TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Aspiring_CommercialLawyer2026]

What is it that firms are looking for though? I am extremely pessimistic at my chances, and I have a very reasonable level of work experience and a first-class law result in first year. I got rejected from a LOT of open days etc but this was before we had first year grades so I'm wondering if this might make a big difference!

HI!

You’re absolutely right that the process can feel exhausting and disheartening, especially when you’re putting in so much effort in and not receiving much feedback. (I had my share of pessimism at the process after getting rejected by firms I had poured so much effort into applying to).

That said, there are ways to learn more about the process and build a strategy. These include attending firm events both in person and virtually and building strong skills that will serve you well when you do land a vacation scheme. From my own experience, one of the biggest turning points was learning how to craft really tailored applications. I went through a cycle of complete rejections with very little advancement through the process and have seen the same in many strong candidates with great academics and experience ( like yourself) who struggle to stand out in the process if their applications aren’t structured in the right way.

It took me a while to get the hang of this skill myself, and its only something that I built through applying and getting feedback. TCLA’s application review service is a great tool to get 'fresh eyes' and thoughts to strengthen your responses, but there is also usually useful support available through your university’s career service or reaching out to trainees who might be willing to give your applications a quick look. It’s tough, but please, please don’t lose hope! If you need any advice about particular firms or particular aspects of the application process, please don't hesitate to reach out on here.

On the point about grades, so long as you are meeting the requirements firms set such as achieving a 2.1 I wouldn't be too worried unless you were applying to firms who are known for being strict with academics.

I hope you feel much better and, more importantly, I hope you know that you definitely have what it takes to secure a vacation scheme/training contract with a firm. Hang in there - I am rooting for you!

(This guide by Andrei of building a winning application strategy may clear up aspects of the process and help give you direction with the process - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....building-a-winning-application-strategy.9080/)

 

[Bree]

Is Milbank's first test automatic? I submitted 3 days ago

 

[SamiyaJ]

Good morning all,

I take a glance at the forum here and there nowadays and it’s so nice to see how supportive everyone’s being!

Time for my quarterly (or monthly??!) update:

PFOs so far:

• Reed Smith post app
• Taylor Wessing post SJT
• HSF Kramer even after passing SJT
• Skadden post app (today) 😭
• NRF post VI but I’ve reapplied for summer lmao
• Paul, Weiss post app
• Hogan Lovells post 1st test
• Covington post app
• Willkie post VI
• Bird & Bird post VI
• CMS post WG
• WFW post app

Waiting to hear back from:
• Clyde & Co VI (pleaseeee give me an AC 😭😭😭)
• Goodwin post app
• Cooley post app
• Mishcon post chat interview
• Withers post SJT (assuming PFO)
• Hill Dickinson post app
• Stephenson Harwood post app
• Travers Smith post app
• NRF post Arctic Shores (recycled my score lmao please gimme another VI)
• Ropes & Gray post app
• Farrer & Co post app (got to 1st stage interview for DTC last year, hopefully I progress)
• HFW post app

Will do Womble Bond Dickinson and other DTC apps from next month… 😭😭 planning my wedding is a delight compared to this and that’s saying something !!!

 

[JasmineM9]

Anyone know when we should hear back from Latham post stage 2 Tests?

 

[JasmineM9]

Good morning all,

I take a glance at the forum here and there nowadays and it’s so nice to see how supportive everyone’s being!

Time for my quarterly (or monthly??!) update:

PFOs so far:

• Reed Smith post app
• Taylor Wessing post SJT
• HSF Kramer even after passing SJT
• Skadden post app (today) 😭
• NRF post VI but I’ve reapplied for summer lmao
• Paul, Weiss post app
• Hogan Lovells post 1st test
• Covington post app
• Willkie post VI
• Bird & Bird post VI
• CMS post WG
• WFW post app

Waiting to hear back from:
• Clyde & Co VI (pleaseeee give me an AC 😭😭😭)
• Goodwin post app
• Cooley post app
• Mishcon post chat interview
• Withers post SJT (assuming PFO)
• Hill Dickinson post app
• Stephenson Harwood post app
• Travers Smith post app
• NRF post Arctic Shores (recycled my score lmao please gimme another VI)
• Ropes & Gray post app
• Farrer & Co post app (got to 1st stage interview for DTC last year, hopefully I progress)
• HFW post app

Will do Womble Bond Dickinson and other DTC apps from next month… 😭😭 planning my wedding is a delight compared to this and that’s saying something !!!

That is so impressive!!! You applied to a lot of firms so I am sure you will eventually succeed!! Fingers crossed 🤞🥹

 

[Aspiring_CommercialLawyer2026]

Does anybody have any tips on how to write about a different firm's vacation scheme that you have completed in the work experience section of job apps?

Hi!

I would just keep it skills focused. Do mention what you did on the scheme (i.e. what departments you sat in) and what you took away from it, This could be insights gained from the scheme or particular examples from workshops or masterclasses held on the scheme alongside skills you developed.

The crucial point is showcasing how the experience helped you grow and shape your interest in the firm you're currently applying for. It is very normal to have done schemes at different firms, and this will not negatively impact your application - rather it shows that you made it through a very competitive process!

 

[johnsmith]

How do you know that?

Sorry I was just messing around - I don’t think anyone would know!

 

[SamiyaJ]

That is so impressive!!! You applied to a lot of firms so I am sure you will eventually succeed!! Fingers crossed 🤞🥹

Thank you so much lovely! Likewise. 🫶🏾 I do feel like I am getting “better” each cycle (this is my 2nd cycle) but there’s so many stages this time round and idk how they expect us to be perfect in every single stage. But have to keep on going 😭😭

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

They closed applications last night. I’m not sure if they’re filled all spots as I know they’re rolling.

Sorry, I meant are they not inviting anybody to AC's anymore

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Hi!

It's mainly there for mitigating circumstances, but you can also use it for anything genuinely relevant that hasn't fit elsewhere in the application.

If you don't have mitigating circumstances, it's completely fine to leave it blank. If you do use it, try to keep it concise and factual - for example, explaining extenuating circumstances affecting grades, non-traditional routes, caring responsibilities, or anything that adds helpful context to your application.

I wouldn't use it to repeat strengths or motivation that you've already covered in other answers

Thanks so much!!

 

[loch_sk]

Macfarlanes PFO after 2nd Assessment

 

[Sonia2004]

If your written application was successful in the last cycle and the questions are the same, can you submit same application but with a few changes?

Hi!

I would strongly advise against doing this just because you might have new information to add, such as change in your grades, new and more valuable work experiences, as well as amending your 'Why X firm' response. For example, you might want to add a more recent deal with new commercial information that is more relevant.

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Good morning all,

I take a glance at the forum here and there nowadays and it’s so nice to see how supportive everyone’s being!

Time for my quarterly (or monthly??!) update:

PFOs so far:

• Reed Smith post app
• Taylor Wessing post SJT
• HSF Kramer even after passing SJT
• Skadden post app (today) 😭
• NRF post VI but I’ve reapplied for summer lmao
• Paul, Weiss post app
• Hogan Lovells post 1st test
• Covington post app
• Willkie post VI
• Bird & Bird post VI
• CMS post WG
• WFW post app

Waiting to hear back from:
• Clyde & Co VI (pleaseeee give me an AC 😭😭😭)
• Goodwin post app
• Cooley post app
• Mishcon post chat interview
• Withers post SJT (assuming PFO)
• Hill Dickinson post app
• Stephenson Harwood post app
• Travers Smith post app
• NRF post Arctic Shores (recycled my score lmao please gimme another VI)
• Ropes & Gray post app
• Farrer & Co post app (got to 1st stage interview for DTC last year, hopefully I progress)
• HFW post app

Will do Womble Bond Dickinson and other DTC apps from next month… 😭😭 planning my wedding is a delight compared to this and that’s saying something !!!

Hi, best of luck with everything, all it takes is 1 app!! It's definitely harder to get past the first hurdle than it is to progress once you get to interviewing / AC stage. Do you mind saying when you heard back from HSF? They are my dream firm and I'm tired or refreshing my inbox haha

 

[Trophy]

Sorry, I meant are they not inviting anybody to AC's anymore

Oh I hope not I applied 12 hours ago haha

 

[Sonia2004]

I have not gotten a PFO or a WE invite from Skadden? Does this mean a PFO?

From my personal experience, when Skadden took a long time to get back to me, it usually meant PFO.

 

[yk1906]

Skadden PFO 😍😍

 

[Aspiring_CommercialLawyer2026]

How long do you typically spend on applications? Say a typical 3 x 200 words/ cover letter application form?

I have spent two days on one application qs, but I hear people submitting a lot more within a smaller time frame!

I fear giving too much energy on one application form which might get rejected post test or something

Hi!

This is a question where there is not a one size fits all answer. Whilst it should always be your intention to make applications consisting of high quality responses, aiming for perfection may be negatively impacting your energy levels and ability to submit other applications. With that being said, when forecasting how long to spend on a response, consider the factors below:

• Your research and application writing speed - depending on how much prior experience you have had with researching firms and writing applications, you may be able to complete applications to a high standard significantly faster/slower than other people. Speed whilst maintaining quality is something that builds incrementally overtime and this should help ease time spent on a single application as you continue to go through the process.
• Your applications strategy - when planning on applying to another 20-30 more firms before the end of the cycle, naturally you will be expecting to turnover applications at a faster rate than completing 5 applications.
• Your commitments outside of applications - if you are employed, studying, have examinations round the corner or other significant personal commitments taking up substantial amounts of your time, once again, that will influence the total amount of time you can invest in writing applications. It is crucial to plan ahead in these circumstances and being realistic in what you can achieve, whilst also holding yourself to account to make sure you aren't looking to find an extra 1% to an application that is of high quality. This is as it is better to submit as many high quality applications as possible, rather than only 1-2 that are perfect.

In my case, when I first started applying it could easily take up to a week or two, while by the end, I had gained strong research and writing skills through the hard work spent in crafting previous high quality applications, resulting in it taking less than a day. I would advise you to reflect on your plan as per your strategy and look at the aforementioned factors to consider how many high quality applications you can make in a period of time.

It remains crucial to not rush applications to submit as many as possible, rather aim to submit as many high quality applications as possible.

All the best!

 

[Sonia2004]

Any tips for a written exercise? What can we expect?

Hi!

This can vary according to the firm you are applying to. Usually you can expect any of these:

1. Advising a client = They might give you a scenario where the client is undergoing a M & A Transaction, and has sent an email asking about potential risks they could face. You therefore would have to outline any commercial and legal risks you can identify within the given time and in a concise manner so the client can understand.

2. Research task = Sometimes, they can give you lots of different links to explore and provide a response. For example, I was given a pitching task at Simmons and Simmons during my AC where there were lots of different links about the firm, its areas, awards etc. I was then asked to used that information and verbally pitch Simmons to a new client.

3. Answering questions using legislations. They might give you a piece of law, and forward you an email the client has written asking whether the law applies to their case, and you will have to respond accordingly.

My best tip for you would be to ensure you are being as concise as possible, direct to your point, and using laymen terms! A lot of candidates try to use 'fancy' words to sound professional but it just ends up intimidating and confusing the clients, so be as clear as you can. Wishing you the best of luck!

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hi, best of luck with everything, all it takes is 1 app!! It's definitely harder to get past the first hurdle than it is to progress once you get to interviewing / AC stage. Do you mind saying when you heard back from HSF? They are my dream firm and I'm tired or refreshing my inbox haha

Thank you! I applied to HSF on 6 Sept and I think 2 weeks later I got the test, and couple of days after I was told I passed the benchmark. Received PFO on 8 Oct. Best of luck with HSF!

 

[Sonia2004]

for the Forsters application question: "Forsters offers legal advice across a wide variety of areas. Which two practice areas are you most keen to explore during your training contract, and why?"
does this refer to the 4 main areas which they work in or is it more specific, like their smaller teams within those overarching areas?

Hey! Do you mean their sectors? I would identify a sector first e.g corporate and commercial, and within those sectors, use a practice area e.g banking and finance. This makes it a lot more specific.