TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[rose06]

Hi forum!

I was wondering whether anyone had advice regarding writing an open day application for the "why do you want to attend"/"what are you hoping to gain" questions.

I've tried several different methods, and I keep getting rejected.

Thanks!

Honestly I'd say depends on what other questions there are on the form. If you've already answered why this firm attracts you, then what worked for me is focusing on culture, networking and maybe still some firm's USP you could witness (maybe if you know they'll be doing presentations about their work, you could say you want to learn more abt that. Works if you know a firm is specialised, like K&E - funds, PE workshops). I remember saying for instance how through networking I could learn about the journeys of trainees/junior lawyers at the firm and what made them successful; what skills they believe are most helpful to be a trainee there. Just overall focus on things you couldn't get out of an online event. Also good to highlight that this is also for you to figure out whether the firm is a place you want to work at!

 

[rose06]

Hellooo!!

Firstly, I hope your family is doing okay despite the circumstances

I think at its core, mitigating circumstances are anything which could have impacted your performance. Most policies also don't require one specific type of event, they just look at whether it caused significant stress/worry that affected your ability to perform. In my personal non-grad rec opinion I think having immediate family in an active war zone is something which would cause a lot of stress and impact your performance.

I would definitely mention it

Thank you; so far they're as okay as they can be given the situation

That's rly good to know - I wasn't sure how they look at it, so that's very helpful.
Thank you so much for the advice!

 

[Wompycapy]

Jones Day PFO. Applied last Wednesday.

 

[Legal12345]

Is applying a week after a firm that is rolling opens too late?

 

[a1024]

@Antoni Trochimowicz

Please refer to our Early Careers webpage for guidance on what to include in your CV and cover letter. This page explains what we look for and how to structure your application.

This is what is mentioned on the website:
Tell us why you want to join, what excites you about our programme, and how your skills match our values. Keep it personal and specific.

How would you recommend structuring the cover letter for NRF? Would you recommend structuring it in terms of 3 paras addressing the 3 points mentioned on the website? Additionally, should we write a small para about why commercial law or is that not required for this specific cover letter?

 

[174Tess9y3]

Honestly I'd say depends on what other questions there are on the form. If you've already answered why this firm attracts you, then what worked for me is focusing on culture, networking and maybe still some firm's USP you could witness (maybe if you know they'll be doing presentations about their work, you could say you want to learn more abt that. Works if you know a firm is specialised, like K&E - funds, PE workshops). I remember saying for instance how through networking I could learn about the journeys of trainees/junior lawyers at the firm and what made them successful; what skills they believe are most helpful to be a trainee there. Just overall focus on things you couldn't get out of an online event. Also good to highlight that this is also for you to figure out whether the firm is a place you want to work at!

Thank you so much!

 

[supernovna]

Hi - how can I approach these questions without overlap?

Q1. What motivates you to pursue a career as a commercial solicitor, and why do you see [firm] as the right place to begin that journey?
Q2. [firm]'s London office works across a range of practice areas. Which area(s) interests you most, and why?
Q3. What are you looking for in your legal career, and how do you see a firm like [firm] helping you achieve those goals?

@Antoni Trochimowicz @nicole1907 @AvocadoAtLaw

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

hey yall, somewhat of a niche question, but maybe someone has insight... I am not sure if my situation is smth that can/should be disclosed under mitigating circumstances. Essentially, there is an ongoing conflict in my home country, where my parents live. During the exam period, it was especially bad, and I lived with a lot of stress abt my parents surviving the night, which certainly did not help my results. I am not sure however if this is something that I can disclose – I mean, it's not the same as a discrete event of a death in a family or of a medical problem. Does anyone have any thoughts?

Hi! I'm so so sorry to hear that. I hope you and your family are all fine!

That is absolutely something you should mention in mitigating circumstances. It is more than a valid reason, a firm will definitely take it into account.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

@antoforero and @Antoni Trochimowicz Hi, thanks for all the useful advice here on the forum!

I wonder what's the general consensus among firms on accepting applications from candidates that have applied to them before. This is my 3rd application cycle and while I'm mostly applying to firms I haven't tried with yet, I'm planning on applying to a few firms I've reached the online test stage with (or was rejected post application) in previous cycles.

For example:
- I applied for a direct TC with Hogan Lovells back in 2024 and was rejected post application;
- Last year I applied for their Winter Vac Scheme 2025 and reached the 2nd online test/VI stage;
- So this year I applied for their winter scheme again, hoping that my previous two applications won't disqualify me. I've of course improved my answers both content and formatting wise, but they'll undoubtedly see my previous two tries under my Vantage account (+ I disclosed them on the app form.) For context, I've now also finished the law conversion with a distinction and gained open day + mentoring experience, so I'm arguably a stronger candidate than I was before.

I assume it's central how good/prepared my previous applications were and how much I've grown as a candidate since. I kinda regret blindly applying for way too many firms' direct TCs back in 2023/2024, when I was based outside the UK and couldn't apply for vac schemes without a visa, cause now I understand that direct TCs are mostly given to people with previous vac scheme or paralegal experience, and that my chances were close to zero haha. I fear that I might've permanently marked my name with these firms by submitting low quality applications, and now I'm not even being considered seriously due to my failed attempts - in that case, I'd rather not spend much time on these applications. (For instance, I applied for Goodwin's direct TC years ago unsuccessfully; then last year I attended their open day and submitted a (in my opinion) really tailored and well researched application for their vac scheme only to get rejected even before the online test stage. Of course this could be attributed to other factors, but I seriously thought I'd at least pass the first sift.)

I know that certain firms like Jones Day disclose that they're generally not welcoming reapplicants, while others like Reed Smith specifiy that they accept in total 3 applications per candidate. But I've also read about candidates who were successful on their 4th or 5th try to the same firm, and mentoring services use this rhetoric too ("helping X land a TC with Y global law firm after applying there for multiple years unsuccessfully") so I'm just a bit confused what the rule of thumb is.

(I'm also aware that almost all firms wouldn't reinterview or reinvite people for AC who have completed one before, so my question applies to being rejected before in-person assessment stages.)

Thanks in advance!

Hi! Apologies for initially missing this.

Your latter instincts are definitely right. For the most part, as long as you haven't gotten to interview/AC stage, firms are generally happy to review resubmissions. I think as long as the firm doesn't specifically discourage it (like as you mentioned Jones Day), you should be fine.

I wouldn't worry about previous 'poor' applications affecting your current strong ones. I was definitely concerned in this way about my Open Day applications when applying for Vacation Schemes, but nothing ever happened in that regard.

The main thing I would try to emphasise across your applications is any points of improvement since last time. Whether that be new experiences, better writing, better grades etc.

Goodluck !

 

[jamsparkle]

does anyone know if sullcrom is rolling/if the cover letter needs to be addressed to any specific person? and also any guidance on how to structure/pick info for the cover letter in general? @Antoni Trochimowicz I think you've been interviewed so maybe you have advice?!

 

[jamsparkle]

also just received milbank OA

 

[174Tess9y3]

also just received milbank OA

Is it automatic?

 

[jamsparkle]

Is it automatic?

i think so? I applied on the day it opened though

 

[TCchaser]

Is it automatic?

They send it after reviewing the application form (grades/WEX) so semi-automatic I suppose

 

[alanshore]

They send it after reviewing the application form (grades/WEX) so semi-automatic I suppose

I mean, I received the OA as well after applying on the first day, but my grades and WEX aren't anything spectacular, so I'm assuming it's automatic

 

[TCchaser]

I mean, I received the OA as well after applying on the first day, but my grades and WEX aren't anything spectacular, so I'm assuming it's automatic

I got it too and my grades/WEX are also average, I meant that some firms send it pretty much straight away, but Milbank sends it after some time

 

[TCchaser]

Any more STB Autumn vac scheme interview invites?

 

[yellowbirds008]

is millbank’s online assessment Cappfinity? (same as the likes of Hogan lovells, Freshfields/macfarlanes?)

 

[sagekensuke]

Any more STB Autumn vac scheme interview invites?

Have only seen one so far which was a week after the deadline, so I still have some hope

 

[TCchaser]

is millbank’s online assessment Cappfinity? (same as the likes of Hogan lovells, Freshfields/macfarlanes?)

It's Shortlister - iirc from last cycle, it's a critical reasoning / WG test