A&O Shearman - Winter Vacation Scheme 2025

[Amma Usman]

A&O Shearman - Winter Vacation Scheme 2025

 

[PriyaGuinea]

Hi! Does anybody know how long it takes after submitting the form for them to send the online experience test?

 

[RBUCL]

How's everyone feeling about this one? I'd be keen to know when people receive AC invites!

 

[I_hate_pickingusernames]

Got an AC invite into my inbox Friday last week. Have the AC upcoming in a few days, but I've never been to one before so absolutely dreading it! Not feeling confident for the case study at all. Good luck to everyone who got an invite!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Got an AC invite into my inbox Friday last week. Have the AC upcoming in a few days, but I've never been to one before so absolutely dreading it! Not feeling confident for the case study at all. Good luck to everyone who got an invite!

Hello!

Huge congratulations on receiving the AC invite - that's a fantastic achievement! I totally understand how you're feeling - the case study can sound intimidating, but it's really about showing how you think rather than necessarily having a "right" answer.

A few tips that helped me when preparing for the case study in my DTC AC:

• Familiarise yourself with the structure: if you can, I would check if it's written, a presentation, or group-based. You can then practice under similar conditions. I've previously completed one that had a written element and an interview element, whereas the case study in my successful AC was purely interview-based.
• Use a clear framework: I would try and go into the case study task with a clear structure to follow in your answer. This will help you make sure that you do not miss anything, and that your reasoning is easy to follow (e.g. identify the overarching problem, outline key issues and opportunities, discuss what further information you would need to see, propose solutions, and then back them up with reasoning).
• Think out loud: the assessors will mainly be looking at your thought process, so I would explain your reasoning as you go. You may be 'challenged' on your ideas or solutions - this is completely normal (and doesn't necessarily mean your perspective is wrong!). Assessors will want to see how you respond - I'd take a moment to show them your thought process, but be open to change if they propose a new idea you hadn't thought of.
• Stay calm and organised: it can be very easy to start panicking as soon as the task starts (and I know I did!). Take a few minutes at the start to plan, and then go through and read all of the documents first before looking at the smaller details. Having a clear idea of the big picture will help you highlight what key parts are relevant when you go back over the materials.

You've already done an amazing job making it this far, so try to see it as a chance to show how you think and communicate. I only had a few days to prepare for the AC that resulted in my TC, so you've got plenty of time to do some meaningful preparation!

You've got this - best of luck!!