TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Trophy]

I emailed Freshfields for reasonable adjustments (for second stage VI) 5 days ago and have not received an email back but my deadline to submit is tomorrow. I'm so stressed, what do I do!!! I feel like I already told them about my adjustments in my app but I still wanted to complete the form just in case to confirm. should I send an email to the team?

They’re applied automatically. No need to wait.

 

[SemperParatus]

Congrats, that’s a really strong position to be in.

For transparency, I passed Weil's assessments, so I’ll share what I found actually mattered at each stage.

The SJT is much more about judgment and commercial common sense than legal knowledge. What helped me was constantly asking:

What’s the most sensible outcome for the client?
What protects the firm’s reputation and manages risk?
What would a good junior actually do in this situation?

Avoid extreme answers. Weil doesn’t want someone who escalates everything, but they also don’t want you acting independently when it’s inappropriate. The strongest answers usually involve prioritising, communicating clearly, and taking responsibility while knowing when to loop someone in.

The VI was intense but fair. A huge focus was on:

Why Weil - not just “US firm” or “high-quality work”, but why this platform, this culture, and this type of responsibility appeals to you
Commercial thinking - they cared much more about how I reasoned through issues than whether I landed on a “perfect” answer
Self-awareness - they were genuinely interested in whether I understood the pace and pressure and had actively chosen it

One thing I think helped was being honest about the intensity of Weil and framing it as something I’m drawn to, rather than trying to downplay it or pretend it’s for everyone.

Happy to answer specific questions if you have them, and best of luck.

Congrats, when did you hear back from Weil that you passed?

 

[TortillaTC]

Second this. Even someone with some PE work and US degree have spent app prep since 1L (first year of law school) to apply for 2L summer associate. By this case I won't apply for these types of PE heavy firms anymore. BYE GIBSON DUNN & PAUL HASTINGS!

Me applying P, W in my first cycle and first app with a day prep is so irrational and lame tbh. I took it as a bait, maybe should do an experiment for smaller firm 🤣 I felt so quirky now when read it back 😆

Tbh sometimes it’s not the right fit and it shows, it can be a good sign that your strengths might be more appreciated at a different kind of firm. I’m personally not too set on heavy PE/M&A work, it’s just one interest of mine.

 

[Amgrad]

Tbh sometimes it’s not the right fit and it shows, it can be a good sign that your strengths might be more appreciated at a different kind of firm. I’m personally not too set on heavy PE/M&A work, it’s just one interest of mine.

Yeah my PE work is a minor, whereas my VC work is dominated, it reflects my app outcome so far 😊

 

[Armaan Khan]

I completely get why that feels frustrating. "Rolling” can be quite opaque from the outside, especially when you apply early and then hear nothing for weeks.

One thing to bear in mind is that for some rolling firms, applications can be reviewed in batches rather than strictly in order. That means your application may already have been looked at, but tests or next steps are sent out later once they’ve reached a certain point internally. Silence doesn’t mean you’re out, and it doesn’t mean you don’t still have a good chance.

Applying early does genuinely offer an advantage, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. In practice, it can mean your application is actually considered, rather than competing with a large volume submitted close to the deadline. For some firms, those later applications simply don’t get reviewed at all once capacity is reached, which is why firms still describe the process as rolling.

That doesn’t make the waiting any easier, but I wouldn’t read too much into radio silence at this stage. You’ve done the right thing by applying early, and it’s still very much a waiting game rather than a verdict.

Wishing you hear back with good news ASAP!

This is my first set of applications but I actually found this so useful. I have a bunch of firms that I am still waiting for and this gives me some reassurance that they haven’t forgotten about me 😭 hopefully I can hear back from them soon after the Christmas break.

 

[svb risk management intern]

How is Weil a selective stage 1 test? Like surely they can't understand your motivations for the firm based off an app that asks for work exp and grades?

And if it isn't stage 1 then how slow are they with sending out the batches. I mean I applied nov, and someone on the forum has got the test even though they applied near the deadline.

 

[yk1906]

How is Weil a selective stage 1 test? Like surely they can't understand your motivations for the firm based off an app that asks for work exp and grades?

And if it isn't stage 1 then how slow are they with sending out the batches. I mean I applied nov, and someone on the forum has got the test even though they applied near the deadline.

In an email they just said “you’ve met the requirements”, nothing like congrats or anything… so I assume it’s semi-automatic

 

[yk1906]

In an email they just said “you’ve met the requirements”, nothing like congrats or anything… so I assume it’s semi-automatic

“We are pleased to inform you that you meet our eligibility criteria.”

 

[svb risk management intern]

“We are pleased to inform you that you meet our eligibility criteria.”

In an email they just said “you’ve met the requirements”, nothing like congrats or anything… so I assume it’s semi-automatic

Alright well, im gonna write them off, and good luck to you for the test! I hear its tough

 

[DavidJC]

I think Weil only looks at grades before SJT + VI, at least for my VS app there was no option to put in Work Exp so I've just assumed it means meeting the grade thresholds

 

[Harvey Specter]

I think Weil only looks at grades before SJT + VI, at least for my VS app there was no option to put in Work Exp so I've just assumed it means meeting the grade thresholds

They also discretely added a ‘2:1 in all modules’ requirement on their website so I assume that’s a way for them to filter out people. Can’t see the firm sending the test to 2,000 applicants and then going through each one, unless they apply really high filters on the test scores or something. I saw one of their grad rec videos recently saying they’d be sending ACs around the new year. Guess it’ll just a matter of waiting until then.​

 

[johnsmith]

Any tips on how not to lose my mind over christmas knowing firms are going to be telling anyone anything until Jan🫠

Take the break! Make the most of it. Ignore even thinking on it as nothing will be progressing for anyone. 😀

 

[Donna Paulsen]

ES video interview - any tips or insights from anyone who has done it before? I am absolutely terrible at video interviews and want to be as prepared as possible😭 I know it’s strengths-based but was wondering if it is entirely scenario questions or a mix of scenarios with anything else e.g. why the firm, why commercial law. Super nervous!

 

[johnsmith]

I got a rejection 23rd December last year.

GR are always working… sleep with one eye open😭

I don't think I've ever had a job where I'm not working up to Christmas Eve when I think about it.

 

[TortillaTC]

How is Weil a selective stage 1 test? Like surely they can't understand your motivations for the firm based off an app that asks for work exp and grades?

And if it isn't stage 1 then how slow are they with sending out the batches. I mean I applied nov, and someone on the forum has got the test even though they applied near the deadline.

I applied early November too and got the test today so they probably do batches instead of going chronologically. I was sure I'd get rejected yet received the test after all so I wouldn't give up just yet!

 

[TortillaTC]

They also discretely added a ‘2:1 in all modules’ requirement on their website so I assume that’s a way for them to filter out people. Can’t see the firm sending the test to 2,000 applicants and then going through each one, unless they apply really high filters on the test scores or something. I saw one of their grad rec videos recently saying they’d be sending ACs around the new year. Guess it’ll just a matter of waiting until then.​

Yes I saw that too, they say they're looking for a 2.1 but without multiple module grades below 60% - however, approximately 20% of my modules were 2.2 and I still got the test, but I had ECs+non-UK grading system so they might have assessed it differently

 

[luvfrompluto]

I have insight into Hogan Lovells and Freshfields second test. If anyone needs just drop a DM.

Hi, this is quite late but I would be very grateful if you're still willing to share! I wasn't able to access your profile so I'm replying here

 

[Harvey Specter]

Yes I saw that too, they say they're looking for a 2.1 but without multiple module grades below 60% - however, approximately 20% of my modules were 2.2 and I still got the test, but I had ECs+non-UK grading system so they might have assessed it differently

Yeah same here I think 4/18 of mine were 2:2 but was still progressed with ECs. I think my overall uni performance and final year average helped.​

 

[BobThebIlly]

How on earth did they justify basically giving no one a TC lmao whattt?

App it was evident that most applicant used ChatGPT to aid them during the app process which clearly became evident on the scheme

This is what I got from a friend who successfully got a TC last year on that scheme

 

[johnsmith]

I completely get why that feels frustrating. "Rolling” can be quite opaque from the outside, especially when you apply early and then hear nothing for weeks.

One thing to bear in mind is that for some rolling firms, applications can be reviewed in batches rather than strictly in order. That means your application may already have been looked at, but tests or next steps are sent out later once they’ve reached a certain point internally. Silence doesn’t mean you’re out, and it doesn’t mean you don’t still have a good chance.

Applying early does genuinely offer an advantage, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. In practice, it can mean your application is actually considered, rather than competing with a large volume submitted close to the deadline. For some firms, those later applications simply don’t get reviewed at all once capacity is reached, which is why firms still describe the process as rolling.

That doesn’t make the waiting any easier, but I wouldn’t read too much into radio silence at this stage. You’ve done the right thing by applying early, and it’s still very much a waiting game rather than a verdict.

Wishing you hear back with good news ASAP!

Lol at the username having testaccount in it - assume this must be some sort of AI user explains all the super lengthy posts that have started appearing