TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[LawAspirer]

Simmons PFO excelled in numerical and verbal and got 7,9,4 in success areas

Sorry to hear. When did you apply if you don't mind me asking? And you reckon you did well in the vid interviews?

 

[c.t.tc]

Simmons PFO excelled in numerical and verbal and got 7,9,4 in success areas

Ah I'm sorry - I'm expecting mine imminently - when did you do your test?

 

[AngelBaird]

Did they also review applications before sending the WG?

When I got the email including the test link I was told I had “successfully advanced to the next stage” so I’d assume so

 

[lawberri3]

if i got ABB at A level but graduated from a RG uni with a 1st (non-law degree but traditional subject). what firms are worth applying for that have AAB requirements? i don’t want to waste anymore applications on a firm that might not take me because of it.

 

[rosedunn]

any advice with moving VS - not because you are doing another one, but because of difficulty getting leave from your current role?

 

[LawAspirer]

Hello!

You're absolutely right that there's some overlap between the cover letter and the two subsequent questions - it can feel a bit repetitive at first glance! The trick is to think of the cover letter as the big picture narrative that ties everything together, while the other two questions let you to into depth on specific points.

One way to approach it could be:

• Cover Letter: Treat this as your overall introduction and pitch. I would summarise who you are, your motivation for law in broad terms, and why Orrick stands out to you - but keep it concise and integrated between each section. You don't need to unpack every detail here, just enough to create a coherent, personal story and show enthusiasm!
• "Why commercial law?" question: Use this to explore your motivations in more detail - you could refer to specific experiences, influences, or reflections that made you decide to pursue a career in commercial law. This is a chance to go deeper into the why, not just the what.
• "Why Orrick" question: This is an opportunity to show real research and insight into the firm. Focus on showing your interest in the firm, and what genuinely differentiates Orrick - it's clients, international reach, innovation, culture, training structure, etc. Tie in your previous experiences and skill set to why this makes you a good fit for the firm, and how it's unique features make it the right place for you to train.

I would think of the cover letter as the overview that shows your entire profile as a candidate, and the two follow-up questions as supporting sections that provide more evidence and reasoning behind the themes you have introduced. Some overlap is fine (and you will want to look consistent across your application), but I would avoid copy-pasting sentences between sections.

I hope that helps!

Thanks so much!
I'm also wondering if I should get a bit more personal in the cover letter. I have quite a unique background (moving around a lot within Europe for multiple legal roles and not having a typical UK law degree).
Should I try to be holistic about my profile more generally, or should I just try to tie up my cover letter with my existing answers.
Essentially what i'm trying to balance is
1. Whether I should cover as many things that have not been covered in the 2 subsequent questions, or;
2. Whether I should try to piece all answers together in the cover letter and link them

I'm torn

 

[TortillaTC]

If I have to write a max one-page cover letter for a law firm’s open day, and there is no indication on the content, is it okay to just write about (1) my motivations to attend the open day and (2) why me? I think if I wrote about “why commercial law?” too, it’d be unnecessarily long.

@Abbie Whitlock and anyone that might have an insight, thank you in advance!

 

[iwatchsuits]

Ah I'm sorry - I'm expecting mine imminently - when did you do your test?

Hey, I did it on 27/10

 

[a1024]

Please provide your cover letter in the space below and address your cover letter to Tara Davidson. Max 1000 words.

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu Given the max word count is 1000 words, how many long would you recommend writing the cover letter. Would it be expected to write 850-900 words? Additionally, how would you recommend structuring it?

 

[iwatchsuits]

Sorry to hear. When did you apply if you don't mind me asking? And you reckon you did well in the vid interviews?

Hey, I applied on the 25th I’m pretty sure, and I think my answers were good but I perhaps came across too nervous.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Has anyone who did the Hogan lovells job sim last week heard back?

 

[johnsmith]

Sorry to hear this for you! 😔 was this for London or Bristol? I did mine 24th and not heard back yet!

Simmons PFO excelled in numerical and verbal and got 7,9,4 in success areas

 

[iwatchsuits]

Sorry to hear this for you! 😔 was this for London or Bristol? I did mine 24th and not heard back yet!

Thank you! It was for London, best of luck - might be a good sign!

 

[msclm]

any advice with moving VS - not because you are doing another one, but because of difficulty getting leave from your current role?

My experience from this cycle is that they are super hesitant to move you to a different cycle, save super exceptional circumstances. When I asked it was because I told the I was doing another vac scheme and got told no, which is understandable. You not getting time off work is more out of your control, so I imagine they’d entertain moving you a bit more!

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Hi, for Pinsent Masons VI how many there are and what they are like? Just wanted to see how much time I should allocate. Also any other questions that require more time / prep like written responses? Thanks!

I did mine a few weeks ago so I don't fully remember but I believe there was one written question and two video interview questions. There unlimited prep time for everything. I believe there's one motivational question and the second one is possibly a competency question.

 

[johnsmith]

any advice with moving VS - not because you are doing another one, but because of difficulty getting leave from your current role?

I'd just speak to grad rec on the phone. Human side of everyone comes across better that way 😀

 

[helloj]

I’ve received a TC offer for an up and coming US firm with a smaller trainee cohort (under 10). It’s a large firm with many offices however the London office isn’t the biggest out of US firms in London. Its training is ranked A in legal cheek. What are the benefits and disadvantages of accepting an offer from this firm - will it become a hindrance upon qualification if I wanted to move to a larger firm?

 

[tom-sawyer]

Has anyone heard back from Weil since submitting the initial application?

 

[Lawlawland]

Cleary WGT invite 🥺
(I submitted last friday, 20 minutes before the deadline and they were rolling)

This is my first ever progress to a second stage of application process

I would appreciate some insights into how to prepare for this as I'm really bad with WGT and I have barely 2 days (too short of a time )

 

[BillSikes]

For PM automatic VI - the question is 'why commercial law at PM'. Do I split my answer 50/50 as to why commercial law and why Pinsents - or just take this question as being why Pinsents?