TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey all, I would be interested to know whether anyone could share tips on what Mischon looks for. The application form is really short - only 150 words for work experience. I wonder whether I should write in bullet points rather than prose. Also thinking there is not much space to draw out the skills I have built. I find the website not to be very prescriptive of the traits they look for either! If anyone has any thoughts, I would be grateful.

Hey!

For the 150-word work experience section, I'd recommend keeping it in short, clear prose rather than bullet points - however, if you are struggling, bullet points should be perfectly acceptable (unless they state otherwise). I'd focus on a few experiences that best show skills that they value - on their 'About Us' page, they list their core values which might be useful to refer to! You can demonstrate these skills through concise examples, rather than explicitly listing them.

I hope that helps, and best of luck with the application!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock @ZNadeem
Hi, does anyone know how long is the cover letter supposed to be for Sullivan & Cromwell? Would 1.5 pages be fine?

Hi!

If the website / FAQs do not state an exact length for the cover letter, I would aim for around 1 page - however, 1.5 pages should be perfectly fine

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thank you so much! I was also wondering for the work experience section do I include extra curricular and volunteering too? I feel like including them in the work experience section and then writing about them again might be repetitive. @Abbie Whitlock

No problem at all!

I would include those if you feel they are important to your profile as a candidate - e.g. they are substantive experiences or provided you with transferable skills. For example, I always used to include my time volunteering at a charity shop in my work experience section, as this felt similar to the formal structure of a part-time job. I also included my committee positions in university societies, as these were also more structured - however, I didn't include other extra-curriculars that I participated in just for fun or short-term volunteering projects.

If you can write about the role itself, the main responsibilities that you had, and any transferable skills (if relevant), I would include it in the work experience section (even if there is some repetition). However, if you feel you are simply going to be reciting the experience itself when you have already discussed it in an application question, it might be more beneficial to leave it out.

I hope that answers your question!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello, does anyone have any tips for Latham & Watkins VI?

Thank you

Hello!

Congratulations on reaching the VI stage for Latham & Watkins!

I haven't completed a VI with Latham & Watkins specifically, but for video interviews generally, it helps to think of them as a mix of motivational, competency, and situational questions. Common questions that you could be asked are: why you're interested in the firm, what your personal strengths and weaknesses are, and how you've demonstrated relevant skills (e.g. teamwork, resilience, or problem-solving). I would have a think about your answers for some of the more common questions, but don't stress about trying to prepare for every question imaginable - it's impossible to predict everything! Making sure that you have a good understanding of your motivations and can reflect on your own experiences goes a long way!

For video interviews in particular, structure is really important - using the STAR method can help keep your answers focused and prevents rambling (which I used to be guilty of!). It also really helped me to practice in advance, particularly making sure that you are speaking clearly and at a steady pace - don't be afraid to pause briefly to think before answering. I can totally understand how awkward video interviews can feel, but making sure that you are looking at the camera and treating it like you would a normal interview is really important.

It is also worth brushing up on a few recent commercial or legal developments that interest you so that you can demonstrate commercial awareness if prompted, particularly with the firm's key practice areas / sectors. I would try to show genuine enthusiasm and authenticity - this can feel tricky over VI, but they're assessing how you communicate and whether you'd be a good fit for their culture, so it's important that you are yourself!

I've linked the TCLA Wiki page on video interviews - there are a couple of resources here that might be useful to have a read over before your VI.

Good luck with the interview!

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Abbie Whitlock @ZNadeem
Hi, does anyone know how long is the cover letter supposed to be for Sullivan & Cromwell? Would 1.5 pages be fine?

I would avoid personally writing a 1.5 pages long cover letter. I have generally heard from recruiters that they prefer either a 1 full page cover letter or a 2 full pages cover letter; but that candidates should only go for the latter option if they have enough substantive content to justify the length while also observing the normal application writing standards of being very concise and to the point.

 

[flower1]

Hello!

Congratulations on reaching the VI stage for Latham & Watkins!

I haven't completed a VI with Latham & Watkins specifically, but for video interviews generally, it helps to think of them as a mix of motivational, competency, and situational questions. Common questions that you could be asked are: why you're interested in the firm, what your personal strengths and weaknesses are, and how you've demonstrated relevant skills (e.g. teamwork, resilience, or problem-solving). I would have a think about your answers for some of the more common questions, but don't stress about trying to prepare for every question imaginable - it's impossible to predict everything! Making sure that you have a good understanding of your motivations and can reflect on your own experiences goes a long way!

For video interviews in particular, structure is really important - using the STAR method can help keep your answers focused and prevents rambling (which I used to be guilty of!). It also really helped me to practice in advance, particularly making sure that you are speaking clearly and at a steady pace - don't be afraid to pause briefly to think before answering. I can totally understand how awkward video interviews can feel, but making sure that you are looking at the camera and treating it like you would a normal interview is really important.

It is also worth brushing up on a few recent commercial or legal developments that interest you so that you can demonstrate commercial awareness if prompted, particularly with the firm's key practice areas / sectors. I would try to show genuine enthusiasm and authenticity - this can feel tricky over VI, but they're assessing how you communicate and whether you'd be a good fit for their culture, so it's important that you are yourself!

I've linked the TCLA Wiki page on video interviews - there are a couple of resources here that might be useful to have a read over before your VI.

Good luck with the interview!

Hi Abbie, thank you for your reply, it's extremely useful. I haven't reached the VI stage, but was just wondering in advance as I always struggle with VIs. Thank you for your answer

 

[helloj]

No VI when I did the test for OD

Theres a VI in the second stage for the open day if that helps

 

[abc124]

From what I know Covington is not generally seen as one of the very grade-focused firms (such as the likes of Slaughter and May and Cleary Gottlieb), so I think your application will be considered even if you do not have an overall "high" 2.1 grade. That said, on their website the firm does specify that they are looking for candidates who have a "strong academic record" - which I interpret as a preference for candidates who have achieved 2.1 grades consistently in their modules (although not necessarily in every single one).

Thanks a lot, that’s good to hear!

 

[nbjani]

Welp, that was two Amberjack tests this weekend which went terribly. I just can't figure out how to answer those questions. It's really frustrating because there's no way a human would rank me as having low 'grit' or 'applied intellect' when taking time to speak to me about my work experiences. Do we know if firms (Reed Smith, Mayer Brown) look at the assessment/VI holistically, or do you think terrible scores on the SJT are likely to filter me out? For both my verbal and numerical were great, and I think the VI went well - especially for Reed Smith, which is where I had the worst scores in the SJT. But I'd rather just know if there's no point holding out hope.

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Welp, that was two Cappfinity tests this weekend which went terribly. I just can't figure out how to answer those questions. It's really frustrating because there's no way a human would rank me as having low 'grit' or 'applied intellect' when taking time to speak to me about my work experiences. Do we know if firms (Reed Smith, Mayer Brown) look at the assessment/VI holistically, or do you think terrible scores on the SJT are likely to filter me out? For both my verbal and numerical were great, and I think the VI went well - especially for Reed Smith, which is where I had the worst scores in the SJT. But I'd rather just know if there's no point holding out hope.

I am pretty sure MB posted something on their instagram story in a Q&A saying that they look at the whole application holistically, and look for an overall good performance. Not sure about Reed Smith though.

 

[topkop]

Hi everyone. I have a quarter final interview for the aspiring solicitors competition this week. Does anyone have any tips on how to prepare for it? And if anyone has already done it, how did you find it?

 

[Maddy]

White & Case is recruiting on a rolling basis with a deadline of 26 October. If I submit by the 23rd, will it put me in a negative spot?

 

[Chelsea101]

Theres a VI in the second stage for the open day if that helps

Oh! I have only done the first-stage test - when did you get sent the VI?

 

[Chelsea101]

Hello, does anyone have any tips for Latham & Watkins VI?

Thank you

Hi, when did you hear back for the VI?

 

[jojo23]

You won't get penalised for doing the reed smith test and vi on separate days rather than one go right?
I didn't want to take the vi at night....

 

[Jessica Pearson]

You won't get penalised for doing the reed smith test and vi on separate days rather than one go right?
I didn't want to take the vi at night....

No you don't have to do it in one go

 

[lawyersum]

just completed bristows VI, went by so quick!

 

[Amgrad]

Anyone has an issue when accessing AllAboutLaw Virtual Fair right now? OMG just realised it was due to their sites, not my internet. I was aware as I expect some VIs next days..

 

[s123]

Welp, that was two Cappfinity tests this weekend which went terribly. I just can't figure out how to answer those questions. It's really frustrating because there's no way a human would rank me as having low 'grit' or 'applied intellect' when taking time to speak to me about my work experiences. Do we know if firms (Reed Smith, Mayer Brown) look at the assessment/VI holistically, or do you think terrible scores on the SJT are likely to filter me out? For both my verbal and numerical were great, and I think the VI went well - especially for Reed Smith, which is where I had the worst scores in the SJT. But I'd rather just know if there's no point holding out hope.

No same my scores were so bad for Reed smith I feel like this is such a universal experience

 

[lawyersum]

Anyone has an issue when accessing AllAboutLaw Virtual Fair right now? OMG just realised it was due to their sites, not my internet. I was aware as I expect some VIs next days..

Yeah same, the website has been so glitchy the past few weeks.