Yeah I got cut off on like 3 answers genuinely a nightmare. Hoping it works out any way!!! especially since everyone seems to have found it diabolically short
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Petition to add a "thank you so so so much" reaction - "like" sometimes simply does not do it.
Applied to Orrick+Sidley on the same days as you and haven’t heard anything.Has anyone heard anything from these firms who applied on or around these dates:
Sidley Spring or Summer post app (applied on or around the deadline so 8/9 Jan).
Orrick Summer post app (applied on deadline)
Freshfields DTC (post stage 2 sat in Dec/Jan).
Covington Summer post app (applied on deadline 16 Jan, seen ACs end of Jan but no PFOs).
I’m also waiting on Ropes and Travers but I think they don’t get back to us until end of Feb…
Just did the CRS VI.
Definitely wasn’t as tough as I had expected and also do think general preparation is so so key as the questions aren’t there to catch you out.
If you’ve done your research and prepared well, you will be fine!
Think I did well on all but 1 questions so not holding my breath but enjoyable experience for my first VI
Definitely wasn’t as tough as I had expected and also do think general preparation is so so key as the questions aren’t there to catch you out.
If you’ve done your research and prepared well, you will be fine!
Think I did well on all but 1 questions so not holding my breath but enjoyable experience for my first VI
For the Simmons^2 PFO, did everyone else get an email saying that it is because they are at capacity for the scheme that they are unable to progress the application to the next stage?
Mine said that and also that they encourage me to apply again when applications open in autumn, but I presume that's just a standard format email?
Mine said that and also that they encourage me to apply again when applications open in autumn, but I presume that's just a standard format email?
Anyone still waiting on a Bakers AC invite or rejection? I know some people have received an AC invite. I haven't received a rejection (yet). Anyone else in the same boat? Or anyone been rejected yet?
I love the influx of good news I’m seeing!!
Oh TCLA LLP!
Oh TCLA LLP!
Hello!Hello everyone! Does anyone have experience with moving an AC date? I have been offered an AC with Irwin Mitchell but it is on the one date I cannot do due to a work commitment that I can't move. I have emailed them to let them know and informed them I can be flexible with any other date. Feeling a bit worried they will just reject my application
Congratulations on the AC invite, that is fantastic news!!
I would try not to worry - this is a relatively common issue, and firms are generally very understanding as long as you let them know promptly (which you have done!). I had a similar issue when I was invited to the Reed Smith AC last cycle as I couldn't attend any of the original dates, and was able to move to a later one with no issue - as long as you are polite and flexible, it shouldn't count against you at all.
Hopefully they should come back to you with a new date soon - you have done everything right here, so try not to panic
Best of luck with the AC!
Hi does anyone have any last min Latham & Watkins advice please - literally anything that would be useful even confidence tips! I would really really appreciate it
It will depend on how many ACs they have? For one bigger firm I managed to move an AC twice lol, because work and uni commitments moved around, and the firm was so understanding they just moved me to a later AC of my choice.Hello everyone! Does anyone have experience with moving an AC date? I have been offered an AC with Irwin Mitchell but it is on the one date I cannot do due to a work commitment that I can't move. I have emailed them to let them know and informed them I can be flexible with any other date. Feeling a bit worried they will just reject my application
Another firm I unfortunately had to give up an AC completely, but this was a regional office, they were only running two ACs on back to back days, and I was unable to make either. The firm was apologetic but said these were the only available dates and encouraged me to reapply next year if I am unsuccessful elsewhere this year.
In all likelihood, there will be other dates, so I wouldn't worry too much at the moment!
Hello!
I would say that you should try to strike a balance between being honest and showing that you understand what the trainee role actually involves.
Therefore, it might make sense to frame it around three areas:
1. Technical legal skills: e.g. developing a stronger understanding of core practice areas, drafting, research, etc.
2. Commercial awareness: showing that you want to better understand clients' industries, their commercial objectives, and how legal advice fits into wider business decisions that clients make.
3. Professional skills: softer skills like communication, managing competing deadlines, adapting your working style with different people, etc.
It can also help to tie the knowledge / skills back to the firm, which shows that you are thinking long-term and making your answer tailored to this specific firm.
I hope that assists!
Can I just say that before I found out about this forum I used to fail every single interview I get
Well I came here after I found this on google and this week I’ve passed two interviews! I’m so HAPPY AHHHHHH IM GONNA SCREAM thanks everyone and ty for being such a supportive and informative place
Well I came here after I found this on google and this week I’ve passed two interviews! I’m so HAPPY AHHHHHH IM GONNA SCREAM thanks everyone and ty for being such a supportive and informative place
Hello!
Generally, I would aim for around 2-3 minutes - if you feel your answer is slightly longer than you wanted, it might help to start by signposting (e.g. I am motivated to work at this firm for X, Y, Z) and then move onto discussing 2-3 well-rounded reasons individually. This helps keep you on track and ensures that you cover all of the points you set out to!
Just make sure that you rehearse beforehand so that you have a rough idea of how long it takes, and that you can discuss all of those points in that time frame. The interviewers may prompt you or ask follow-up questions, which can then allow you to go into detail on things that you may have had to cut to save time
This probs depends on the firm tbf. Some firms are strict on academics (Slaughters, SullCrom, Cleary Gottlieb, Davis Polk and Sidley Austin).
Other firms might want a 2:1 in every module but don’t specify whether it should be a low, mid or high 2:1 (e.g., HSF Kramer and Linklaters).
I have a very high 2:1 and had a few 2:2 modules (with mitigating circumstances), and have been able to progress with quite a few firms so far.
So far Akin Gump, Dechert, Debevoise, Freshfields, Gibson Dunn, Morgan Lewis, Skadden, Willkie and Weil progressed me to various stages.
I’ve had a few PFOs from these firms but they’re all post VI, WE or AC so not based on academics. All firms consider mitigating circumstances.
So as long as you can write a strong app and show evidence of academic ability elsewhere so maybe GCSEs or A-levels, you should be okay!
I’ve had PFOs from HSF Kramer, Cleary Gottlieb, Jones Day, Paul Weiss and Milbank post app this cycle who look for strong uni level academics.
Other firms might want a 2:1 in every module but don’t specify whether it should be a low, mid or high 2:1 (e.g., HSF Kramer and Linklaters).
I have a very high 2:1 and had a few 2:2 modules (with mitigating circumstances), and have been able to progress with quite a few firms so far.
So far Akin Gump, Dechert, Debevoise, Freshfields, Gibson Dunn, Morgan Lewis, Skadden, Willkie and Weil progressed me to various stages.
I’ve had a few PFOs from these firms but they’re all post VI, WE or AC so not based on academics. All firms consider mitigating circumstances.
So as long as you can write a strong app and show evidence of academic ability elsewhere so maybe GCSEs or A-levels, you should be okay!
I’ve had PFOs from HSF Kramer, Cleary Gottlieb, Jones Day, Paul Weiss and Milbank post app this cycle who look for strong uni level academics.
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does anyone have any tips for macfarlanes assessment. worried about choosing answers for the behavioural/sjt and dont want to score too low- any tips?
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