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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hello! Yes, I would definitely still encourage you to apply! Whilst it is advantageous to submit as early as you can for a rolling deadline, most firms will still receive the bulk of their submissions the last few days before the deadline. Firms will review any application that has been...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,795
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hello! You definitely do not need to have attended an open / insight day to give a strong "Why this firm?" answer - I only attended an open day at one of the firms I was successful with overall! The main ways that you can stand out: 1. Show you've done deeper research than the website itself...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,786
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Documenting my path into big law... (Project JLaw)
Amazing progress - well done, you should be super proud for keeping at it! You've already achieved a huge amount by submitting that many applications, and the Kirkland workshop sounds like a great boost. Even if you aren't able to get round to some firms, your current applications are strong...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6
- Forum: My Training Contract Journey
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hey! It makes total sense to feel fear and dread when you have had tough assessment centres before - your brain is trying to protect you from something it remembers as stressful! I felt a similar way before my DTC AC as I had never been the best at assessment centres in the past, and it was...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,785
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hey! Most firms will have some form of assessment / interview that they will factor in alongside your performance on the scheme. One vacation scheme that I completed that didn't have a final 'interview' was Travers Smith - they ask you to submit an essay before the scheme, and then assess you...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,782
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hey! Congratulations on being invited to the telephone interview stage! Whilst I‘m not too sure on the specifics of Akin’s process, telephone interviews tend to focus on getting to know you and discussing your motivations for applying to the firm. If I was preparing for a telephone interview...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,778
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hello! With an “additional information” section, I would treat it as a space to add context the firm wouldn’t otherwise know if you haven’t had the chance to outline it anywhere else in your application. A good way to approach it might be to ask yourself: Is there anything about my journey...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,656
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hello! For this type of question, you definitely don't need four or five skills - usually two or three well-developed ones will make a much stronger and more focused response. I'd definitely follow the early careers guidance of "skill -> evidence -> link", as it gives you space to explore each...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,638
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
No problem at all! I'm not aware of a single strict structure that Reed Smith expects, but the key is to ensure that your answer fully addresses the question and is supported with specific examples. For example, an approach I usually took for most motivational interview questions was: Directly...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,637
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hello! No need to apologise at all - more than happy to help! It's a great question, and definitely something that a lot of people wonder about. In a two-minute scenario answer for VI, my approach to the structure would be: Briefly explain your thought process and what you would do in the...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,636
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Clifford gave me a Chance (A now SQE Journey)
Congratulations!!! That's such an amazing achievement :) 🎊- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #75
- Forum: My Training Contract Journey
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hello! I'd say its absolutely fine to include Forage programmes on your CV - especially early on when you might not have a long list of commercial experience yet. If the firm has specifically asked for them, I'd definitely include them to show initiative and genuine engagement with the...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,617
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hello! You should focus mainly on yourself in that question. Fieldfisher is asking for a summary of what you've achieved so far and what makes you stand out - things such as academic achievements, scholarships, work experience, open days, insight schemes, volunteering, leadership roles, and...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,608
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hey! Whilst I haven't applied for CMS, I have quoted a post below that outlines how I would approach this question - hopefully it is a useful starting point! If you have any specific questions, just let me know :)- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,596
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Becoming Jessica Pearson (An International Student's TC Journey)
Hey! I'm really sorry to hear about the CMS rejection, but you should be super proud of being invited to the Reed Smith online assessment - congratulations! Of course, I can share some general tips for the strengths-based interview! In general, it's really important that you are fully...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #17
- Forum: My Training Contract Journey
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hi! I definitely wouldn't assume a rejection! As far as I'm aware, I don't believe many (if any!) assessment centre invites have been sent out yet, so I'd say that they are still making decisions post-VI. When I applied last cycle, there was around a month in between my online assessment and...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,587
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hey! No worries! This depends on the word limit that you have for the question, but I think discussing 2-3 well-developed issues would be the optimal amount. This allows you to cover a few things, but also go into depth and tailor your points. If the word limit is relatively small, I’d say 1...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,550
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hi! Whilst I can't say with complete certainty, the outcome will probably depend on what you want to do next. If you're hoping to unsubmit the application but not reapply in this cycle, it may be best to simply leave it as it is (as it won't affect any future applications you make)...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,548
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hello! A few more niche challenges and opportunities that you could explore a bit further might be: Data privacy and digital trust: with increasing cyber-risk and new regulations, firms need to prove that they can handle sensitive information securely. This can pose both a challenge (cost and...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,546
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
Hello! I'd say that making blockchain in IP the main focus might come across as a bit niche for this kind of question (although it sounds like an interesting discussion!). Even though the firm has a strong IP practice, the prompt is really about how the legal profession as a whole is changing...- Abbie Whitlock
- Post #6,543
- Forum: Applications Discussion