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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

NomenEstOmen

New Member
Premium Member
Oct 7, 2025
3
0
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?
 
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Afuturetrainee

Esteemed Member
Mar 11, 2025
89
78
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.
 
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AP2000

Distinguished Member
  • Feb 22, 2021
    66
    116
    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.
     

    Harvey Specter

    Legendary Member
    Jul 4, 2024
    702
    2,645
    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.​
     
    • Like
    Reactions: AP2000

    Andrei Radu

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 9, 2024
    994
    1,731
    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

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 9, 2024
    994
    1,731
    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.
     

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