TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[jojo23]

When will we hear back regarding the willkie open day?

 

[a0]

Just received the MacFarlanes second stage online assessment (with the video element)!

Is this automatic? If anyone has experience doing this, I’d be very grateful for any insight!!

Same! They were really quick since I did mine on the 1st.

Their page says "If successful, you will be invited to complete a second stage online assessment."

 

[Umair Patel]

To clarify, does the Slaughter and May cover letter need addresses at the top?

Nope! The FAQs on the website say you do not need to include your address or the firm's address on the cover letter.

 

[Umair Patel]

Hi all

New to the forum, and looking for tips on how to position myself and my applications for this round. Did poorly in A-levels (no mitigating circumstances, just being an idiot in 6th form) so at a mid-tier Non-RG uni. However, had somewhat of an academic comeback placing 1st overall in 1st year (avg grade), 2nd overall in 2nd year. Projected a 1:1. Does anyone have any experience with applying in this sort of situation? I.e. firms to apply for - I have put in some serious work through uni and worry its just gonna go to waste b/c of poor A-levels.

Hi! Don't stress about your A Levels too much, and it sounds like you've been doing amazing at uni which is ultimately what recruiters will care more about.
I'd suggest first having a look at Legal Cheek and finding the firms that don't have A Level requirements/requirements that match your achieved grades (Clifford Chance for example have no minimum requirements). This should hopefully help you focus on the firms you think will work best for you. Also make sure you're doing the right things beyond your degree, attending open days and doing extracurriculars!

 

[Umair Patel]

I wouldn't worry about that, from recruiters I've spoken to, they don't check your submissions. But, Forages do look great on your applications so definitely put them down! Hope that helps!

 

[Umair Patel]

I've noticed a few firms have this common question in the application where you need to tick either the Yes or No box and then give an explanation:
Have you chosen to use AI tools (such as ChatGPT) in your application? Provide a short explanation of your choice – 100 words

If the answer is No, then how do I even structure this question 🤣

Hey! I had this question on an Orrick application last year which got through to the next stage - I would play on the idea that firms want to say tailored and personalised applications, and using AI removes that aspect and instead makes applications more generic. Hope that helps!

 

[Umair Patel]

This may have already been asked, but can you apply to Linklaters Direct TC and Vac Scheme?

Unfortunately, you can only apply for one per cycle, not both simultaneously.

 

[Umair Patel]

Does anyone know whether Jones Day and Hogan Lovells require a 2:1 in every module, or if they focus on overall degree classification?

I can't speak for Jones Day, but Hogan Lovells definitely focus on the overall degree classification - I got a 2.2 in a module yet progressed through the application with an overall 2.1!

 

[Umair Patel]

Do firms know if you have completed their forage work experience? Is it useful to complete them?

Forages are definitely useful! If you complete any, make sure to put them on your applications (under the experiences sections works fine). I recall speaking to a recruiter from HSF Kramer who mentioned how they spend a decent amount in creating the programmes and completing them demonstrates interest in law and the firm.

I'd suggest doing a couple of Forages, and particularly focus on specific firms you're interested in, or practice areas you're interested in. Hope that helps!

 

[Umair Patel]

Good evening everyone. Does anybody have any advice on how to genuinely make a personal connection with facts about the firm and yourself? I find that I can get loads of stats and info about a firm, but it ends up reading like a shopping list in my answer. For example, with energy deals (I’m very interested in the sector), I usually make the connection with a firm’s excellence in a particular area to my heritage (APAC/ South Asia) and being interested in that region. But with more ‘drier’ deals or facts such as PE, real estate, M&A I struggle to find a meaningful personal connection beyond ‘I did a Forage programme on it’. Would be grateful for any tips

Hey, this is a great question! It can be very difficult to try connect yourself to firms, especially when legal experience is so difficult to come by. Often it is the case that your answers might be missing just one extra point or sentence.
You can make a good point e.g. "I am interested in x firm for their strength in Disputes", and then give the evidence for that. But the key is to then link this back to you.
Why do you find a firm's excellence in a specific practice area important? Take Disputes for example, you might enjoy work that is research intensive and strategic. Perhaps you've had experiences (not necessary legal!) that require such skills - that can provide a slight edge and make it much more personalised to you. Whenever writing the application, read it back and ask "why is that important to me?". This will help you stay on track, hope that helps somewhat!

 

[Umair Patel]

any tips on how to talk about previous vac schemes in work experience sections

Generally with work experience sections, I tend to keep it quite short (perhaps 40-70 words per experience max). I focused on the practice area I sat in on my vacation scheme, types of tasks I had worked on (e.g. drafting a research note on x), and any other tasks part of your vacation scheme (e.g. presentations, negotiation tasks etc). Hope that helps!

 

[Umair Patel]

Hi, does anyone know whether Skadden has a harsh academic requirements, whether in A-levels or undergraduate degree? For context, I obtained a 2:1 from a RG but i completed my secondary school in another country and my a-level equivalent was kinda sh*t.

Also, speaking of academic requirements, i heard linklaters and HSF Kramer needs 60% in every single module of your degree. Are they really strict with this as well? Because i think one or two module just 1 or 2 marks below 60% (((((

Sorry I can't speak for Skadden or Linklaters, but with HSF Kramer, they are quite strict on it. However, if it is just a couple marks off, it's definitely possible! If you have a strong application and good experiences you'll still be in a great position. I had a module where I scored 58% but still managed to get on the vac scheme!

 

[Umair Patel]

Hi all, for the work history section, should I collate open days/first-year schemes into 1 experience, or discuss each separately? Thank you!

Hi, this is a great question! I would usually have open days/insight evenings as one experience and list them out in the description. As for first year schemes, if you've had an amazing cycle and completed loads then feel free to bunch them together, if you have a lot of other experiences you want to put down. If not, then I would list them individually. A good rule of thumb is trying to stick to around 7 total experiences as an upper bound, according to various early careers staff that I've spoken to - hope that's useful!

 

[Umair Patel]

Hey guys, I am beginning to apply for Vacation Schemes again, and I was just wondering if you had any advice for applications where you have no direct legal work experience. I have volunteered for numerous charities, and also had a part time job throughout university, but as I decided I wanted to apply for law in my last year of a non-law undergrad I am concerned that my lack of legal experience will mean I am unable to land a Vacation Scheme.

Any advice would be massively appreciated!

Hey! Don't let being non-law deter you, it's absolutely not a disadvantage! Law firms value non-legal experience quite highly, perhaps more than other industries do. I would suggest going to open days/insight evenings/law fairs and completing Forages to showcase that initial 'legal interest'. That should complement your strong extracurriculars and non-legal experience. AllAboutLaw often run various online insight sessions with law firms that are easily accessible if that helps!

 

[Umair Patel]

At least one firm I am applying to has 'numerical and verbal reasoning questions' as part of their application process. Can people recommend some good resources/websites to practice and improve?

I am looking at AssessmentDay's numberical and verbal resources. But any other suggestions would be appreciated.

JobTestPrep is also quite useful! I wouldn't underestimate how valuable AI tools, like GPT can be to practice. Provide it an example question and prompt it to generate some further practice questions and give them a go!

 

[Umair Patel]

Does anyone know if any law firms actually look at the content of your submitted tasks on Forage virtual work experience programmes?

They don't tend to view them!

 

[0livia.pope]

has anyone been able to fill the education section for the NRF application?

 

[studenttolawyer]

Same! They were really quick since I did mine on the 1st.

Their page says "If successful, you will be invited to complete a second stage online assessment."

same here — now i’m wondering what does the video response part involve 🥲 i’d love to know at least if the videos can be re-recorded at all…

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

@vera.mekhonoshina Hi Vera! I‘m an international student doing a MA Law in the UK, there will be 3 terms. In the term3 there is no lectures/ workshops and I need to write the dissertation, is it ok to do a vacation scheme? Student visas has a 20 hours restrictions. I'm confused because although there is no lectures/ workshops, it is still within term time..

Hi @TC seeker,

That's a great question.

Generally, you are not allowed to work full-time during term time at your university. Based on what you have described, it appears to me that the time when you are writing your dissertation in Term 3 will still fall under term time under your visa restrictions.

Therefore, if possible, I would try and obtain a vacation/ work permission from your university for the vacation scheme dates. When I was completing my first Master's and applying to vacation schemes/ TCs at the same time, I had the option of requesting a 'vacation leave' in order to complete a work placement, such as a vacation scheme.

I hope this helps!

 

[User5678]

Same! They were really quick since I did mine on the 1st.

Their page says "If successful, you will be invited to complete a second stage online assessment."

Yes same I did mine on the 1st as well😂