TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[zara elles]

Given that the CMA deadline is looming as applications are rolling, is it worth me applying at this point? Wondering if anyone has any experience with this. Thanks!

 

[noahsmiit01]

Everyone's wondering about how to apply for 75 firms, I'm more worried about a parallel reality where, if you get into atleast half of them, how do you even choose one, as most dates are clashing.

That decision fatique would take my soul away rather than not having any offer at all smh.

I'd rather apply to 12 firms, putting in effort and understanding the firm properly, than send out 75 rushed applications that rely on luck. - 16 is the max and still only if you attend their open days and start applying from early September.

 

[lawstudent2]

Did anyone get a second email from Mischon post chat interview asking them to do the feedback form?
They asked me to do it the day I did the interview about 10 days ago, then, today they sent an identical email again. Not sure if it is a glitch or what.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

documenting my rejections which I am collecting like pokemons -
BCLP post interview (haven't gotten feedback as in why I was rejected so atp idk)
PW post app
Akin post app
DLA post app
CMS post WG
Covington post app
HSFK post test
Bird and Bird post app
Reed Smith post app
Gibson dunn post test
Links post app
WnC post app
FF assuming PFO bec blabbered nonsense in the VI
MB assuming PFO
Jones Day post app
HL post job sim
Davis polk post app
Mac post 2nd test
A and O post app

I have no ounce of hope left and I hope my rejections help someone feel better that you are not alone in this.

Looking at this, it seems that you are good with cappfinity, general SJT and WG. You may benefit from doing less applications so you can do more research and tailor your answers. On average, 19 apps in 2 months means you spent less than 3 days (or more if you started applying in August). That's not enough time if you consider that you also have to prepare for online tests and take them, which means you might not be putting in your best applications. One tip I got is to link every paragraph to the firm and why it interest you, instead of introducing a topic in first paragraph and then linking it to the firm in another paragraph. Also, in the why you section or what skills do you have question, you should be as specific as you can. For instance, if you were in a society, state exactly what you did as opposed to 'I had great success leading the football team'. What did you actually do? Leading is generic. Did you organise weekly training sessions and encourage your team during losing streak? Imagine you are trying to visualise your words. it is easier to visualise someone doing a motivational speech than the generic phrase of leading a team. I hope you get what I mean and good luck with your future applications.

 

[abc124]

There are probably more chances for someone in this chat to win a lottery tomorrow than for you to receive a TC, because applying to 75 firms is silly, as you wouldn't be able to know as much in detail about each of the firms, nvm about structuring and writing the motivation answers or cover letters properly along with WE linking it back to each of a firm which would require to change them every time. It is quality over quantity, always.
But good luck, I guess

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.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Hi @Kirsty Wilkins, I have attended close to 10 virtual events that Gemma hosted. I recently started a new job and had a few things in my schedule so I haven't submitted my application yet. I want to submit by next week and I was wondering if it is a bit late to submit my application now?

 

[jamsparkle]

just seen a Freshfields AC invite

 

[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 ...