preparing for competency interviews: 🙂- Harvey Specter
- Post #21,799
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Baker McKenzie DTC AC post VI!! I didn’t think the VI went well at all so this has really caught me off guard honestly. 😅 This was my first ever DTC application and will be my first DTC AC. Does anyone know how much different this would be to a VS AC? 🥲 Best of luck to everyone who is...- Harvey Specter
- Post #4,196
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
3 x 600 word questions is challenging for sure, but I think it’s fairly similar to other city firms e.g., W&C, Travers, BCLP. 🥲 It might be useful to first look at the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 rankings to identify which practices are particularly notable at SH. 🙂 Other sources like...- Harvey Specter
- Post #4,128
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I’m not sure if these posts are the ones that you are referring to, but they discuss the Fried Frank application and word count. 🙂 They are in the DTC thread, so that’s perhaps why you weren’t able to find them. Best of luck with your Fried Frank application! 😅- Harvey Specter
- Post #21,758
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
It might be better to accept the TC offer from the firm you did the Spring VS with. As there are no clauses prohibiting you from doing the Summer VS (from either firm), I would say do the Summer VS and if you convert it, potentially consider reneging on the Spring VS TC (if you feel you prefer...- Harvey Specter
- Post #21,737
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Huge congrats on getting a TC offer post Spring VS! That’s a major achievement!! 🥳 As for your question, I think it’s fine. I received a TC offer post Spring VS but have upcoming SVS’, so I reached out to the firm and negotiated an extension to accept the TC. 🥲 They gave me until around mid...- Harvey Specter
- Post #21,731
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
The SQE would begin at least a year before the TC start date. If the prospective date for starting the TC is March 2027, the latest you would begin the SQE is Feb/March 2026. 😅 You could start the SQE in September 2025 and finish it in September 2026. This would mean a 6 month gap between...- Harvey Specter
- Post #21,707
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
In my experience, having done a few telephone interviews this cycle, most of them involved motivational, competency and basic commercial awareness questions (e.g., recent news story), although I think this varies between firms. 🥲 The motivational questions would be similar to ‘why law’, ‘why...- Harvey Specter
- Post #4,048
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Has anyone received a Paul Hastings PFO post interview for the Phirst Steps SVS? I had my interview a while ago but I have not heard back so assuming it is a PFO. 🥲- Harvey Specter
- Post #21,690
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I think the link would be the precedent set by the deal or dispute. For Thames Water, there were a number of novel points that the courts considered re the restructuring. 🥲 The UK High Court approved the restructuring and the UK Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal made by the different...- Harvey Specter
- Post #21,679
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I still can’t believe I am writing this. I am happy to finally be able to share that I received a TC offer post Spring VS!! 😅 Thank you to each and every single one of you on this forum for being so kind and supportive throughout this cycle. 🥲- Harvey Specter
- Post #21,641
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Baker McKenzie DTC VI!! 😅- Harvey Specter
- Post #3,975
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
I think Fried Frank is non-rolling. The deadline is 23rd May 2025. They will probably shortlist candidates for WGT before sending them out. I imagine they will send out the WGTs in June. I’m assuming they use WGT scores to shortlist first-stage interview candidates. Best of luck with your Fried...- Harvey Specter
- Post #3,963
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
W&C Grad Rec have said it in several of their virtual events (e.g., Legal Cheek Law Fairs) and it has been mentioned previously on the forum by other users. 🙂- Harvey Specter
- Post #3,929
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
If you are rejected post application for the VS, you can re-apply for DTC. If you are rejected post VI or AC for VS, then you have to wait until the next application cycle. 🥲- Harvey Specter
- Post #3,916
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
DTC is non-rolling. They are rolling for VS. DTC deadline is in July I think. 🙂- Harvey Specter
- Post #3,897
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
I think Paul Hastings is 100% DTC. They have a SVS (Phirst Steps) but I don’t believe it leads to a TC offer like a normal VS would. 🥲 Macfarlanes and SH are around 50%. White & Case is 20%. I think BCLP is similar, but most of their offers go to VS’ers. 😅 Not too sure about S&C or K&L. I...- Harvey Specter
- Post #3,888
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Apologies in advance for this long post. I hope this helps and gives you the motivation you are looking for @lawyersum. 😅 I completely empathise with how you feel right now honestly. I have a similar journey. I too had originally applied for a different course during sixth form. During the...- Harvey Specter
- Post #21,503
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Has anyone heard back from Baker McKenzie post online test? I did it over the weekend and not heard back yet. 🥲 Idk if it’s too soon though as it’s only been a few days. This was my first ever DTC application so not sure how it all works. 😅- Harvey Specter
- Post #3,872
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I think it’s more common to request after the event than before, simply because something can happen last minute (e.g., train cancellation or illness) that means you can’t travel. I think some firms will give in advance though, if you would struggle financially with buying the train tickets...- Harvey Specter
- Post #21,486
- Forum: Applications Discussion