TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Suii]

Willkie pfo post app received it earlier today.

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu Do you have any have examples of interview questions I could use to prepare for my uncoming AC, especially the obsure questions thanks!

Hi @V2002 take a look here at TCLA's interview question bank - this is what I used when preparing for my interviews, and I consider it to be the best resource in the market. As you are reading the questions, I would advise you to take 10-15 seconds to consider how you would go about answering each were you in an interview right now; this should enable you to identify the questions you would struggle most with. Back when I was preparing for interviews, I would copy paste those questions in a different document and then invest more time in constructing an answer plan and practicing how to articulate it.

 

[vweewcvew]

TW: Will invite WE after the deadline
Goodwin, Cooley, Skadden: Non-rolling, they're not reviewing app yet except for Open Days
SH, WFW: Will ask them on the Open Day! Typically they're Non-rolling.

May I ask when you received WFW open day invite?

 

[kn]

hi all! any insights on freshfields and hogan lovells test and VI would be really appreciated! i can provide insights to slaughter and may and sidley austin interview, and latham & watkins VI

 

[i really like clouds :)]

hi all! i did the first hogan test on 20th october and haven't heard back about the second one, should i be expecting a pfo?

 

[a0]

hi all! i did the first hogan test on 20th october and haven't heard back about the second one, should i be expecting a pfo?

I wouldn't assume that just yet. Just checked my email and I did the first test on the 24th of September and got the second one last week.

 

[Superfrozone]

Has anyone heard back from McDermott Will & Schulte regarding DTC?

I don’t think we will hear back for a while as I think on the portal it said interviews were in February or near that month.

 

[FutureTrainee100]

Sorry to hear! May i ask when you submitted your app?
I’m waiting to hear back but can feel the pfo coming 😐

I thought Wilkie was non-rolling???

 

[Maddy]

When can we expect to hear back from Reed Smith for Winter vacation scheme after the Sjt and VI?

 

[sooae]

I thought Wilkie was non-rolling???

I think they review applications as they come in and decide whether to move people forward to the VI stage or not. I think written exercise will be held sometime next year for everyone who passes the VI stage

 

[rosedunn]

How long post dechert WE did it take to hear back?

 

[jojo23]

hi all! i did the first hogan test on 20th october and haven't heard back about the second one, should i be expecting a pfo?

I got the 2nd test a month later

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

When can we expect to hear back from Reed Smith for Winter vacation scheme after the Sjt and VI?

Hello!

There isn't a set timeframe, as graduate recruitment are working through the applications on a rolling basis! Response times are likely to vary from person to person, but I believe only a few batches of test invites have been sent out so it's not abnormal that you haven't heard back yet!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

You see you're absolutely correct and now I'm certain I'll get a PFO from them. Now that I'm comparing the description for the work experience section to other firms, I would recommend you mention your extracurriculars. I excluded exec positions, writing for a legal blog and so many others 😭

Hey!

I know it's easy to second-guess things, but I wouldn't assume that this'll automatically lead to a PFO! If you've written a strong application overall, there's still plenty of chance for a positive outcome even if you haven't included your extracurriculars in the work experience section. Try to stay positive and don't jump to any conclusions until you know for sure

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Hey!

I know it's easy to second-guess things, but I wouldn't assume that this'll automatically lead to a PFO! If you've written a strong application overall, there's still plenty of chance for a positive outcome even if you haven't included your extracurriculars in the work experience section. Try to stay positive and don't jump to any conclusions until you know for sure

Thanks a lot Abbie!

I just wanted to ask about how exactly I should approach a supporting question similar to this - Have you done anything outside of school and employment? If so, what skills have you gained from them?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thanks a lot Abbie!

I just wanted to ask about how exactly I should approach a supporting question similar to this - Have you done anything outside of school and employment? If so, what skills have you gained from them?

No problem at all

That question is a great opportunity to showcase transferable skills from anything you've done outside of formal work or study - things such as volunteering, society roles, sports, or personal initiatives.

Depending on the word count, a structure you could follow is:

1. Briefly describe the activity: what you did and what motivated you to get involved in the first place
2. Explain your role and actions: make sure to highlight the responsibilities that you had, and the sort of tasks that you would get involved with in the activity.
3. Reflect on the skills gained: I would try to make these link to the role of a trainee - things such as initiative, communication, problem-solving, resilience, leadership, etc. Make sure you show them how you developed these through the experiences, rather than just telling them that you have the skills.
4. Link it to the firm: I would finish the answer by briefly showing how these skills would be valuable in a legal or professional context, and in that firm specifically.

Make sure to keep it concise and reflective, as firms often value self-awareness as much as experience!

 

[M_m]

For anyone who’s applying or had applied to BBC, do we need to submit a cover letter and CV? The job description says we don’t, but application form has a section for it.

 

[Lawlawland]

Is Kirkland rolling?

Hey! I got to interact with the GR team today!

They screen applications as they come to reduce the work load, but that doesn't make any difference from our end. They'll screen all the applications they receive, even if it's the last day.

They shall send across the second round (VI) to people who get through the application stage, but no decision about accessment centre will be made before the deadline and screening every single application.

@Amgrad They cancelled last year's vacation scheme because the partners were happy with the candidates and they gave them direct training contract. So even if you apply for Vac Scheme now and get cancelled, you'll be seen in the same pool as the direct trainee contract. No difference or drawbacks whatsoever!

I hope that helps.
Best luck with your applications ✨.

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Application Breakdown so far | Targeting US/MC/SC | c. 10-12 applications still to make

Weil ✅📝
W&C ✅📝🎥
Sidley ✅❌
Cleary ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥✍️
Milbank ✅📝🔵
Dechert ✅✍️❌
Jones Day ✅❌
Slaughters ✅❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝🔵
Macfarlanes ✅📝🔵
Mayer Brown ✅📝
Gibson Dunn ✅📝
Travers Smith* ✅
A&O Shearman* ✅📝
Clifford Chance* ✅📝🔵
Latham & Watkins ✅📝🔵

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🔵 = Invited to 2nd test/met benchmark; ✍️ = Written Exercise; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection

*Training Contract applications.

 

[lucky gal]

Looking for Weil VI insights as well!!

I’ve got insights for Mayer Brown VI, A&O VI, Latham VI, HL stage 1 & 2, Simmons VI and Pinsent Masons VI