TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Afuturetrainee]

I’m packing for my vacation and suddenly remembered that in my Gibson application I never addressed it to the grad rec and didn’t even sign off with ‘Yours faithfully.’ A whole week later.
My brain really chose violence today.

You don’t have to

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Any tips for Dentons online assessment?

Hiya!
Can I ask when you applied?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

How to answer this fieldfisher question: Please provide us with more details of your achievements, scholarships, positions of responsibility, insight schemes, open days and virtual work experience opportunities, extra-curricular activities and everything else that interests you (2000 characters)- do i just talk about my self or do i talk about the firm?

Hello!

You should focus mainly on yourself in that question. Fieldfisher is asking for a summary of what you've achieved so far and what makes you stand out - things such as academic achievements, scholarships, work experience, open days, insight schemes, volunteering, leadership roles, and extra-curriculars.

You don't need to talk about the firm directly (and I would definitely avoid turning it into a "why Fieldfisher" answer, as that does not directly answer the question), but you can subtly and briefly link your experiences to the skills and qualities that the firm looks for. That way, you're still showing why you're background is relevant without turning the answer into a cover letter.

This question is an opportunity for Fieldfisher to get to know you through the type of initiatives and activities that you have voluntarily participated in - therefore, I would make it about you, but perhaps write it in a way that subtly shows how your experiences make you a good fit for Fieldfisher.

I hope that helps!

 

[tithi]

Hello Everyone!

As an international student from India, I don’t have extensive commercial work experience. Most of my internships have been in dispute resolution, with one exception. For my CV, is it advisable to include Forage virtual experience programmes? Slaughter and May specifically asks applicants to list these, along with virtual insight days and similar activities.

More generally, should I include virtual open days, events, and Forage certificates in my CV and in the work experience section?

Additionally, do law firms actually verify Forage experiences?

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

why are BCLPs questions 500 words each? do they really want us to write close to 500 words? might sound a silly question just wondering if anyone has done their application if they did 500 for each

Anyone who reached TI or wg for DLA would love your approach on how you approached question 1 and how much you went into the firm's work or values.

hey !! i js had my ti last week

so if i remember q1 correctly it was the thing about a personal experience that motivated you to pursue a career in commercial law + how it’s furthered your professional ambitiond or something.

i guess i took more of a “story telling” approach. so i started off with my first ever memory of wanting to become a lawyer/why I wanted to become a lawyer. I only spoke about that briefly though because I used it so i could show how a specific experience at university shifted my motivations to become a barrister to becoming a commercial solicitor.

I made sure to show that I align with the firm’s heavy focus on identifying as a BUSINESS law firm specifically.

hope that helps x

 

[Wompycapy]

White & Case WVS PFO post app & test. Idk if it was down to the app, the test or both.​

Do you mind sharing what you got on your test report?

 

[Dannie]

If you pass the WG and it says your app will be reviewed, could it be that they still don't review it bc you didn't meet their internal threshold?

 

[Dannie]

What is the CC threshold for WG?

 

[addy2004]

Hello!

I would structure a strong 300-word answer to Ashurst's question by following a clear framework that shows: (1) you understand the firm, (2) you understand the sector, and (3) you can analyse future opportunities. A good structure could follow something along the lines of:

1. Opening (40-50 words)

Start by briefly stating the sector you've chosen (e.g. energy transition, digital economy, real estate, etc.). Show that you understand Ashurst's strategic focus and global position in the sector - this can involve discussing deals, published insights, or public statements from the firm.

2. Context of the sector (80-100 words)

Move on to explain what key facts or market trends are creating opportunities in that sector. For example:

• Regulatory reform
• Technological disruption
• The global push toward net zero
• Increased private capital deployment
• Geopolitical risk and supply chain restructuring

You can support these points with news articles and current market insights, statistics, or trends - although there is no need to go into huge detail on the specifics!

3. The biggest opportunity (100-120 words)

Identify one major opportunity and go into more detail on it - for example, digital assets regulation or demand for sustainable infrastructure funding.

Whichever opportunity you choose, explain why this is a priority, who the clients are, what problems they need solving, and how the opportunity is likely to evolve over time commercially and legally.

4. How Ashurst is positioned (40-60 words)

Finish your answer by linking the opportunity to Ashurst's specific strengths - for example:

• Cross-border capabilities
• Strong regulatory advisory practice
• Financing and project development experience

To wrap up your answer, end with a confident line that shows how the firm can capitalise on this shift!

I hope that helps, and best of luck with the application!

Thank you so so much, that is really helpful!

 

[Harold Gunderson]

Anyone know how long you get for preparation time and how long to answer for CMS VI?

 

[oliviabeijing]

Should we assume pfo for CMS if we didn't receive an invite yesterday for VI..?

is this for TC or for something else? I just did my WG for the TC

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello Everyone!

As an international student from India, I don’t have extensive commercial work experience. Most of my internships have been in dispute resolution, with one exception. For my CV, is it advisable to include Forage virtual experience programmes? Slaughter and May specifically asks applicants to list these, along with virtual insight days and similar activities.

More generally, should I include virtual open days, events, and Forage certificates in my CV and in the work experience section?

Additionally, do law firms actually verify Forage experiences?

Hello!

I'd say its absolutely fine to include Forage programmes on your CV - especially early on when you might not have a long list of commercial experience yet. If the firm has specifically asked for them, I'd definitely include them to show initiative and genuine engagement with the profession.

In terms of listing virtual open days and events on your CV, it might be easier to put these in a separate sort of "events" section, or group them all under one heading in the work experience section.

You can definitely list Forage programmes and events in your work experience section, particularly if you can share particular insights that you gained. However, as above, you might find it helpful to group some of them together if you are struggling to write a lot about them.

As for verification, law firms generally don't "check" Forage experiences as far as I am aware, but you should always be ready to talk about what you learned and the tasks that you completed. As long as you are honest, you'll be absolutely fine

 

[futureharveyspecter]

When I check my DLA Piper app portal, it says "Please complete your assessments as soon as possible." However, I haven't received any assessments from them, so I'm a bit confused??

 

[iklawapps]

Hey @Abbie Whitlock I'm SO sorry for the millionth question about RS VIs, but I saw in all of the firm's videos, they talk about having examples for things even if not asked, and I'm wondering for scenario questions (like how would you respond if ...), would you suggest explaining our thought processes in that scenario exactly and then tagging an example in the end, or would it be better to spend the whole two mins on an analogous example and explain our thought processes through that. I'm just curious cause the time is so short

Sorry for the question and thank you so much for all of your help < 3

 

[RJ Ruban]

Hello!

Congratulations on being invited to the assessment!! I have quoted a post below which contains some general advice I have given on the Reed Smith test, so hopefully it's a useful starting point.

Best of luck with the assessment!

Thank you so much!!
If I can ask is there a specific structure that ReedSmith is looking for when it comes to the VI?

 

[anon78365222111]

If someone doesn’t mind can they point to some really strong points about why CMS for a potential VI answer. I’ve never applied to them and just did it this year and got the VI so don’t know much other than their band 1 for mid market work and their global structure and potential for US merger

 

[RJ Ruban]

CMS VI! Does anyone have any insights please? Im happy to share insights from Freshfields, Hogan, Reed Smith, Pinsents etc.

Hey! When did you apply for CMS? I haven’t heard anything back after my WG

 

[Amgrad]

OMG Weil VI takes age to upload! Anyone had the same problem? I am trying to reload twice, but it's not working my deadline is tomorrow, not sure whether they can extend if I had technical issues.

 

[user9809]

Finally passed the Clifford Chance Watson Glaser 😭😭😭

 

[TortillaTC]

Has anyone heard about the Gibson virtual open day in December? I wanna wait with submitting my vac scheme app but if they already sent invites to the open day, I might as well submit it soon