TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jaysen]

Hey everyone!

A little reminder: Tonight at 6pm, I'll be joined by @ReedSmithBecca, Senior Early Careers Recruitment & Development Manager at Reed Smith, to help you to write a really good application to Reed Smith this year.

You can register here if you haven't already.

See you soon

 

[sinirs]

Hi, did anyone else face technical errors with regard to Freshfields summer vs submission via Vantage? The interface froze for me, and it auto-filled in answers from my previous applications before submitting the incomplete application with outdated answers. I have emailed the graduate team. Does anyone have any suggestions on who else I can contact? I am really nervous as I am quite committed to Freshfields and do not want this to disadvantage me, especially when I could not even access the 'supporting questions' section before the app froze.

 

[an03]

For anyone attending Meet Cooley event on the 20th - have you heard back since confirming your attendance?

No I haven’t

 

[sjm251102]

HORRID! is it 90 seconds to answer? Thank you for your help, their website is so unhelpful!

It really is horrid!!! And it’s 1 min prep time and 3 mins to answer!! And you’re welcome

 

[johnsmith]

Hey everyone!

A little reminder: Tonight at 6pm, I'll be joined by @ReedSmithBecca, Senior Early Careers Recruitment & Development Manager at Reed Smith, to help you to write a really good application to Reed Smith this year.

You can register here if you haven't already.

See you soon

Hey Jaysen! Will this session be recorded? I'm on a train at that time but would love to catch-up later!

 

[TCGrad1642]

It’s automatic. And they don’t read your Application unless you pass.

This isn’t true, they look at your application holistically. It even says at the end of the video that your responses will now be manually reviewed.

 

[law123456789]

When did they send out invites?

27th oct for me

 

[l789]

Is anyone able to advise me on what to do.

I applied for CC open day and HSF disputes open day. I never received any confirmation email for the HSF open day.

Similarly, I believe the CC open day also used candid, but never heard anything or recieved the holding email. Did the CC open day offer come through a candid email or candid format?

I’m very concerned about what is going on and why I’ve sent off applications and not heard anything despite everyone hearing back with a PFO or offer.

 

[TCLA0322]

"Good morning,

Thank you for your interest in A&O Shearman.

We would like to inform you that the Summer Vacation Scheme is open exclusively to penultimate-year university students. As you have already graduated, your application does not meet the eligibility criteria for this programme.
However, we are pleased to let you know that we have transferred your application to the appropriate Direct Training Contract route."😇 Get confused for the eligibility but still apply to VS... At least knowing that they are looking on apps now...

When did u submit ur app

15th Sept submitted, 22th done the test

 

[jojo23]

Good news: received Freshfields stage 2 assessment (its been slightly over a month)🤣

Bad news: my soul can't handle another vi😭 (HL stage 2 yesterday was terrifying)

 

[a0]

Does anyone know how many VI questions the Freshfields Job Sim has?

 

[yk1906]

Does anyone know how many VI questions the Freshfields Job Sim has?

around 4-5

 

[yk1906]

Any PFOs from Slaughters? I submitted my app a loooong time ago and received nothing.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Is it worth applying to A&O with an overall 2.2 (russell group)? I have mitigating circumstances but I do not want to raise my expectations without understanding how the firm assesses applications. I have progressed with several US firms and a few UK firms (including Freshfields, possibly because I work there). This is my first time applying to A&O so I am unsure whether the firm takes a fully holistic approach and if my experience can offset weaker grades. Any advice will be much appreciated!

Hello!

If you have valid mitigating circumstances, it's definitely still worth applying. Whilst I'm unsure the approach that A&O take when reviewing applications and grades (and someone else might be able to shed some more light!), graduate recruitment teams will usually take such circumstances into account when assessing your academic record.

If you clearly explain your situation in the relevant section, they're likely to consider your achievements in context rather than focusing solely on your overall grade. Given your strong experience and success with other top firms, that should also help demonstrate your ability and potential!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

is it deep if I apply to Covington despite not having done any of their previous schemes or having met them? I really want to apply, I feel like I have done so much research on the firm and could give really solid answers but I just don't know if it is worth it if I haven't interacted with them and the chances are that many applicants probably have? Having a similar problem with hogan lovells :/

Hi!

It's absolutely fine to apply to the firm even if you haven't done a scheme or met anyone from the firm! While prior interaction can help you tailor your answers, it's by no means a requirement. What really matters is how well you demonstrate your understanding of the firm and your genuine motivation for applying.

If you've done thorough research and can clearly articulate why Covington (and Hogan Lovells) stand out to you, that will come across strongly in your application.

Plenty of successful candidates haven't had prior contact with firms they end up at (myself included!), so it's definitely worth applying if you are confident in your research and answers.

Best of luck with the applications!

 

[yk1906]

Milbank stage 2 invite!! Completed stage 1 earlier today... Is stage 2 automatic? And is it timed? Thnxx

 

[tcapplicant.1]

W&C wvs offer 😅 I did my interview last Wednesday

 

[Harvey Specter]

Freshfields stage 2 (job simulation) test invite! In shock that I passed another SJT and WG. 🥲​

 

[pfoapplicant]

Hi guys,

I have a couple of quick further queries about the Taylor Wessing application form - if anyone has any ideas, I'd be hugely grateful!

1. For the questions towards the bottom of the form (asking candidates about a time they showed a particular quality, or about an candidate's achievement), there's a character limit of 2500 characters (which probably equates to somewhere above 400 words). The problem is that I'm not sure I can necessarily provide an answer of more than 400 words without going into superfluous amounts of detail (in other words, it might look as though I'm waffling!). Often on similar questions on other firms' applications, there's a word limit of about 250-300 words; do you reckon an answer in the region of about 250-300 words might be enough on the Taylor Wessing form (at least, if necessary), or would it be advisable to aim higher?

2. The final part of the form asks candidates whether they've used AI whilst writing the application, and then asks them (again, with a limit of 2500 characters) to "provide details on your decision and elaborate on the reasons behind your choice". In all honesty, I've got no plans to use AI for this application (as, frankly, I feel that, when putting together an application, I work better under my own steam), and so I expect my answer to the question will be brief (probably in the region of about 50 words at most) - does this sound okay, or do you reckon that candidates are expected to go into more detail (or, indeed, that candidates are expected to use AI as, for instance, it shows that they're comfortable to doing so in the workplace)?

 

[noahsmiit01]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman,

I’m re-applying to Gibson Dunn this cycle after reaching the AC last year and would really appreciate your advice.

I’ve re-written my “why commercial law” paragraph and fully refreshed my first “why Gibson Dunn” paragraph.

My question is about my two other reasons for wanting to join the firm: the disputes/transactions balance, and the training philosophy. My reasoning on those hasn’t changed — so is it acceptable to keep those broadly the same this year, or is that still too risky even if I lightly rephrase?

Separately, my final “why me” paragraph is currently focused on my university research achievement and my society leadership roles (I graduated two years ago). Should I keep the research award and add a recent achievement to show progression — or would you replace it entirely?

Would really appreciate your thoughts. I thought last year’s application was strong and I’d like to keep elements of it this year if I can.

Just make sure you don't use Chat GPT when writing app and these long dashes as you'll get rejected immediately