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2025–26 Vacation Scheme Deadlines
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
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What can I say? Gear 5 is peak, I'm peak😏
Glad I can help you in some fashion🤣
I can understand how stressful and emotionally draining this process is so, if you ever want to talk about it drop me a message (same goes to everyone else) idk how useful I'll be, but i will listen
As each day passes i fear the likelihood of me succeeding becomes slimmer but if I can help someone else that'd be great!
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Hey guys! I know this is a very silly question, but how on earth do i go about in answering this question ‘why do you want to be a lawyer?’. like, do I mention the aspect of being a commercial lawyer, at the city? If it means why i want to be a lawyer more broadly, i am a bit lost, howwww do i answer this😭
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Is the firm you are applying to a commercial law firm? If so, I'd assume the question is basically asking why you want to be a commercial lawyer.
We sometimes see this phrasing from firms that are a bit less 'commercial' in nature, so it provides you with scope to be broader with your reasoning.
Hello, I am trying to draft an application for an Open Day, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to answer it effectively. In terms of structure and explaining your motivations to attend the open day, do you need to link it to your own experiences? Could it just be what you're hoping to gain/learn from it? Is there a rule of thumb in terms of structure? Thanks 
"I want to secure the bag by any means, even if it costs me my hairline."
It’s from ashurst. So, should i just answer the question as if its asking me why i want to be a commercial lawyer?
Does anyone have any advice for writing about work experiences in applications and how to go about it with what what format firms like best?
Hey, here's my perspective on this.
You don't necessarily have to include 3 strengths. You can write about as many strengths as you like, depending on: (a) your word count; (b) how much detail you can go into given your word count. So, for example, if you had 300 words, you may wish to divide your answer into 3 strengths, roughly 100 words each. Ultimately, you need to go into a reasonable degree of depth to provide a strong response. Practice writing down the answer and see what works for you!
I wouldn't necessarily use the STAR technique, I think it'd be more relevant if the question was asking something like "describe a time when you..." There are many ways to approach a question like this, I'd personally focus on discussing the strength, evidencing it by providing an example, and linking it to the career or, better, the firm. I guess you could call this a PEEL structure?
Hope this is helpful!
Has anyone received a response from Sidley about their WVS?
Hi RaniaH062002
I think you can take many different approaches to the work experience section in applications, but depending on the word limit, I would try and tackle each experience using the STAR method if possible to show reflection rather than just description. For example, I would:
- Explain what you did: briefly describe what the role was and the type of experience (e.g. vacation scheme, part-time job, volunteering).
- Explain what you learnt from the role: in this section, I'd try and tie this back to the values and skills that the firm highlights as important (e.g. teamwork, commercial awareness, proactivity).
- Explain how it relates to law: if possible, I would link the experience and skills to my aspirations to be a trainee, or how it reinforced my interest in the law.
"During my two-week placement at Stephenson Harwood, I gained valuable insight into both the Projects and Regulatory Litigation departments. I attended client meetings, where I observed how legal advice is tailored to meet commercial objectives, and was trusted to take notes and contribute to follow-up discussions. I undertook a range of legal research tasks on regulatory and contractual matters, enhancing my ability to analyse complex information and present it clearly. I also contributed to the firm’s pro bono work, supporting drafting and research for charitable initiatives. This experience deepened my understanding of commercial legal practice and confirmed my enthusiasm for working in a collaborative, high-performing environment."
In terms of format, I would typically use prose when writing each answer. However, I have previously used bullet points and made it past the application stage, so I think whichever you prefer would work best. I would just make sure that the work experience section looks clear and that the early careers team can read it. The key is to be concise and reflective, rather than giving a long list of every task and responsibility.
I hope that assists - best of luck with your applications!!
Hi Sharan
I know that the distinction between strengths-based questions and competencies can be confusing, as there is definitely some overlap! I'll go over what I would usually do in this situation, but I don't think there is necessarily one set way to approach these questions
Building on what studenttolawyer previously stated, when firms are asking about your strengths, they're usually testing both your self-awareness and ability to know your own abilities, and whether these strengths align with the skills they value in trainees. Like you mentioned, I would usually give three strengths and give a short example of them in practice. However, if the word count is longer/shorter, it's perfectly fine to include more or less.
I don't think you have to necessarily use a full STAR structure every time, but I would absolutely provide evidence and experiences that highlight that you have that strength. So if one of your strengths is communication, instead of just stating that fact, you could expand and say: "I developed strong communication skills when delivering a presentation as part of a commercial awareness competition, where I had to break down complex and technical concepts clearly".
Therefore, the format I would use would be:
- Name the specific strength (that links back to what the firm values)
- Provide a short example of this in practice (can be in the STAR format, but I'd be conscious of word limits)
- Why this strength will be beneficial for a trainee
Best of luck!
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That's what I'd do. It's broad enough that you can mention any early experiences that introduced you to becoming a lawyer, but I would make sure you also tie this into why you want to be a commercial lawyer specifically
Hi JasmineM9!Hello, I am trying to draft an application for an Open Day, but I'm having trouble figuring out how to answer it effectively. In terms of structure and explaining your motivations to attend the open day, do you need to link it to your own experiences? Could it just be what you're hoping to gain/learn from it? Is there a rule of thumb in terms of structure? Thanks
I totally get what you mean! It feels tricky to draft Open Day applications because you may not necessarily know much about the firm yet. I don't think there is necessarily a rule of thumb in terms of structure, and many different approaches could work well.
I think either of your approaches would work well for an Open Day application. Whilst firms are not likely to expect you to link your motivations back to your own experiences, especially if you are at the start of your university/legal career, it would be a strength to your application if you can! Previously, I have linked my own interests and hobbies to express my motivations for an open day. For example, I am particularly interested in transport systems in the UK in my spare time, and I expressed this in my application for an Open Day at Stephenson Harwood (as they work in the rail sector).
I think the most important thing is showing a genuine motivation, and why that firm in particular interests you (i.e. culture, practice areas, clients, training structure). You can discuss these aspects when you are explaining what you would like to gain/learn from the Open Day, as you mentioned!
A simple structure that I would usually use could be:
- Introduction - why are you applying for an Open Day (i.e. you want to learn more about Firm X's sector focus in Y).
- Why this firm - I'd write a few points about the aspects of the firm that interest you (i.e. its strengths in a particular area, or the culture).
- What you hope to learn - I'd tie this back to the 'Why this firm' (i.e. "I hope to speak to a trainee in X department and learn more about the typical tasks that a trainee would complete).
- Personal link - if you can, link it back to your own studies/experiences or career aspirations (i.e. I studied IP law at university, and this sparked an interest in this area).
I think the approach that you mentioned would work really well, as long as you can back up your motivations for the particular firm. I appreciate that sometimes the word count is not very high, so some aspects of the above structure can be tweaked, but the main thing is what you hope to gain from the Open Day! Wishing you the best of luck
Thank you so so much, this is brilliant advice! Thank you 🤩Hi JasmineM9!
I totally get what you mean! It feels tricky to draft Open Day applications because you may not necessarily know much about the firm yet. I don't think there is necessarily a rule of thumb in terms of structure, and many different approaches could work well.
I think either of your approaches would work well for an Open Day application. Whilst firms are not likely to expect you to link your motivations back to your own experiences, especially if you are at the start of your university/legal career, it would be a strength to your application if you can! Previously, I have linked my own interests and hobbies to express my motivations for an open day. For example, I am particularly interested in transport systems in the UK in my spare time, and I expressed this in my application for an Open Day at Stephenson Harwood (as they work in the rail sector).
I think the most important thing is showing a genuine motivation, and why that firm in particular interests you (i.e. culture, practice areas, clients, training structure). You can discuss these aspects when you are explaining what you would like to gain/learn from the Open Day, as you mentioned!
A simple structure that I would usually use could be:
- Introduction - why are you applying for an Open Day (i.e. you want to learn more about Firm X's sector focus in Y).
- Why this firm - I'd write a few points about the aspects of the firm that interest you (i.e. its strengths in a particular area, or the culture).
- What you hope to learn - I'd tie this back to the 'Why this firm' (i.e. "I hope to speak to a trainee in X department and learn more about the typical tasks that a trainee would complete).
- Personal link - if you can, link it back to your own studies/experiences or career aspirations (i.e. I studied IP law at university, and this sparked an interest in this area).
I think the approach that you mentioned would work really well, as long as you can back up your motivations for the particular firm. I appreciate that sometimes the word count is not very high, so some aspects of the above structure can be tweaked, but the main thing is what you hope to gain from the Open Day! Wishing you the best of luck
does anyone know what the macfarlanes cappfinity test will include? For example, will it be verbal and numerical or SJT or a video interview?
If it’s the same as last year, it’s a mix of verbal and numerical reasoning, SJT and WG. I don’t think there is a VI element to the test. It might have changed for this year though. Best of luck with the Macfarlanes app and test! 🙂
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