TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[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!

 

[Hon123]

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

 

[AS24]

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

Thank you

 

[AS24]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, I trust you are well.

I am trying to answer Simpson Thacher second question " How have your extracurricular activities contributed to your development of skills relevant to a career in corporate law?"

Do you think we need to connect it to simpson's expertise, strategy or culture? Would you say something like, having played footballl etc..developed x skills which will allow me on deals such as..,

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

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.

Hi!

Just to add to other comments already made, I'd say it definitely isn't essential. Of the three firms I applied to and received VS or DTC offers from last cycle, I'd only attended an open day at one of them.

I think the key thing is making sure you are able to demonstrate genuine motivation for the firm and show that you have done your research. There are plenty of ways to build that knowledge without meeting the firm or attending an event - for example, speaking to trainees/associates online, attending virtual events, following the firm's recent work and deals, and doing your own research into its practice areas and culture.

Having a connection with the firm can sometimes give you more to talk about and may help you stand out, but I wouldn't feel that you need to attend an event at every firm you apply to. If you can demonstrate a strong understanding of why you are applying and why that particular firm appeals to you through other means, that can be just as valuable!

 

[user55998384]

for people who applied to macs, just weary there is no written app so in the work exp section would you make a direct link to the firm being or no coz it feels a bit forced?

 

[BM99]

Does anyone know where we can sign up to Ashurst Perkins Coie's mini virtual series?

 

[user55998384]

is the macfarlanes camera only on in the stage 2 for the vis?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, I trust you are well.

I am trying to answer Simpson Thacher second question " How have your extracurricular activities contributed to your development of skills relevant to a career in corporate law?"

Do you think we need to connect it to simpson's expertise, strategy or culture? Would you say something like, having played footballl etc..developed x skills which will allow me on deals such as..,

Hi!

I don't think you necessarily need to connect your extracurricular activities directly to Simpson Thacher's expertise, strategy or culture. I would focus primarily on what skills the activity helped you develop and why those skills are relevant to a career in corporate law.

For example, if you played football, you could discuss how this developed your teamwork, communication, and ability to perform under pressure, and then explain how those skills would be useful when working collaboratively with colleagues and other parties on a transaction.

I would be slightly cautious about forcing a link to a specific type of Simpson deal (e.g. "this skill will allow me to work on X deal") unless there is a really natural connection. The key thing is to show that you understand why the skill matters in corporate law, rather than trying to make every extracurricular activity demonstrate why you want to work at Simpson specifically.

You could implicitly relate your answer to Simpson Thacher by finding the skills and traits they highlight on their website, and using examples that show those traits. However, I would keep this question focused on the development of relevant skills, rather than trying to force it to be a motivational answer

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

for people who applied to macs, just weary there is no written app so in the work exp section would you make a direct link to the firm being or no coz it feels a bit forced?

Hi!

I would say there is a chance it can feel a bit forced, particularly because the work experience section isn't really the place to insert a motivational "why Macfarlanes" point. I would focus primarily on what you did, what you learned and the skills you developed, while making sure the examples you choose are relevant to the type of work you would be doing as a trainee.

However, as there is no separate written application questions, I wouldn't avoid showing your understanding of Macfarlanes altogether. If there is a natural opportunity to mention something that demonstrates why the experience is relevant to the firm or its work, you can do so, but I wouldn't try to force a connection into every example.

Essentially, I would prioritise making the work experience section strong in its own right rather than trying to turn it into a "why Macfarlanes" answer. The rest of the assessment process should give you opportunities to demonstrate your motivation for the firm

 

[jamsparkle]

How do you pick whether to apply to winter/spring/summer VSs when firms normally only allow one application per cycle and so many of the firms have their winter and spring schemes at the same time? I am a final year student so would really like to get a TC before I leave uni, so would prefer winter/spring, but it seems that pretty much every firm has their spring schemes take place wholly or partly in the 5-16th April period, and the winter schemes are pretty much all overlapping with the last week of my uni's term (30th Nov).

I feel like the best chance of getting a TC would involve spreading out my applications to both spring and summer to maximise the number of consideration opportunities (i.e. I'd have a chance over spring, and if I don't get one, I'd get another chance (or two...) at a TC in the summer after I finish uni, but there's also obviously always the possibility that I am unsuccessful at all of my summer applications and get multiple offers for vac schemes at the same time... maybe I'm overthinking but it just seems so hard to pick whether/how to spread out applications for schemes over the three sessions since we don't know how it will go in advance!

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

How do you pick whether to apply to winter/spring/summer VSs when firms normally only allow one application per cycle and so many of the firms have their winter and spring schemes at the same time? I am a final year student so would really like to get a TC before I leave uni, so would prefer winter/spring, but it seems that pretty much every firm has their spring schemes take place wholly or partly in the 5-16th April period, and the winter schemes are pretty much all overlapping with the last week of my uni's term (30th Nov).

I feel like the best chance of getting a TC would involve spreading out my applications to both spring and summer to maximise the number of consideration opportunities (i.e. I'd have a chance over spring, and if I don't get one, I'd get another chance (or two...) at a TC in the summer after I finish uni, but there's also obviously always the possibility that I am unsuccessful at all of my summer applications and get multiple offers for vac schemes at the same time... maybe I'm overthinking but it just seems so hard to pick whether/how to spread out applications for schemes over the three sessions since we don't know how it will go in advance!

Spread out your applications. Think of it this way:

- Assuming you are offered a TC, whether you get the offer in spring or in summer, you'll have a TC by the end of August. That's not a big difference from e.g. May, and, since most SQE/PGDL courses start in September and you're still at uni, makes virtually no difference.

- Some firms delay making offers until after all schemes are over anyway.

- If you apply to 5 Winter, 5 Spring, 5 Summer schemes, while you could get offers for 3 Spring schemes, statistically this is unlikely.

- If you get multiple Spring/Winter scheme offers, firms might offer you a summer scheme instead if you tell them of the overlap ASAP, though you probably don't want to rely on this.

Ultimately, the most important factor is maximising the number of schemes you can do. This is why you should spread out which schemes you apply to. IMO nothing else really matters to the same extent, besides maybe thinking about whether a spring scheme would stress you out before finals