📅 2025–26 Applications: Vacation Schemes, Open Days & Training Contracts

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Vacation Schemes

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Rolling vs non-rolling checklist included.

Open Days & Insight Schemes

Deadlines

Comprehensive list across top firms.

Training Contracts

Deadlines Discussion

All key TC deadlines in one place.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Andrei Radu" data-source="post: 217837" data-attributes="member: 36777">Just to add to [USER=42112]@Abbie Whitlock[/USER]'s great answer here, a structure for open day applications that I have seen worked really well for me and others was the following:<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">State which aspect of the firm that is of interest to me (ideally, one of the firm's unique selling points) I would like to learn more about at the open day, and state that gaining this deeper understanding will assist you in a subsequent VS/TC application - e.g. "Firstly, I would like to attend the Open Day as this would enable me to learn more about HSFK's market-leading disputes practices. Gaining deeper insight into the firm's prior contentious work, its client base, and its strategic positioning will support me in a future VS application to HSFK"</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Explain the substantive reason why the aforementioned aspect of the firm attracts me - e.g. "I want to find out more about how top-of-the-market disputes practices operate because of my general interest in contentious proceedings, which originate in my passion for advocacy and argumentation."</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Link this with an experience which illustrates the substantive reason - e.g. "I developed my interest and skill in written and oral advocacy by participating in X Mooting competition, where I conducted legal research, prepared case bundles and skeleton arguments, and advocated before judges. I ended up qualifying to Y round out of Z number of participants, showcasing my ability to craft and defend compelling arguments"</li> </ol>As for content, this will be highly depended on the firm and on your personal motivations. However, I think you are essentially looking for two things:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The firm's unique selling points (USPs): these will be important features of a firm that differentiate it from rival firms. USPs can include: practice area and sector strengths, to international expansion strategy, seat rotations, training style, legal technology, secondments, client base and past deals and cases. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Your motivations: you should explain not only how a USP differentiates a firm from its competitors, but also why you particularly care about the USP - how will it affect your life and work as a potential future trainee?</li> </ul></blockquote>

Verification: Our company is called, "The Corporate ___ Academy". What is the missing word here?

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📅 2025–26 Applications: Vacation Schemes, Open Days & Training Contracts

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