TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[LawAspirer]

Application Breakdown so far | Targeting US/MC/SC | c. 10-12 applications still to make

Weil ✅📝
W&C ✅📝🎥
Sidley ✅❌
Cleary ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥✍️
Milbank ✅📝🔵
Dechert ✅✍️❌
Jones Day ✅❌
Slaughters ✅❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝🔵
Macfarlanes ✅📝🔵
Mayer Brown ✅📝
Gibson Dunn ✅📝
Travers Smith* ✅
A&O Shearman* ✅📝
Clifford Chance* ✅📝🔵
Latham & Watkins ✅📝🔵

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🔵 = Invited to 2nd test/met benchmark; ✍️ = Written Exercise; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection

*Training Contract applications.

Best of luck! When did you apply to Dechert and did your written assessment? Its been so long for me and the WVS is quite soon so I'm trying to figure out if its a PFO

 

[johnsmith]

Those who received a Simmons VI when is your AC happening?

Not hear back yet but had to re-record a VI due to a tech issue!

 

[yk1906]

Any news from AO Shearman?

 

[RJ Ruban]

Has anyone heard back from freshfield after stage 2 assessment?

 

[Bellajones]

WVS

I emailed grad recruitment and they said they were still working through the written exercise as they each get marked by an associate! (for WVS)

 

[LawAspirer]

I emailed grad recruitment and they said they were still working through the written exercise as they each get marked by an associate! (for WVS)

I see! Thanks for letting me know

 

[Julia Dyminska]

Hi all, just wondering for some insight, is the critical thinking test for Latham just the WG? x

 

[Julia Wyporkiewicz]

Hi, did anyone hear back from White & Case after final interview? If so, when did you have it?

 

[Maddy]

I’m trying to complete my A&O Shearman application. In the university module section, they only allow a maximum of 20 modules to be listed, but I have taken more than 20. What should I do? Can anyone help me out here?

 

[berocca567]

Please help!!!
What is the etiquette for asking for an update/response after a TC interview?? They said 2-3 weeks and it's been 2.5.
I need to know because I have to let another firm know about a vac scheme!!!
Please help! Ideally I want to ask today

 

[rwundercover]

Hey, looking for Covington AC insights. First AC and currently dreading it.

 

[c.t.tc]

Not hear back yet but had to re-record a VI due to a tech issue!

Sorry I just realised I mistyped haha - I meant those that have received an invite!

 

[yk1906]

I’m trying to complete my A&O Shearman application. In the university module section, they only allow a maximum of 20 modules to be listed, but I have taken more than 20. What should I do? Can anyone help me out here?

Hi, I emailed the grad team, and they provided me with an email address where I had to send the remaining modules in Word. But I would email them if I were you. They respond quite fast

 

[Andrei Radu]

Please help!!!
What is the etiquette for asking for an update/response after a TC interview?? They said 2-3 weeks and it's been 2.5.
I need to know because I have to let another firm know about a vac scheme!!!
Please help! Ideally I want to ask today

Hi @berocca567 normally, you should wait for at least the end of their stipulated deadline (so, 3 weeks) before asking for an update. That said, it is completely acceptable to ask for an update sooner if there is a good reason for it, such as an expiring offer from another firm. This is quite a common situation, so I would advise you not to worry - simply email the firm explaining that you have an offer which will expire soon and that you therefore want to ask them to let you know about the outcome as soon as possible.

If anything, you letting them know about this may advantage you, as firms are known to take a more favourable view of candidates if they are seen as being in "high-demand" - i.e. if one of their competitors has already made an offer. That said, if you prefer not to do this, I also cannot imagine it would cause any significant issues. You could simply accept the VS offer for now, and if you then get a TC offer and decide you no longer want to go on the VS, withdraw at that point - this is also a quite common situation and firms are accustomed to it.

 

[GiveMeTC2026]

Is Weil test amberjack or Simmons type.

 

[Andrei Radu]

I’m trying to complete my A&O Shearman application. In the university module section, they only allow a maximum of 20 modules to be listed, but I have taken more than 20. What should I do? Can anyone help me out here?

I would put down the 20 most recent ones and explain the situation in any additional information section. If this section does not exist, you can email the graduate recruitment team about it explaining the situation and sending a full module breakdown attached. This is a relatively common situation, as firms receive applications from candidates from a variety of different educational backgrounds, and in certain places it is normal for candidates to have taken 50+ modules in university.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi all

I have my white & case final interview on the last few days of their schedule (from what I could see when I picked the day).

I’ve seen a vac offer from someone around after interviewing last week, which has made me a bit anxious. Does being scheduled on the final day of the interview put me at a disadvantage? Do interview processes like these operate on a rolling basis where spaces get filled quickly?

Any advice appreciated thanks!!

Hi @qaz99 I would advise you not to worry about this. White & Case is a firm that is known to "stagger" its progression and offers, so they will definitely not be filling up all VS places before the interview. In general, firms will not operate interviews on a rolling basis - they will only make decisions after they have interviewed all the people in an "interview batch"; the offers you have seen have likely come from people allocated to a different group.

The exception to this rule is when partners are extremely impressed by a candidate and are afraid they may lose them to another firm; a case in which it is not uncommon for firms to make offers on the spot or within a couple of days of the interview. Nonetheless, this is a quite exceptional occurrence, which will definitely not result in a lot of VS places at W&C being filled before you have are interviewed.

As such, I would advise you to not worry about the date and time you are have the interview at - if anything, you could think that since you will be among the last candidates to be interviewed, you have the biggest opportunity to make a lasting impression and that it is by the nature of things simply more likely that you will still be "fresh" in people's minds as they make the final decision. Thus, you should simply go in knowing that if you perform well-around and score well on their assessment criteria, you will likely get the offer.

 

[Amgrad]

Is Weil test amberjack or Simmons type.

It's Amberjack like Reed Smith, but haven't taken them.

For anyone who had done both, which one do you think is harder? Reed Smith or Weil?

 

[spidermonkey777]

Hey everyone - just a note that I'll be running a session with Osborne Clarke">@Patrick - Osborne Clarke, our first-ever application session with OC. It's a virtual session tomorrow at 6pm.

Would love to see you there!

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/P97zp-J3RWurp2QnbmcaRQ#/registration

Hi Jaysen,

Was this session recorded?

 

[mg42guy32]

Anyone heard from nrf for the insight day on 25th Nov?