TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

For NRF, given their website only mentions "Tell us why you want to join, what excites you about our programme, and how your skills match our values. Keep it personal and specific." for their cover letter, am I right in saying we don't need to mention why law in the cover letter?

Hello!

I would agree with other users and say that since the NRF guidance focuses on why you want to join them, what excites you about their programme, and how your skills fit their values, you don't need a long "why law" section.

That said, it might be useful to incorporate a bit of your motivation for commercial law into your reasons for wanting to join NRF (i.e. an interest in their main practice areas could tie into why you are interested in commercial law work). I'd just keep it brief and integrated into why the firm and the programme appeals to you, rather than treating it as a separate point

 

[Goodbyetc]

Anyone that’s had a dla TI can you remember when they said we’d hear about ACs I cannot for the life of me remember

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Left my Bird & Bird app way too late. Can anyone shed some light on the question: "Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise?" Is it a genuine question on the sector, or am I meant to tie this back to B&B? Or is it in fact a redundant question, because an opportunity for the sector is an opportunity for B&B? HELP!

Hi!

I'd say it is a sector-focused question, but you're not overthinking it - I think it is a good idea to link it back to Bird & Bird as well! The aim is to show you understand an industry they specialise in and can assess the commercial implications for clients and the firm.

I would pick one sector (such as tech, life sciences, energy, etc.), identify a specific opportunity for that the firm can utilise (i.e. AI regulation opening advisory work, renewable tech investment, etc.) and then explain why this creates work for Bird & Bird and how the firm is well-placed to help clients.

So it's not redundant - the key is showing that you can spot a sector trend and think commercially about its impact. If you can explain how this opportunity could drive client needs and the type of work Bird & Bird might be involved in, it demonstrates that you understand both the sector and the firm's positioning in it.

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

 

[p2bv]

Anyone that’s had a dla TI can you remember when they said we’d hear about ACs I cannot for the life of me remember

I think I was just told in December at some point. As far as I know though no one has gotten an AC or PFO in this thread yet so guessing decisions haven’t been made. People are still on WG stage so idk when we’ll hear

 

[Goodbyetc]

I think I was just told in December at some point. As far as I know though no one has gotten an AC or PFO in this thread yet so guessing decisions haven’t been made. People are still on WG stage so idk when we’ll hear

Thank you! For some reason I thought the ACs were late dec early jan no clue why I think I’d blanked at that point

 

[deejaykay]

Hi!

I'd say it is a sector-focused question, but you're not overthinking it - I think it is a good idea to link it back to Bird & Bird as well! The aim is to show you understand an industry they specialise in and can assess the commercial implications for clients and the firm.

I would pick one sector (such as tech, life sciences, energy, etc.), identify a specific opportunity for that the firm can utilise (i.e. AI regulation opening advisory work, renewable tech investment, etc.) and then explain why this creates work for Bird & Bird and how the firm is well-placed to help clients.

So it's not redundant - the key is showing that you can spot a sector trend and think commercially about its impact. If you can explain how this opportunity could drive client needs and the type of work Bird & Bird might be involved in, it demonstrates that you understand both the sector and the firm's positioning in it.

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

Thanks, Abbie, that helps a lot. With this and @wooliewoo's advice, I feel more confident approaching this. Thanks so much for the outline. Super grateful for this community keeping me sane.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

If an application has a (1) Why firm question and (2) question about one of their sectors of your choice, if I mention a primary reason for applying is based on a specific sector-strength in q (1), is it best to talk about that same sector in q (2) or does that make me seem a bit limited in my interests?

Hi!

I'd say it's completely fine to talk about the same sector in both questions - in fact, it can make your application feel more focused, as long as you add new depth rather than repeating yourself.

In the "Why firm?" answer, you'd frame the sector as one reason you're drawn to them (e.g. their reputation, clients, recent deals, etc.). Then in the sector-specific question, you'd go deeper and discuss the trends, opportunities, risks, and how the firm could respond.

You won't look limited unless you only talk about that sector across the entire application. Therefore, if you're concerned, I would briefly reference other appealing areas that they practice in - but keeping one consistent sector thread can make your motivations look intentional and genuine.

I hope that helps!

 

[Lawlawland]

Goodwin and Kirkland have such long applications I almost wanna give up applying smh.

No WGT or SJT is the sole fuel that's driving me to apply there at this point.

 

[whywhy88]

In my cover letter, is it okay to refer to Norton Rose Fulbright in full once, and refer to them as NRF throughout the rest of the answer? Or is it better to just say the firm's full name every time?

 

[elle woods]

In my cover letter, is it okay to refer to Norton Rose Fulbright in full once, and refer to them as NRF throughout the rest of the answer? Or is it better to just say the firm's full name every time?

i think to save word count it's okay to say Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) at the start and then refer to them as NRF thereafter.

 

[londonlawyer]

Has anyone tried to ask Freshfields for WG scores?

 

[Lawlawland]

Anyone here attended the RPC insights day?

I remember them telling something about the strikingly real question but I can't figure it out from my notes... I would highly appreciate if you could DM me.

Happy to help with other open Day insights

 

[anon78365222111]

Hi, I have a presentation coming up at an AC where I have 30 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to present. I've never done this before, do you have tips on how to approach this, how I could start to engage them and how to structure it and just general tips to stand out. Thank you, p.s there's no slides. @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu

 

[Lawlawland]

Hogan Lovells stage online immersive assessment was very similar to the Freshfields one, and exactly why it was daunting.

I attended their Open Day and wrote a solid application for it, smh😞

 

[Lawlawland]

I would like some insights on the Linklaters feedback report:

It says my strengths are Critical thinking and Resilience, does it mean I have passed the WGT part of that test?

And is Resource and Work Management being the weekend a bad thing?

 

[BM99]

If you pass the stage 1, it is automatic.

Didn't realise I have to pass stage 1 to get stage 2! Did the grad recruitment say that?

 

[BM99]

I would like some insights on the Linklaters feedback report:

It says my strengths are Critical thinking and Resilience, does it mean I have passed the WGT part of that test?

And is Resource and Work Management being the weekend a bad thing?

I think for WGT they look more into the second WGT you will receive after the Capp assessment.

For resource and work management I think there were people getting this as weakness in previous years, and they progressed to AC.

 

[futuretraineeihope]

Hi!

I'd say it's completely fine to talk about the same sector in both questions - in fact, it can make your application feel more focused, as long as you add new depth rather than repeating yourself.

In the "Why firm?" answer, you'd frame the sector as one reason you're drawn to them (e.g. their reputation, clients, recent deals, etc.). Then in the sector-specific question, you'd go deeper and discuss the trends, opportunities, risks, and how the firm could respond.

You won't look limited unless you only talk about that sector across the entire application. Therefore, if you're concerned, I would briefly reference other appealing areas that they practice in - but keeping one consistent sector thread can make your motivations look intentional and genuine.

I hope that helps!

This is so helpful thank you!

 

[Lawlawland]

Didn't realise I have to pass stage 1 to get stage 2! Did the grad recruitment say that?

That's the process.
Last year, I failed stage 1, didn't get stage 2 invite.
This year, I cleared stage 1, and did stage 2 (for OD)

 

[Snickerdoodlesolicitor]

does anyone know for Latham's 1st test if the camera will be on?