TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[alphabravocharlie]

Anyone know about Ropes & Gray Vac scheme application, I can't find the 2026 one?

 

[Harvey Specter]

Anyone know about Ropes & Gray Vac scheme application, I can't find the 2026 one?

Candid Applicant Tracking System

Rare Candid Applicant Tracking System

ropesgray.app.candidats.io

I think it’s this link here. You do have to scroll down towards the bottom of their GR webpage for it tbf.​

 

[cookedlawstudent]

It is officially one month since I've heard from Freshfields after doing the stage 2 assessment. Imagine waiting this long to hear back about whether you got to the Assessment Centre for a Vacation Scheme with a low conversion rate 💔.

 

[wqueens8]

Thanks so much this is very helpful. Do you have any examples of firms that are lenient and that you progressed with?

For sure. Either this year or last I've progressed with Taylor Wessing (AAB), Goodwin (AAB), Bird and Bird (AAB), Fieldfisher (ABB) and Eversheds (ABB).

 

[noahsmiit01]

Did anyone go to the Paul Hastings insight day? Do you mind sharing your notes/ can you share what the PHirst steps scheme even is? Is it just one week long experience where you get to see one of their core practice areas? Then you have to separately apply fr a TC?

Yeah, Phirst is like the First-year scheme; applying for their TC is a different app, and you don't get fast-track. However, they've been advised only to submit one application.

 

[llblawstudent]

Hey guys, general question here. What is generally the lower limit for an application response? Like at what point do you think you stop being really concise and verge on not being detailed enough

 

[elle woods]

neither! its a SJT on 'shortlister' itself so its a little different but imo much nicer than either cappfinity or amberjack (much much shorter as well!)

Oh I see!! Thank you so much! And there’s no VI? I just did a VI today on shortlister so I associated the website with videos hahaha

 

[noahsmiit01]

Do you guys think Grad team are working tomorrow and on Fri? Wonder whether I will hear anything from them over the next 4 days.

 

[maylawwww]

Oh I see!! Thank you so much! And there’s no VI? I just did a VI today on shortlister so I associated the website with videos hahaha

Yup no VI but written responses for motivation/firm knowledge instead

 

[plsgivemetc]

Do you guys think Grad team are working tomorrow and on Fri? Wonder whether I will hear anything from them over the next 4 days.

are you actually asking if they’re working on Christmas Day😭guys PLEASE SWITCH OFF FOR ONE DAY THIS IS NOT HEALTHY😭😭

 

[elle woods]

Yup no VI but written responses for motivation/firm knowledge instead

oh wow in the initial SJT assessment? Ive never done a written response before haha this is interesting - would it be timed like a VI?

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Anyone else hoping to find a vac scheme and TC under their tree tomorrow morning?? Like Santa, I'll even take an AC at this point !

 

[BobThebIlly]

should I take the L and assume a PFO from Reed Smith? Applied on the deadline

 

[BobThebIlly]

Hey guys, general question here. What is generally the lower limit for an application response? Like at what point do you think you stop being really concise and verge on not being detailed enough

I think it really depends on the word limit. For Stephenson Harwood, I wrote 450 words for their app qs which had a 600 word limit and progressed to the SJT and VI. For firms that give a 250-300 word limit, I try to reach as close to the limit as possible. I avoid fluff and extra detail by structuring my answers to 2-3 points per question.

Hope this helps

 

[YW113380]

This is such a dumb question but does anyone know where the countdown timer on the Willkie VI was? Four questions in and I still could't find it

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

should I take the L and assume a PFO from Reed Smith? Applied on the deadline

Hey!

I wouldn't assume a PFO if you haven't heard yet and you applied on the deadline! Whilst it seems that some people who applied around the deadline have been hearing back, the graduate recruitment team receive hundreds of applications over the last few days so it may be that they haven't been able to get to them all before Christmas! There's still chance to hear back, especially since I believe the ACs are in January

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

true! you have a point haha - I'll look into it then, thank you!

@ any community admin - on this note, I was wondering what your thoughts on including "future" work experience in the work experience section are? For example, can I put any future vac schemes I am to do in there to help substantiate my lack of legal work experience in DTC applications? On one hand, it seems wrong since I haven't actually done the experience yet, but on the other, this experience is confirmed and will be something I will have undertaken by the time my TC starts (if I am successful that is) and can help make the application more competitive right?

Hello!

That's a good question, and something I thought about when making my Reed Smith DTC application (as I had two upcoming vacation schemes at that point). Ultimately, I think either option is perfectly acceptable - I chose to include them in my DTC application as, like you said, the experience would be confirmed by then and it can show that you will be gaining some form of legal experience. However, I don't think including it will substantially boost your application (as the focus will be on the quality of your application overall), so not including it is also fine. I would go with whichever option you are most comfortable with

 

[elle woods]

Hello!

That's a good question, and something I thought about when making my Reed Smith DTC application (as I had two upcoming vacation schemes at that point). Ultimately, I think either option is perfectly acceptable - I chose to include them in my DTC application as, like you said, the experience would be confirmed by then and it can show that you will be gaining some form of legal experience. However, I don't think including it will substantially boost your application (as the focus will be on the quality of your application overall), so not including it is also fine. I would go with whichever option you are most comfortable with

perfect, thank you so much Abbie!!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Lifesaver, thanks a bunch Abbie! I’m just in two minds as to whether to apply for VS v DTC considering the VS deadline is next week and the TC deadline is in 3 months, just because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do a vac scheme if I had to go through the same DTC process anyway (like at Paul Hastings) so it’s good to know they at least fast track you to an interview if they like you and don’t make you submit another app lol

No problem at all!

Yes, the process is separate in the beginning, but merges once you get to the final stages! Just make sure you tick both the 'Training Contract' and 'Vacation Scheme' options on the application form, as otherwise you do have to submit a separate DTC application (which I found out the hard way...).

Best of luck with your application!!

 

[iwatchsuits]

What on earth was that 2nd Osborne Clarke test?!

Can we start a petition to make law firms let us take their online tests before we waste hours and hours filling out their applications?

Was it the interactive deductive reasoning test? I bloody hated that!!