TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[TheHamlet4]

The stage 2 test is automatic for everyone that passes the stage 1 test. They don’t review your app until you pass stage 2 and they assess the app and VI responses together essentially. So idrk if they have read anyone’s WE entries just yet.​

I thought they screen and then send invites for Stage 1 — at least that was my experience for DTC app.

 

[YYmasterTC]

Hi, does anyone remember if the online test for Hogan Lovells C include any video interview questions?

 

[florrrrnnn76]

Received that email yesterday, has anyone been sent the new link yet?

Nope

 

[WillKitchen]

Would greatly appreciate any helpful tips on how to make the most out of an Open Day. Will be attending my first one and I would love to be prepared pre/during/post open day. Thanks x

One of the main benefits you get from open days is to just become familiar with the environment. Aside from speaking to as many people as you can, I'd also relax and try to enjoy it. Law firms can be intimidating places, so take the opportunity to get comfortable and get a feel for the atmosphere. If all goes well and you get an interview there in the future, you'll be more confident.

 

[WillKitchen]

Did anyone make it past the AI chatbot stage at Mishcon de Reya last year? If so, I'd happy to DM!

I have a mentor at the firm who is a partner and have visited the London office about 6 times this summer.

 

[TheHamlet4]

Hi guys! I’ll be entering my second application cycle as a finalist. For context, I’m an international student on a Student visa and was planning to apply for both the winter and spring/summer schemes.

My only concern is that the winter scheme dates overlap with term time, so I’m not sure if I’d be eligible, as my visa only allows me to work up to 20 hours per week during term time.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation or have any experience with this?

I don’t think you can do winter schemes if they overlap with your term.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I thought they screen and then send invites for Stage 1 — at least that was my experience for DTC app.

They screen for eligibility so if a scheme is only open to finalists and graduates and someone in their first year applied, they would get filtered out prior to getting the stage 1 test. Or if someone has a 2:2 without mit circs but they want a 2:1, etc.

The first test is automatic for almost everyone else. The second test is also automatic but for the people that pass stage 1. I sent an app for the DTC last year too and it was like this baso. Freshfields and Hogans also use the same tests and process iirc.​

 

[AryanAgg]

Did anyone make it past the AI chatbot stage at Mishcon de Reya last year? If so, I'd happy to DM!

I have a mentor at the firm who is a partner and have visited the London office about 6 times this summer.

If you get to their SJT, does that mean you passed the AI chatbot?

 

[WillKitchen]

If you get to their SJT, does that mean you passed the AI chatbot?

I think so. I don't think I got as far as any SJT.

They have quite a few steps before interview, it seems!

 

[Euphrosynos]

One of the main benefits you get from open days is to just become familiar with the environment. Aside from speaking to as many people as you can, I'd also relax and try to enjoy it. Law firms can be intimidating places, so take the opportunity to get comfortable and get a feel for the atmosphere. If all goes well and you get an interview there in the future, you'll be more confident.

You're right! Thanks much x

 

[user55998384]

for those who have already applied to macfarlanes - how many ish words did you write for each work exp entry - dont want to go into too much detail as they have specifically said bullet points (mine are around 100-150 is this too long)?

 

[sarg1234]

for those who have already applied to macfarlanes - how many ish words did you write for each work exp entry - dont want to go into too much detail as they have specifically said bullet points (mine are around 100-150 is this too long)?

If its any consolation that's about what I wrote.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Looking for advice on this. I drafted my work experience from scratch without using any AI tools but when checking AI detection online on websites it says 90% AI similarities. I am trying to submit Macfarlanes app but don't know what I should do as I wrote the work experience without using AI. @Abbie Whitlock any advice on this.

Hi!

From my understanding, most firms don't use AI detection tools when reviewing applications, particularly because they can be quite hit or miss and aren't necessarily reliable indicators of whether something has actually been written using AI.

Instead, I think firms are much more likely to read the work experience itself and assess whether it sounds genuine and reflects the candidate's own experiences. From my brief time in the Early Careers team at Reed Smith during my Professional SQE Year, I found that it can actually be quite easy to tell when someone has written something with AI versus when they have written it themselves.

I would try not to worry too much about the percentage you are getting from these online AI checkers, especially as you know that you wrote the work experience yourself. These tools can flag perfectly genuine writing, so a high score doesn't necessarily mean that your application will be viewed as AI-generated.

If you are happy with the content and it accurately reflects your own experience, I would be comfortable submitting it as it is

 

[amitonalfo]

@Abbie Whitlock is there any way we can get a commercial awareness/news updates (discussing impacts on law firms) forum up and running for 2026-2027? I noticed there were some still up for 2021 where anyoje could respond but no updated ones. I think this would be very helpful!

 

[Lon123]

Hello! I am hoping to complete the Macfarlanes' Second stage Simulate assessment soon so any insight or advice would be welcome.

 

[AS24]

Hi, for those applying to simpson, do we refer to the firm as Simpson Thacher & Bartlett or just Simpson Thacher?

 

[sagekensuke]

Hi, for those applying to simpson, do we refer to the firm as Simpson Thacher & Bartlett or just Simpson Thacher?

I think as a general rule just refer to how the firm refers to themselves in the application form? Simpson Thacher is fine based on that

 

[rrr]

for those who have already applied to macfarlanes - how many ish words did you write for each work exp entry - dont want to go into too much detail as they have specifically said bullet points (mine are around 100-150 is this too long)?

lwk shivering bc i didn't put bullet points...

 

[Legal12345]

How essential is having a link with the firm for getting to AC stage? I got 3 ACs last cycle and I had virtually met each firm so I was just wondering if I needed to replicate this for more firms this cycle to have a better chance at progressing.

 

[1136PX0]

How essential is having a link with the firm for getting to AC stage? I got 3 ACs last cycle and I had virtually met each firm so I was just wondering if I needed to replicate this for more firms this cycle to have a better chance at progressing.

Conversely, I had 4 ACs and hadn't met any of them