-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hello!
Just to add to the previous answers (which I wholeheartedly agree with!), for a “why you” question, I think firms are mainly wanting to hear three things:
1. Key strengths that matter in a trainee - such as teamwork, communication, attention to detail, resilience. Additionally, I would also try to mention a trait about you that you feel is quite ’unique’ to yourself (although it will never be completely unique) - for example, perhaps you are able to simplify complex information from your time working in a street law project, or you are able to make clear decisions under pressure from a previous management role in a part-time job.
2. Evidence from your past experiences - this is what will make your answer unique! Anyone can say “I’m a good communicator”, but if you can back it up with a specific moment where you proved it, this will make your answer feel more personal and genuine. I’d make sure to keep examples brief, but use them effectively to back up any claims you make.
3. A clear link to what the firm values - show how your strengths outlined above will help you contribute to their firm. This could be their culture, practice areas, client work, innovation, etc. This is where you can show your research into the firm, and that you have an understanding of why you would be a good fit!
Therefore, the general formula I would use is: strength -> short example -> why it matters for that firm
If you do that, you’ll hit what they’re looking for and stand out at the same time
Hi Kirsty,
I submitted my application form recently and the GCSE section asked for the school name and the dates I attended. There was no space to include my GCSE subjects and/or results. Will this have an impact on my application?
I submitted my application form recently and the GCSE section asked for the school name and the dates I attended. There was no space to include my GCSE subjects and/or results. Will this have an impact on my application?
Haha 1000 is probably a bit extreme but it definitely feels quite hefty. The number of questions depends on how you answer them as you go along, so if you give longer answers you’ll get less questions. That being said, I gave quite long answers and was still answering questions for about 2 hours non-stop.
Similar threads
- Sticky
