TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[alanshore]

Also if anyone has done the CC Middle East vac scheme application and reached the VI stage or further and is willing to help out, please pm!

 

[e.jy336]

Has anyone heard from Macfarlanes post stage 2?

 

[livelaughlawve]

Some of these firms really need to work on their website. One talks about their winter VS in their FAQs - they are not offering a winter VS this year.

Another says in FAQs all opportunities are open to graduates of any disciplines, but in the description for literally each VS/TC non-law grads can't apply.

So tedious and for what

 

[mg42guy32]

Can you reapply to Latham if you didn't proceed post-AC? I got to the AC stage in the most recent cycle and really want to reapply

Hey, still curious if anyone could help with this!

 

[Novaa]

Hey, still curious if anyone could help with this!

Hi!!

I know a lot of firms let you, and their website does say:



But if you do want more reassurance, I’d say email them.

 

[PrayingforaTC2026]

Is it just me or was the Macfarlanes stage 2 test so difficult?!

 

[OS23]

Have the NRF application links been published yet? I can't find them on the website and apps where supposed to open yesterday!

 

[cutiewiththecontracts]

How long does Hogan Lovells take to send the 1st stage test after submitting the application?

 

[user55998384]

has anyone recieved anything post stage 1 for latham od??

 

[Enyonam]

Right, summary of the last week (not that anyone asked) !

- Applied to Ashurst’s Winter Vac
- Did Macfarlanes Stage 1 and Stage 2 assessments (that was so long wow)
- Read 4 chapters in of ‘All you need to know about the city’
- Listened to the FT podcast everyday

This Week:
- Apply to Hogan Lovells’ Winter Vac
- Read another 5 Chapers of ‘All you need to know about the city’
- Prepare more generally for the AS commercial awareness competition (if anyone has some tips PLEASE DO DM)
- Look at NRF’s Q’s and start researching.

It looks like it’s going to be a long week…

Summary of the week again (a slow one because work has been busy)!

- Applied to Hogan Lovells Cadwalader winter vac
- Applied to Reed Smith’s (winter?) vac
- Read 1 Chapter of ‘All you need to know about the city’ (the Floating chapter was long!!)
- Listened to all new episodes of ‘The Rest is Politics’
- Listened to a few FT podcast episodes

This week:
I have finished winter vacs and will be moving on to springs/directs

- Make some flashcards for the AS comm awareness competition
- Read another 4 Chapters of all you need to know about the city
- Prepare Denton’s spring vacation scheme application
- Do any assessments for Hogan Lovells/Ashursr

 

[Enyonam]

How long does Hogan Lovells take to send the 1st stage test after submitting the application?

I really want to know! I’m going to South America next week and wanted to do the tests before I go… should I email grad recruitment and ask them to expedite the tests??

 

[Novaa]

Summary of the week again (a slow one because work has been busy)!

- Applied to Hogan Lovells Cadwalader winter vac
- Applied to Reed Smith’s (winter?) vac
- Read 1 Chapter of ‘All you need to know about the city’ (the Floating chapter was long!!)
- Listened to all new episodes of ‘The Rest is Politics’
- Listened to a few FT podcast episodes

This week:
I have finished winter vacs and will be moving on to springs/directs

- Make some flashcards for the AS comm awareness competition
- Read another 4 Chapters of all you need to know about the city
- Prepare Denton’s spring vacation scheme application
- Do any assessments for Hogan Lovells/Ashursr

I love this!

I haven’t signed up for the AS competition yet, so I was wondering what your flashcards cover?

It sounds like a good way to get ready!

 

[Novaa]

I really want to know! I’m going to South America next week and wanted to do the tests before I go… should I email grad recruitment and ask them to expedite the tests??

It may be worth sending them an email to let them know you’ll be away from the country during these dates. They might be able to give you an extension or send it ahead of time.

 

[Saul_specter]

I’m not sure what a&o’s specific benchmark is but usually around 25 and higher seems to be a safe score. How did you find the VI questions? I need to do mine and wasn’t sure whether you are timed for preparation or not

how do you find out the numerical score? is it on the report?

 

[alanshore]

Summary of the week again (a slow one because work has been busy)!

- Applied to Hogan Lovells Cadwalader winter vac
- Applied to Reed Smith’s (winter?) vac
- Read 1 Chapter of ‘All you need to know about the city’ (the Floating chapter was long!!)
- Listened to all new episodes of ‘The Rest is Politics’
- Listened to a few FT podcast episodes

This week:
I have finished winter vacs and will be moving on to springs/directs

- Make some flashcards for the AS comm awareness competition
- Read another 4 Chapters of all you need to know about the city
- Prepare Denton’s spring vacation scheme application
- Do any assessments for Hogan Lovells/Ashursr

I'm stealing that flashcards idea

 

[anon78365222111]

I'm stealing that flashcards idea

Haha same

 

[Henrik]

Congratulations and best of luck!!

Do we know how JD sends invites btw? If I haven’t heard post submission since last Friday, is that likely a PFO?

Jones Day send out video interview invites by email.

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo sui]

Jones Day send out video interview invites by email.

Jones day have vis too?? I thought the second stage was an interview with partners?

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo sui]

@Henrik do you have a list of firms (or ones you can remember) that don't have vis/we as part of the recruitment process?

 

[TCchaser]

Jones day have vis too?? I thought the second stage was an interview with partners?

It's a video interview with 2 partners, then the AC!