TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

thank you so much - sorry just another thing - would you just focus on one change?

Hey!

No worries! This depends on the word limit that you have for the question, but I think discussing 2-3 well-developed issues would be the optimal amount. This allows you to cover a few things, but also go into depth and tailor your points.

If the word limit is relatively small, I’d say 1 well developed point works well! The focus should be on depth not breadth, so I’d focus on writing in more detail on fewer issues where you can

 

[MattSmith]

Hi everyone - I have a Latham Q. I was successful for their open day which fast tracks to the vac scheme (don't need to do SJT or VI again but still need to write written app). BUT one of the Qs for the vac scheme is exactly the same as the one I wrote for the open day (a question on extracurriculars, interests, etc...). Is it alright for me to reuse the same Q? I forgot to ask this with gradrec!

 

[DavidJC]

Does anyone know if Hogan L’s second stage online assessment video is timed or is it unlimited time to prepare?
(PS : haven’t received the invite yet) just anticipating my folly😭😂) VIs will not be the end of me, I refuse😩😤

Timed. As for first stage, HL seems to send tests in batches but I know for a fact that they don't review your application until after you complete 2nd stage it seems i.e. they review it with the 2nd stage test result

 

[shadowboxer909]

End of Week Update: Travers pfo post app | W&C pfo post vi | DLA submitted | Sullivan & Cromwell submitted | Akin/K&E this weekend

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

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

*Training Contract applications.

I assume most of them are winter vacations right?

When did you apply to Travers Smith? I ask because they still haven't rejected me and so I'm wondering what on earth is the hold up or whether they're just going through applications in order rejecting them.

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

I assume most of them are winter vacations right?

When did you apply to Travers Smith? I ask because they still haven't rejected me and so I'm wondering what on earth is the hold up or whether they're just going through applications in order rejecting them.

Winter apps: W&C, Cleary, Sidley, Dechert, JD, PW.
Travers was a DTC app sent on the 5th Nov

 

[shadowboxer909]

Winter apps: W&C, Cleary, Sidley, Dechert, JD, PW.
Travers was a DTC app sent on the 5th Nov

Have I just missed the email then because I applied to Travers well before the 5th?

What on earth is going on with this recruitment process? Maybe I'm just going crazy or they just decided to give you a special rejection as my application wasn't even worth the effort lol.

Or is it like last in-first out where they review from last in and then reject as they go down the pile.

 

[yk1906]

Have I just missed the email then because I applied to Travers well before the 5th?

What on earth is going on with this recruitment process? Maybe I'm just going crazy or they just decided to give you a special rejection as my application wasn't even worth the effort lol.

Or is it like last in-first out where they review from last in and then reject as they go down the pile.

I applied to Travers a long time ago and also received a PFO recently. Check the Direct TC Thread, a lot of people received rejections. Maybe it’s good that you haven’t! Although some people also received PFOs post-interview

 

[tball]

I applied to DLA like two weeks ago. Checked the portal yesterday and it said saved application rather than submitted. Not sure what to do as now the app is closed and my application hasn't been submitted. Is it worth emailing them?

 

[hawkins19]

I applied to Travers a long time ago and also received a PFO recently. Check the Direct TC Thread, a lot of people received rejections. Maybe it’s good that you haven’t! Although some people also received PFOs post-interview

Hi, is Travers' vac scheme rolling? I am confused

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

when did you submit your WG?

Submitted it 10th october

 

[DavidJC]

Hi, is Travers' vac scheme rolling? I am confused

Travers is non-rolling, they chose to open and close DTC apps before VS apps this year

 

[nbjani]

RS and HL PFOs after the tests, but CMS VI! Who knew that I'd do better at Watson Glaser than other test formats.

 

[qaz99]

RS and HL PFOs after the tests, but CMS VI! Who knew that I'd do better at Watson Glaser than other test formats.

Sorry to hear about RS and HL. If you don't mind me asking, how long did RS take to get back to you?

 

[BobThebIlly]

Should I assume a PFO from Freshfields if I haven’t been progressed to their stage 2 test? I did stage 1 on Monday.

 

[Dannie]

Has anyone done the CC WG... how hard is it?

 

[Lawlawland]

Also,please is the 1st stage online assessment automatic ?

It is!

 

[qaz99]

Should I assume a PFO from Freshfields if I haven’t been progressed to their stage 2 test? I did stage 1 on Monday.

Far too early to tell. I think I received my stage 2 about 2 weeks after completing stage 1.

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Does anyone know if the amberjack verbal/numerical tests actually have a 'right' answer to them?
I thought I did pretty well in one of them as I made sure to analyse every detail and go over my calculations several times, but I always end up with a mid score for both. Any tips on how I could improve and reach the high level?

They definitely have a right answer as your final calculation should hopefully match one of the answer options. I would’ve said time is a factor, but I spend quite long sometimes making sure I get the correct answer and I’ve personally never scored below high numerical. Verbal is slightly trickier as you can’t objectively confirm whether you are correct or not, but I think if you get a single question wrong, you can’t get high numerical/verbal (not entirely sure on this tho).

 

[avocadob]

Should we assume pfo for CMS if we didn't receive an invite yesterday for VI..?

 

[elizabethkate]

Does anyone know how firms tend to deal with requests to unsubmit an application

i went to firm open day after submitting and asked the hiring team what i can do and they said i could re submit with another email and they’d scrap the other one so there’s options and i still got through to AC so it’s not always bad as long as u talk to them and explain why your unsubmitting and trying again