TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Aspiring_CommercialLawyer2026]

Any tips for a written exercise? What can we expect?

Hi!

Congratulations on receiving a written exercise invite! I have outlined some general advice below.

• Practice timed writing - pick a recent business or news article, summarise the points in a structured way with a clear conclusion summarising your findings.
• Use a clear structure - a crucial area where I obtained success was having a clear structure in an answer and practicing this for different documents. For example, a written exercise could invite you to answer a letter, an email or a memo. Familiarise yourself with the structure of what these should be and practice drafting a couple ahead of the assessment to ensure you are comfortable with all types.
• Proofread under pressure - just like any exam under timed conditions, mistakes are likely to find their way into your responses. This is something easy to forget when considering the content of the exam, making sure you display commercial awareness and having a good overall structure. However, it is crucial to practice both leaving adequate time to review your response and having a clear strategy when double checking your work. It may be following your answer with a pen or finger helps you to not miss anything.
• Review sample case studies - there are plenty of good examples both to assist you with the thinking process involved with technical terminology and to get an idea of what it may look like. TCLA has some available such as this great M&A case study by Amma Usman (attached at the end of this response).

To summarise, it is a good idea to practice condensing down large volumes of information into clear, concise summaries, and presenting them using a clear structure that flows logically and leads to a well substantiated conclusion.

I hope that helps, and best of luck with the written exercise - I am rooting for you
M&A case study (by Amma Usman) - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/mock-m-a-case-study-analysis.9136/

 

[adh3]

Skadden PFO was not expecting this as I had my application reviewed by TCLA and tailored it to the firm

I don't want to sound like a doomer, but I've recently come to the realisation that the content of our application answers doesn't matter. These answers often just act as a filter for the other parts of your candidate profile.

Obviously I can't share these but, I have an old friend's successful applications from his second year of university. Trust me when I tell you that he essentially copy/pasted the exact same application for every firm he applied to – even down to using the same adjective for each of these firm's cultures. They were absolutely indistinguishable. However, this guy was on track to getting a first, he held multiple executive (society) positions, and he had also secured a large number of first-year schemes. If anybody else had written those applications, they would have been binned. But, his candidate profile was genuinely so impressive that (in my opinion) firms were willing to look past the lack of substance in his application answers.

 

[Harvey Specter]

Skadden written exercise invite!​

 

[yk1906]

Skadden written exercise invite!​

Yeeeeeeees 🥂🥂🔥

 

[yk1906]

I’m still waiting. Put my phone on dnd because i dont want to cry on my way to the airport.

 

[JasmineM9]

I’m still waiting. Put my phone on dnd because i dont want to cry on my way to the airport.

hoping you hear good news!!!🥹

 

[Rads]

Skadden written exercise invite!​

Congrats! Is the WE set up on the allhires portal?

 

[yk1906]

hoping you hear good news!!!🥹

Thank you and same ❤️

 

[abc124]

Rejecting in alphabetical order?

We can hope until we get that email 🥲 I’m just really hoping they won’t make us wait until the evening

 

[Aspiring_CommercialLawyer2026]

What is it that firms are looking for though? I am extremely pessimistic at my chances, and I have a very reasonable level of work experience and a first-class law result in first year. I got rejected from a LOT of open days etc but this was before we had first year grades so I'm wondering if this might make a big difference!

HI!

You’re absolutely right that the process can feel exhausting and disheartening, especially when you’re putting in so much effort in and not receiving much feedback. (I had my share of pessimism at the process after getting rejected by firms I had poured so much effort into applying to).

That said, there are ways to learn more about the process and build a strategy. These include attending firm events both in person and virtually and building strong skills that will serve you well when you do land a vacation scheme. From my own experience, one of the biggest turning points was learning how to craft really tailored applications. I went through a cycle of complete rejections with very little advancement through the process and have seen the same in many strong candidates with great academics and experience ( like yourself) who struggle to stand out in the process if their applications aren’t structured in the right way.

It took me a while to get the hang of this skill myself, and its only something that I built through applying and getting feedback. TCLA’s application review service is a great tool to get 'fresh eyes' and thoughts to strengthen your responses, but there is also usually useful support available through your university’s career service or reaching out to trainees who might be willing to give your applications a quick look. It’s tough, but please, please don’t lose hope! If you need any advice about particular firms or particular aspects of the application process, please don't hesitate to reach out on here.

On the point about grades, so long as you are meeting the requirements firms set such as achieving a 2.1 I wouldn't be too worried unless you were applying to firms who are known for being strict with academics.

I hope you feel much better and, more importantly, I hope you know that you definitely have what it takes to secure a vacation scheme/training contract with a firm. Hang in there - I am rooting for you!

(This guide by Andrei of building a winning application strategy may clear up aspects of the process and help give you direction with the process - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....building-a-winning-application-strategy.9080/)

 

[Bree]

Is Milbank's first test automatic? I submitted 3 days ago

 

[SamiyaJ]

Good morning all,

I take a glance at the forum here and there nowadays and it’s so nice to see how supportive everyone’s being!

Time for my quarterly (or monthly??!) update:

PFOs so far:

• Reed Smith post app
• Taylor Wessing post SJT
• HSF Kramer even after passing SJT
• Skadden post app (today) 😭
• NRF post VI but I’ve reapplied for summer lmao
• Paul, Weiss post app
• Hogan Lovells post 1st test
• Covington post app
• Willkie post VI
• Bird & Bird post VI
• CMS post WG
• WFW post app

Waiting to hear back from:
• Clyde & Co VI (pleaseeee give me an AC 😭😭😭)
• Goodwin post app
• Cooley post app
• Mishcon post chat interview
• Withers post SJT (assuming PFO)
• Hill Dickinson post app
• Stephenson Harwood post app
• Travers Smith post app
• NRF post Arctic Shores (recycled my score lmao please gimme another VI)
• Ropes & Gray post app
• Farrer & Co post app (got to 1st stage interview for DTC last year, hopefully I progress)
• HFW post app

Will do Womble Bond Dickinson and other DTC apps from next month… 😭😭 planning my wedding is a delight compared to this and that’s saying something !!!

 

[JasmineM9]

Anyone know when we should hear back from Latham post stage 2 Tests?

 

[JasmineM9]

Good morning all,

I take a glance at the forum here and there nowadays and it’s so nice to see how supportive everyone’s being!

Time for my quarterly (or monthly??!) update:

PFOs so far:

• Reed Smith post app
• Taylor Wessing post SJT
• HSF Kramer even after passing SJT
• Skadden post app (today) 😭
• NRF post VI but I’ve reapplied for summer lmao
• Paul, Weiss post app
• Hogan Lovells post 1st test
• Covington post app
• Willkie post VI
• Bird & Bird post VI
• CMS post WG
• WFW post app

Waiting to hear back from:
• Clyde & Co VI (pleaseeee give me an AC 😭😭😭)
• Goodwin post app
• Cooley post app
• Mishcon post chat interview
• Withers post SJT (assuming PFO)
• Hill Dickinson post app
• Stephenson Harwood post app
• Travers Smith post app
• NRF post Arctic Shores (recycled my score lmao please gimme another VI)
• Ropes & Gray post app
• Farrer & Co post app (got to 1st stage interview for DTC last year, hopefully I progress)
• HFW post app

Will do Womble Bond Dickinson and other DTC apps from next month… 😭😭 planning my wedding is a delight compared to this and that’s saying something !!!

That is so impressive!!! You applied to a lot of firms so I am sure you will eventually succeed!! Fingers crossed 🤞🥹

 

[Aspiring_CommercialLawyer2026]

Does anybody have any tips on how to write about a different firm's vacation scheme that you have completed in the work experience section of job apps?

Hi!

I would just keep it skills focused. Do mention what you did on the scheme (i.e. what departments you sat in) and what you took away from it, This could be insights gained from the scheme or particular examples from workshops or masterclasses held on the scheme alongside skills you developed.

The crucial point is showcasing how the experience helped you grow and shape your interest in the firm you're currently applying for. It is very normal to have done schemes at different firms, and this will not negatively impact your application - rather it shows that you made it through a very competitive process!

 

[johnsmith]

How do you know that?

Sorry I was just messing around - I don’t think anyone would know!

 

[SamiyaJ]

That is so impressive!!! You applied to a lot of firms so I am sure you will eventually succeed!! Fingers crossed 🤞🥹

Thank you so much lovely! Likewise. 🫶🏾 I do feel like I am getting “better” each cycle (this is my 2nd cycle) but there’s so many stages this time round and idk how they expect us to be perfect in every single stage. But have to keep on going 😭😭

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

They closed applications last night. I’m not sure if they’re filled all spots as I know they’re rolling.

Sorry, I meant are they not inviting anybody to AC's anymore

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Hi!

It's mainly there for mitigating circumstances, but you can also use it for anything genuinely relevant that hasn't fit elsewhere in the application.

If you don't have mitigating circumstances, it's completely fine to leave it blank. If you do use it, try to keep it concise and factual - for example, explaining extenuating circumstances affecting grades, non-traditional routes, caring responsibilities, or anything that adds helpful context to your application.

I wouldn't use it to repeat strengths or motivation that you've already covered in other answers

Thanks so much!!

 

[loch_sk]

Macfarlanes PFO after 2nd Assessment