TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[sooae]

I've just realised I accidentally applied to Cleary twice😵‍💫 I was sent the WG to complete a few days ago [which I did] but then have also just received an email saying:

'We refer to your recent application for a vacation placement in the London office of our firm.

As you may be aware, we receive a very high number of applications annually and competition for positions is extremely fierce. We are sorry to inform you that your application has unfortunately not been successful. Nonetheless, we wish you the best of luck in your search for a position elsewhere and would like to thank you for your interest in Cleary Gottlieb.

Please note that we have a policy of not providing individual feedback or entering into correspondence with candidates.'

Does anyone know whether this would be for the accidental 2nd application or for a rejection following the WG?

Hey may i ask when you applied and when did you get the wg invite? Thanks!

 

[Amgrad]

For

Just wondering how’s a 20 score on amberjack with the highest verbal intellect. Is that good enough?

For Simmons yes, it's above average, but for others with 4-5 pillars is a deficient score.

 

[Bbhu19]

One of the more confusing ones I’ve ever taken…I didn’t like their WG. I thought it would be like a conventional one, but it threw me off — especially the evaluating arguments one that separated each answer by the strength of the argument? I’ve never come across that before, especially because it didn’t really describe how we’re meant to evaluate the strength of an argument…definitely an interesting one. Wby?

I agree it was a little wierd, the way it just transitioned between sectors is kind of threw me off

 

[Bbhu19]

Just wondering how’s a 20 score on amberjack with the highest verbal intellect. Is that good enough?

Is it out of 36 or 27

 

[anon78365222111]

Is it out of 36 or 27

36, passed last year with 26 not sure how I went down by 6 this year might be cooked. Last year got mid verbal and this year got high hoping it carries me

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

For

For Simmons yes, it's above average, but for others with 4-5 pillars is a deficient score.

Just out of curiosity, what would you say is a good score to achieve?

 

[user55998384]

hello @Abbie Whitlock and @Andrei Radu : for my fieldfisher application i have these 2 qs and i was just wondering how to go about structuring them as i feel like they overlap a bit: Describe the personal event or experience than made you realise your desire to work in a law firm - specifically at Fieldfisher (800 characters)

Describe the personal life experiences that have given you the unique perspective you would bring to an insight scheme + how this perspective will support your success (800 characters)

 

[Donuttime]

Oh I probably just didn't do that well then I thought it was pretty straight forward too...

I wouldnt say you should rule yourself out, like I said im not sure how the invites are sent

 

[Bbhu19]

36, passed last year with 26 not sure how I went down by 6 this year might be cooked. Last year got mid verbal and this year got high hoping it carries me

Oh is it the Weil test?

 

[Donuttime]

Anyone heard back from RPC after online assessments?

 

[anon78365222111]

Oh is it the Weil test?

Nah was Bakers

 

[Trophy]

Just out of curiosity, what would you say is a good score to achieve?

I’d say anything above 24 is in good steed I’ve scored 30 before and made AC for a firm I’ve also scored 28 and not made AC.

But it’s subjective as you can have high verbal but a low verbal intellect score 🤔

 

[Lawlawland]

Might be a silly question but you reckon it’s worth giving them a quick call or email, I don’t think it’s unreasonable given the lack of clarity surrounding the process hahah

Heya! I mailed them about something else and sneaked in this question about the AI internship. Their reply it that is as follows:

"Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Applicants can expect to hear back on the AI scheme over the next few weeks as the application window has not yet closed."

So yes, we gotta wait till the deadline 😔

 

[svb risk management intern]

Latham stage 2 test.

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

I’d say anything above 24 is in good steed I’ve scored 30 before and made AC for a firm I’ve also scored 28 and not made AC.

But it’s subjective as you can have high verbal but a low verbal intellect score 🤔

Okay thank you!

Also, do you have any advice/tips on how to score so high?

 

[JasmineM9]

For Latham - do they look at your stage 1 - stage 2 and your application holistically? Do they put more emphasis on the VI rather than the application?

 

[Jennifer2003]

Has anyone applied to Mishcon's Cambridge office? I couldn't attend their open evening at the office and I want to apply but I don't know how to convey why their Cambridge office, and also if the places are more competitive because presumably there are less spaces?

 

[Andrei Radu]

hello @Abbie Whitlock and @Andrei Radu : for my fieldfisher application i have these 2 qs and i was just wondering how to go about structuring them as i feel like they overlap a bit: Describe the personal event or experience than made you realise your desire to work in a law firm - specifically at Fieldfisher (800 characters)

Describe the personal life experiences that have given you the unique perspective you would bring to an insight scheme + how this perspective will support your success (800 characters)

Hi @user55998384 these questions definitely overlap in terms of the themes and experiences you can discuss, particularly since, as opposed to most other firms, Fieldfisher here makes it a point to hone in on "personal" rather than academic/professional experiences in both of them. The way I interpret them, I think the distinction in scope is this:

1. The first question is focused on your motivations: you can essentially read it as a combined (i) why commercial law and (ii) why the firm question. Moreover, crucially, you are being asked to connect only one major life experience or event to both points, so I would advise you to pick something that can easily be presented in more detail without appearing to be unnecessarily verbose.
2. The second question is instead focused on skills/abilities at a high level of generality (as you will be discussing how this influences your "perspective" - ie. your thinking process and decision-making): the way I read it, you are essentially supposed to answer a "why you" question, and, importantly, here you will be allowed to bring in more than one life experience (as the plural form is used). Furthermore, I think here it will be important to showcase your understanding of what you will be expected to do in an insight scheme and how you can perform successfully - this is once again a change of scope compared to normal "why you" question, as you are being asked what would make you succeed in the insight scheme rather than what would make you succeed in your TC/broader career as a commercial solicitor.

 

[apap]

Has anyone applied to Mishcon's Cambridge office? I couldn't attend their open evening at the office and I want to apply but I don't know how to convey why their Cambridge office, and also if the places are more competitive because presumably there are less spaces?

Their Cambridge office heavily focuses on innovation, so you could talk about that.

 

[Suii]

Clyde and Co pfo post test