TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yk1906]

Is it worth applying to Katten as an international? Not much info out there about the firm

 

[Superfrozone]

Is it worth applying to Katten as an international? Not much info out there about the firm

I was just about to ask about applying to Katten. I have started my app but I’m not an international but wanted to hear if anyone has had an AC in prior years

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Was that a universal holding email or did you email them? Thanks!

I emailed them myself. This is the email verbatim: "We can confirm receipt of your completed online immersive assessment. We are currently still processing your assessment and will be in touch with an update in the new year."

 

[yk1906]

I was just about to ask about applying to Katten. I have started my app but I’m not an international but wanted to hear if anyone has had an AC in prior years

Mysterious firm... Seems interesting though! Thinking of spending a couple of hours on the app just in case

 

[Bree]

Hey I just got an email from Early Careers saying that they are currently processing my online assessment and will give me an update next year. As you said you completed it on the same day as I did, you'll probably hear back then aswell

I did not get this email

 

[emily3827]

Oh boy let me tell you about simmons...its been 48 days
Yes, im counting because im petty

i did a simmons ac over a month ago and radio silence lmao i managed to do another ac and the vac scheme itself in the time i’ve been waiting

 

[Kakaboo]

Is BCLP Manchester rolling?

 

[Bree]

I got 22/36 in Weil, with 7 in grit, 3 in Applied Intellect, 6 in both Creative force and digital mindset, bad?

 

[cookedlawstudent]

I did not get this email

I emailed them myself. This is the email verbatim: "We can confirm receipt of your completed online immersive assessment. We are currently still processing your assessment and will be in touch with an update in the new year."

 

[Bree]

@cookedlawstudent Thanks for this, hopefully it is just taking time cause of holidays

 

[shadowboxer909]

I got 22/36 in Weil, with 7 in grit, 3 in Applied Intellect, 6 in both Creative force and digital mindset, bad?

Use some of that creative force and come up with an answer.

Ignore me, I'm just being so sarky today. This process brings out the frustration in me.

 

[Lord Sumption]

@Afraz Akhtar @Abbie Whitlock
What are the most effective questions to ask partners at the end of a training contract interview? Which ones have you found work well?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Honestly, at the end of the day, no one really knows why anyone gets rejected at any stage except for the specific person/people who make the final decision to reject at that stage i.e. Grad Rec/Partners depending on the stage (as far as I'm aware)

This is very true! Sometimes, the rejection is simply the result of a highly competitive process - where most candidates were good but they still only have 25 TC's on offer. It's funny because we tell ourselves the rejection itself is so bad without considering the fact that there is so much behind it that we don't know. We assume that we're not good enough because we applied to the same firm two cycles in a row and think that's it, but we never consider the the potential behind how close we may have been this time around. The truth is, with each rejection, there is always little success candidates never get to see e.g. the first time you applied you were ranked 98/600 applicants and they could only shortlist 50, and the second time you applied you were ranked 57/2000 and they could only shortlist 50 - candidates just see the rejection, but we can see your improvements. This is why, you should never give up, tomorrow you may be 12/2000 and they're still shortlisting 50!

 

[kukubird]

I'm writing an answer to Akin's commercial issue question they ask to outline how it would impact clients and the type of work the firm does, would it be a cop out to use AI as an example?

@Afraz Akhtar

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

@Afraz Akhtar @Abbie Whitlock
What are the most effective questions to ask partners at the end of a training contract interview? Which ones have you found work well?

Pleasure to make your acquaintance Lord Sumption.

The possibilities truly are endless, you could ask about a particular piece of work they did historically or whether they think there are any opportunities or challenges in their department, what's keeping them at the company, what the challenges are for trainees at the firm, or quite simply, what they would expect from a successful trainee 1 year into the TC. It really depends on what you're hoping to learn from them, however these are a good start if your mind is blank. I would also point out, that you should make notes during your interview if you can (when they're introducing themselves), you'd be surprised how easy it is to form an enjoyable question for them based on details they provided.

 

[lolololol]

What would you do if two supervisors both gave you tasks which were needed by the end of the day, but you cannot complete both in time? - how would one answer this and structure it as well?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

I'm writing an answer to Akin's commercial issue question they ask to outline how it would impact clients and the type of work the firm does, would it be a cop out to use AI as an example?

@Afraz Akhtar

Nothing is a copout if you explain it well. AI is a good start, however do you think there's a risk of others choosing the same topic? If so, do you think you're able to write a strong enough answer to set yourself apart from theirs? It's a little risky - you want to stand out, not blend in. So, I personally would not choose AI as a topic. Instead, think beyond disruption to the wider industry and something specific to the firm itself, its particular industries/key clients/something they've been doing well. Everytime I was faced with this question, I always considered their annual report first to read through any of its successes, weaknesses, areas of focus for the foreseeable and used that as a base to identify potential risks.

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Congratulations!!!
Rooting for you, May this go well

Thanks so so much it means a lot!!

 

[kukubird]

Nothing is a copout if you explain it well. AI is a good start, however do you think there's a risk of others choosing the same topic? If so, do you think you're able to write a strong enough answer to set yourself apart from theirs? It's a little risky - you want to stand out, not blend in. So, I personally would not choose AI as a topic. Instead, think beyond disruption to the wider industry and something specific to the firm itself, its particular industries/key clients/something they've been doing well. Everytime I was faced with this question, I always considered their annual report first to read through any of its successes, weaknesses, areas of focus for the foreseeable and used that as a base to identify potential risks.

Thank you!

 

[Kakaboo]

Can anyone give me some tips of commercial awareness topics to discuss?