Ok so I’m panicking before my DLA AC now. How does one prepare for the interview? Drill down on why law, why firm, why me?
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
was all questions strength based? or was there anything to do with motivations/why this firm??
I would suggest making a brief chart and bullet-point those!
I made a sheet before my ac about what I like about the firm, a shortened easier version of why law, area(s)/ sectors of the firm I am interested at + maybe a deal or a case you have been following
And since my last ac was strength-based, I just had a few of my personal stories in hand and labelled them (e.g. Story A - teamwork, time management) so I know what I would talk about if they ask
Don't know if anyone else has responded but yeah, I got the VI invite on 29 December and had done the Arctic Shores on 3 December
Samee!!
I have no clue what to doo😭😭
Especially with that presentation, I feel like my heart is in my throat
Anyone got any tips on how to approach this question for W&C? (the fact that it's rolling and I'm doing it the day before the deadline accurately represents my mental state right now 🤣)
'Discuss a deal that White & Case has advised on in the last two years. What do you think were the strategic considerations and complexities involved, and how did the firm navigate them? (Max 300 words)'
My commercial awareness is a bit rubbish so whilst I can identify a deal that interests me etc, I am finding it a bit harder to pull out any strategic considerations/complexities. Any tips or tricks greatly appreciated!
'Discuss a deal that White & Case has advised on in the last two years. What do you think were the strategic considerations and complexities involved, and how did the firm navigate them? (Max 300 words)'
My commercial awareness is a bit rubbish so whilst I can identify a deal that interests me etc, I am finding it a bit harder to pull out any strategic considerations/complexities. Any tips or tricks greatly appreciated!
Hi guys! I'm currently filling in the Travers Smith application, and I'm a bit stuck figuring out how to deal with the cover letter. There's a couple of things I'm a bit confused about:
1. How long do you reckon the cover letter should be? The word limit on the application form is 1000 words, and there's a post a couple of years ago from @TCLA Community Assistant (who really knows her stuff!) saying that, generally speaking, successful Travers Smith cover letters are about 700-850 words long. However, Travers Smith's own website suggests that the cover letter should be "ideally no longer than one side of A4". Therefore, would it be wise instead to write a shorter cover letter, and if so, how short do you reckon it should be?
2. Ordinarily, when writing a cover letter, I write my address in the top right-hand corner of the letter. However, there's no way of doing this on the Travers Smith application form, as you just write your letter into a standard text box on Vantage (much the same way with any other application question on Vantage), instead of, say, writing your letter in Microsoft Word and uploading it to the application portal. Therefore, would I be right in assuming that candidates don't need to include their address (or the firm's address) in the cover letter?
If anyone has any feedback or advice (no matter how small), I'd be super grateful!
1. How long do you reckon the cover letter should be? The word limit on the application form is 1000 words, and there's a post a couple of years ago from @TCLA Community Assistant (who really knows her stuff!) saying that, generally speaking, successful Travers Smith cover letters are about 700-850 words long. However, Travers Smith's own website suggests that the cover letter should be "ideally no longer than one side of A4". Therefore, would it be wise instead to write a shorter cover letter, and if so, how short do you reckon it should be?
2. Ordinarily, when writing a cover letter, I write my address in the top right-hand corner of the letter. However, there's no way of doing this on the Travers Smith application form, as you just write your letter into a standard text box on Vantage (much the same way with any other application question on Vantage), instead of, say, writing your letter in Microsoft Word and uploading it to the application portal. Therefore, would I be right in assuming that candidates don't need to include their address (or the firm's address) in the cover letter?
If anyone has any feedback or advice (no matter how small), I'd be super grateful!
A lot of it is just figuring out what surrounds the area. For me, I have a slightly niche interest in green bonds, having worked in ESG realms quite a bit. That then meant my research pertained to questions such as: What part of the bond issuance were they involved with? Who are the parties they interact with? What are the mechanics of an issuance? What are the main issues they are likely to face?
Essentially, almost build a set of questions for yourself of "Well, how does this actually work?" and then conduct your research from there to figure out how this applies to a legal team (and their advice in particular) - often this is helped by them naming who worked on a deal, or which teams were involved.
does PWC have an early careers address? Or do they only get in touch if you’ve been selected to a virtual AC (which start tomorrow🗿)?
Not that I have any experience in this but I did mine 1000 words. The word count is there might as well use it to sell myself the best I can. That’s how I see it.Hi guys! I'm currently filling in the Travers Smith application, and I'm a bit stuck figuring out how to deal with the cover letter. There's a couple of things I'm a bit confused about:
1. How long do you reckon the cover letter should be? The word limit on the application form is 1000 words, and there's a post a couple of years ago from @TCLA Community Assistant (who really knows her stuff!) saying that, generally speaking, successful Travers Smith cover letters are about 700-850 words long. However, Travers Smith's own website suggests that the cover letter should be "ideally no longer than one side of A4". Therefore, would it be wise instead to write a shorter cover letter, and if so, how short do you reckon it should be?
2. Ordinarily, when writing a cover letter, I write my address in the top right-hand corner of the letter. However, there's no way of doing this on the Travers Smith application form, as you just write your letter into a standard text box on Vantage (much the same way with any other application question on Vantage), instead of, say, writing your letter in Microsoft Word and uploading it to the application portal. Therefore, would I be right in assuming that candidates don't need to include their address (or the firm's address) in the cover letter?
If anyone has any feedback or advice (no matter how small), I'd be super grateful!
Not sure what exactly I'm looking for lol but has anyone absolutely done awful horrible at an AC but been successful at getting a VS? I feel like I messed up a major part (like one exercise out of three but I think they value this exercise the most) and idk if they'll offer a VS after that. Good luck to everyone else with ACs - you've got this!! : )
1. When I applied for TS, I stuck to the one side of A4 rule, as like you, it's what I'd heard looks the best/is the most succinct. 2. It is meant to be anonymous, so I don't think you should include your address or even name or anything like that. That's what I did at least, happy to be told I was wrong !!Hi guys! I'm currently filling in the Travers Smith application, and I'm a bit stuck figuring out how to deal with the cover letter. There's a couple of things I'm a bit confused about:
1. How long do you reckon the cover letter should be? The word limit on the application form is 1000 words, and there's a post a couple of years ago from @TCLA Community Assistant (who really knows her stuff!) saying that, generally speaking, successful Travers Smith cover letters are about 700-850 words long. However, Travers Smith's own website suggests that the cover letter should be "ideally no longer than one side of A4". Therefore, would it be wise instead to write a shorter cover letter, and if so, how short do you reckon it should be?
2. Ordinarily, when writing a cover letter, I write my address in the top right-hand corner of the letter. However, there's no way of doing this on the Travers Smith application form, as you just write your letter into a standard text box on Vantage (much the same way with any other application question on Vantage), instead of, say, writing your letter in Microsoft Word and uploading it to the application portal. Therefore, would I be right in assuming that candidates don't need to include their address (or the firm's address) in the cover letter?
If anyone has any feedback or advice (no matter how small), I'd be super grateful!
I never feel good coming out of an AC - but I guess that's the whole point of the design of an AC, it's meant to be difficult. I honestly think a lot of the times it comes down to luck. For my last AC I had the interviewer literally tell me that my answer to a certain question wasn't "good enough" and I wasn't able to redeem myself even after they said that to me...but then the feedback given after the AC was all positive lol so I was really confused. They also asked me a commercial awareness question and instead of just saying "idk" i ended up giving it a guess and guessed a completely stupid answer haha, we both laughed at me for that answer 😂 but somehow I ended up getting it, so don't be too discouraged!
It's not a no until you get a concrete answer! Good luck!
Thank you for that < 3 it's reassuring to know that it's not just me that feels bad. I really appreciate you sharing your experience and congratulations on ending up doing well on that AC : D
I guess I've got to just wait in the paranoia haha
ahah thank you! and yes, I know it's easier said than done, but do try to keep your mind off it!! after my first ever AC last year (which I didn't get lol) the stress took away basically my life from Wednesday to Monday...like I could do nothing else but constantly check my phone from 9-5 everyday (even on the weekends because I had gotten so jumpy). I speak from first-hand experience that you should do your best to forget about it for now hahah, don't let it consume you like it did me.
this year after this AC, I just decided to forget about it and went about the tasks I had to do. If the call comes, great! A wonderful surprise. If it doesn't? Well, at least you were able to get some things done anyways and you can treat this AC like a learning experience - there will be no doubt that you will be much stronger and better prepared for any further ACs you get! Once again, I know it's easier said than done, but truly don't stress yourself out and damage your health! Trust me, it's not worth it haha
And also! Well done on completing the AC - it's such a big accomplishment to get to that stage in the first place, and ACs are absolutely torturous to get through also. You deserve some reprieve and a big pat on the back either way <3
@pfoapplicant agree with the above. I just wanted to add that there is no correct answer as to the word limit. For cover letters, your written ability is being taken into account (at least off face value) so if you manage to write a 1,000 words, and can realistically say the same thing with less words, I would trim it down and get to the point.
Personally, I ended on around 800 words. I don't think they're looking for those that meet the 800 mark, but more so, those that don't waffle about things. Equally, if you can't trim it down, then the limit is there for a reason and feel free to use it.
Does anyone know where to find a database of firm application processes detailing the steps involved?
For example...
ABC LLP (Vacation Scheme, based on 2025 cycle): stage 1 written application, stage 2 Watson Glaser, stage 3 video interview, stage 4 assessment centre.
XYZ LLP (Direct Training Contract, 2026): stage 1 cover letter, stage 2 video interview, stage 3 assessment centre.
etc.
For example...
ABC LLP (Vacation Scheme, based on 2025 cycle): stage 1 written application, stage 2 Watson Glaser, stage 3 video interview, stage 4 assessment centre.
XYZ LLP (Direct Training Contract, 2026): stage 1 cover letter, stage 2 video interview, stage 3 assessment centre.
etc.
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