TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[FutureTrainee_101]

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 there,

This is great question, as previously completed vacation schemes can be very powerful in an application, when you convey your experiences effectively.

A few important things to note:

• You can include other firms’ vacation schemes. Recruiters expect it, and it’s not seen as disloyal or awkward.
• Keep the focus on what you did and learned, not on praising the firm itself. Frame it around skills, exposure, and insight rather than 'how great Firm X was'.
• Translate the experience into transferable takeaways: teamwork, commercial awareness, drafting, client exposure, feedback, managing deadlines, etc.
• Where helpful, subtly bridge to the firm you’re applying to by showing how the experience clarified what you’re now looking for - without naming comparisons.

For example, instead of:

“At Firm X, a leading US firm, I gained excellent exposure to its Band-1 private equity practice.”

You might write:

“During a vacation scheme at firm X, I worked on a simulated acquisition, assisting with due diligence and drafting ancillary documents, which strengthened my interest in transactional work.”

Used properly, prior vacation schemes can really strengthen an application - they show commitment and that you’re making informed choices.

I hope this helps!

 

[Harvey Specter]

Would it be too late to apply to akin? Could someone kindly lmk what qs are on the app form please

1) what motivates you to pursue a career as a commercial solicitor, and why do you see Akin as the right place to begin that journey? (250 words)

2) Akin’s London office works across a range of practice areas. Which area(s) interest you most, and why? (250 words)

3) What are you looking for in your legal career, and how do you see a firm like Akin helping you achieve these goals? (250 words)

4) Please identify a commercial issue currently in the news and explain how it is likely to impact the clients that Akin represents and the type of work the firm undertakes. (250 words)

5) Tell us about an achievement you are most proud of and why. What skills did you develop? (250 words)

6) Please give details of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility and any other noteworthy achievements that will support your application. (250 words)​

 

[RJ Ruban]

1) what motivates you to pursue a career as a commercial solicitor, and why do you see Akin as the right place to begin that journey?

2) Akin’s London office works across a range of practice areas. Which area(s) interest you most, and why?

3) What are you looking for in your legal career, and how do you see a firm like Akin helping you achieve these goals?

4) Please identify a commercial issue currently in the news and explain how it is likely to impact the clients that Akin represents and the type of work the firm undertakes.

5) Tell us about an achievement you are most proud of and why. What skills did you develop?

6) Please give details of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility and any other noteworthy achievements that will support your application.​

Thank you so much!! What are the word limit for the questions?

 

[FutureTrainee_101]

Skadden PFO. Caught me pretty off guard as it was my best application so far and sent it to get reviewed😭. I also have a decent amount of legal experience and hold a few positions of responsibility

Really sucks. That’s my 5th rejection out of the 8 firms I’ve applied to currently

Hi there,

Completely understand your frustration here - it’s especially tough when it’s an application you’d invested in and felt confident about. Having strong legal experience and positions of responsibility should make this easier, but unfortunately even very good applications don’t always convert, particularly with firms like Skadden where the margin for progression is tiny.

Try not to read this as a judgment on your overall profile. Rejections at this stage are often about fit, timing, or sheer volume rather than capability - and 5 out of 8, while miserable emotionally, is still very much within the 'normal' range in this process.

What does matter is that you’re reflecting, getting applications reviewed, and continuing to apply. One offer is all it takes, and plenty of people who end up with TCs have a similar (or worse) ratio along the way.

Just make sure you're leveraging those valuable experiences you have the to their fullest extent. If you are highly specific with examples from these experiences that evidence your competencies, motivations for working in law, and skills - then you will be in a good spot with upcoming applications.

Keep your head up!!

 

[elle woods]

Is Mayer Brown's test not automatic? It's been 2-3 days and I still haven't had any updates

I would think it's automatic, but maybe sent out in batches by Grad Rec? I assume they might be waiting to send out the last batch, so after today's deadline maybe? I'm also waiting lol

 

[FutureTrainee_101]

Is there a list of firms you can apply to more to a once on this website? I know NRF and Covington allow it. Any more?

Hi there!

Short answer: there isn’t a central list on this website that sets out which firms allow multiple applications per cycle.

As a general rule, most firms only permit one application per recruitment cycle, and they’ll usually make this clear on their own careers pages or application portals. That normally means one vacation scheme or one training contract application in a given year, rather than multiple.

You’re right that NRF and Covington are commonly cited examples of firms that allow more flexibility, but they’re very much the exception rather than the norm.

A few general points that might help:

• Many firms will let you apply to both an open day and a vacation scheme, as these are often treated as separate programmes.
• Some firms allow applications to different intakes of the same scheme (e.g. winter and summer vacation schemes), but others treat this as a single application - it really varies.
• Even where multiple applications are technically allowed, firms expect them to be consistent and well-reasoned, not duplicated.

The safest approach is always to check each firm’s recruitment FAQs and make a simple tracker noting:

• how many applications are allowed per cycle,
• which programmes count as separate,
• and any restrictions on offices or intakes.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[elle woods]

1) what motivates you to pursue a career as a commercial solicitor, and why do you see Akin as the right place to begin that journey? (250 words)

2) Akin’s London office works across a range of practice areas. Which area(s) interest you most, and why? (250 words)

3) What are you looking for in your legal career, and how do you see a firm like Akin helping you achieve these goals? (250 words)

4) Please identify a commercial issue currently in the news and explain how it is likely to impact the clients that Akin represents and the type of work the firm undertakes. (250 words)

5) Tell us about an achievement you are most proud of and why. What skills did you develop? (250 words)

6) Please give details of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility and any other noteworthy achievements that will support your application. (250 words)​

that's so long 😭 wow I respect grad rec for having to read through SO many

 

[nicoledm]

Does anyone have any insight into Fieldfisher first stage interview? (DTC)

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Has anyone heard from Kirkland since applying?

 

[lawyersum]

weird question but does anyone know if grad rec watches the part of amberjack recording when you’re just doing the sjt and other non-vi questions? i just realised i looked like an actual homeless person while doing those questions with all my weird expressions coming out…also today was not a good hair day if my frizzy hair girlies can relate!!!

 

[elle woods]

weird question but does anyone know if grad rec watches the part of amberjack recording when you’re just doing the sjt and other non-vi questions? i just realised i looked like an actual homeless person while doing those questions with all my weird expressions coming out…also today was not a good hair day if my frizzy hair girlies can relate!!!

haahah i hope they don't (it sure would take them a long time if they do) - for mine I was speaking to myself and making these contorted expressions too HAHA, literally sounded like a mad-woman 😂

 

[Harvey Specter]

weird question but does anyone know if grad rec watches the part of amberjack recording when you’re just doing the sjt and other non-vi questions? i just realised i looked like an actual homeless person while doing those questions with all my weird expressions coming out…also today was not a good hair day if my frizzy hair girlies can relate!!!

I hope they don’t because I was pulling all sorts of faces at some of the questions I had for Weil’s SJT and lowkey look homeless asf rn. I was speaking to myself to try work out the answers to the maths questions lmfao. Maths isn’t my strength sadly. 😭​

 

[Suii]

Eversheds pfo thank you for letting me know.

 

[sjm251102]

Eversheds pfo thank you for letting me know.

me too lollll - I got the AC 2 years ago when I was in uni and had no legal experience.... I applied again this year and now have 1.5 years of paralegal experience and I got a PFO!!!! crazy....

 

[RasAlGhul]

Does anyone have any insight into Fieldfisher first stage interview? (DTC)

Congrats on reaching this stage, that’s already a really good sign.

I did the Fieldfisher first-stage interview for the DTC about two years ago, so while things can evolve slightly year to year, the overall structure and focus are likely to be very similar.

From memory, it was a fairly straightforward and friendly interview rather than anything designed to catch you out. The emphasis was much more on motivation and fit with Fieldfisher than on technical legal knowledge. Expect questions around:

Why Fieldfisher specifically (and this is where being clear on their sectors and culture really matters)
Why commercial law / why a training contract
Your experiences to date and what you’ve taken from them
Competency-style questions (teamwork, dealing with challenges, communication etc)

What stood out to me was that they were genuinely interested in how you think and whether you’d be a good fit for the firm, rather than testing you on black-letter law. Having clear, well-structured examples and being able to explain why Fieldfisher appeals to you, beyond surface-level points, went a long way. Also, a BIG TIP, try not to use the same points you made in your applications, using some points from it and adding something new is ideal.

Best of luck and well done again on getting to this stage!

 

[ninarosee]

Has anyone heard from Kirkland since applying?

I heard back today! I applied a day before the deadline and I saw someone else here who applied and heard back the next day

 

[lawyersum]

haahah i hope they don't (it sure would take them a long time if they do) - for mine I was speaking to myself and making these contorted expressions too HAHA, literally sounded like a mad-woman 😂

I hope they don’t because I was pulling all sorts of faces at some of the questions I had for Weil’s SJT and lowkey look homeless asf rn. I was speaking to myself to try work out the answers to the maths questions lmfao. 😭​

i hope they don’t ahh!! i lowkey had my computer screen pushed all the way back for some questions as that’s how i read the screen best. must’ve looked so weird smh. but thanks for the reassurance that I’m not the only one looking a mess atm

 

[Chelsea101]

RS PFO - this one cuts deep since I applied and went to Open Day, poured heart and soul into app, thought VI went well so I can only think the numerical reasoning bit brought me down (got full bars on verbal reasoning). Such a shame - never been good at maths.

 

[e_turbo2]

Eversheds pfo thank you for letting me know.

Sorry to hear this! Please may I ask when you applied?

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

Its been 41 days since I last heard from simmons.

Chances of me getting married seem to be higher at this rate🙄

41 days is crazy wtf😭🙏reminds me of when HL ghosted me for 2 months and i forgot that i even applied😍