Very interesting, I do love a creative approach to commercial awareness!! I haven’t made notes yet, but the video is three minutes long, and she breaks it down really well!!
Here is the link:
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRBVco1M/
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
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Here is the link:
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRBVco1M/
Can anyone who has done an AC at Reed Smith give some last minute tips on what helped them the most in their preparation? Or tbh any general advice would be appreciated. Is it normal to not feel prepared despite everything 😭
Do you guys write out your interview answers to questions? Or do you end to just bullet point some general ideas
whilst I can't speak on the RS AC, I can say that it is normal to not feel prepared! Because ACs come with an element of uncertainty, you can never feel truly prepared.
if it's tomorrow (aka today), my best advice would be to get enough sleep and calm yourself down before going in tmr! Best of luck, you've got this!
haha I get you, but trust me, don't let it consume you! what will help you most is to walk in there with confidence, knowing that you deserve to be there just as much as anyone else!
I mind map general ideas for competency interviews just so I can see what examples my brain has in there, and that’s the only prep I will do.
I then remember to use the STAR when guiding my thought process while discussing.
You're right... just need to fake it until I make it 🤣 genuinely really appreciate your reply
What about for motivational questions? I know it sound silly but apart from why commercial law and why this firm, what else counts as motivational?
The annoying thing though is we’ll do the prep but as soon as we go into the interview it’s like:
These are 10 examples that come to mind but idk if I’m deeping it way too much lmao:
1. Why a US/MC/SC firm?
2. Why this location (e.g., regional office)?
3. What practice areas interest you?
4. Where else have you applied?
5. Why our firm over our competitors?
6. Why do you want to be a solicitor?
7. Why a city law firm?
8. What do you hope to gain from a legal career?
9. Why law? Why not finance, consulting, IB?
10. Why an international vs national law firm?
1. Why a US/MC/SC firm?
2. Why this location (e.g., regional office)?
3. What practice areas interest you?
4. Where else have you applied?
5. Why our firm over our competitors?
6. Why do you want to be a solicitor?
7. Why a city law firm?
8. What do you hope to gain from a legal career?
9. Why law? Why not finance, consulting, IB?
10. Why an international vs national law firm?
For those I will usually bullet point, so I have a structure.
I usually prepare for the following:
Why Law / Why Commercial Law? (Sorry they’re getting both in one, THIS IS MY INTERVIEW!)
Why this firm?
Rare:
Why the city and not regional?
Why not our competitor?
Where else have you applied?
Ultra Rare:
Why not go into Human Rights / IB / Politics (I was not prepared for this one 💔 BUT it’s only been asked once)
Partner: “Didn’t you already say that point?”The annoying thing though is we’ll do the prep but as soon as we go into the interview it’s like:
Me: *Mind went blank because I noticed a window cleaner in the background*
Partner: “Didn’t you already say that point?”
Me: *Mind went blank because I noticed a window cleaner in the background*
Partner: “Okay let’s move on to the next question: can you explain the lifecycle of a PE fund?”
Me: *realises I’m cooked and grad rec are ready to launch the automated PFO email in 3 2 1…*
Me: *realises I’m cooked and grad rec are ready to launch the automated PFO email in 3 2 1…*
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The case study for RS AC 2025 is highly contextual on the materials they give you - it felt more like a reading comprehension assessment with a bit of general commercial awareness. Just make sure to read the docs carefully and you'll be fine. There were a few motivational and competency questions at the end but those were not out of the blue. (P.S. take this with a pinch of salt as I was unsuccessful last year)
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