TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[EMB]

For the London office?

reading

 

[Diana54]

If anyone has previously done the Cooley AC please, please message me!

 

[tcla02]

applied on the deadline for sidley and radio silence from them what is going on

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

applied on the deadline for sidley and radio silence from them what is going on

Honestly same boat here it’s been 45 days since I applied (on deadline 9 Jan) and it’s been absolute radio silence. I’ve seen TIs, ACs and PFOs post app and TI and I’m just sat like a melon…​

 

[Jude Dunne]

Yes, got AC invite a few days ago

Awh fairs fairs. I'm assuming that means I didnt get it. Thank you for letting me know! Id much rather know than be wondering lol.

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Hey! Thanks a lot. In what sense would you say TW has a stronger reputation?

'stronger reputation' is so subjective lmao. I would take it with a pinch of salt. I'd actually argue CMS has a stronger reputation, which just reaffirms my initial point.

 

[ddalki]

Hi, hope everyone's getting good news! Any last-minute tips for the HSF AC would be really, really appreciated!

 

[ilikelaw]

does anyone have any tips on how to approach ac prep especially when the firm hasn't disclosed whats in the ac yet

edit: also any tips on building technical knowledge? i feel like i have general ideas but im not at all confident on a lot of technical things

 

[panon]

has anyone heard from Foot Anstey / Ropes / Spotify (legal intern)?

 

[8law]

does anyone have any tips on how to approach ac prep especially when the firm hasn't disclosed whats in the ac yet

what firm , someone who has done an AC previously with the same firm may be able to give you tips and tell you what is on the AC

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

does anyone have any tips on how to approach ac prep especially when the firm hasn't disclosed whats in the ac yet

I'll post this from advice I have already given before:

As someone who is going through their first cycles and just did their first ACs, my advice is to know the firm and know yourself.
Find insight into the firm's AC process as every firm is different but some things are consistent. One is that this is not a combative process. Technically you are competing with each other to get a place BUT the firm wants to know if you would be a good person to work with.
Also know what kind of firm you are going to. Is it a collegiate firm, if so don't be afraid to be more personable and make appropriate jokes. Is it more straight-laced, if so practise your responses so they flow naturally but you cover everything you want to.
Know all the commercial issues going on but ensure you know anything that you could mention in an interview back to front and inside out. Go on the firm's websites - what are their recent news, awards and deals. How does the firm describe themselves and what are they looking for.
Look through your application and research to make sure you are not caught off guard if they ask you about something.
Be normal and polite, professional yet not uptight. Align yourself with how the interviewers are (if you have an interview). If you have a presentation or group work, listen to other people and build on what they say. Don't try to catch them out but if you disagree, validate their response but provide an alternate perspective.
Don't talk just to talk. Only say something if it is relevant and useful.
Also if you have an interview, grab some water so you can take a sip if you need a moment to think.
Keep smiling and breathe. Good luck!

P.S. if you tell me which firm you have an AC for, I might be able to send you insights.

 

[11vkc]

Hey everyone I have questions for anyone else with experience reapplying to the same firms/doing multiple application cycles: 1) what's your strategy for choosing which firms to reapply to? e.g. for firms where I've repeatedly been unable to get past first stage despite improving my answers and incorporating all their hints/tips/competencies into my written application, should I avoid those and assume I just don't have the profile they're looking for? 2) I'm favouring firms with fewer stages e.g. AC after application stage (VIs are my downfall), but these are of course more difficult, does anyone have advice (beyond generic tips like research thoroughly, know what the firm looks for etc)?
Also is it advisable to reapply to firms where I've previously reached AC/interview stage (or even did a past VS) or will this disadvantage me? During feedback sessions they said I'm welcome to reapply but I don't know if it's worth it because would they really invest in reassessing a candidate they previously rejected at a AC/VS stage? Or should I focus elsewhere

on a sidenote I also wrote a more detailed thread about my experience with reapplying and was advised to link it here in case anyone's in a similar boat or has input: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....dvice-and-new-perspectives.10172/#post-248200

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Hi, thanks! Do you mind if I ask which other skills you talked about?

Hey! Commercial awareness, proactive

 

[ilikelaw]

I'll post this from advice I have already given before:

As someone who is going through their first cycles and just did their first ACs, my advice is to know the firm and know yourself.
Find insight into the firm's AC process as every firm is different but some things are consistent. One is that this is not a combative process. Technically you are competing with each other to get a place BUT the firm wants to know if you would be a good person to work with.
Also know what kind of firm you are going to. Is it a collegiate firm, if so don't be afraid to be more personable and make appropriate jokes. Is it more straight-laced, if so practise your responses so they flow naturally but you cover everything you want to.
Know all the commercial issues going on but ensure you know anything that you could mention in an interview back to front and inside out. Go on the firm's websites - what are their recent news, awards and deals. How does the firm describe themselves and what are they looking for.
Look through your application and research to make sure you are not caught off guard if they ask you about something.
Be normal and polite, professional yet not uptight. Align yourself with how the interviewers are (if you have an interview). If you have a presentation or group work, listen to other people and build on what they say. Don't try to catch them out but if you disagree, validate their response but provide an alternate perspective.
Don't talk just to talk. Only say something if it is relevant and useful.
Also if you have an interview, grab some water so you can take a sip if you need a moment to think.
Keep smiling and breathe. Good luck!

P.S. if you tell me which firm you have an AC for, I might be able to send you insights.

what firm , someone who has done an AC previously with the same firm may be able to give you tips and tell you what is on the AC

thank you jessica for the tips! also the firm is cooley

 

[a1024]

does anyone have any resources or websites that can help understand structured finance better? thank you!

 

[Diana54]

thank you jessica for the tips! also the firm is cooley

Literally in the same position. I am really struggling to find much information on Cooley and the AC. Tcla does not have a profile for them either but I have heard that the AC interviews will be mostly competency.
@Ram Sabaratnam was a future trainee at the firm but believe he’s started his TC so is no longer a moderator on the forum

 

[summersun]

thank you jessica for the tips! also the firm is cooley

Literally in the same position. I am really struggling to find much information on Cooley and the AC. Tcla does not have a profile for them either but I have heard that the AC interviews will be mostly competency.
@Ram Sabaratnam was a future trainee at the firm but believe he’s started his TC so is no longer a moderator on the forum

Hi I don't know ifyou had seen that but here is what I found

Cooley Interview 2022

Please state the month/year you interviewed at the firm. March 2022 Please specify what the interview was for. Summer Programme 2022 Please give an overview of the day with approximate timings. 9:30-12:30 - Group Exercise. 12:30-13:00 - Group presentations and networking for those not yet...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

It's an inteview from 2022 so might not all be relevant but could still be useful

Good luck !!!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Literally in the same position. I am really struggling to find much information on Cooley and the AC. Tcla does not have a profile for them either but I have heard that the AC interviews will be mostly competency.
@Ram Sabaratnam was a future trainee at the firm but believe he’s started his TC so is no longer a moderator on the forum

Idk if this will be of any help for the Cooley AC but it has AC insights on the applying section:​

TCLA Directory

directory.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[londonlawyer]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, could you please provide guidance on this question. It's for Stephenson Harwood's DTC application.

Using relevant examples, tell us what makes Stephenson Harwood the right firm for you?

I'm not entirely sure what they mean by 'relevant examples' - are they looking for pervious vac scheme/internships/extra-curricular experiences to be used as 'examples' in showing how SH is the right firm for me? Or is it more about deals that SH has worked on that we should use as examples in showing that SH is the right firm?

Thank you so much!

 

[Sophia L]

Its been 70+ days since I did HL stage 2 and I still have not heard anything..