TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[studenttolawyer]

Hi! I have BBC at A level but a 2:1 (67%) at uni, and I am on track for a distinction in my conversion. I know law firms like A&O and Herbert’s say no a level requirements but is it worth applying?

From my point of view, if they say there's no A-level requirement, just go for it. You won't find out unless you try, and it's always worth it.

 

[htrizzy100]

Does anyone know if A&O WVS is rolling or not?

 

[wqueens8]

Thanks. They just got back to me and I was waitlisted for the Bristol Office. What are the chances that I'll come off the waitlist? Because I don't think people decline vac scheme offers especially since this one is in Sept so it's not clashing with others

Some might! I unfortunately got rejected, but if I was accepted I would’ve had to decline now as I’ve started a new job and it’s too short notice to have a week off.

 

[wqueens8]

Does anyone know if A&O WVS is rolling or not?

Non-rolling

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Does anyone know what questions Ashurst has asked in the past for their winter vac scheme?

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Does anyone know what questions Ashurst has asked in the past for their winter vac scheme?

Omg it's Jessica Pearson!

Here you go queen

Each 300 words

What has motivated you to pursue a career in commercial law and more specifically, why have you applied to Ashurst?

In 300 words, provide some examples of the key skills that you have gained through your work experience, extracurricular activities, or studies that you think would make you a good trainee at Ashurst.

In 300 words, tell us about your hobbies and interests.

Can you provide an example of a recent set back you have had, and how you have overcome this?

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Omg it's Jessica Pearson!

Here you go queen

Each 300 words

What has motivated you to pursue a career in commercial law and more specifically, why have you applied to Ashurst?

In 300 words, provide some examples of the key skills that you have gained through your work experience, extracurricular activities, or studies that you think would make you a good trainee at Ashurst.

In 300 words, tell us about your hobbies and interests.

Can you provide an example of a recent set back you have had, and how you have overcome this?

Thanks queen x

 

[rapunzel]

Not yet! @Ram Sabaratnam is currently working on an open day/insight scheme tracker, but we will add this to the list!

Thank you so much, that would be so helpful!

 

[WeGotThis!]

Is the Wilkie open day app through TCLA going to be assessed on rolling basis?

 

[LoveAspireLAW]

anyone have any insight/tips into eversheds AC (specifically ME if you have exp) - I can give tips on MC and US firms AC's

 

[MusaMoses]

anyone have any insight/tips into eversheds AC (specifically ME if you have exp) - I can give tips on MC and US firms AC's

Hi, have you received an AC invite and if so, when?

 

[TCSeeker999]

Anyone else randomly receive an arctic shores invite from NRF today…?

Recruitment cycle not open yet, no online app sent

 

[WeGotThis!]

Submitted my first app of the cycle today!

 

[TCSeeker999]

Omg it's Jessica Pearson!

Here you go queen

Each 300 words

What has motivated you to pursue a career in commercial law and more specifically, why have you applied to Ashurst?

In 300 words, provide some examples of the key skills that you have gained through your work experience, extracurricular activities, or studies that you think would make you a good trainee at Ashurst.

In 300 words, tell us about your hobbies and interests.

Can you provide an example of a recent set back you have had, and how you have overcome this?

Hey, thanks for this!
Do ashurst tend to keep their WVS questions the same year on year?

 

[Zaine1010]

1st rejection of the pre-application cycle. Applied to Dac Beachcroft September Vacation Scheme and got my rejection this AM! Time to reflect and then on to the next bulk of appsG

1st rejection of the pre-application cycle. Applied to Dac Beachcroft September Vacation Scheme and got my rejection this AM! Time to reflect and then on to the next bulk of apps!

Got my rejection email yesterday! It did dent my confidence a little since this is my first cycle, but plenty more applications to make.

 

[futuresolicitor2028]

Got my rejection email yesterday! It did dent my confidence a little since this is my first cycle, but plenty more applications to make.

I empathise it did sting, but my perspective is maybe its a learning opportunity given it was before the other applications even opened!

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Hey, thanks for this!
Do ashurst tend to keep their WVS questions the same year on year?

No clue sorry!

 

[Moo&mak]

Good morning, does anyone have advice on drafting work experience section- what do you include and how do you structure it. Thank you

 

[lawyersum]

hey @Jaysen and @Ram Sabaratnam! When is the Watson-Glaser interactive tool going to be released?

 

[TCSeeker999]

Good morning, does anyone have advice on drafting work experience section- what do you include and how do you structure it. Thank you

the way i would do it would be to have a line at the start saying 'in july 2025, i completed X experience. my role/responsibility/what i did.....'

then, i usually structure it around the firm's competency framework (if they have one.) logically, if that is what they look for in their trainees, they should be scanning for that at every level in your application. explicitly showing the ties from your experiences to their competency framework to me seems to be the logical way forward.

i aim to try and tick off each of the competencies/sub section of their competencies with STAR examples in each experience. so take Links as an example, they have their Agile mindset. I would try and find examples throughout all of my experiences that show each of the following: Empathy - interpersonal skills, respect, working with others. Divergent thinking - critical thinking, intellect, technical capability....and so on.

then, after this i would usually include a link to how this skill/competency is relevant to a commercial solicitor at the firm.

however, this is my approach to it... also, probs best if someone more qualified confirms this lol!