TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[pfoapplicant]

Hi guys - I'm going through the Mischon de Reya application form, and have a quick query to ask. If anyone's got any advice, I'd be really grateful

On the form, there's a section marked "Work Experience", but it only contains 4 available spaces (all of which are only 150 words long). The next section on the form is titled "Activities & Achievements"; here, there's 5 spaces available, all of which are 200 words long.
Would it be right to assume that the "Activities & Achievements" section is only for extra-curricular stuff (and so it wouldn't be a good idea to use it to list any examples of work experience that I couldn't fit into the previous section)?

 

[James Wakefield]

Ok just to gauge where Pinsents are likely at please could you 👍 this message if you’re still waiting, 👎 this message if you got a rejection, and 🏆 this message if you got an AC.

Thank you! ☺️

 

[safari3]

Hi all, I recently attempted to complete the Mishcon chat-based interview, but on the last question the system completely crashed (out of my control, I have videos and pictures of evidence) and I was unfortunately unable to complete/submit any of the contents. I have persistently reached out to Mishcon Grad Rec (with no luck), but I am wondering whether there is a more appropriate route of communication I should take? I obviously can understand that it may just be a tough luck situation, but I was hoping to hear back from them with a concrete answer - any tips/suggestions?

I’d honestly reach out to them via Linkedin if they’re not responding via email. I messaged Shaun on Linkedin last year for an urgent matter and he was very responsive. Otherwise you could always call reception and they can connect you to the early careers team as a last resort. Hope it gets sorted for you soon!

 

[Chelsea101]

Asking for a friend who's still waiting to hear back - Those that got an AC with Pinsent Masons, is it for the new year or December? Thanks

 

[zonnonomo]

me who submitted pinsent's test 6 hours after the deadline: wonder what's the holdup with my AC invite 🤔

 

[Harvey Specter]

Stephenson Harwood London open day PFO, but been offered the virtual open day instead. Going to assume it’s non-selective. Thought I had written a decent application. Guess it is indicative of the entire process being either hit or miss. 🥲​

 

[johnsmith]

Asking for a friend who's still waiting to hear back - Those that got an AC with Pinsent Masons, is it for the new year or December? Thanks

December!

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Has anyone heard from Sidley for Spring/summer, please?

 

[johnsmith]

I’d honestly reach out to them via Linkedin if they’re not responding via email. I messaged Shaun on Linkedin last year for an urgent matter and he was very responsive. Otherwise you could always call reception and they can connect you to the early careers team as a last resort. Hope it gets sorted for you soon!

Calling them is definitely the way forward - the delay could just be because they're trying to look into the technical issue and work out how to address it as the issue was unexpected.

 

[Charles Leclerc]

Is Pinsent Masons using Amberjack as their assessment software?

 

[roo4]

How long did it take for Bird & Bird to respond post WG? Also, has anyone heard from AG?

 

[yuhhhh]

Does it make sense to apply for Latham even without attending their Open Day?

 

[stilltrying]

Wondering if its too late to submit dechert and sidley spring/summer considering the rolling nature of both

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Does it make sense to apply for Latham even without attending their Open Day?

Definitely. why not?

 

[TortillaTC]

Wondering if its too late to submit dechert and sidley spring/summer considering the rolling nature of both

I’d say Sidley definitely yes, they probably won’t start assessing spring and summer apps until after the winter scheme

 

[emily3827]

Wondering if its too late to submit dechert and sidley spring/summer considering the rolling nature of both

my friend secured a vac scheme and tc at sidley last year and literally applied the day of the deadline, so I think they defo review every application even if they're rolling, also with dechert I applied a week before the deadline for winter and got an ac so I would recommend applying to both if you care about the firms

 

[maylawwww]

Omg bird & bird virtual AC??? i stg never count yourself out because i have never passed a VI before and i thought that one in particular was a bit of a car crash

 

[Andrei Radu]

Would you say a similar thing for slaughters? Their deadline is 05/12 and I’m almost ready but I feel I’m cutting it a bit fine…

Yes - although it is closer to date, Slaughter and May has never had a reputation for caring a lot about how early an application was submitted. If anything, the firm is know to look for a particular "type" of academics-focused applicants and to often depart from common recruitment practices when targeting them. As such, if the firm sees you as having a desirable candidate profile, I doubt they would reject you simply because you have not submitted your application earlier.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Omg bird & bird virtual AC??? i stg never count yourself out because i have never passed a VI before and i thought that one in particular was a bit of a car crash

Huge congratulations @maylawwww 🥳 🥳 🥳 ! I also definitely agree with your sentiment, having been progressed after some VIs I thought I had completely flunked. I believe a general principle people should try to internalise is that if you are finding an assessment really difficult, it is likely that so are many other people; and that even quite imperfect efforts to deal as well as you can with such nerve-raking experience can show a firm many of your desirable qualities even you may be unaware about.

 

[Andrei Radu]

thank you so much this is really helpful, in my planned answer i talked about how it would be difficult to organise and co-ordinate with laywers in offices in different time zones and these lines of communications might not always be smooth but said how this is a challenge that excites me - would you say this is steering too far from the q and it should literally focus on something that wouldn't be enjouable

I think you should indeed try to actually pick out a feature that you believe would not feel very enjoyable to experience, at least when comparing it to the other features of working in commercial law. I do not think your example is necessarily implausible, as I have heard a number of lawyers complain about the way cross-border communication on some deals would really mess up their schedules and require them to pull all-nighters. Thus, I think you can make this point work for you, but you need to ensure you actually "sell" the idea that this would not be something you will enjoy; as you want to avoid making the impression you are just dodging the real question and make yourself look like you like everything about commercial law.