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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hello, please may someone help me with this - I did't apply to many firms this year and so don't know the application questions for many firms. Please can you let me know the application questions for the following firms:
Paul Weiss
Skadden
Weil, Gotshal
Goodwin
Davis Polk
Slaughter & May
Jones Day
Ashurst
Debevoise
Ik it's a lot - I only applied to 4 firms
Paul Weiss
Skadden
Weil, Gotshal
Goodwin
Davis Polk
Slaughter & May
Jones Day
Ashurst
Debevoise
Ik it's a lot - I only applied to 4 firms
Slaughter and May is a cover letter, also don't use & for that firm as it is not how they refer to themselves as. Jones Day is a single question I think regarding why should you be considered for a training contract at Jones Day (will have verify this one again though). Skadden asks Why Skadden? if not law, what other profession would you pursue? And extra curricular activities and interests. Would have to confirm if there are more in Skadden though.Hello, please may someone help me with this - I did't apply to many firms this year and so don't know the application questions for many firms. Please can you let me know the application questions for the following firms:
Paul Weiss
Skadden
Weil, Gotshal
Goodwin
Davis Polk
Slaughter & May
Jones Day
Ashurst
Debevoise
Ik it's a lot - I only applied to 4 firms
Anyone who done the Browne Jacobson test happy to share the feedback report pillars.
Check the law firm directory of the site as well, they have many of the questions listed for the different firms.Hello, please may someone help me with this - I did't apply to many firms this year and so don't know the application questions for many firms. Please can you let me know the application questions for the following firms:
Paul Weiss
Skadden
Weil, Gotshal
Goodwin
Davis Polk
Slaughter & May
Jones Day
Ashurst
Debevoise
Ik it's a lot - I only applied to 4 firms
Hello, please may someone help me with this - I did't apply to many firms this year and so don't know the application questions for many firms. Please can you let me know the application questions for the following firms:
Paul Weiss
Skadden
Weil, Gotshal
Goodwin
Davis Polk
Slaughter & May
Jones Day
Ashurst
Debevoise
Ik it's a lot - I only applied to 4 firms
Jones Day:
What makes you a good candidate for a training contract at Jones Day? Your answer should be reflective of your skills and personal experience. (max 300 words)
Have you used any AI or ChatGPT in your answer? (max 99 words)
Paul, Weiss:
Tell us why you want to join Paul, Weiss (max 250 words)
How do your extra-curricular activities align with a career at Paul, Weiss? (max 250 words)
Debevoise:
Please explain why you have decided to pursue a career as a solicitor and what has attracted you to Debevoise? (max 250 words)
Please indicate if there are any preferred practice areas that interest you. (max 250 words)
Please detail any extra-curricular activities and leisure interests, including any relevant responsibilities and achievements. (max 250 words)
Please tell us about a difficult or demanding achievement that you are particularly proud of, focusing on why it was challenging and the contribution you made towards achieving the end goal. (max 250 words)
Please tell us something that not many people know about you. (max 250 words)
Please tell us about a recent commercial deal that has captured your interest. If you could represent a side, which would it be and why? (max 300 words)
What do you hope to get out of a career at a Firm like ours? (max 250 words)
Goodwin:
Why are you applying to Goodwin? (max 100 words)
What is your personal motivation for seeking a career in corporate/commercial law? (max 100 words)
Discuss a commercial issue that has particularly interested you. Why did it capture your attention, and what impact could it have on the legal sector? (max 300 words)
Describe a recent situation where you faced a challenge or problem. How did you overcome the challenge, and how did you display your resilience? (max 300 words)
Please tell us about a difficult or demanding achievement that you are particularly proud of, focusing on why it was challenging and the contribution you made towards achieving the end goal. (max 250 words)
Which other firms are you applying to and why? (max 200 words)
Please briefly summarise anything else that you would like to add which you think is relevant to your application. This can be positions of responsibility, extra-curricular activities and achievements or academic awards or scholarships (max 200 words)
the report has until 10 so not sure? would be curious to know what are some of the highest scores people have got or come across?
which firm? it's definitely usually 9 but sometimes firms customise it..
you can get max score - there's two marks per question for getting the correct best and correct worst answer answer; if you get either wrong you will lose marks.
There are 2 kinds of scoreboards I've seen one with 9 vertical bars and one with 10 horizontal points scale
how did you find that out? need to decide how long to hold my breath this week…
Hey!I emailed a firm to withdraw my attendance at their AC, explaining that another vacation scheme overlapped with the start of their vacation scheme. They told me they could accommodate my circumstances (so, if I’m successful, only do the second half of their VS) and to come anyway. I do like this firm a lot, but 1) their VS to TC conversion rate seems low and 2) they don’t allow applications once you’ve been rejected at the AC stage. Based on how nicely their email was worded, it seems they’d like me to attend. Does anyone have any advice?
Congratulations on the VS offer and the AC invite! I can see how this is a tricky decision (even if it is a positive position to be in overall!), but definitely try to be reassured by the fact they want you to still attend the AC!
I would have a think about how likely you think it is that you will convert your other scheme (in a general sense, as I definitely wouldn’t rely just on the rates!) AND how likely you think you could get to AC again if you decided to reapply. I can see why you are hesitant to do the AC if you can’t reapply post-AC rejection, however, it is also important to remember that you would still have to go through all of the application stages again if you were to wait.
I would say that an accommodation like this shows that the firm sees potential in you! If you really like the firm, and feel confident in your preparation for the AC, I would go for it!
Hi all, just wanted to check what kind of topics come at group exercises? I have my first group exercise tomorrow and am freaking out! 
Edit - just to add to this, are there any current commercial awareness topics I should be aware of especially in context to pe ma, credit, funds or finance/ any similar areas
@Abbie Whitlock
Edit - just to add to this, are there any current commercial awareness topics I should be aware of especially in context to pe ma, credit, funds or finance/ any similar areas
@Abbie Whitlock
Last edited:
Hi!
If it is any consolation, I’ve gone back through my emails from when I applied to their spring vacation scheme last cycle and I didn’t receive the test + VI invite until the 13 March, with the VS offer following on the 17 March. Still some time to hear back if they’re following a similar timeline as last year!
Hi!
I have previously written a few posts on negotiation exercises which discussed what I found helpful (especially as someone who is also very introverted!) - I have quoted them below.
Overall, it is important to remember that you don’t need to be the loudest person in the room or make the most points to perform well. Quality of contribution always matters far more than quantity.
Additionally, take a moment to properly think through what you want to say before speaking. Some of the more constructive feedback that I have received following these exercises is that it comes across better to pause to ensure you make a clear and structured point, rather than jumping straight into it.
It helps to focus on contributing where you feel confident and can add genuine value. For example, when I competed in BIUCAC, I felt most confident handling the IP section for the team as I had just studied it at university. Being selective in this way can show self-awareness, good judgement, and strong teamwork - however, don’t be afraid to offer your thoughts on things even if you are not 100% confident, particularly if you feel it may be useful!
Wishing you the best of luck - I will be cheering you on as a fellow introvert!
Hello!
Huge congratulations on getting an invite to the Macfarlanes AC - that's a fantastic achievement!!
It sounds like you've already got a good handle on the competency interview, which is great! For the group negotiation, I'd recommend practicing staying calm and structured under pressure - try to balance contributing your ideas confidently while also showing that you can listen, build on others' points, and bring the group towards a practical consensus. Sometimes they are mainly assessing how you work well with others in the team, so I would focus on remaining professional at all times and working with the rest of your group. One thing that always used to help me was to summarise what had already been agreed at points throughout the negotiation - this shows that you are ensuring everyone is on the same page, and that you have been listening!
For the written exercise, it's usually about clear and logical communication under time pressure. If you can, I'd have a go at practising summarising complex information into concise recommendations - think about structuring your writing and being clear on what your rationale is. Structure was always really vital for me - it might be beneficial for you to have a read on the formatting of various types of documents (e.g. report, memo, client email, client letter, etc) to have an idea of what they will be expecting. Additionally, reading a few business case summaries can help you get into that concise and professional writing style.
For the case study interview, I would try to practice analysing unfamiliar information quickly. It might be worth reading through all of the documents first, and then going back to look at the fine details and identify the issues / opportunities. I would try and use a set framework to help you structure your thinking out loud - for example, what's the problem, what information do you have, what do you need, and what's your recommendation? You may be challenged on your thoughts, and remember to try and stay calm - show your thought process, and be open to changing your mind if they introduce a point you hadn't thought of.
Finally, I would also give yourself some time to do some more research into the firm. I know that it can feel like no amount of research will be enough, but I would try and bring your own perspective to discussions and show how you are a great fit for the firm!
Good luck! You've got plenty of time to prepare, and it sounds like you're approaching it in exactly the right way. I'm sure you'll smash it
Hey!
Whilst I haven't completed a negotiation exercise at an AC before, I did complete one when I competed in BIUCAC and during my vacation scheme at Travers Smith, so I'm happy to share how I prepared for these!
I remember finding negotiation exercises really intimidating, but they feel slightly easier and less nerve-wracking once you are actually in it. The key thing to remember is that negotiations are much more about how you approach the discussion, rather than 'winning' or forcing the best deal. You should be looking to display traits such as collaboration, commercial awareness, and clear communication - definitely try to avoid things like aggression and stubbornness (which was slightly challenging for me as a naturally stubborn person haha).
It is difficult to prepare for a negotiation exercise in advance of an AC, as it will depend a lot on the fact pattern itself. In terms of preparation on the day, make sure that you know your brief inside out. It is important to be really clear on your client's priorities, and break the factors down into:
1. What is essential for your client
2. What you are willing to negotiate (i.e. there is some leeway)
3. Areas that you are willing to compromise
It helps to have a think in advance about any potential trade-offs, so that you are not just saying yes or no but can suggest alternatives or offers to the other side that move the discussion forward.
During the exercise itself, focus on listening just as much as speaking. I would try to ask questions, acknowledge the other side's points, and explain your reasoning calmly. A good negotiation should feel constructive rather than adversarial, so make sure to keep the tone professional and solution-focused. If any new information comes up that wasn't included in your facts, show that you can adapt rather than sticking rigidly to what you prepared in advance - this is why it is important to have some areas you are willing to negotiate and compromise on.
Additionally, if it is a team negotiation, I found it really helpful to summarise the points that had been agreed as we went along. This helped for time management, as you want to ensure that you aren't staying stuck on one point for too long. If the negotiation has been stuck for a while, it might make sense to suggest that you move on to the next issue, and come back to the earlier point towards at the end.
One thing that I picked up on after speaking to the assessors at the negotiations I have taken part in is the importance of being realistic with your demands. For example, if your client is aiming for £100,000 for a company, it makes sense to open slightly higher to leave room for negotiate, but you should avoid going wildly overboard (e.g. suggesting £1,000,000). An unrealistic opening position can undermine your credibility and make it harder to build a constructive dialogue. A sensible and well-reasoned starting point shows commercial awareness and helps keep the negotiation collaborative overall.
If you have time to practise, you could have a go at doing a mock negotiation with a friend - even just getting comfortable structuring your points and responding under a bit of pressure can be really helpful. I'd also recommend that you familiarise yourself with concepts such as warranties, indemnities, etc. before the AC (if you haven't already), as these are things that are likely to be negotiated.
Overall, as long as you stay calm and continually aim to work towards a solution with the other side, you will be doing exactly what the graduate recruitment team want to see - even if you don't end up with the 'best' deal.
Best of luck!!
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