TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[aria_d]

It stated this in the test invitation email 'PLEASE NOTE YOU WILL RECEIVE THE REPORT WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENT. THIS WILL NOT BE SENT IMMEDIATELY.'

Note the caps wasn't me haha, it was like that in the email

Oh haha, no I did see that, but I thought they'd send a confirmation like 'thank you for completing the test' like FF and other firms do but fair enough, thank you

 

[abc124]

For Linklaters, is it just me or we can’t access the submitted application form?

 

[jamsparkle]

1) what motivates you to pursue a career as a commercial solicitor, and why do you see Akin as the right place to begin that journey? (250 words)

2) Akin’s London office works across a range of practice areas. Which area(s) interest you most, and why? (250 words)

3) What are you looking for in your legal career, and how do you see a firm like Akin helping you achieve these goals? (250 words)

4) Please identify a commercial issue currently in the news and explain how it is likely to impact the clients that Akin represents and the type of work the firm undertakes. (250 words)

5) Tell us about an achievement you are most proud of and why. What skills did you develop? (250 words)

6) Please give details of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility and any other noteworthy achievements that will support your application. (250 words)​

1500 words??? who has time for that???? why r they asking me for a tutorial essay???

 

[elle woods]

For Linklaters, is it just me or we can’t access the submitted application form?

yea I can't either

 

[Harvey Specter]

1500 words??? who has time for that???? why r they asking me for a tutorial essay???

Wait till you see BCLPs app my friend. Their app asks for 4 x 500 words (2,000 total). Debevoise also ask for 1,500 (6 x 250 words). 🫠​

 

[Lord Sumption]

Wait till you see BCLPs app my friend. Their app asks for 4 x 500 words (2,000 total). Debevoise also ask for 1,500 (6 x 250 words). 🫠​

 

[DavidJC]

Not me deciding that I don't feel sufficiently excited about Akin's work to write 6 answers

 

[Harvey Specter]

Not me deciding that I don't feel sufficiently excited about Akin's work to write 6 answers

If I wasn’t such a fiend for restructuring I’d have never even bothered lmao. I like the international trade and competition stuff Akin does too, that’s probs it though tbh. Oh well. ​

 

[Amgrad]

Not me deciding that I don't feel sufficiently excited about Akin's work to write 6 answers

Didn't apply as I am ineligible, but I did apply for McDermott and see the same word count for 6 number of questions too.

 

[Amgrad]

I do think this thread was just a testing ground for potential TCLA mods as some have pointed out. I confess that halfway through this afternoon that whilst I didn't think they were bots, I did start thinking "why are there so many people typing in a very similar tone to how Andrei normally types when explaining something" 😅

Also ended up spending the day not really looking at any more apps, kinda just needed the break after this morning's disappointment lol, just gonna revisit my approach again and consider that Skadden was essentially one of my first few applications this cycle, so probably wasn't the absolute best I could've done

IMO I don't like bot if they only share something that copy paste LLM and lack of EI which can't imitate trait human has. I do prefer bot that can detect people being mean, jerked, spammed, fraud, discriminate, racist, etc then flag or warn them immediately before eventually kicked out. That's needed in this forum. What do you guys think?

 

[anonymousanon123]

Any tips on how not to lose my mind over christmas knowing firms are going to be telling anyone anything until Jan🫠

The Christmas period is so challenging to navigate whilst doing applications - don't worry, you're not the only person who will feel like they're losing their mind!! What worked really well for me was actually leaning into the silence. I'm so used to being on edge all day and anxiously refreshing my emails throughout, but because I knew everyone else was on a break, I was able to give my mind a break as well. I know it is easier said than done but (assuming you're done with your applications) this is your opportunity to rest!!! You have done all you can for now, the best thing you can do is enjoy your time with your family and friends, sleep well, eat well and prepare yourself mentally and physically for a slurry of congratulations emails and next stage assessments! Good luck

 

[scoffee]

Welcome new forum members 👀 - can we at least get some lovely introductions, if poss, so we can better direct our queries?

Hey guys! I'm a final year Scots Law student and I am currently completing my second app cycle. Last year I was doing a year abroad so didn't apply to many firms as I was very limited on being able to travel for ACs, but I got one VS, which unfortunately I didn't convert.

I think the theme of not converting to a TC has been talked about a bit on the forum yesterday, so I'm happy to give a bit of insight into my experience if anyone is worried about converting or in a similar position to me. This is also my first year of being eligible for most US/London firms since my degree is technically 'non-law' in England, so a lot of these application processes are still new to me!

Looking forward to getting more involved in the forum and sharing anything that might be useful from my experiences so far!

 

[yk1906]

App it was evident that most applicant used ChatGPT to aid them during the app process which clearly became evident on the scheme

This is what I got from a friend who successfully got a TC last year on that scheme

Interesting... Then app questions weren't a particularly high decisive factor, I reckon? I am a coach for one competition, and whenever we assemble a new team, I put their motivational answers into an AI detector before making a final decision. If it's 20%, then I let it go, of course, but if it's 80-90%...

P.S. I am not against AI, but how you use it demonstrates intelligence, in my view

 

[anonymousanon123]

Does anyone have any advice on how to properly tackle a question asking: ‘how would you ensure you are continuously learning and developing in the role of a trainee associate’? Any help would be appreciated frfr!​

I think a good way to answer this question is to focus on the qualities that help you keep learning in any role, like curiosity, self-reflection, and initiative.

For example, you could talk about taking the initiative to go to optional firm events or training sessions, such as ones on new AI tools or changes in the legal landscape, and link this to times when you’ve done something similar in past jobs or work experience to build your understanding.

You could also mention setting your own learning goals at the start of each seat, based on what the firm values, and actively asking for feedback from supervisors so you can keep improving.

It would also be good to mention the importance of putting yourself in uncomfortable situations - actively seeking out tasks you haven't done so that you can learn new skills.

As always, it helps to tie this back to experiences you’ve actually had before to evidence these claims. Hope this helps!

 

[TinnedFish]

ES video interview - any tips or insights from anyone who has done it before? I am absolutely terrible at video interviews and want to be as prepared as possible😭 I know it’s strengths-based but was wondering if it is entirely scenario questions or a mix of scenarios with anything else e.g. why the firm, why commercial law. Super nervous!

Hey! I did ES's video interview last year and you're right it is strengths-based. The firm really focuses on your motivations in specific scenarios and what qualities you're naturally drawn to expressing. Expect mainly questions about an experience you have and how that shows your affinity for a specific strength. The firm also likes if you mention what energised you about the overall situation. Focus on preparing these competency examples instead of preparing the typical why law, why firm!

 

[anonymousanon123]

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?

Treat it like any other work experience section - keep it concise, but make it really specific. Mention where you were sitting, the kind of work you helped with, the actual tasks you did, and what the experience taught you about how commercial law firms work. As always, try to link it back to why you’re confident this is the career you want to pursue. Good luck!

 

[anonymousanon123]

A bit of a silly question... for Cooley's summer programme, one of the questions is 'Please tell us about interests and activities you pursue and positions of responsibility that are relevant for the role.' I was wondering if I should place advising at my university's legal clinic in this section instead of the work experience section as I have done previously? Also, would this count as a position of responsibility?

I ask this because its probably my strongest point, but I don't want to repeat what I have said in the work experience section. My other positions of responsibility largely come from my paid employment, so I don't want to mention them in this question. I also have a couple of positions of responsibility from Year 11 but I am very reluctant to use these seeing as it's been four years since then and it seems a little juvenile... 😓

Hey - no silly questions here, we’re all figuring this out!

I think it definitely makes sense to include your university legal clinic experience in the positions of responsibility section. It’s directly relevant to the role and it’s clearly a position of responsibility, so you’ll have loads of good things to draw on.

I’d keep it in both sections, but you’re right that you don’t want to repeat yourself - with such limited word counts, that would be a bit of a waste of a chance to show yourself off! Instead, you could use the work experience section to show your exposure to formal legal work (focusing more on the practical side of the role and the hard skills you picked up), and then use the responsibility section to go deeper into specific experiences, how you handled responsibility, and - most importantly - link it clearly to how it confirmed your interest in commercial law.

 

[johnsmith]

1500 words??? who has time for that???? why r they asking me for a tutorial essay???

Broken down, this doesn't seem that bad, and there is definitely cross-over with questions from other firms - number 3 is always a tricky one, though, had it in 2 interviews this month, and I think as a prospective trainee you're kind of focused on the prize of the TC offer and haven't necessarily decided what your future career looks like. Interesting on to consider though.

 

[Suii]

me too lollll - I got the AC 2 years ago when I was in uni and had no legal experience.... I applied again this year and now have 1.5 years of paralegal experience and I got a PFO!!!! crazy....

I know how you feel and tbh I feel a 2k app with a critical thinking test is a long process like do the test with shorter questions or just remove the test.

 

[anonymousanon123]

Welcome new forum members 👀 - can we at least get some lovely introductions, if poss, so we can better direct our queries?

Hey! I’m a recent law graduate about to start the SQE. I have a training contract offer from Freshfields and previously received interviews from HSF, Milbank, and Trowers & Hamlins for their vac schemes (did not attend HSF though!). I also received a TC offer from Milbank after their vac scheme, as well as a vac scheme place at Trowers that I did not attend. Happy to help with any questions!