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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Opportunities and Application Information
While Cleary Gottlieb's search for candidates is broad, our focus is narrow: hiring lawyers who thrive in a firm that emphasizes excellence and collegiality. Cleary has developed a diverse, first-rate firm by recruiting in the UK and abroad.
It’s on this page under current opportunities. Their deadline isn’t until Jan 31 2026.
fairs thank you!Opportunities and Application Information
While Cleary Gottlieb's search for candidates is broad, our focus is narrow: hiring lawyers who thrive in a firm that emphasizes excellence and collegiality. Cleary has developed a diverse, first-rate firm by recruiting in the UK and abroad.www.clearygottlieb.com
It’s on this page under current opportunities. Their deadline isn’t until Jan 31 2026.
Did anyone that do an Akin TI receive a reply? Also Baker VI if anyone’s done it pls msg me 
Do we assume post-app PFO if we haven't heard from kirkland about a VI yet?
Suii, do you think that was some sort of confusion? I'm curious to hear your experience with the process. Thank you!
My interpretation of the MDR situation is that...
They are gonna use the chat answers, but that won't be the only criteria. The only change they must have done right now is that, the SJT is will not be selective.
They would use the application, chat interview content and then the SJT together to filter out the applicants.
Why they made the change?
We would never know 😂
They are gonna use the chat answers, but that won't be the only criteria. The only change they must have done right now is that, the SJT is will not be selective.
They would use the application, chat interview content and then the SJT together to filter out the applicants.
Why they made the change?
We would never know 😂
Also, WHY IS THE DEBOVOISE APPLICATION SO LONG????
Some of these firms are asking for too much imo cos Akin and Debevoise both have 6 x 250 word questions. Apps Orrick asks 5 questions and even a cover letter. It’s soo unnecessarily looong. 🫠
In that aspect, I really like withers.
6 questions, but 5 of them are 60 word answers, all of which are so fun to answer to, and not the usual "butter us with your knowledge about us" way.
I think it’s helpful for everyone to understand how VI’s are usually assessed to strategise your approach with these. Looking back on my time in grad rec (years ago - so it could have changed) VI’s were assessed in line with tone/delivery, consistency, and depth of answer in line with the skill they were assessing e.g. teamwork, communication, organisation etc. They’re not assessing perfection or amazing achievements, they’re assessing very basic communication techniques and strength of your skills. With that in mind, my advice has always been to treat it like a normal conversation, as though you’re catching up with a very successful friend you want to big yourself up in front of a little.How does one prepare thoroughly for VIs... as a perfectionist I can't help but feel like I need perfectly memorised answers
Practice by all means, but practice to ensure your tone and delivery, consistency and depth is there - not recollection. It will serve you no good when you’re hit with a curveball of a question and mentally you’re trying to fit an answer in that just isn’t there. Memorisation is just a recipe for disaster, and you’ll actually stress yourself out the second you can’t recollect two words - which results in warped consistency and a struggle to go in depth.
My suggestions are as follows:
PRELIMINARY PREP
1. Study the classics (the firm, why you, key skills they look for if any, and your experiences).
2. Make bullet points, but don’t memorise (just in case you need to refer to these).
3. Practice by having a conversation with yourself on camera (but your reflection is that “successful friend” about what you studied in number 1 - keep it within a similar time limit as the VI.
IN THE ASSESSMENT
1. When you read the question, think about what skill they’re assessing for - sometimes we rush into answering or trying to pull out a pre-prepared answer to fit the question and fail to actually answer what they’re looking for. Is it teamwork, is it communication, is it organisation etc.
2. Use the prep time to think about what you’re going to say (not verbatim, but just the general jist) and consolidate your bullet points if you struggle.
3. Once you’re in, remember, you’re talking to a friend, so relax yourself and answer like a human not robots and the tone/delivery/consistency will become slightly easier to maintain because you’ll feel a lot more comfortable and less stressed.
4. Hopefully by now you’re comfortable looking at yourself and treating it like another person, but if not, feel free to blur your vision a little - because for some of us, the most nerving thing is seeing our reflection whilst we try being “professional”.
I just completed it this afternoon. No VI involved.
Thank you!
Just out of curiosity, if you would like to share... How did you approach the application question? It's unfortunately so broad to answer within 250 words...
My thing is that they were very explicit that the SJT would be selective. If they changed the process they should be transparent and update all applicants.
Dunno, say something about the volume of applications and needing to filter more. 🤷♂️
Good luck! Btw I remember you saying you also did Simmons AI, any word back now the deadline is passed? I’ve had silence and so have all the others ik that have appliefI'm writing my application as I lurk here😂
I'll be submitting today
Same situation. When I met them in October, I remember them saying that they would send out invites before the Christmas break but IDK how accurate that would be, as the number of applications would have changed.
But one thing in sure about is that, they will confirm the AI internship before the Vac Scheme (as this starts early, and does not have an accessment centre).
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