TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yk1906]

Those applying to Willkie - beware that the deadline tomorrow is not 23:59 but basically lunchtime!

Btw, to those who applied this/last week: are there any next-stage invites?

 

[elle woods]

Hi guys just wanted to pop in to remind everyone that you are doing so well and that good things are to come!! Remember to take care of your health during these tough times - better days are ahead 💗

 

[trainee4u]

Those applying to Willkie - beware that the deadline tomorrow is not 23:59 but basically lunchtime!

Btw, to those who applied this/last week: are there any next-stage invites?

so is Bird & Bird's the next day.
Basically best to assume all deadlines are the day before.
(Except DLA Piper when it will be about three days after opening.)

 

[yk1906]

I don't know if being ghosted by Sidley Austin is good or bad 😭 Should I assume PFO?
December, please be kind to us all 🙃

 

[svb risk management intern]

Bakers test invite

 

[M123]

Those applying to Willkie - beware that the deadline tomorrow is not 23:59 but basically lunchtime!

Btw, to those who applied this/last week: are there any next-stage invites?

They said they would review apps post-deadline, so I don’t think anyone would have heard anything yet

 

[panda1989]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock! Could I please have some advice about how to structure an written exercise e.g. an email, as I have seen a lot about using headings and bullet points but I'm not too sure on the overall structure? Also if anyone has any resources to practice them!

I also wanted to know how I should go about preparing my commercial awareness. For example, I know about the annual budget but I don't really know how this impacts law firms. Alongside this, are there any key standout challenges effecting law firms/clients currently?

Would really appreciate any guidance!

Thank you

 

[annalise.keating]

Has anyone been invited to assessment for Baker McKenzie?

I was invited today!

 

[lucky888]

Any Latham & Watkins video interview insights? Please do DM me, happy to give insights to other firms (been through too many cycles now😩)

 

[panda1989]

how many pages should Kirkland's CV be? and do we put open days etc. on them?

 

[Trophy]

how many pages should Kirkland's CV be? and do we put open days etc. on them?

A CV should always be max 2 pages.

It depends on the experience you have, I have had a few jobs therefore found putting open days on my CV was a waste of space and I could include this in the application somewhere. Lots of firms ask if you’ve attended open days/events as a question so double check this is not already being asked.

 

[panda1989]

A CV should always be max 2 pages.

It depends on the experience you have, I have had a few jobs therefore found putting open days on my CV was a waste of space and I could include this in the application somewhere. Lots of firms ask if you’ve attended open days/events as a question so double check this is not already being asked.

Thank you for your response!!
I have had several jobs but its currently a page and a half - do you recommend I add a few more bullets to each job or should I pop on the open days on? or is it fine to leave as is (I don't know if its better to use the full 2 pages)?

 

[TortillaTC]

so is Bird & Bird's the next day.
Basically best to assume all deadlines are the day before.
(Except DLA Piper when it will be about three days after opening.)

On the same note, Goodwin will close at 5pmish on 12nd December!! Be aware

 

[GT1205H]

I haven’t updated you guys in a while (been trying to get over my S&M PFO) so I just wanted to share a quick update on where I’m currently at with my applications. Current status below:

-HSFK: Applied 26/10, passed the test benchmark and now waiting to hear back.🤞🏼

-DLA Piper: Applied 06/10, test received 26/10, phone interview invite on 05/12. I had the interview today and have already received confirmation that I passed the benchmark, now waiting on next steps. 🤞🏼

-Bird & Bird: Applied 11/11, PFO received 04/12 without sitting a test.💀

-Reed Smith: Applied 06/11, test invite on 20/11, still waiting on an outcome.🤞🏼

-S&M: Applied 04/11, PFO received 12/12.💔🫩🥺

-Linklaters: Applied 01/09, scored 35/40 on WG, still waiting to hear back.🤞🏼

-Morrison Foerster: Applied 21/11, no response yet.🤞🏼

-Clyde & Co. Applied 17/11, no response yet.🤞🏼

- Older PFOs💀: Hogan Lovells and A&O Shearman

Trying to stay positive and patient through the waiting game. Wishing everyone else lots of luck with your applications too.🥰

 

[TortillaTC]

I wonder how they are going to Select people for AC, it feels like if everyone received the second stage test, you probably need the most compatible sjt results plus extremely high Watson glasser

I don’t think everyone received the second stage test, I’d be logical for them to filter out maybe 50% of candidates based on the first test, since basically everyone that met the minimum academic criteria received the first test anyways. I did mine today so I’ll keep the forum updated on when/if I receive the second stage.

 

[Bbhu19]

I don’t think everyone received the second stage test, I’d be logical for them to filter out maybe 50% of candidates based on the first test, since basically everyone that met the minimum academic criteria received the first test anyways. I did mine today so I’ll keep the forum updated on when/if I receive the second stage.

Oh ok I just felt like if a lot of people on this forum reached the second stage but in the grander scheme of things that’s maybe less than 100 people out of the thousands they need to look at

 

[Bbhu19]

For those who did take the second stage milbank how did you feel about it?

 

[Trophy]

Thank you for your response!!
I have had several jobs but its currently a page and a half - do you recommend I add a few more bullets to each job or should I pop on the open days on? or is it fine to leave as is (I don't know if its better to use the full 2 pages)?

I think its important that the points on your CV do not repeat what’s in the work experience section on the application form.

I think on my CV I focused on non law experiences (bullet points) and the work experience section law experiences in prose.

Length does not matter as long as the quality is good. I include award, sports and achievements on my CV so that also takes up space.

 

[elle woods]

I haven’t updated you guys in a while (been trying to get over my S&M PFO) so I just wanted to share a quick update on where I’m currently at with my applications. Current status below:

-HSFK: Applied 26/10, passed the test benchmark and now waiting to hear back.🤞🏼

-DLA Piper: Applied 06/10, test received 26/10, phone interview invite on 05/12. I had the interview today and have already received confirmation that I passed the benchmark, now waiting on next steps. 🤞🏼

-Bird & Bird: Applied 11/11, PFO received 04/12 without sitting a test.💀

-Reed Smith: Applied 06/11, test invite on 20/11, still waiting on an outcome.🤞🏼

-S&M: Applied 04/11, PFO received 12/12.💔🫩🥺

-Linklaters: Applied 01/09, scored 35/40 on WG, still waiting to hear back.🤞🏼

-Morrison Foerster: Applied 21/11, no response yet.🤞🏼

-Clyde & Co. Applied 17/11, no response yet.🤞🏼

- Older PFOs💀: Hogan Lovells and A&O Shearman

Trying to stay positive and patient through the waiting game. Wishing everyone else lots of luck with your applications too.🥰

oh how do we get our WG scores from Links?? Also good luck on the applications you are waiting for!

 

[Trophy]

Oh ok I just felt like if a lot of people on this forum reached the second stage but in the grander scheme of things that’s maybe less than 100 people out of the thousands they need to look at

I did stage 1 weeks ago and I’ve not been invited to stage 2 however I was not confident in my stage 1 Answers. Probably the first I’ve felt like that this cycle…