TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[johnsmith]

Is referring to Paul Weiss’s developing litigation practice and wanting to learn more about this in relation to core practice areas, as one of 4 points in an open day application an immediate red flag. Some people have said this would be enough to get an application binned and why would Paul Weiss offer an open day to someone who mentioned litigation (no matter how briefly) over candidates who mentioned PE, even though PE is mentioned elsewhere in the application and among other points?

I think you asked this question on Reddit and I thought the posters were OTT in their responses - like @jaisrihere says if you can convey why that's important to you then go for it!

 

[Shannon]

Are there any written questions you have to type fast for? Like motivational questions

No! Just a WG. There are some written questions in the first test though

 

[Jennifer2003]

Did any Simmons AC go out today or was it just PFOs?

 

[l789]

I think you asked this question on Reddit and I thought the posters were OTT in their responses - like @jaisrihere says if you can convey why that's important to you then go for it!

Thank you! hahaha I’m busted!

 

[iwatchsuits]

This is such a good question! It’s good to remember that a rejection doesn’t mean you’re a weak candidate/not good enough for the firm. A lot of recruitment is subjective and can ultimately come down to sheer luck. Secondly, I find it useful to reframe rejection as redirection. I have been rejected many, many times in my career, and I’ve found that in hindsight each rejection meant I was redirected towards an opportunity that was a much better fit. Remember, all you need is one ‘yes’. If you keep at it, you will get there. Ultimately, these applications are just a small part of your life. You’ll go on to do and achieve so much, so please don’t let a no get you down.

Thank you so so much❤️

 

[Lawlawland]

I think you asked this question on Reddit and I thought the posters were OTT in their responses - like @jaisrihere says if you can convey why that's important to you then go for it!

Hey! May I know what reddit forums to follow apart from UKLaw?

 

[WeGotThis!]

Anyone heard from White & Case WVS today for ACs?

 

[johnsmith]

Hey! May I know what reddit forums to follow apart from UKLaw?

That's the only one I follow - can be some good content but also can be very toxic as its largely unmoderated!

 

[firmfirm]

I don’t mean to get soppy on here, but does anyone have some tips on how to deal with rejection? This is my first proper VS application cycle (I’ve applied to a handful previously but didn’t take it as seriously as I am now) and two firms that I really love have rejected me lol. They were the ones at the top of my list. I know it’s not a personal thing and I know it’s competitive, but how do you all motivate yourselves to push through despite the inevitable rejections you encounter along the way? Would love any advice😅x

Just to add a different perspective, I really believe in the idea of going where you’re appreciated. Sometimes the firms we love aren’t the ones that end up being the best fit, or they simply don’t see our potential. Staying open minded can make the whole process feel a lot more balanced, and you never know, you might be pleasantly surprised and end up at an amazing firm you least expected!

 

[l789]

That's the only one I follow - can be some good content but also can be very toxic as its largely unmoderated!

I wonder if the majority of commenters on UKLaw are associates in U.S/MC firms because they seem so heartless and ruthless in some of their responses and it makes me think, if they are claiming to know all of what they say because they work in these firms, are these firms full of emotionless humans who are wired to such toxic views.

 

[c.t.tc]

I don’t mean to get soppy on here, but does anyone have some tips on how to deal with rejection? This is my first proper VS application cycle (I’ve applied to a handful previously but didn’t take it as seriously as I am now) and two firms that I really love have rejected me lol. They were the ones at the top of my list. I know it’s not a personal thing and I know it’s competitive, but how do you all motivate yourselves to push through despite the inevitable rejections you encounter along the way? Would love any advice😅x

Just to add to all of everyone's advice, last year when I did my first cycle a big mistake I made was thinking it was a weakness to feel sad about the rejections that hit the hardest! I absolutely think that because rejection is part and parcel of the game (otherwise everyone would be able to be a lawyer) it's easy to try to force yourself not to feel upset by rejections at all, but I really recommend allowing yourself to feel upset about the ones that make you feel that way, acknowledge your feelings, and then choose not to dwell on it because the right thing will come your way. Otherwise it's easy to later on get to a really burnt out stage of feeling completely hopeless amongst the inevitable rejections that happen as part of the journey. <3

 

[LaDiva]

I wonder if the majority of commenters on UKLaw are associates in U.S/MC firms because they seem so heartless and ruthless in some of their responses and it makes me think, if they are claiming to know all of what they say because they work in these firms, are these firms full of emotionless humans who are wired to such toxic views.

Is UKLaw a website in its own right, or part of something else? Nothing seem to come up when I google it. Also, apart from the negative responses, what would you say are the benefits of that website? Have you learnt new things on it? TCLA is my only go-to for law relate advice, so I'm keen to know about other spaces!

 

[Lawlawland]

I don’t mean to get soppy on here, but does anyone have some tips on how to deal with rejection? This is my first proper VS application cycle (I’ve applied to a handful previously but didn’t take it as seriously as I am now) and two firms that I really love have rejected me lol. They were the ones at the top of my list. I know it’s not a personal thing and I know it’s competitive, but how do you all motivate yourselves to push through despite the inevitable rejections you encounter along the way? Would love any advice😅x

Adding on to other valuable inputs given here, cognitive rephrasing and self compassion really helps me at such tough times. You've come a long way and you deserve credits for it. And, rejections never mean you're under qualified!

I believe compartmentalising things usually helps me here. I see each rejection as a standalone rejection (which most definitely are as no two reasons are similar) and try not to repeat them. Seeing it as a whole is worrisome, and stops me from processing it and getting over it, with implementable actions. This gives you a space to soak yourself in the moment, get over it individually and have better a outlook.

Another thing is finding the silver lining in everything. Rejection is definitely a redirection to things you never know you need. Baker's Open day rejection made me attend RPC Open Day, the best and most insightful of all 7 I've attended so far. I never knew I'm that aligned with the firm before it. So in the larger picture, everything would make sense!

 

[johnsmith]

I wonder if the majority of commenters on UKLaw are associates in U.S/MC firms because they seem so heartless and ruthless in some of their responses and it makes me think, if they are claiming to know all of what they say because they work in these firms, are these firms full of emotionless humans who are wired to such toxic views.

It's odd isn't it? I’m surprised they'd have time for it outside their day jobs but Reddit does draw out some vindictive people! Either that or they are taking on a persona because they can hide behind anonymity or they aren't even at those firms but living a dream out.

 

[johnsmith]

Is UKLaw a website in its own right, or part of something else? Nothing seem to come up when I google it. Also, apart from the negative responses, what would you say are the benefits of that website? Have you learnt new things on it? TCLA is my only go-to for law relate advice, so I'm keen to know about other spaces!

It's a sub-reddit on Reddit! You'd find it searching r/uklaw but honestly TCLA is a much better resource - I do sometimes pick up some interesting commercial awareness/legal market knowledge from uklaw but that’s about it.

 

[Lawlawland]

It's a sub-reddit on Reddit! You'd find it searching r/uklaw but honestly TCLA is a much better resource - I do sometimes pick up some interesting commercial awareness/legal market inoperable edge from uklaw but that’s about it.

The subreddit good place if you feel miserable and want assistance. It gives a clear picture into the real "culture" beyond what's told in the public forums. But if you're enthusiastic/optimistic or clueless, the place seems brutal and unmotivating.

 

[LaDiva]

Thanks for the responses, I'm both optimistic and clueless, so I shall approach that sub-reddit thing with caution!

 

[shadowboxer909]

I don’t mean to get soppy on here, but does anyone have some tips on how to deal with rejection? This is my first proper VS application cycle (I’ve applied to a handful previously but didn’t take it as seriously as I am now) and two firms that I really love have rejected me lol. They were the ones at the top of my list. I know it’s not a personal thing and I know it’s competitive, but how do you all motivate yourselves to push through despite the inevitable rejections you encounter along the way? Would love any advice😅x

To be honest, I've felt somewhat validated over the past year because law firms haven't exactly practiced what they've preached.

You can probably guess what I'm alluding to here which does make me feel somewhat better lol.

 

[yasmars]

To be honest, I've felt somewhat validated over the past year because law firms haven't exactly practiced what they've preached.

You can probably guess what I'm alluding to here which does make me feel somewhat better lol.

What are you alluding to?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Is referring to Paul Weiss’s developing litigation practice and wanting to learn more about this in relation to core practice areas, as one of 4 points in an open day application an immediate red flag. Some people have said this would be enough to get an application binned and why would Paul Weiss offer an open day to someone who mentioned litigation (no matter how briefly) over candidates who mentioned PE, even though PE is mentioned elsewhere in the application and among other points?

Hello!

I would agree with other forum users on this point - I don't think that mentioning Paul, Weiss' developing litigation practice is a red flag in itself, especially if it is framed in a way that shows genuine awareness of the firm's broader strategy and focus areas. I think it is important to mention that you are also interested in the firm's core strengths (e.g. private equity), but as you have stated that you do mention an interest in this, I can't imagine mentioning litigation would be a problem

If you positioned it as one of several points (for example, acknowledging the firm's elite transactional work while expressing curiosity about how it's building out its litigation practice) I think this shows good commercial awareness. It shows you understand the firm's expansion and want to see how that integrates with its core practice areas.

As long as your application shows an interest in Paul, Weiss for its current strengths as well, it's unlikely your application will get binned for mentioning their growing litigation practice!