TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

for open day applications that only have 300 words, should I be linking back to myself? How much should I include? For why attend I am planning to say about their DEI initiatives, link back to myself, and then 2 practice areas and link back to myself. is this too much?

Hi @Kakaboo !

As the word limit is 300 words, I would say that less is definitely more. The main thing is to show that you've thought about why that firm and why you are interested, without trying to cram in too many points. As you mentioned, linking back to yourself is really important, so I would focus on incorporating as much of that into your answer as you can.

In terms of a structure, I would typically follow something along the lines of:

• Intro (1 - 2 sentences): Why you are interested in the firm overall (i.e. a short summary)
• Point 1 (3 - 4 sentences): DEI initiatives, and why they resonate with you personally
• Point 2 (3 - 4 sentences): Practice Area 1, and how it links to your skills / interests
• Point 3 (3 - 4 sentences): Practice Area 2, and how it links back to your skills / interests
• Conclusion (1 - 2 sentences): Why you would value the open day

If needed to fit within the word count, I would perhaps only discuss one practice area so that you are able to expand on both of your points, as that should be the bulk of your answer.

It's definitely a tricky one, and I always found that reducing my answers down to the word count was the hardest part of writing applications. I hope that helps!

 

[ZNadeem]

for open day applications that only have 300 words, should I be linking back to myself? How much should I include? For why attend I am planning to say about their DEI initiatives, link back to myself, and then 2 practice areas and link back to myself. is this too much?

Hi! The structure I recommend is to keep it simple but impactful: pick 2–3 distinct USPs about the firm that genuinely interest you and that you’d like to explore further (e.g. DEI initiatives, a practice area, international work, etc.). Then use the PEA structure for each paragraph:

• Point – what you’re interested in (e.g. their DEI focus, or strength in a specific area).
• Evidence – how you’ve engaged with or observed this (could be from research, talks, articles, etc.). This is the link to yourself and should be brief.
• Analysis – state how the open day will allow you to learn more about this at that particular firm.

That way, you do link back to yourself without cramming too much in, and your answer stays focused, clear, and within the 300-word limit.

 

[lawstudent2]

Has anyone heard back for the reed smith open day that's next week?

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Has anyone heard back for the reed smith open day that's next week?

My friend got an invite yesterday but I'm still waiting. They have a waiting list so maybe they are waiting for final confirmations before sending the rejection emails.

 

[noahsmiit01]

For the Slaughters app, it says that a cover letter should be no longer than one side of A4. How many words is it roughly then, and what font size?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Has anybody received the mayer brown test yet?

 

[aspringlawyer25]

Has anyone received the Ashurst report yet? Did the OA over the past weekend, wondering how long it takes to get the report.

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

Any tips for preparing for interviews. I have one next week but I'm blank - not sure what to do, what to prepare.

 

[Chriss]

Did anyone receive a feedback report from gibsonn dunn?

 

[TCLA0322]

Did anyone receive a feedback report from gibsonn dunn?

I received it, but send after the next day of doing the feedback.

 

[zainabouragueli]

- 650 word cover letter
- Online situational judgement and strength assessment - Cappfinity test with some elements of SJT and SPAG/Proofreading exercises. No WG
- 1st stage interview with Graduate Recruitment
- 2x 2nd stage interviews with partners and associates (competency based interview and a case study)

Does anyone have any further insight on the cappfinity test?

 

[rosedunn]

any tips on gibson dunn test? is it automatic?

 

[Jennifer2003]

Has anybody heard back from A&O yet?

 

[whywhy88]

For the Paul, Weiss 'How do your extra-curricular activities align with a career at Paul, Weiss?' question, does it matter if we only have one activity to talk about? I only have one main hobby/extra-curricular but am worried that this may put me at a disadvantage

 

[thelawstudent]

I took the Arctic Shores for the NRF vacation scheme last cycle. Does anyone know if previous scores from the past 12 months are still accepted this year?

I did the same, and am on the AS NRF-BP mentoring scheme this year so have had to take it 'twice' in 12 months.

In essence, if you apply to NRF twice within twelve months, you have 2 options. 1 - re-use your previous scores. 2 - take the test again.

If you didn't pass to the HR interview last year for NRF recruitment, maybe retake the test. If you did pass to the HR interview stage, I'd keep the same scores as they were clearly good enough.

 

[aspringlawyer25]

Has anybody heard back from A&O yet?

Got an email asking me to re-record my VI cause of tech issues. Other than that, nothing. When did you apply?

 

[thelawstudent]

Has anybody heard back from A&O yet?

i think if you applied for their winter vac, They said expect to hear from us from 29 Sept onwards, which would be for their AC rollout.

AC is the next stage after online app (just the work experience section really) + SJT/VI.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Can my volunteering experience be in the work experience section? - it was giving advice to clients and guiding them through forms

 

[Shahenshah]

Can my volunteering experience be in the work experience section? - it was giving advice to clients and guiding them through forms

I perhaps wouldn't call it giving legal advice, usually with legal volunteering you're advised not to describe it in such a way, but otherwise I always include my pro bono legal volunteering in the work experience section!

 

[Jennifer2003]

i think if you applied for their winter vac, They said expect to hear from us from 29 Sept onwards, which would be for their AC rollout.

AC is the next stage after online app (just the work experience section really) + SJT/VI.

Great thank you!