TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Gday33]

A&O Shearman rejected me TWICE! Why they emailing me again 😂

I got the same - nice of them to let me know twice 😂

 

[Audric_T]

They’ve closed their applications and have progressed people who have applied weeks after myself. Yes it’s in summer but my point still stand in the fact of dragging people along. I passed the WG over a month ago. Whereas you made it to VI I’d assume progressing to AC requires a more in-depth review. Not jumping the gun of a rejection at all just saying what I see based on the progress of others on this forum.

Did you go to the discovery day? I imagine they potentially are fast tracking those who went to the discovery day as those candidates have been shortlisted already and have been met and had exposure to the firm. That would at least be my thoughts

 

[Arbiter141]

Anyone received any word for the Weil Insight Day next week? Considering I haven't heard back and the event is on the 20th, I'm guessing it's a PFO.

 

[AlegalA]

Fieldfisher AC.

Congrats!! Just out of curiosity, is this for their 2027 TC? Their website says they only invite applicants to the strength assessment before deadline not the rest so I assumed it was only semi rolling?

 

[Deleted member 37508]

Did you go to the discovery day? I imagine they potentially are fast tracking those who went to the discovery day as those candidates have been shortlisted already and have been met and had exposure to the firm. That would at least be my thoughts

No I didn’t.

 

[NJS]

A&O Shearman rejected me TWICE! Why they emailing me again 😂

lol same

 

[yasmars]

Congrats!! Just out of curiosity, is this for their 2027 TC? Their website says they only invite applicants to the strength assessment before deadline not the rest so I assumed it was only semi rolling?

I think they progress applicants to interview before the deadline. After I completed the test, the confirmation email stated that I’d hear back within 14 days.

 

[illegallyblonde]

Anyone got an AC for DLA Manchester yet?

 

[NJS]

Just got rejected from a paralegal role because they wanted someone with paralegal experience, despite me having paralegal experience lol

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi guys! Does anyone know if i can add in the forage experience from one firm while applying for a VS for another firm? So for example, let's say i have done a forage job simulation from A&O, can i add this experience into my application for Linklaters? Is there any drawbacks if i do this?

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam

Hi @Tangcy ,

I‘m sure the rest of the team, @Jessica Booker, @Andrei Radu , @Ram Sabaratnam , will have more thoughts on this but I generally recommend doing so. Even though the experience was at another firm, including it will still show an understanding of the role of a trainee and commercial law firms at large. Another thing I recommend, specifically for forage experiences, is to group them all under one heading if you’ve completed a lot. This will make your work experience more diverse by giving you the chance to focus on other experiences too. It’s also particularly beneficial to do this when applying to firms which use cvmail - as this only lets you log in 4-6 experiences per form.

 

[Amma Usman]

uhhh I am bombing these video interviews. What do people say when a question asks you, 'how do you build rappor with a client who is seeking to expand into a new market?' More specifically how do you speak for 2 minutes

Hey @Aspiringsolicitor01 , I’m sorry to hear about the PFOs. Please keep going - you are one step closer to that ‘yes’, with every application you submit.

@Andrei Radu has made a really comprehensive interview guide which I’ve linked below:

A complete guide for competency interview preparation

This is a guide for the purposes of preparing for competency interviews, be they in a VI, another intermediary step or an AC/final stage interview. The advice here is based on my personal approach, as I received VS offers from top US/MC firms 4/4 times I implemented it. This will include: A...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Best of luck with the applications!

 

[AlegalA]

I think they progress applicants to interview before the deadline. After I completed the test, the confirmation email stated that I’d hear back within 14 days.

Ahh, okay... Guess I better get started on my Fieldfisher app next then! Thank you!

 

[Deleted member 37508]

Thoughts on Wedlake bell? Possible internship and wanted to know others thoughts on them as a firm I’ve not done any research on them as of yet.

 

[Tintin06]

Kirkland open day pfo. But nice getting follow ups from Goodwin after their open day. It makes you feel appreciated.

 

[cwhite233]

Thoughts on Wedlake bell? Possible internship and wanted to know others thoughts on them as a firm I’ve not done any research on them as of yet.

They're a really nice mid-sized firm and have good culture and I have met some people that worked there and moved to larger firms (particularly from the funds team). I interviewed with them a while ago and will say that their pay (at trainee level and for associates) is not very competitive IMO.

 

[cjwx]

@Jessica Booker is there anywhere I could find a list of commercial awareness questions that are actually useful for interview prep.

 

[kokoprep]

Hi - Has W&C started sending out invites to video interviews for the spring vacation scheme?

 

[kokoprep]

Hi - Has anyone who applied for Sidley Austin Spring or Summer heard back with AC invites?

 

[Amma Usman]

I am sick of getting rejected post app, and so I am overhauling my work experienc/employment section in the hope that it helps (I am almost 30 so have a load of different employment that is very varied). Just wondering if anyone has a structure for these employment descriptions that they know are what graduate recruitment wants to see? I have tried putting in loads of detail, and then less, and never really been happy with it. I understand that my application answers also need improving, but it can't harm to fix up my work section.

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman if you have any insights please do let me know. Or anybody else of course too Thank you!

Hi @Parsorandini

I completely understand how overwhelming it is to face rejections post-application – it’s a tough process, but the fact that you’re taking the time to rethink your work experience section shows your dedication. Sometimes even small adjustments can make a huge difference, so it’s great that you’re focusing on this.

To start off with, I suggest sticking to about six experiences that are well-detailed, concise, and demonstrate the skills that graduate recruitment teams are looking for.

1. Be Selective but Strategic: Focus on roles that best highlight your transferable skills, even if they’re not directly legal. Think of experiences where you showed communication, leadership, organisation, or problem-solving – those are always valued.

2. Add Specific Examples: For each role, focus on what tasks you did, what results you achieved, and if possible, quantify the outcomes. For example, did you streamline a process, lead a team, or receive positive feedback? Something like:

While working as a marketing assistant, I developed a social media strategy that increased engagement by 25% in three months. My manager praised my ability to analyse trends and adapt content to our audience.

3. Group Similar Experiences: If you’ve done multiple similar things – like open days, or forage programmes – group them together under one entry. For example:

Completed virtual work experiences at Firm A, Firm B, and Firm C, gaining exposure to key areas of commercial law, including M&A and litigation. Learnt how to analyse contracts, conduct legal research, and present findings to senior associates. In particular, during the virtual work experience at Firm B, I …

This avoids repetition and keeps your section clear and focused.

4. Keep Links to Law or the Firm Minimal: Unless the word count allows or the firm specifically asks for it, I don’t usually try to link my experiences to the firm or the law in this section. I save that for the main application answers. However, if there’s a role that clearly aligns with the firm’s values or a key trainee skill, you could include a short mention of it.

I’ve also made a few posts on this thread which I hope will be of help as well - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/work-experience-section.9392/#post-189202

 

[Audric_T]

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam - apologies i know Andrei already provided some support on this but could you kindly provide some insight to Analytical presentations and group exercises that DLA use for their assessment centre and links to examples I can practice with (having not done this before)

could you also help with commerical awareness questions practice and advise on how to build commerical awareness for the presentation and case studies used in the group exercise please