TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[DavidJC]

So... How strict are the grad rec teams with putting down the work experience in chronological order? (I realised I missed one important work especially within the section and added it late😞)

I just had to re-copy + paste everything for PW cos I've got like 4 new things since I last applied to their Open Day 😭

 

[Lawlawland]

I want to petition for these application portals to install the draggy thing feature... like wdym I can't just move these entries where I need them to be?

Exactly!

Vantage: reads submit in reverse chronological order. I do the same.
Also Vantage: automatically changed it to chronological order.

Allhires: reverse chronological order.
Also Allhires: I will not let you edit the order. So for you to add the new work experience at number 1, you have to remove all the 10 work experience and add them again ✨

don't piss me off🤬😡

 

[Harvey Specter]

I've got one mostly done, honestly the real challenge is Dechert's first question (it's very loaded for 300 words) cos idk how to link skills to specific practice area interests lmao, I definitely put this one off for too long (I'd originally intended to finish and send it off first week of the month but irl and other deadlines got in the way)

Seems like I completely misunderstand that one then cos I’d written about Dechert’s training model and structure (6 seats, 10 trainee intake, critical skills institute), and tied those to the diff skills I’ve developed through experiences and not Dechert’s core practices, so there goes that app into the PFO box. I did use the additional space question to write about Dechert areas of practice I liked cos I didn’t think it would fit nicely into their first app question at all, hopefully that does something.​

I'm planning the holy Trinity of US firms (Debovoise, Gibson and Akin) from the scratch before the NYD lmao. Additionally, RPC and Dentons are almost done, just editing and submitting.

IDK if I'm being too ambitious, but it is what it is!

I’m doing Gibson Dunn, Debevoise and Cooley at the moment so similar situation. Can’t be overly ambitious cos you never know which firm is gna say yes to our app in the end! I’m about half way done for Gibson Dunn atm.​

I want to petition for these application portals to install the draggy thing feature... like wdym I can't just move these entries where I need them to be (like my SJT choices)?

Where do we sign for this petition? I’m sure TCLA LLP would happily advise pro bono… 👀

On a level though it’s acc so irritating esp AllHires it never allows you to change stuff around smh.​

 

[Lord Sumption]

icl ive been finding it tough recently to balance uni with grad scheme applications but regardless of what happens i am so proud of us all for continuing to persevere and working towards our dreams/goals🥺 this might sound patronising but I think it’s very easy to forget when we’re all so swept up❤️

 

[DavidJC]

Seems like I completely misunderstand that one then cos I’d written about Dechert’s training model and structure (6 seats, 10 trainee intake, critical skills institute), and tied those to my experiences and not Dechert’s practices, so there goes that app into the PFO box.​

"Please outline the skills you possess that make you well suited to a career as a commercial solicitor and explain why you believe this makes Dechert the right Firm for you to develop your career."

I can totally see how it feels like a standard Why law/Why Dechert question, and I think that it's fine not to necessarily tie it to practice areas tbh, so I'd hold out hope instead of assuming PFO since you've tied them to your experiences. I think talking about training is actually more correct than practice areas now that I look at the question again, just the first part about outlining skills could make it mildly iffy, I think. That's the part that I think is hardest anyway.

I'm praying for your success all the same!

 

[Lord Sumption]

I can relate, I've got to finish MB tomorrow and I'm currently travelling, and I've still got four applications I'd like to get in before Christmas too

 

[Lord Sumption]

I'm planning the holy Trinity of US firms (Debovoise, Gibson and Akin) from the scratch before the NYD lmao. Additionally, RPC and Dentons are almost done, just editing and submitting.

IDK if I'm being too ambitious, but it is what it is!

 

[Lawlawland]

icl ive been finding it tough recently to balance uni with grad scheme applications but regardless of what happens i am so proud of us all for continuing to persevere and working towards our dreams/goals🥺 this might sound patronising but I think it’s very easy to forget when we’re all so swept up❤️

Very kind of you for saying this! I needed to hear this, I'm pretty sure most of us here do.

I commute 3.5 hours everyday for my internship, and use that time to draft answers, get back home after 10 hour work at an immigration based and do the tests. I barely have any time to prepare for them tbh.

Working in person client leaves a little room to keep up-to-date with Commerical news. I miss my home, we live in a 6 hour time difference and it's hard catching up with people.

I'm literally spending all of my free hours and holidays on application prep, research and drafting answers, and I just hope all these struggles are worth it.

I'm sending you the love and admiration right back at you! I hope you find yourself a place at a firm you feel belonged. Goodluck with your university ✨

 

[floral.tcla]

haha love this

 

[floral.tcla]

Very kind of you for saying this! I needed to hear this, I'm pretty sure most of us here do.

I commute 3.5 hours everyday for my internship, and use that time to draft answers, get back home after 10 hour work at an immigration based and do the tests. I barely have any time to prepare for them tbh.

Working in person client leaves a little room to keep up-to-date with Commerical news. I miss my home, we live in a 6 hour time difference and it's hard catching up with people.

I'm literally spending all of my free hours and holidays on application prep, research and drafting answers, and I just hope all these struggles are worth it.

I'm sending you the love and admiration right back at you! I hope you find yourself a place at a firm you feel belonged. Goodluck with your university ✨

Aw that’s so sweet and I’m glad that it had that effect 🥺

Omg that is insane, hats off to you. You got this💪

Thank you so much and likewise☺️

 

[iwatchsuits]

Very kind of you for saying this! I needed to hear this, I'm pretty sure most of us here do.

I commute 3.5 hours everyday for my internship, and use that time to draft answers, get back home after 10 hour work at an immigration based and do the tests. I barely have any time to prepare for them tbh.

Working in person client leaves a little room to keep up-to-date with Commerical news. I miss my home, we live in a 6 hour time difference and it's hard catching up with people.

I'm literally spending all of my free hours and holidays on application prep, research and drafting answers, and I just hope all these struggles are worth it.

I'm sending you the love and admiration right back at you! I hope you find yourself a place at a firm you feel belonged. Goodluck with your university ✨

You're amazing! I hope you're able to have a restful Christmas❤️

 

[Shaky_Pete]

Law firms only want candidates who have great skills.

 

[SamiyaJ]

6,6,6,3 (creative force) in amberjack.. goodbye Mishcon hun can’t wait to have one to one with AI chat therapy bot again next year xx

 

[elle woods]

I dropped my phone on my forehead and it's left a big big bump... can I still do my VI like this 😭 why am I so stupid HELP
wish VIs came with natural in-built filters...

 

[shadowboxer909]

I dropped my phone on my forehead and it's left a big big bump... can I still do my VI like this 😭 why am I so stupid HELP
wish VIs came with natural in-built filters...

How does that even happen?

Someone must have been lying in bed while their phone is being held directly above their eyes...

Should be sleeping, not browsing thecorporatelawacademy 😂

 

[Rads]

Can we expect law firms to get back this week before Christmas?

 

[oliviabeijing]

Has anyone received a invitation or PFO from Baker McKenzie post SJT

I haven’t had invitation or PFO… so assuming it’s PFO?

 

[yk1906]

Trying to fit 5 apps before NYE... I forgot how hard it is to be productive when all my family is at home every day (I love them, though)!

 

[johnsmith]

Got up nice and early and got Mishcon done - my report hasn't rendered properly with any text but looks like 7/6/6/9 - high numerical but middling verbal though so unsure where I went wrong.

 

[wrpark]

Hey guys, I'm working on the Farrer & Co SVS application, and main issue I'm facing is that they have four 300-word questions, and I'm a bit worried that my answers will have too big of an overlap / sound repetitive. For example, they have one question on academic and formal work experiences that have equipped me for a career in commercial law, one question on non-academic and formal work, and then also "why this firm" and "why commercial law" questions -- which, at that point, all of my personal experience that made me want to work at Farrer & Co and in commercial law would've been covered in the earlier two questions. Anything to do with my degree or work experiences that gained me skills and interest in the field would've been mentioned, as well as open days or insight events as a part of the non-academic/work experiences question. Would really appreciate guidance on this!!