TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[thedonnabrief]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock ! Do you have any advice for how to write work experience section in applications? I am struggling with making it sound CV like but also ensure that I show I learnt something from it. Is there an application bank or something where we can see some examples?

 

[rachl_shep]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock ! Do you have any advice for how to write work experience section in applications? I am struggling with making it sound CV like but also ensure that I show I learnt something from it. Is there an application bank or something where we can see some examples?

Can I jump on this and ask @Abbie Whitlock how do we write about open days in work experience sections? Should we relate what we learnt back to our own experiences or why we are interested in the firm?

 

[TortillaTC]

Hi!

I have been well, thank you, and it's definitely been a scorcher so far, haha! I hope you have been enjoying your summer too

I haven't participated in the AS Commercial Awareness Competition myself, so I can't speak specifically to the format or difficulty of the competition. However, I was runner-up in the British and Irish University Commercial Awareness Competition (BIUCAC) a few years ago, so I can share how I approached preparing for that, as I imagine there will be some overlap!

My preparation was split into a few different areas, and I generally prepared for each round as I got closer to it. However, I started by making sure I had a really solid grasp of the basics.

For the technical side, I made quite a lot of use of resources like Investopedia, TCLA, LittleLaw, and Youtube to get comfortablew ith concepts such as debt/equity finance, IPOs, indemnities and warranties, SPAs, private equity deals, M&A, etc. I found it much more useful to focus on actually understanding why things worked the way they did, rather than just memorising definitions and timelines. Once you understand the underlying concept, you are much more likely to be able to work out the answer to an unfamiliar question. The way that I structured this was to read an article, and look up any unfamiliar terms on Investopedia and read the explanation on it. If there were any other unfamiliar terms within this explanation, I'd then search that one up too and so on.

I would also make sure you are keeping up with what is happening in the market. Personally, I listened to the FT News Briefing and would read longer FT/BBC articles whenever there was a story that I found particularly interesting or relevant. You don't necessarily need to know every single news story in detail - I found it much more useful to identify major stories and themes and understand why something was happening and what the wider implications might be.

One thing I found particularly helpful was to always think about how a law firm would actually be involved in the commercial developments I was following. So, rather than just reading about a transaction, I would ask myself: what type of legal work might this development create? What might clients need advice on as a result? Which practice areas would be involved? And why might a particular firm be well equipped to assist?

For example, if you are reading about a PE acquisition, don't just focus on understanding what the transaction involves. I'd think about the legal work required to get the deal over the line, the issues that might arise for the buyer and seller, and what the relevant lawyers would actually be doing. I found that this helped me turn commercial news into something much more relevant from a legal perspective, rather than simply trying to remember what had happened.

Given what you have said about the time pressure, I would also practise answering questions quickly. One thing you could do is make a list of the topics and terminology you think you could reasonably be expected to know, and get a friend to test you with quick-fire questions where you have to answer or explain something on the spot. I think this is particularly useful as there is a big difference between recognising a term when you see it, and being able to explain it confidently under time pressure.

I have also previously written a few posts on preparing for commercial awareness competitions, so these might be useful as well - I have quoted them below.

I wouldn't worry too much about trying to know absolutely everything for the competition - it is likely impossible! If the competition is as terminology-heavy as you remember, I would prioritise building a really strong foundation across the core areas, keeping up with the major commercial stories, and then practising applying that knowledge under time pressure.

Best of luck with it!!

Thank you very much, extremely useful advice)

 

[Starfish31]

New application cycle, let's go! Hoping we all get TCs this year round!

 

[Starfish31]

Does anyone know if it is worthwhile reapplying to Slaughter and May for their Direct TC. I emailed and they said they don't typically re-interview candidates however I've gained a lot of legal and non-legal experience since last interviewing in 2024 - just want to make sure I'm not wasting my time and effort

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock ! Do you have any advice for how to write work experience section in applications? I am struggling with making it sound CV like but also ensure that I show I learnt something from it. Is there an application bank or something where we can see some examples?

Hey!

I would definitely try to keep it relatively CV-like rather than turning it into a mini essay, but it does help to expand slightly beyond what you'd typically include in a CV. I think a good approach is to focus on what you did, the responsibilities you took on (and what you gained from them) and, where relevant, how this is transferable to the role of a trainee solicitor.

For example, I've had a look at some of my previous applications and this is how I approached it (I personally preferred to write in the first person, but you can approach it in different ways!):

"I completed a year in industry as part of my undergraduate degree, working in the Commercial Property, Property Finance and Litigation departments. My role involved assisting fee earners with various official searches and drafting Land Registry forms, coordinating multiple applications for registration and responding to requisitions within relevant deadlines. This required careful organisation and attention to detail, and as I became more familiar with these processes, I took on greater responsibility for managing these tasks. During the final few months of my placement, I also led training for new joiners at the firm in these areas, further developing my ability to communicate processes clearly and take ownership of my work."

I think this approach works well as I'm showing the skill before naming it. Rather than simply saying "I developed my organisational skills", I've explained what I actually did that required organisation, before drawing out the skill. The same applies for ownership - the fact that I eventually led training gives some evidence for that claim.

You can also finish with a brief link to the trainee role, for example by explaining that these skills would be useful when managing multiple matters, meeting deadlines and taking responsibility for tasks as a trainee. You don't need to make this link after every experience, though - if the relevance is obvious from what you have written, I would let the example speak for itself.

I'm not too sure if we have some examples on TCLA - however, I have found this thread in which some previous users offer some advice, which might be a useful read!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Can I jump on this and ask @Abbie Whitlock how do we write about open days in work experience sections? Should we relate what we learnt back to our own experiences or why we are interested in the firm?

Hi!

Of course! I would approach open days slightly differently from a conventional work experience entry, as you are unlikely to have carried out much actual work on the day.

I would focus on what you did/experienced on the day, what you took away from it, and how that developed your understanding of the firm or the role of a trainee. For example, you could mention attending a practice area session, speaking to trainees about their work or learning about a particular type of client matter, and then explain what that taught you.

I would prioritise what you learnt about the firm and the profession over trying to force a link back to your own experiences. However, if something you learnt genuinely reinforced an existing interest of yours, that can be a nice addition! For example, if you attended a session on the firm's private equity practice and it built on an interest you had developed through a university module, you could briefly make that connection.

I also wouldn't use the work experience section to explain at length why you want to join the firm, as that is probably better saved for a separate "why this firm?" question. Instead, you can show the relevance of the open day by explaining how it gave you a more informed understanding of the firm's work or what a trainee role there involves.

So, broadly, I would think: what did I experience -> what did I learn -> how did this develop my understanding of being a trainee or of the firm's work? Approaching it this way should keep it reflective, without over exaggerating the content of the open day

 

[KuriTH]

Hi all,

Has anyone heard back from Macfarlanes post AC?

Can't remember when the Macs recruitment team said we'd hear back by. Was it mid this week call if successful and EOW email if unsuccessful?

 

[Jaysen]

After an amazing vacation scheme last month I'm very pleased to share I've been offered a TC!! I'm genuinely in shock! The final interview was pretty tough and was so unsure about my performance but I knew I took so much away from the scheme so I kept telling myself that even if I don't get it, it's a net positive. Getting that call today was genuinely such a (welcomed) shock.
I had quite a rocky journey this year with applications - it was my first proper cycle and getting rejections early on definitely took a toll on my confidence. However, I have learned that what is meant for you will never pass you by. This firm genuinely feels like such a good fit for me and the best place for me to begin my journey to become a solicitor.
I thought I'd report here because this platform has helped me incredibly. @Abbie Whitlock and @Jaysen I will forever be so grateful for all the help and support you have provided.

Ah, I'm so happy to read this. Well done you!

Would love to have you in our future trainee group.

 

[username10341034]

Hi all,

Has anyone heard back from Macfarlanes post AC?

Can't remember when the Macs recruitment team said we'd hear back by. Was it mid this week call if successful and EOW email if unsuccessful?

For the winter vacation scheme?

 

[Jaysen]

New application cycle, let's go! Hoping we all get TCs this year round!

Best of luck everyone

 

[LawInTheNorth]

I apologise if this has been answered previously, but for A&O Shearman vac schemes (more specifically the Winter one) can I confirm that graduates are not eligible for this?

 

[rrr]

hope this is not a silly question... when a firm has a rolling deadline do you have to wait till the closing date before they actually reveal who will move on from the initial stage (but on a first-come-first-served basis) OR does it mean if you applied really early and are successful you can move through the stages early too.

apologies if that's confusing

 

[thedonnabrief]

hope this is not a silly question... when a firm has a rolling deadline do you have to wait till the closing date before they actually reveal who will move on from the initial stage (but on a first-come-first-served basis) OR does it mean if you applied really early and are successful you can move through the stages early too.

apologies if that's confusing

usually, it means the latter. they would usually have rolling assessment center dates and such, so you can secure a vac scheme/tc before the deadline or very shortly after it closes.

 

[rrr]

usually, it means the latter. they would usually have rolling assessment center dates and such, so you can secure a vac scheme/tc before the deadline or very shortly after it closes.

thank you

 

[KuriTH]

For the winter vacation scheme?

No for the DTC. This is actually the wrong forum for my question I realise

 

[username10341034]

Just saw someone on LinkedIn who was offered three TCs all from magic circle firms. How is it possible I don’t know what I am missing if people can get three offers in one cycle