TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Novaa]

is the bakers OA automatic? i applied summer and havent heard back since

No… 💔

I’ve done some investigating, calculations, and felt like your profile picture ever since I realised.

 

[Novaa]

@lelezb1 this new profile picture is so real!

 

[lelezb1]

@lelezb1 this new profile picture is so real!

Ikrr 😂

 

[Legallywhatever]

I feel like this is the most entertaining this thread has ever been and oddly enough it makes it more motivating lol

 

[Novaa]

I feel like this is the most entertaining this thread has ever been and oddly enough it makes it more motivating lol

And that’s on TCLA LLP #Community 😍

 

[Blueberry26]

For the interview answer to 'why commercial law', do you guys tend to take a chronological approach or a PEEL structure?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

will try this and let yall know if they join in or not

i lvoe mark lee

 

[llblawstudent]

Did bakers send tests in batches for spring or can we assume pfo if we haven’t got it already for summer

 

[GKT]

Anyone done the Cripps online assessment?

 

[aladdinsane]

I'd be interested to know what percentage of people on here are law/non-law students. I'm a penultimate year non-law student for reference.

 

[lelezb1]

For the interview answer to 'why commercial law', do you guys tend to take a chronological approach or a PEEL structure?

I usually mix the chronological approach with a PEEL structure. I have a series of events that led me into commercial law. It’s easier for me that way!

 

[lelezb1]

i lvoe mark lee

same. me too.

 

[user55998384]

I went to a Latham AC recently - most people were there for spring but there were 1 or 2 people being assessed for summer

hey!! how long before the ac did you get the invite?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

For the interview answer to 'why commercial law', do you guys tend to take a chronological approach or a PEEL structure?

@Blueberry26 I think for these sort of questions, it's best to adopt a PEEL approach, so that you can make your initial point, explain your reasoning behind it, and try to highlight where that explanation comes from e.g. studies, experiences, extracurriculars etc. Chronological approaches however tend to perform better in more generic questions, which don't necessarily aim to assess something such as "tell me a little bit about you" - for these, you want to give them a little wrap up of your journey so far.

 

[llblawstudent]

@Blueberry26 I think for these sort of questions, it's best to adopt a PEEL approach, so that you can make your initial point, explain your reasoning behind it, and try to highlight where that explanation comes from e.g. studies, experiences, extracurriculars etc. Chronological approaches however tend to perform better in more generic questions, which don't necessarily aim to assess something such as "tell me a little bit about you" - for these, you want to give them a little wrap up of your journey so far.

A related question, but I really struggle with “tell us a bit more about yourself questions. Namely because I do not know what they’re trying to assess (a specific skill) so in the past I’ve attempted to say “I am a person that excels in X skill and Y skill” but I’m wondering how best to approach those kinda questions?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

A related question, but I really struggle with “tell us a bit more about yourself questions. Namely because I do not know what they’re trying to assess (a specific skill) so in the past I’ve attempted to say “I am a person that excels in X skill and Y skill” but I’m wondering how best to approach those kinda questions?

@llblawstudent for me, and I guess in every interview, these questions aren't really assessing anything. They simply serve as a in introduction, and any competencies/skills will be assessed more directly either through tailored questions that begin with "Why law?" or "Tell me about a time" etc.

This question is usually your first impression - so be prepared to sum yourself up in under a few minutes. I tend to start from the degree, explaining why I studied it and how I wasn't initially sold on becoming a solicitor until a certain module. I then link this to experiences that I've pursued that relate to the industry or are transferable in some way and try to build a little bit of a journey for the listener and end on what I'm looking to do now.

It's not typically a selling point, but at the very least I make sure it's clear that I know what it is I'm hoping for now.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

And that’s on TCLA LLP #Community 😍

Me thinks this thread should get the TCLA lifetime achievement award for being the most entertaining thread since TCLAs launch! @Jaysen

 

[zonnonomo]

thoughts on wearing makeup to ACs as a man? 🤔 ik law firms can be conservative but maybe they'll forget that when they see me looking so damn fly with some concealer and eyeliner

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

thoughts on wearing makeup to ACs as a man? 🤔 ik law firms can be conservative but maybe they'll forget that when they see me looking so damn fly with some concealer and eyeliner

It's always a risk to stand out imo, but consider if a firm were to reject you for that, would it be somebody you'd feel comfortable working for long term?

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Me thinks this thread should get the TCLA lifetime achievement award for being the most entertaining thread since TCLAs launch! @Jaysen

Petition for TCLA user awards xx