TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[l789]

If anyone receives an invite for CC open day please could you comment. I never received any confirmation regarding my application being under review.

 

[Trophy]

Hi I have a few questions,

Does A&OS take a healthy amount through direct TC?

I’m yet to do the amberjack test as I know it’ll be time consuming.

On this I know Kirkland in the past have not run their VS and instead given TC’s is it wise to just apply for VS opposed to the direct TC?

I’m happy to trade/advise on law firms I’ve had success with in the past. I’ve attended multiple open days, ACs and VS but rather focus on firms I have a true interest in rather than doing what I did previously and applying everywhere and getting a TC at a firm I wouldn’t like to train at.

I’ve applied to 4 firms so far.

Thanks all 😀

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I am currently stuck on this question and i would appreciate some help on how to go about answering it- What impact do you want to make at CMS?- I have a few years of paralegal experiences at magic circle firms but I dont have anything unique about me that is enough to make an impact per say, i'm just an average law student (albeit i am an international law student). please any insight on how to approach this will be much appreciated Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith @andreachai @TCLA Community Assistant 🧎‍♀️

Hello!

I've quoted a post below that might assist in structuring your answer more generally. In terms of having something unique - the question isn't really asking about whether you have an extraordinary quality or a one-of-a-kind story. CMS will want to see that you've thought about how you would contribute to their culture, clients, or working style.

Since you already have paralegal experience at Magic Circle firms, that's a really strong foundation! You could frame your impact around the following ideas:

• Bringing a client-focused mindset: you could talk about how your experience has taught you to anticipate client needs, work efficiently under pressure, and contribute to smooth transactions or case management.
• Offering an international perspective: as an international student, you bring cross-cultural awareness and adaptability, which are both really valuable at a global firm such as CMS.
• Contributing to teamwork and innovation: as CMS puts a lot of emphasis on collaboration and forward-thinking legal services, you could mention wanting to contribute by helping the firm deliver practical, tech-driven solutions, etc.

You definitely don't need a world-changing story - just show self-awareness, enthusiasm, and a genuine understanding of CMS's values. Make sure to back up each example with references to your previous experiences, so that they can see how you have demonstrated these skills and traits before.

I hope that assists - best of luck with the application!

Hey!

That's a great question, and it can definitely feel open-ended! If I was approaching this question, I would think about it in two ways:

1. Personal Contribution - what unique strengths, experiences, or insights would you bring to the firm? For example, would you help foster collaboration, or do you bring in a global outlook?

2. Overall Impact - how does your contribution tie into CMS's wider goals and values? If the firm has a focus on innovation, you might discuss wanting to support the firm in delivering innovative solutions to clients.

It doesn't have to be something 'grand' - you could even focus on how you'd like to make a positive difference in your team or with clients, which shows self-awareness and motivation. I would make sure to link your answer back to both your personal qualities and CMS's culture.

Your answer could follow a structure such as:

1. Start with your motivation - why CMS? What about the firm has motivated you to apply there?

2. Discuss your strengths - highlight the qualities and skills that you gained from previous experiences that would allow you to make an impact.

3. Link this to the impact - show how these strengths translate into a positive contribution at CMS. This could be on a team level (e.g. supporting colleagues), on a client level (e.g. innovative thinking), or on a firm-wide level (e.g. championing diversity or sustainability).

4. Conclude - tie it back to the kind of professional you hope to become at CMS and the difference you'd like to make in the long run.

I hope that helps

 

[Dogecoin GC]

If anyone receives an invite for CC open day please could you comment. I never received any confirmation regarding my application being under review.

Got the Open Day invite now.

 

[l789]

Got the Open Day invite now.

Congrats! I haven’t recieved a PFO, I think my application was binned even though I passed the Watson Glaser last cycle

 

[JBM]

Has Gibson Dunn sent out interview invites to anyone for Spring?

My friend got summer offer today 30 mins post ac

 

[Trophy]

Congrats! I haven’t recieved a PFO, I think my application was binned even though I passed the Watson Glaser last cycle

The open day is pretty much the same as their online insight events just with free food and a group assessment mock. Only thing you won’t be able to do that others can is make a pointless LinkedIn post saying how insightful it was 😅

Focus on your application for the TC, do a forage course and link your work experience and applications answers to the firm always!

You got this 🫡

 

[l789]

The open day is pretty much the same as their online insight events just with free food and a group assessment mock. Only thing you won’t be able to do that others can is make a pointless LinkedIn post saying how insightful it was 😅

Focus on your application for the TC, do a forage course and link your work experience and applications answers to the firm always!

You got this 🫡

Thank you for your support and kind words!!!

 

[silonthesofa]

Has B&B responded to anyone post-app in the past few weeks? I'm starting to think I applied too late (Oct 22nd)

Last year, I applied the day before the deadline and got through. They're just known to take a long time.

 

[aspringlawyer25]

My friend got summer offer today 30 mins post ac

Not looking good that I haven't heard back for spring then.

 

[JBM]

Not looking good that I haven't heard back for spring then.

I would assume PFO if you submitted early

 

[RSK]

I would assume PFO if you submitted early

do you know if theyve started interviewing for the summer scheme?

 

[Dannie]

How was the Latham first test?

 

[FutureTrainee100]

If it’s clarity you’re after, I’m afraid we’re all stepping through the same foggy tide of vacation scheme and training contract applications, where clarity truly is a rare current. Many of us, if not all, have asked ourselves “wtf are firms looking for?” Yet, I hope 2 things should, ironically, become clear here for you:

(I) Don’t be disheartened by the rejections. They are often random and out of your control. As Andrei revealed, him and his friend were rejected numerous times before receiving an eye-watering amount of success. If you were to isolate their first few rejections you would assume they weren’t great candidates. Clearly that wasn’t the case for them, and it isn’t the case for you. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

(ii) The issue with my first point is that it might imply that you have a lack of agency within the application process. That is certainly not the case. Having seen your background, both academically and professionally, the question you should ask yourself is not if you get a TC, but rather, when! Yet, again echoing Andrei’s advice, aim to make far more quality applications. People often create a false dichotomy for applications; one must choose either quality or quantity. That is just not the case. Rather than 7 applications, strive to make 15, if not more! Another reason I prefer this strategy is because, not only does it give you a better chance statistically (playing the numbers game), it also removes any sense of ‘what if.’ By that I mean, if unsuccessful during the cycle, beating yourself up by asking “what if I sent those extra few applications?” So, even if it means a few extra late nights, I’d say it’s worth it. Hell, if you get a TC at a US/MC firm, this is nothing in comparison haha.

Overall I would reiterate that a few rejections don’t define you, nor do they act as any sort of early-trajectory-predictions for the rest of the cycle.
I’m looking forward to seeing you post WHEN you get a VS/TC. Best of luck!

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me, I really needed the nudge. You are right: some of this is noise, but there’s still plenty I can own. I’m doubling down on tailored applications and pushing the volume up (aiming for 20 this cycle, is that enough?), with a simple weekly target of three firms so I don’t second-guess myself later.

One thing I’ve noticed this cycle though is recruitment feels completely different to last year. Just as I felt like I was finally getting the hang of the process — I’ve been slammed by a lot more tests, a lot more VIs, and honestly just a wall of immediate rejections. It’s been demoralising. Feels like I’ve gone backwards. Any advice on how to prepare for the tests and VIs?

Appreciate the vote of confidence, I’ll be sure to report back when the VS/TC lands!!!

 

[aspringlawyer25]

I would assume PFO if you submitted early

Yeah, such a shame, they were really high on my list.

 

[JBM]

do you know if theyve started interviewing for the summer scheme?

this week was first ac but first stage interviews were a month ago

 

[JasmineM9]

Anyone knows if W&C is likely to send further VI invites? It’s been radio silence 💔

 

[YS391]

How bad is a 3/9 on grit and creative force (amberjack)…I’m happy with the other scores but the language the report uses for the 3/9 scores indicates this is really far from good performance in these two pillars and I’m scared Reed Smith really won’t like that 😭

Ahh it depends what ur other scores were and numerical/verbal scores.

 

[GiveMeTC2026]

My

My question would be what was your goal from trying to develop your commercial awareness? What did you achieve from it?

Good question and yes will think about it. Tbh in my opinion it got me into a habbit of reading the news daily and reaching the AS commercial awareness conp seni last year.

 

[abc124]

Ahh it depends what ur other scores were and numerical/verbal scores.

It was high for both and 7/9 for applied intellect and 9/9 for digital mindset so I’m happy with the rest 😭