TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[dyingforaTC]

Has anyone been able to access the Cooley application yet? Not sure if I'm being very silly but I cannot find it!

 

[user55998384]

hello if anyone can give me HLC stage 2 insights (but whos acc done it ive been scammed too many times lol) i can give macs stage 2, latham stage 2, mayer brown stage 2, and FF stage 2 in exchange

 

[rose06]

Hi! I personally don’t have a lot of experience with K&E, so unfortunately I won’t be the best help here, but I do know people who received K&E TC offers and AC invites with a 2:1 average in first year from the 2025/2026 application cycle. So I wouldn’t not apply because of that, if this is a concern!

Re rolling / non-rolling - I would recommend asking Grad Rec!

Sorry I’m not able to say more, hope it goes well!!

Thank you so much, that's already very helpful!

 

[waddly duck]

Are K&E applications rolling or non-rolling for the TC?
Also, does anybody know their stance on uni grades? I didn't hear from gradrec or from someone directly that they want a first, or above 65 in each module, or etc that Slaugher/Cleary ask for. But, I also asked their current trainees and they said everyone in their cohort has achieved a 1st. I am hence not sure how they actually look at a 2:1 average in first year. Thanks!

I can't remember if they were rolling or not anymore, but I applied the day before the deadline...
Actually I just checked my calendar from last year and I wrote ROLLING next to Kirkland so maybe they do recruit on a rolling basis!

I averaged a low 2:1 in first year and got to their AC last year so I would echo Minhee and say do not worry at all!

 

[rose06]

Does anyone have Freshfields' official GR contact email? I'm unable to find it Lord knows why!

To add to the email that Nova sent, you can also go through their general queries on their website. You need to select relevant office and write a short description of your issue; mention you want this to go to grad rec. I did this early September and got a response that they forwarded my query to grad rec (meanwhile they didn't respond to my direct emails to grad rec). I'd just do both routes for safety

 

[rose06]

Hello!

I can't remember if they were rolling or not anymore, but I applied the day before the deadline...
Actually I just checked my calendar from last year and I wrote ROLLING next to Kirkland so maybe they do recruit on a rolling basis!

I averaged a low 2:1 in first year and got to their AC last year so I would echo Minhee and say do not worry at all!

Hi! Thank you so much, that's really good to know

 

[Minhee]

also anyone has any tips on neurosight tests? seems like hell ngl

Hi! Unfortunately, I only did a few neurosights last year, so I'm afraid I won't be of much help - so sorry. I did find this comment from another user (quoted below).

I agree that you shouldn't try to overthink. I know this is easier said than done, but with neurosights, it's so difficult to find out what a firm is looking for - I truly don't believe it's worth attempting to 'game' it. Answer what feels right to you!

Don't be thrown off by the timed format. There aren't many practice tests out there, but definitely look at the firm website / contact Grad Rec if needed to see whether it is timed / untimed, just so you are mentally prepared.

I am not sure whether this is true for all firms, but some seem to track mouse speed / movements, so maybe just be mindful of that (e.g. don't flourish your mouse around unnecessarily).

Sorry I can't say anything more specific here! Good luck and I hope it goes well

I’ve done neurosight before and it’s just choosing between two options. It can be timed or untimed depending on the firm.

Example - I prefer
A working with people
B working alone

Timed somethings because they don’t want you to overthink but it’s as simple as this.

I gave neurosight for vwv (untimed) this year and Fieldfisher (timed) last year

Timed just means 10 seconds to choose an option per ques!

Hope this helps!

Edit - sometimes there are four options to choose from as well but it’s as short as the above sample.
Also, love the username

I’m so happy about this because last year WBD had a long cappfinity test with WGT included as well!

 

[Minhee]

Does anyone have insights into how many achievements Mishcon are expecting? and is that going to be the foundational question for the ai chatbox?

Hi! Unfortunately, I have never personally completed the Mishcon test, but I heard that the number of questions asked depends on each candidate's answers. I would assume this means the number of achievements mentioned will vary between people, depending on how long their interview goes on.

Under the Mishcon FAQ, it says 'it’s better if answers are short and concise' and that 'most candidates complete it in 30-40 minutes'. However, some of my friends who took it last year said their interviews went on for much longer.

Apart from that, I'm afraid I don't have any specific information, and it's difficult to prep for because of how much it seems to vary between interviewees. So sorry that I can't be of more help, but good luck and I hope it goes well

 

[tarastar]

Any advice for DLA assessment? Never done Neurosight before

For the online application, did you submit a cover letter or only a CV?

 

[Lawstoodent]

Hi! I'm a future trainee at JD and did the JD online interview last year I know interviews can be nerve-wracking (I was definitely nervous for mine!) but I really enjoyed it. I will not be sharing what the questions were etc. and Grad Rec are the best people to go to if you have something specific in mind, but happy to answer anything about the experience etc. Congratulations on getting to interview stage and best of luck!!

Hi!

I did the interview and got invited to the AC - do you have any tips?

 

[alanshore]

Does anyone know what Kirkland means by 'applying speculatively'?

 

[yellowbirds008]

Anyone wondering about kirkland and ellis being rolling or not, I emailed graduate recruitment and this is what they said:

Thank you for your email and interest in Kirkland & Ellis.


We do look at applications on a rolling basis however we will not be making decisions on who we are inviting to our assessment days until after the deadline has passed (on 13 December 2026).

 

[Legallybrunette2]

Has anyone heard back from A&O Shearman about the winter vac scheme yet? Do they send out AC invites on a rolling basis? And for anyone who has heard when is your AC? Thanks!!

 

[Belledoeslaw12*]

Anyone heard from APC regarding WE yesterday?

 

[Novaa]

Commercial Awareness Scoop… ASOS have just been publicly hacked



My data is now being held hostage, but at least I have a data breach news article to discuss in an Interview.

A few discussion points:
1. ASOS must report a serious breach to the ICO within 72 hours of becoming aware of it. They can be fined and the ICO will look at whether its security was good enough in the first place.

2. Affected customers could bring group claims for compensation

3. This is their second data breach incident this year, so it will make it harder to argue that their systems were secure, so ASOS's share price is probably going DOOOOWN.

 

[sagekensuke]

Does anyone know what Kirkland means by 'applying speculatively'?

Hi, what is the context where this is said

 

[trainingcontractoffer]

Hi. Does anyone know who the cover letter should be addressed to for the Davis Polk TC?

 

[mintgecko]

Is anyone else confused by the Addleshaws application form?

The way they get you to add A-Levels, degree etc makes no sense

 

[wooliewoo]

Clyde & Co VI holding email? Thought the WG didn't go very well so I am surprised

 

[Jonjones]

Has anyone heard back from Cleary post WG