TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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

 

[NomenEstOmen]

Hi everyone! One question as I am kind of new to this game... I applied for the Kirkland & Ellis open day and submitted my application on the 2nd of November, but I haven't received a response yet. My friend submitted his application just a few minutes after the deadline and got accepted. Is this a bad sign? How does the application process usually work? When are the invites usually sent?

 

[Bread]

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

Long dashes existed long before ChatGPT 😭

 

[Afuturetrainee]

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.

They look at your application answers after taking the test. You don't get passed to the next stage yet just because you passed the test. You would have to pass their internal benchmark and then they review it in line with what you have said in your application as well. Everyone gets the test invite. I attended a program where Grad rec spoke to us. They said they send out their invites manually, that's why it doesn't come automatically, but it doesn't mean they read all apps before sending out the VI invite. It's just like Gibson Dunn and HSF, you get the tests but your application won't be reviewed unless you pass their internal benchmark. They also said they are rolling but they won't progress people to written exercise until after the deadline. Why exactly would I mislead anyone on here? The point of automatic tests are to help them filter applications out.

 

[corporatelawyer1908]

Do all applicants of the DLA Piper Summer Internship receive a WG invite?

 

[AP2000]

Hey, for the Cooley open day does anyone know what the timings of the event are? I applied for the December 4th open day and haven't heard back yet, but just had to use my last days of annual leave from work for the CC and Reed Smith open days so if it's a full-day event I might have to withdraw from the process.

 

[dannyp123]

Long dashes existed long before ChatGPT 😭

Yeah this is hella annoying, I use em dashes because I grew up using them but because Chat GPT likes using them people call it AI

 

[dannyp123]

Hey guys, I'm applying for Mishcon de Reya's Summer Vacation Scheme this year. I was wondering whether there are pre-set questions for the AI chatbox style questions and what these might be? Thanks!

 

[elizabethkate]

mishcon was long omg i felt like i was typing for hours

 

[Harvey Specter]

Hey, for the Cooley open day does anyone know what the timings of the event are? I applied for the December 4th open day and haven't heard back yet, but just had to use my last days of annual leave from work for the CC and Reed Smith open days so if it's a full-day event I might have to withdraw from the process.

Assuming that the 4th Dec timings are identical to the 20th Nov timings, it would be 10am - 5pm, so a full day essentially.​

 

[noahsmiit01]

Yeah this is hella annoying, I use em dashes because I grew up using them but because Chat GPT likes using them people call it AI

Most of the grad teams don't like seeing them in any of the applications; hence, it is always better to avoid them.

 

[Andrei Radu]

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)?

Hi @pfoapplicant for the first question, while it is ideal to reach a word count close to the provided limit (unless that is very high), I think as long as you can at least fill in 70-80% of the provided space, you should prioritise your writing style and avoid waffling. One of the key points of having application form questions is so that recruiters can test your writing ability; and being able to express your points clearly and concisely is a key part of that.

For the second question, I again think your plan sounds good - however, maybe I would add something to the effect of an explanation that you have no issues with and appreciate the value-add of using AI tools in particular contexts, but that in your case applications is not one of them; maybe because you want to make your application very "personal" in writing style and general manner of expression, maybe because you think applications research and writing on your own develops valuable skills, etc.

 

[Andrei Radu]

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

I would not be too worried. Back when I was applying, I submitted my Slaughters VS application sometime at the end of September/early October and only heard back about being progressed to the interview stage mid-December.

 

[Amgrad]

Assuming that the 4th Dec timings are identical to the 20th Nov timings, it would be 10am - 5pm, so a full day essentially.​

Interesting, for the last open day is 2pm to 7pm