TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[rose06]

Has anyone received stage 2 for Freshfields? Also kind of worried because my weaknesses were challenging ourselves and delivering extraordinary outcomes...

yeah same thing as you and no stage 2...

 

[jojo23]

Has anybody not heard back from hlc at all? I mean post application for wvs..

Also anything from Reed smith?

 

[TJ360]

anyone heard back from HSFK post online test?

 

[Ronnie114]

applied to sidley on the 8th September still haven’t heard back think it might be pfo

 

[digvijay]

applied to sidley on the 8th September still haven’t heard back think it might be pfo

I applied on the 5th. Assuming the same

 

[QuillandCounsel]

Does anybody know if DLA Piper is rolling this year?

Yes, they are

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

This is 100% my personal theory but I assume they'd be quite strict especially because 1) US Firm 2) No cover letter/questions, just CV, so to stand out at that stage you'd probably need good grades and/or good experience ..... but again just my thought!! Hopefully I'm wrong though haha

Hi! This is not really me responding as 'Community Assistant' but purely out of sheer curiosity. Is this a common trend/knowledge that US firms are strict on grades? In my personal experience, most US firms seem to, yes appreciate top Universities, but more so appreciate tangible experience. Whereas I've always found MC firms to have the strictest module grades (Links barring any 2:2's, S&M notoriously targeting top grades, same with FF (I'm not sure where A&O and CC stand). Of course there are exceptions, S&C nearly exclusively has trainees achieving firsts, and I believe there's a few more firms like that too. Nevertheless, I wouldn't personally say it's a hard and fast rule. I think it's more set on the firm, for instance those with multispecialism/generalist approaches generally prefer better academic grades (S&C, S&M and here for instance Cleary).

Please do correct me if I'm wrong as it would be good for me to know for this role, I just have never personally experienced that at a US firm (bar S&C).

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Could anyone give me any insight into how important/useful networking is during this process? Should I expect any success in getting a vac scheme if I haven't had a coffee with someone at the firm? Or do plenty get vac schemes going through this process normally without meeting people outside of firm events and open days.

Hi! There is a lot of talk about networking and 'coffee chats' etc. and this can easily cause worries like this.

You are absolutely fine! I personally haven't and also do not know anyone else who has met up with people outside of firm events/open days. Plenty of people get Vacation Schemes and TC offers without doing so (myself included).

Furthermore, plenty of people get offers without meeting any people from the firm, period, including at a Open Day / Firm Event.

However, it doesn't hurt to meet people to understand the culture of the firm, but this can be easily done at such events. You could also reach out to future trainees at your target firms from your University or on LinkedIn.

Hope this was helpful !

 

[startupgeek]

anyone got insights into sidley's VI? i have the full insights into goodwin's stage 1 this year!

i can also exchange with willkie/ weil/ milbank/ cms/ white & case insights from last year!

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Guys btw do yall tailor your work experience section to the specific firm? If so, how? And would you recommend following any structure, etc? @Antoni Trochimowicz

Hi! I personally never tailored my work experience and honestly wouldn't particularly recommend to. Most firms want similar skills etc., as long as you showcase your ability and what you did, I would say you're fine across the board.

 

[TCchaser]

Hi! This is not really me responding as 'Community Assistant' but purely out of sheer curiosity. Is this a common trend/knowledge that US firms are strict on grades? In my personal experience, most US firms seem to, yes appreciate top Universities, but more so appreciate tangible experience. Whereas I've always found MC firms to have the strictest module grades (Links barring any 2:2's, S&M notoriously targeting top grades, same with FF (I'm not sure where A&O and CC stand). Of course there are exceptions, S&C nearly exclusively has trainees achieving firsts, and I believe there's a few more firms like that too. Nevertheless, I wouldn't personally say it's a hard and fast rule. I think it's more set on the firm, for instance those with multispecialism/generalist approaches generally prefer better academic grades (S&C, S&M and here for instance Cleary).

Please do correct me if I'm wrong as it would be good for me to know for this role, I just have never personally experienced that at a US firm (bar S&C).

I agree that most US firms tend to put less emphasis on grades compared to MC firms, but Cleary is an exception to that - they require a minimum high 2.1. Last cycle, someone also mentioned that Cleary requires '68%+ and a minimum of 65% in each module, according to their early recruitment team.'

Thread 'Firms that are harsher with grade requirements - list'

Aug 14, 2025

I think it would be helpful if we compile a list of firms that are more stringent with grade requirements. In my case, I have quite an inconsistent grade profile, so am uncertain as to which firms I should realistically apply to! I'll start the list, and would really appreciate if anyone can assist

HSF Kramer - 2:1 in every module (generally).
Slaughters - high 2:1 average; unsure what they think about blips, but unlikely sympathetic!
Davis Polk - high 2:1, but strong pref for 1st

• student110
• Replies: 10
• Forum: General Discussion

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

I agree that most US firms tend to put less emphasis on grades compared to MC firms, but Cleary is an exception to that - they require a minimum high 2.1. Last cycle, someone also mentioned that Cleary requires '68%+ and a minimum of 65% in each module, according to their early recruitment team.'

Thread 'Firms that are harsher with grade requirements - list'

Aug 14, 2025

I think it would be helpful if we compile a list of firms that are more stringent with grade requirements. In my case, I have quite an inconsistent grade profile, so am uncertain as to which firms I should realistically apply to! I'll start the list, and would really appreciate if anyone can assist

HSF Kramer - 2:1 in every module (generally).
Slaughters - high 2:1 average; unsure what they think about blips, but unlikely sympathetic!
Davis Polk - high 2:1, but strong pref for 1st

• student110
• Replies: 10
• Forum: General Discussion

Thank you! Yeah would think so, seems to be a common trend with Multi-Specialist firms (which makes sense).

 

[rdas]

does cleary need a cover letter for vac scheme? seems to only mention CV online

 

[username10341034]

Hello, is anyone aware whether on an application form when a firm asks if you have any internal contacts, you need to list people who you have worked on a matter with? I am an in-house Paralegal and have worked on a litigation matter (where we are joint parties) with a couple of people from said firm. I am unsure whether to list this?

 

[wooliewoo]

Not really expecting an answer to this - I am just curious lol. Milbank states that they can assess you either verbally, numerically, or through a written answer. This indicates that the question format people get is randomised, but how do they remain consistent when assessing participants who have done such different questions? Surely this makes it much more difficult for them, rather than having one standard question format? Unless the provider they use just has a standard warning saying there are different question styles for every test? I understand that each year gets more competitive so ig they could be trying to make the test harder but just thought it was interesting.

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Hi, hope everyone is doing well! Does anyone have any insights into Pinsent Masons or A&O online assessments that they are willing to share? Happy to share my insights into W&C, Macfarlanes, Skadden, Mills & Reeve, Reed Smith etc from last year

 

[startupgeek]

I agree that most US firms tend to put less emphasis on grades compared to MC firms, but Cleary is an exception to that - they require a minimum high 2.1. Last cycle, someone also mentioned that Cleary requires '68%+ and a minimum of 65% in each module, according to their early recruitment team.'

Thread 'Firms that are harsher with grade requirements - list'

Aug 14, 2025

I think it would be helpful if we compile a list of firms that are more stringent with grade requirements. In my case, I have quite an inconsistent grade profile, so am uncertain as to which firms I should realistically apply to! I'll start the list, and would really appreciate if anyone can assist

HSF Kramer - 2:1 in every module (generally).
Slaughters - high 2:1 average; unsure what they think about blips, but unlikely sympathetic!
Davis Polk - high 2:1, but strong pref for 1st

• student110
• Replies: 10
• Forum: General Discussion

would one's prospects change if they have mitigating circumstances?

 

[startupgeek]

Not really expecting an answer to this - I am just curious lol. Milbank states that they can assess you either verbally, numerically, or through a written answer. This indicates that the question format people get is randomised, but how do they remain consistent when assessing participants who have done such different questions? Surely this makes it much more difficult for them, rather than having one standard question format? Unless the provider they use just has a standard warning saying there are different question styles for every test? I understand that each year gets more competitive so ig they could be trying to make the test harder but just thought it was interesting.

it is standard, at least last year and this year have been the exact same format for me!

 

[ufdj]

Hi! This is not really me responding as 'Community Assistant' but purely out of sheer curiosity. Is this a common trend/knowledge that US firms are strict on grades? In my personal experience, most US firms seem to, yes appreciate top Universities, but more so appreciate tangible experience. Whereas I've always found MC firms to have the strictest module grades (Links barring any 2:2's, S&M notoriously targeting top grades, same with FF (I'm not sure where A&O and CC stand). Of course there are exceptions, S&C nearly exclusively has trainees achieving firsts, and I believe there's a few more firms like that too. Nevertheless, I wouldn't personally say it's a hard and fast rule. I think it's more set on the firm, for instance those with multispecialism/generalist approaches generally prefer better academic grades (S&C, S&M and here for instance Cleary).

Please do correct me if I'm wrong as it would be good for me to know for this role, I just have never personally experienced that at a US firm (bar S&C).

Hi Antoni, when you say same with FF where are you getting this info from because the firm's website says you don't need a 2:1 in every module

 

[rrr]

Apologies if the firm mentioned this somewhere, but for Freshfields, what does AS mean (this is from the online assessment feedback)?