TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[toughcookie]

Not a comprehensive guide but a couple of reflections as I definately improved my answers after several tests (ymmv and may slightly differ for different law firms):

1 Prioritise teamwork, while taking ownership - this means being happy to colaborate, but not unnecesairly sharing responsibility
2 Have your own voice - if you have something to say, say it
3 American firms often want you to be comfortable taking responsibilty
4 Do not bother partners immediately - try figuring it out for yourself first or ask a colleague
5 Remember you are applying for a junior position - this means that you will likely not be talking to the client without a superior asking you to. This also means you will not be telling partners "no" pretty much ever.
6 Be really open to new experiences
7 Be really curious to learn

Higher level points
- sometimes the firms do want you to mark extreme answers despite having a slider - you probably do not want to have your slider in the middle top to bottom
- Sometimes there is an answer that seems unrealistic (especially when you look at other answers that themselves introduce new information (e.g. you are asked to do something and have: a) I enthusiastically set out time to complete this job; b) I have a lot of other work and I am worried I may not be able to finish everything, therefore, politely refue) - While B seems more realistic, I've noticed the tests often favour A
- research the firm - some of them make it clear they are looking for something specific (see e.g. Freshfields publishing on their website something that looks like an SJT scorecard:

I second this. My strategy for SJT in this cycle has been about aligning myself with the skills that law firms look for. I know it sounds like you're creating an alter ego, but the priority now is to secure a TC 🤪

 

[spongebob]

Cooley pfo received earlier today- summer applied 31st dec

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

In the same position as you, i think it may be over for us. Havent seen any rejections so theyre probably just waiting to send them all out in one go. But as interviews have already been sent out, I dont think theyll be sending out more WE invites

oh...i didn't even realised they had sent things out yet

 

[Bbhu19]

Exactly that’s what surprises and confuses me at the same time. Nobody has said they got a TI request.

I think you also have to remember a lot of people aren’t on the forum, especially for roles that are tailored towards grads like the LBA and most people on the forum don’t share publicly that they have an AC

 

[anon78365222111]

I think you also have to remember a lot of people aren’t ok the forum, especially for roles that are tailored towards grads like the LBA and most people on the forum don’t share publicly that they have an AC

Agreed but also when there’s places that are applied to by a lot of people on the forum there are usually one or two posts

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Slaughters PFO finallyy

Sorry Elle, Is this summer or spring VS? Post app or interview?

I applied to Dechert in late December, and I have not heard anything yet. Not even WE. Have people been rejected from Dechert outright yet post-app or is there still a chance with this firm?

I applied mid December and haven't heard back too. If you've applied to summer, we are on the same boat.

 

[baj5]

I think you also have to remember a lot of people aren’t ok the forum, especially for roles that are tailored towards grads like the LBA and most people on the forum don’t share publicly that they have an AC

That’s so true

 

[soph107048]

Jones Day SVS VI invite! Has anyone else done theirs earlier last year? Apparently there are only 48ish slots for Feb so idk if they did others earlier

doing mine on Friday, got the invite end nov and I think there were about 50 or so ish slots for January too

 

[Bbhu19]

Agreed but also when there’s places that are applied to by a lot of people on the forum there are usually one or two posts

Maybe they had to sign an NDA

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

Sorry Elle, Is this summer or spring VS? Post app or interview?

I applied mid December and haven't heard back too. If you've applied to summer, we are on the same boat.

I applied mid/end of December for summer and havent heard back. However, I am pretty sure that Harvey Specter got a WE recently from them for Spring so I don't think it's totally over

 

[Saul_specter]

Slaughters PFO finallyy

Edit: (this is for you @Laurel Lance - Black Canary ) and sorry i didnt add deets lol

summer work experience, post app

Sorry to hear
When did you apply if u don’t mind me asking

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

The good news about all this waiting is that they might actually be reading the applications

 

[startupgeek]

i have dechert WE tomorrow and im super worried about my slow typing... im also so worried that given how time-crunched it is i might end up getting some analysis wrong TT

can anyone who have had WE experiences pls give some tips and lmk how they got thru them <333

bump^ tysm!

 

[Lawlawland]

Simmons JUST sent an holding email for the AI internship and gave me a heart attack 😭 😭 😭 😭

It says there will be an update by the end of January. Dear Lord free me from this smh.

 

[Jennifer2003]

Any advice on how to answer 'tell us a bit about yourself' in an AC interview? I had a mock interview and was told to try to link to the firm somehow but not entirely sure how to do this naturally?

 

[vweewcvew]

Reed smith PFO and Cooley PFO

 

[SamiyaJ]

Cooley PFO post app -_-

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Has anyone heard from Gowling London yet?

 

[ilikelaw]

Reed smith PFO and Cooley PFO

sorry to hear was this post test or post app?

 

[HopefulTC]

Anyone got any tips to prep for a written task for an AC?