TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone have any advice, in the last 24 hours I have been rejected from Reed Smith and DLA Piper post application (so didn't even get the test for either) and both rejections were received within a week of me applying.

I'm not really sure what to make of it as I've gotten to ACs before and am progressing thru test stages with other firms. My weakest part of my app is my grades but they both say they take a 2.1 and I thought they were strong applications, maybe I was too late idk.


Any advice on this as I am struggling to move past these rejections since I don't really know what to learn from it/what I shld have done differently.

Hello!

I'm really sorry to hear about the rejections - it is an incredibly competitive process, and sometimes really good candidates unfortunately don't make it to the next stage because the competition is so high. As you have stated you have gotten to ACs / test stages before, it may have been that it wasn't a good fit at this time - it's important to remember that you'll end up at the firm that is the best suited to you

I thought I would just add my thoughts on this as an SQE intern in the Reed Smith early careers team - to confirm, we do simply check that you are on track for / have achieved a 2:1 (even if this isn't in all modules), so your grades wouldn't have played a factor in the decision (for Reed Smith).

One thing I would really recommend is making sure that your application answers clearly demonstrate research into the firm - not just what they do, but why those things matter to you personally. Make your motivations really specific and genuine rather than general, and tie in your previous experiences, hobbies, and overall interests. It also helps you back up every point you make with a concrete example. If you say you're interested in a particular practice area, mention a deal, initiative, or piece of work that shows you actually understand it - but focus on showing how your previous experiences made you interest in this kind of work. I would also try to link your skills and experiences directly to what the firm is looking for, such as the traits and qualities that they highlight on their website.

Strengthening those elements and ensuring your application is super tailored can make a big difference in standing out, even when the competition is this tough.

Wishing you all the best this cycle

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

For video interviews where you have two minutes to speak, how many points do people recommend making?

Hey!

It really depends on the question, but as a general rule I wouldn't try to cram in too much. For questions such as "Why Law?" or "Why this firm", I always used to aim for around 2-3 well-developed points. This usually gives you enough space to explain each one properly and back it up with an example, rather than rushing through a long list. It also helps to practice in advance (for the more common questions) so you know how much you are able to fit in the time frame, which avoids you running out of time when you go to record.

Quality over quantity tends to come across much better, particularly for a short 2-minute video interview answer

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu do either of you have any advice on how to approach this question for DLA Piper? 'Describe a specific personal experience that shaped your motivation to pursue a legal career. How has this influenced your career ambitions?'. I'm unsure whether to mention a legal event/scheme or whether it has to be outside of this and more personal (though I'm not sure anything in my personal life has done much to shape my motivation for a career in law!)

Hello!

You don't have to use something deeply personal if nothing in your personal life has directly shaped your motivation - a legal experience can absolutely work, as long as you make it specific to you and reflective.

The key with this question is to pick one concrete example (legal or non-legal) and then focus on:

1. What exactly happened
2. What you realised or learned from it
3. How that insight shaped your motivation or ambition going forward.

If a legal event, scheme, or piece of work genuinely shaped something for you - e.g. clarified what type of work you enjoy, showed you the impact lawyers can have, or helped you see where you fit - then I'd say that's perfectly valid! I would just avoid making it sound like a generic "I did this scheme so now I want to be a lawyer", and make sure that you add a personal element so it is specific to you and your experiences.

If you did want to pick something outside of law, it doesn't need to be a major experience. Even a small experience (such as a responsibility you had, a challenge you solved, or something that made you realise you enjoy problem-solving) can work if you explain the link clearly.

I would try not to overthink it (easier said than done, I know!) - choose the experience that genuinely gave you the clearest insight into why law fits you, and build your answer around that.

I hope that helps, and best of luck with your application!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

macfarlanes summer VS , thank you @Abbie Whitlock your advice on preparing before my AC genuinely helped a lot

This is amazing news (and has made my Saturday night!) - huge congratulations!! I hope you celebrate well, and you should be super proud

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

I'm not able to find the link to apply for Clifford Chance's London VS - just the Direct TC? Is anyone else having the same issue?

 

[lawyersum]

does anyone know where the how to write successful applications with osborne clarke event recording is? i can only seem to find the reed smith one.

 

[ayiiii05]

i completely bombed the weil test and vi i actually just have to laugh at this point, after each question i shook my head not because the content was bad but the mind blanks and stuttering were not cute at all

edit: did freshfields and ... idk whats going on today im normally pretty good at vis and i was prepared omg

 

[Prudentia]

I'm not able to find the link to apply for Clifford Chance's London VS - just the Direct TC? Is anyone else having the same issue?

I couldn’t find it either. I assumed applications for them aren’t open, so I’m applying for the DTC.

 

[RJ Ruban]

does anyone have any tips for the VI - I feel like that’s my weakest point right now. How can I prepare for questions and is there a certain structure that I should use?

 

[yk1906]

The thing with VIs is that the questions are sometimes unpredictable. I once applied for an internship at an IB and got asked, "If it weren't [insert sport], what sport would we sponsor?"

Loooooooool

 

[whywhy88]

I'm not able to find the link to apply for Clifford Chance's London VS - just the Direct TC? Is anyone else having the same issue?

They don’t run a VS anymore to my knowledge, just the direct TC.

 

[i really like clouds :)]

if i applied to HL for Lift Off and did my first test on 20th October and I haven't heard back, should I email grad rec about Test 2? Is it automatic or should I be expecting PFO?

 

[AP2000]

I'm not able to find the link to apply for Clifford Chance's London VS - just the Direct TC? Is anyone else having the same issue?

Yeah, it's just Spark and the Training Contract - confirmed during their open day last week.

 

[JBM]

I couldn’t find it either. I assumed applications for them aren’t open, so I’m applying for the DTC.

They don’t have a vs only spark

 

[V2002]

Has anyone done a gibson Dunn zoom interview before any tips?

 

[Andrei Radu]

I had a DTC interview at Slaughters last week and my application has now changed from 'under consideration' to 'interview confirmed'. My references haven't heard either - should I lose hope

I would not necessarily infer that you have been rejected. The firm's application portal status is only really meant to help you track your progress up to the interview stage - I do not think they have any separate "status updates" that show on your portal depending on whether you got an offer or not. Moreover, in my experience Slaughters is a firm that can take a while to make a decision - it took over a month to hear back after my VS interview.

 

[yk1906]

Just out of curiosity, are ACs usually held on weekdays or is there an option to choose Sat or Sun? I know it would differ from firm to firm, but it's important to know.

 

[Prudentia]

Just out of curiosity, are ACs usually held on weekdays or is there an option to choose Sat or Sun? I know it would differ from firm to firm, but it's important to know.

I haven't been to an AC at a law firm, but I would be very surprised if any were held at weekends. They tend to be held during business hours.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Has anyone done a gibson Dunn zoom interview before any tips?

Hi @V2002 I linked here a couple of resources:

• A free TCLA article with a candidate's interview experience from 2017/18
• A 2020 thread where candidates discussed interview experiences at the firm
• A 2024 thread where candidates discussed tips for Gibson Dunn interviews
• A detailed description of a candidate's interview experience from 2023/2024 (available on the Premium Database)
• Similar article from a candidates interviewing in 2022/2023 (also available on the Premium Database)

As for general tips for Zoom interviews, I would say the following:

• Since you will be behind a screen, the nature of the medium will make it harder to really "connect" with the interviewer; as such, I think you should try to be extra enthusiastic and personable to make up for the less personal nature of the medium.
• Generally, I would try to not rely at all on notes, as it can (i) be noticeable in terms of where you are looking; (ii) be noticeable in terms of you having pre-prepared phrases that do not come out as naturally formulated on the spot; and (iii) can distract and confuse you (as you may come up with certain points in your mind as you are also looking through your notes, and then be undecided how to combine them and what to say) and therefore disable you from putting forward a cogent answer in a composed manner.
• If you have to have notes around you, keep it to a minimum of very high level bullet points, which you should only consult if you completely forget what you were going to say to answer a specific question.

 

[Happy Law Student]

Has anyone registered for the Goodwin virtual open evening on the 20th? Instead of letting me register I had to do a written application instead.