TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Lawlawland]

If it's also helpful, we've just released a new application guide for Dentons covering this question

Hi Jaysen!
I would like to know how can one access this.

 

[lawstudent2]

just seen a FF AC invite

DTC or vac scheme - also which FF is this cos I have seen a lot of different firms under that title recently

 

[manifestingthetc]

Should i assume PFO if i haven't heard back from Fieldfisher post test? I applied early

 

[i-want-a-tc]

just seen a FF AC invite

Who, what, where, how, why?😂

 

[jamsparkle]

Who, what, where, how, why?😂

sorry! Friend completed the video (for freshfields) 2 ish weeks ago for the summer vac scheme and got the AC a few mins ago, I completed it a couple of days before but haven't heard anything

 

[GT1205H]

I received Reed Smith assessment + VI invite today. I applied on the 06th Nov

 

[i-want-a-tc]

sorry! Friend completed the video (for freshfields) 2 ish weeks ago for the summer vac scheme and got the AC a few mins ago, I completed it a couple of days before but haven't heard anything

That's good for your friend. If FF is doing what some other firms do, which is prioritise vac scheme apps for review before DTC, then us DTC applicants should be fine. If not then thats worrying since I did stage 2 nearly 3 weeks ago

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

When answering motivation questions about commercial law, so "why commercial law" and "why do you want to be a commercial lawyer", how exactly can you demonstrate clear, genuine interest and motivation without sounding forced or cliche?

Hey!

A good way to avoid sounding forced or cliche in motivational questions is to stay away from generic lines like “I enjoy problem-solving” or “I like working with business” (although, these can still work if framed well!). Instead, I’d link you interest to specific experiences you have had and show what you learned from them.

For example, refer to a particular deal that you followed, a module that you enjoyed, something observed on placement, or a real commercial issue that caught your attention. Then explain why it made you want to work in commercial law - maybe you liked the mix of legal analysis and strategy, working closely with clients, or seeing how legal work shapes a business decision.

I would make sure that you focus on the parts of the job that genuinely attract you to the role - such as long-term client relationships, project-based work, teamwork with different specialists, cross-border elements, etc. The more concrete or personal your examples are, the more authentic your motivation will sound. For example, I always used to discuss my work in my university’s legal clinic, and how I could see the tangible impact that my advice had on specific issues that a client had. I could then link this to how I was motivated to work in commercial law due to this problem-solving nature coupled with long-term client relationships.

In summary: use real experiences, extra the main insights, and link them clearly to the day-to-day work of a commercial lawyers. This tailored approach will make your answer feel genuine rather than rehearsed!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

If I may ask, for those who have passed NRF’s application stage, what’s the expected word count for the cover letter? I read somewhere that the maximum used to be around 750 words, but to keep it to one page I can only fit roughly 500. Is it acceptable to reduce the font size a bit - would 10 be okay? Or is it fine if the letter goes slightly over one page? Many thanks!

Hey!

It’s likely that font size 10 is slightly too small - generally, size 11 is the minimum that is used for a cover letter. I’d say it’s fine if your cover letter goes slightly over a page (as up to 1.5 pages is acceptable at most firms), and I would recommend that over making your font size smaller

 

[GSJ]

any recent W&C VI invites (SVS)

 

[johnsmith]

Have people starting hearing back from Sullivan & Cromwell yet?

Yes got a no!

 

[jacksollaf]

How do you even manage to submit that many in such a short time frame? Think I have sent 8 to 9 applications so far and I am working on 3 currently to submit by the end of November. Bro is just built differently, I need to up my game! 🥲​

Personally, Ai... and I know a lot of people will probably say "yea but it'll sound so generic and lack detail" etc. But not at all... It all comes down to knowing how to use AI.

if you truly know how to use AI, then your answer will appear more human than an actual human 😂 Again, many law firms are integrating AI into their systems, and some are even requiring you use AI for a specific amount of time per year...

Plus in terms of efficiency, I wouldnt want to spend days on an application for it to go straight to junk because I couldn't pass the benchmark on tests; waste of time, energy, for nothing... Because at the end of the day, luck does play a huge role...

I did the same last year and I managed to secure at least 15 AC + interviews.. , and ended up doing a vac scheme..

Plus, assume you pass the SJT WG Assessments; they're going to quickly skim through it, they have hundreds of applications.. so long as it's a powerful answer that looks detailed and non-generic and human, they won't realise (again, that presupposes you're mastering the use of AI... which is what I focused on because Ai isn't going to replace lawyers, but it will replace lawyers who don't know how to use it)... So long as it's good, then it's good... They receive thousands of applications for 10 places, I doubt me spending 10 extra days to do it will heavily impact my chances of getting an AC...

Finally, most firms ask questions that require max 250-300 words... You can't really say as much as your research.... So you have to give the info to AI and then tell them about what you want to say and they'll do it... it takes literally max 30 mins (so you can follow up, correct, etc.)... it takes me more time to fill out my details and work experience than to answer the questions...

Again, everyone plays the game differently... What matters is that we all succeed, so hopefully we're all successful this cycle and get our choices! 🙏

 

[jacksollaf]

Well I think it depends. A lot of firms now place heavier emphasis on the tests (lots of firms have dropped application questions, and stuff like why commercial law, competency stories etc. can be reused anyway - firms look for very similar skills). You can then do focused, thorough research on the firm before AC.

No strategy is perfect, and 75 is a lot, but I think given how much luck is often required in this process, you do boost your chances by submitting as many applications as you can.

Fair enough... The whole point is for them to like you enough to get through to the AC stage... I wouldn't want to spend days and days researching only to not meet the benchmark ...

 

[jacksollaf]

This is crazy! Gotta respect it. That’s practically one per day.

How many have you progressed with so far?

Last year I did the same and progressed in about 40% .. This year, it's too early to tell, but from what I remember I passed the benchmark for Linklaters, DLA piper, HSF, Clifford Chance, A&O Shearman, and a few others... still waiting .. I got 92 on Linklaters WG (one of the categories I got 99) so im pretty hopeful about that + it's for their dubai vac and I speak three languages and grew up in the GCC for the first 18 years of my life, so hopefully that goes well

 

[abc124]

Fair enough... The whole point is for them to like you enough to get through to the AC stage... I wouldn't want to spend days and days researching only to not meet the benchmark ...

Yes exactly, that's what I was trying to say as well haha

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Personally, Ai... and I know a lot of people will probably say "yea but it'll sound so generic and lack detail" etc. But not at all... It all comes down to knowing how to use AI.

if you truly know how to use AI, then your answer will appear more human than an actual human 😂 Again, many law firms are integrating AI into their systems, and some are even requiring you use AI for a specific amount of time per year...

Plus in terms of efficiency, I wouldnt want to spend days on an application for it to go straight to junk because I couldn't pass the benchmark on tests; waste of time, energy, for nothing... Because at the end of the day, luck does play a huge role...

I did the same last year and I managed to secure at least 15 AC + interviews.. , and ended up doing a vac scheme..

Plus, assume you pass the SJT WG Assessments; they're going to quickly skim through it, they have hundreds of applications.. so long as it's a powerful answer that looks detailed and non-generic and human, they won't realise (again, that presupposes you're mastering the use of AI... which is what I focused on because Ai isn't going to replace lawyers, but it will replace lawyers who don't know how to use it)... So long as it's good, then it's good... They receive thousands of applications for 10 places, I doubt me spending 10 extra days to do it will heavily impact my chances of getting an AC...

Finally, most firms ask questions that require max 250-300 words... You can't really say as much as your research.... So you have to give the info to AI and then tell them about what you want to say and they'll do it... it takes literally max 30 mins (so you can follow up, correct, etc.)... it takes me more time to fill out my details and work experience than to answer the questions...

Again, everyone plays the game differently... What matters is that we all succeed, so hopefully we're all successful this cycle and get our choices! 🙏

I would always advise against this, but you are making sense. Spend 2 weeks on an app, just to fail test or for it to be overlooked because of something small or your academic history. The game is the game. Personally, I will continue tailoring my apps and take my time cause that's what I know. So far my apps are moving past first stage so it's the video interviews that are a challenge. If your strategy works for you, then I'm wishing you all the best.

 

[legallybald]

Links PFO. 99th percentile WG

 

[yk1906]

Links PFO. 99th percentile WG

So sorry... Was that for Winter or?

 

[Prudentia]

Personally, Ai... and I know a lot of people will probably say "yea but it'll sound so generic and lack detail" etc. But not at all... It all comes down to knowing how to use AI.

if you truly know how to use AI, then your answer will appear more human than an actual human 😂 Again, many law firms are integrating AI into their systems, and some are even requiring you use AI for a specific amount of time per year...

Plus in terms of efficiency, I wouldnt want to spend days on an application for it to go straight to junk because I couldn't pass the benchmark on tests; waste of time, energy, for nothing... Because at the end of the day, luck does play a huge role...

I did the same last year and I managed to secure at least 15 AC + interviews.. , and ended up doing a vac scheme..

Plus, assume you pass the SJT WG Assessments; they're going to quickly skim through it, they have hundreds of applications.. so long as it's a powerful answer that looks detailed and non-generic and human, they won't realise (again, that presupposes you're mastering the use of AI... which is what I focused on because Ai isn't going to replace lawyers, but it will replace lawyers who don't know how to use it)... So long as it's good, then it's good... They receive thousands of applications for 10 places, I doubt me spending 10 extra days to do it will heavily impact my chances of getting an AC...

Finally, most firms ask questions that require max 250-300 words... You can't really say as much as your research.... So you have to give the info to AI and then tell them about what you want to say and they'll do it... it takes literally max 30 mins (so you can follow up, correct, etc.)... it takes me more time to fill out my details and work experience than to answer the questions...

Again, everyone plays the game differently... What matters is that we all succeed, so hopefully we're all successful this cycle and get our choices! 🙏

Fair play! I still couldn’t put in 75 applications even with the use of AI, so I tip my imaginary hat to you.

I also completely agree with you about the use of AI. AI is a very powerful, time-saving tool if you know how to prompt it properly.

 

[JasmineM9]

Anyone heard back from W&C re winter scheme? Ready for a rejection 🥹