TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Trainee590]

Good morning,
When drafting work experience for law firms app. Is it always better to specifically tailor it ( highlight a core value or skill the firm needs and mention how it is related to your experience) e.g ‘I have developed communication skills through… which is a core value that is valuable to xxx firm.’

Hi there,

I think it is a good idea to consider a firm's values and the skills that they look for when you fill in the work experience section. If you can tailor your answers to cover the skills that the firm thinks are important, this will help you to demonstrate your understanding of the firm and suitability for the role.

I appreciate that editing your work experience answers to be unique to each application can take more time, but it is a good way to stand out from other applicants. Moreover, at many insight events I've attended, the recruitment team has given this advice - they don't want to see answers that could be copied and pasted into a different firm's application.

In my experience, I was successful when I made sure to include some of the skills the firm values. I also included a few phrases like the one you mentioned, linking my experience to the firm, but I don't think this is essential for every work experience you list. Therefore, some of my experiences were tailored to the firm, while the rest could be used for all of my applications. In this way, I saved time when writing my applications while ensuring that the majority of my answers were well researched and relevant to the firm.

 

[Trainee590]

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😭

Hey Sharan,

I agree that this question can sometimes be confusing and leave you wondering if there is a "hidden" question within the question.

I had success with this question when I treated it like a story in a sense. I first described how I first became interested in law (e.g. a specific course at uni, an insight event I attended), then how I developed this interest (e.g., shadowing a solicitor, networking), and finally what my motivations/expectations are for my future career. In this final part, I usually linked my answer to the firm; for example, if I was applying to a commercial law firm, I described my interest in commercial law and backed this up with robust examples of how I have developed and maintained this interest - e.g. attending a firm's open day or completing a commercial law virtual experience program.

In this way, my answers started broadly and became more narrow as the "story" went on.

I hope this gives you some clarity!

 

[Moo&mak]

No, I don't think you need to add that this is a core skill the firm looks for in its trainees, as this will be known to those reading your application, and you should aim to make the most of your word count!

However, if there is a specific way in which your skills matter to the firm, this may be worth emphasising! For example, for firms with very small trainee intakes (1-8), I found myself emphasising how my experiences as the only junior member of the team would assist me, and therefore I specifically pointed out that a very small trainee intake at XXX firm would mean that I'd often be the only junior member in their teams

In general, though, you won't need to state something like "Attention to detail is a core skill for a trainee at XXX" firm. Only provide an explanation where you think the link is not clear without one!

Thank you

 

[Moo&mak]

Hi there,

I think it is a good idea to consider a firm's values and the skills that they look for when you fill in the work experience section. If you can tailor your answers to cover the skills that the firm thinks are important, this will help you to demonstrate your understanding of the firm and suitability for the role.

I appreciate that editing your work experience answers to be unique to each application can take more time, but it is a good way to stand out from other applicants. Moreover, at many insight events I've attended, the recruitment team has given this advice - they don't want to see answers that could be copied and pasted into a different firm's application.

In my experience, I was successful when I made sure to include some of the skills the firm values. I also included a few phrases like the one you mentioned, linking my experience to the firm, but I don't think this is essential for every work experience you list. Therefore, some of my experiences were tailored to the firm, while the rest could be used for all of my applications. In this way, I saved time when writing my applications while ensuring that the majority of my answers were well researched and relevant to the firm.

Thank you

 

[Sachin Chandra]

Hi Sachin,

It's great that you're looking for ways to improve. After a quick search online, I've found a couple of resources that might be helpful:

• Assessment Day has some free practice tests, along with a paid option. In my experience, these questions are very similar to the questions asked by the firms I applied to.
• Job Test Prep also has some free practice questions, which could supplement the ones from Assessment Day, and they have a paid option, too.

Both Assessment Day and Job Test Prep have practice and preparation tips, which I also found helpful. You can definitely use these sites to build your confidence going into the test.

I also want to highlight that I do not think it is necessary to buy verbal and numerical reasoning practice packages in order to do well in these tests.

Aside from these resources, I would recommend brushing up on your basic arithmetic skills, e.g. addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, averages, ratios, percentages, and reading graphs.

My top tip for verbal reasoning tests would be to ensure that you are reading the text carefully and avoid jumping to any conclusions. Make sure you answer exactly what the question is asking. Choose your answer based on the text, rather than basing it on any assumptions you might have unintentionally made along the way. When reading the text, look for any key words and watch out for subtle differences in phrases, e.g. replacing the word "must" with "should" can change the meaning of a sentence.

Finally, make sure to manage your time when completing the test. If the test is time-capped, do not spend too long on each question. If you are struggling to find the answer, move on to the next question and come back if you have time.

Thank you for kindly providing such a thorough response!

 

[a1024]

If you could witness any event, past, present, or future firsthand, what would it be and why? (300)
this is one of the application questions for Covington. how would you recommend structuring an answer for this question? can it be any event or does it need to something specific which we can connect it back to the firm's practice area/work/culture?

 

[jojo23]

If you could witness any event, past, present, or future firsthand, what would it be and why? (300)
this is one of the application questions for Covington. how would you recommend structuring an answer for this question? can it be any event or does it need to something specific which we can connect it back to the firm's practice area/work/culture?

This is how I've interpreted it:
I think it's testing creativity more than anything else.
You could relate it back to them albeit, subtly.

As for content (the event itself) it's pretty much free reign. Could go for anything. The only part that threw me off is 'future.' Seems a bit ridiculous. But as long as you can explain why this event matters then ...it's fine.
"I would like to witness my ascension as the first supreme leader of the United kingdom"

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Did Ashurst change test providers for their online tests this year?

 

[emily3827]

Offers from all firms will be completely possible with these credentials, perhaps a little more difficult from Slaughter and May and Jones Day due to an emphasis on grades, though you definitely should not cross them out of your list purely for this reason.

The one suggestion I'd make is definitely applying to firms with a high Direct TC intake, for example Macfarlanes, Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Stephenson Harwood and Freshfields. As a grad with vac scheme experience, I'd assume you have enough under your belt to go directly for a TC. That removes the need to do a 2+ week vac scheme. Still apply for vac schemes at firms where this may be more advantageous though! Good luck

thank you so much!!!!

 

[TCLA0322]

If you could witness any event, past, present, or future firsthand, what would it be and why? (300)
this is one of the application questions for Covington. how would you recommend structuring an answer for this question? can it be any event or does it need to something specific which we can connect it back to the firm's practice area/work/culture?

Covington always has one innovative question that leaves me stuck, haha.

 

[hawkins19]

I applied to far more. I did about 9 first cycle and got to 4 ACs but no further. I have just checked which number application the US firm I have my TC with following a successful summer vac scheme was - 29th! (I did more applications after too!) It definitely is a numbers game too! The reality is that you apply and often don't hear back for months so I just kept applying when I had time to do so. I was pretty successful getting to ACs but not quite getting over the line until I did! You just need the one offer.

Hats off to those who get multiple offers though.

Hi, just wondering if you have any advice (aside from tailor to the firm etc.) for written applications - well done for getting to so many ACs! Last year I just could not get past the application stage and am trying to find out what I am doing wrong!

 

[CupOfTea17]

Hey guys, I am beginning to apply for Vacation Schemes again, and I was just wondering if you had any advice for applications where you have no direct legal work experience. I have volunteered for numerous charities, and also had a part time job throughout university, but as I decided I wanted to apply for law in my last year of a non-law undergrad I am concerned that my lack of legal experience will mean I am unable to land a Vacation Scheme.

Any advice would be massively appreciated!

 

[htrizzy100]

Hi everyone, not sure if its just me or that I get quite far through the app process for US firms but have never got past the written app stage for any MC firms? If anyone has any insight, it would be super helpful as I'm trying to turn my chances around!

 

[trainingcontractapplicant]

Hey guys, I am beginning to apply for Vacation Schemes again, and I was just wondering if you had any advice for applications where you have no direct legal work experience. I have volunteered for numerous charities, and also had a part time job throughout university, but as I decided I wanted to apply for law in my last year of a non-law undergrad I am concerned that my lack of legal experience will mean I am unable to land a Vacation Scheme.

Any advice would be massively appreciated!

Hi @CupOfTea17

I also started applying to vacation schemes in my last year of university as a non-law student and mostly had non-legal work experience!

I personally believe that any experience, whether legal or non-legal, is really valuable as you can use it to demonstrate relevant transferable skills and/or your interest in commercial law. For example, I spoke about how my government internship allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the dynmic economic and political context in which businesses operate – that way, I showed my commercial awareness.

Having spoken to grad rec from various City firms, they usually really like how a part-time job helps candidates develop important skills such as teamwork, organisation skills/time management and resilience (working under pressure). Volunteering also builds skills such as empathy and communication. Also, I have met many succesful candidates who applied with very few/no direct legal work experience.

In the work experience section of your applications, I would recommend that you:

• Be as specific as possible about your experiences: speak about concrete tasks that you completed and what your contribution/impact was, feel free to quantify wherever possible
• Link your experiences to relevant skills that law firms are looking for: by being very specific about your role as per the previous point, the transferable skills will often 'shine through', the link willl be natural and convincing - you might choose to mention the relevant skill only briefly.

I also used my previous non-legal experiences to express an interest in a core sector/practice area of the firms that I was applying to.

I hope this helps, best of luck this cycle, you'll smash it!

 

[Meg_Thee_Applicant]

hey guys, just wanted to share something useful Grad Rec at Ashurst said at a webinar last week - they see that there's a direct correlation between applicants who complete their Forage virtual experiences and those that get through past application/test stage.. Good luck! x

 

[Lrobson]

How many questions do A&O Shearman's VI have?

Two

 

[Lrobson]

Hi all,

I’m currently drafting my Ashurst vacation scheme application and was wondering if anyone has a general rule of thumb for word count when writing the work experience section. Do you aim for a specific range, or is it more about quality over quantity? Any guidance or examples would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[lawstudent272003]

@Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Jaysen Hi guys I was wondering if you can give some advice regarding self-funding the SQE and still applying for TCs. Is this a good option and are firms willing to recruit candidates who have already done the SQE?

 

[TortillaTC]

For Sidley, Chambers Student mentions that successful candidates need a high 2.1 degree with consistently good grades - does anyone know if they're strict about the high 2.1? or an overall good, tailored application can offset a mid/lower 2.1? I know that it's always worth trying but I'm aiming for lots of high-quality applications this cycle and I'd rather save my time if applying somewhere is unrealistic (clearly, Slaughters is out of reach if even high 2.1 candidates doubt themselves lmao)

For context: I have A*A*A and a Distinction for the PGDL

 

[Sharan]

Heyy guys. haven’t got a question at the moment, but just wanted to raise attention about something. i got an email from Jaysen titled ‘why are you applying to this firm’, and through using the fake firm ‘Slaughter & Allan LLP’, he so amazingly depicts what makes a decent application stand out from the amazing ones that actually get selected.

Just telling you all, do have a read of it, it is eye-opening (definitely was for me).


Thanks for the help Jaysen!! Been loving all these insightful TCLA emails. Super useful and clear-cut.