TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[ABC234]

Anyone heard from Morgan Lewis post TI for summer?

Bumping in case anyone’s heard?

 

[hawkins19]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu - just wondering if either of you have any insight on how to answer questions like 'how would you pitch X firm to a client' in an AC? Thank you !

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Bumping in case anyone’s heard?

Someone posted that Morgan Lewis said we’d hear back by the end of next week so by Fri Feb 20. I’m assuming a PFO from them ngl lmao.​

 

[trainee4u]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu (and everyone else), I could really use some honest advice, and sorry in advance for how long this is.


So I’d really appreciate advice on three things:

1. How can I realistically obtain a paralegal/legal role with no past experience?
2. What should I be doing between now and next cycle beyond daily commercial awareness study + interview practice + completing TCLA courses?
3. Do firms genuinely review your application if you have previously interviewed? I am especially concerned about Skadden and Gibson Dunn, as these are genuinely my dream firms.
4. I know this is wrong and not advisable, but could I apply with a new email and not disclose that I have previously interviewed? Since I’ll be changing my last name this year (for unrelated reasons, I promise I am not crazy), would that make it harder for firms to connect me to my previous applications? I appreciate this may not be the right approach, I’m just feeling stuck and trying to understand my options.

I want to be clear: I’m not looking for sympathy, just honest guidance on what to change because clearly something isn’t working.

Thank you to anyone who reads all of this/ offers any advice, I really appreciate it

hi, I think that if you've previously interviewed you will be a "no" for many firms.

applying with a new email is IMO a good thing, but I would always disclose that you've applied previously if they ask - most of the time you can just say "applied unsuccessfully" and they don't ask the specific stage. lying would be a fatal error though.

if you're struggling to get into American firms, you will be more attractive as a candidate at some lower ranked firms.

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

I need positive progressions next week! Comeon, let's go!!!!

 

[ABC234]

Someone posted that Morgan Lewis said we’d hear back by the end of next week so by Fri Feb 20. I’m assuming a PFO from them ngl lmao.​

Same but I’ll be gutted 😭all the other firms I’ve applied to are blanking me

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

Any tips please on the CMS case study exercise? Would be very much appreciated, thank you

 

[A worried paralegal]

My Sidley is 132 days and McDermott is 107 days. RIP.

I had 5 months from AG once who then gave me 3 days to do their VI

 

[A worried paralegal]

Has anyone here heard back from any Liverpool firms as I have applied for a few there (DLA rejected me a few weeks back)

 

[ChambersLoading]

hi, I think that if you've previously interviewed you will be a "no" for many firms.

applying with a new email is IMO a good thing, but I would always disclose that you've applied previously if they ask - most of the time you can just say "applied unsuccessfully" and they don't ask the specific stage. lying would be a fatal error though.

if you're struggling to get into American firms, you will be more attractive as a candidate at some lower ranked firms.

Wow I really appreciate this! I hadn’t realized you could just be vague about the stage you reached. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that lol. I’ve interviewed at four American firms so far, so some of my applications are okay, but I definitely need to work on my interview skills. Honestly, I’m not exactly sure what to do next to improve.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Debevoise PFO finally

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Does anyone have solid WG tips or practice tests. I feel like I have done so many and I am still not really improving.
Really desperate for any help lmao

 

[AryanAgg]

Does anyone have solid WG tips or practice tests. I feel like I have done so many and I am still not really improving.
Really desperate for any help lmao

I am in the same boat.

 

[Bbhu19]

Does anyone have solid WG tips or practice tests. I feel like I have done so many and I am still not really improving.
Really desperate for any help lmao

Hey is this for Orrick?

 

[AryanAgg]

Hey both ☺️

Totally understand how you both feel - I'll offer my two cents! Though I'm not sure how qualified I am given my performance varies depending on the day... but in my most recent timed attempt with a firm I managed to place in the 90th percentile so hopefully that counts for something!

1. Practise on its own is not enough. My method is to (1) understand the 'game' of the test, in other words, break each section down into what they are really asking you to do and understand how your mind is supposed to think in that particular section (each section requires a slightly different mindset!), and then (2) put that theory into practise by doing actual questions.
2. When you do the questions, focus on why an answer is right or wrong. Understand what things/traps/fallacies you should be looking out for and make note of them so that you don't make the same mistake next time. Really take time to evaluate why you got a question wrong.
3. I like to review my notes on the theory side of things before I take a test - it's super easy to forget or mix up when you haven't been engaging with the Watson Glaser for a while.

Once you understand the logic behind each section you will find the Watson Glaser super easy, I promise. It will then just come down to practise. The more familiar you get with the questions the easier it becomes. There are some good YouTube videos out there on the Watson Glaser too so definitely take a look around!

Thank you so much.

 

[AryanAgg]

😭 I edited the message too many times and now it's under approval lol sorry guys

No problem. Im curious though are you allowed to reveal the name of the firm where you got the 90th percentile?

 

[maylawwww]

I am so burned out from this cycle and starting a new job that I haven't done anything to prep for the AC and the written exercise i have this week smh idk if there is any hope for me for them atp

 

[AryanAgg]

(let me try reposting XD)

Hey both ☺️

Totally understand how you both feel - I'll offer my two cents! Though I'm not sure how qualified I am given my performance varies depending on the day... but in my most recent timed attempt with a firm I managed to place in the 90th percentile (while only using half the time given) so hopefully that counts for something!

1. Practise on its own is not enough. My method is to (1) understand the 'game' of the test, in other words, break each section down into what they are really asking you to do and understand how your mind is supposed to think in that particular section (each section requires a slightly different mindset!), and then (2) put that theory into practise by doing actual questions.
2. When you do the questions, focus on why an answer is right or wrong. Understand what things/traps/fallacies you should be looking out for and make note of them so that you don't make the same mistake next time. Really take time to evaluate why you got a question wrong.
3. I like to review my notes on the theory side of things before I take a test - it's super easy to forget or mix up when you haven't been engaging with the Watson Glaser for a while.

Once you understand the logic behind each section you will find the Watson Glaser super easy, I promise. It will then just come down to practise. The more familiar you get with the questions the easier it becomes. There are some good YouTube videos out there on the Watson Glaser too so definitely take a look around!

Wait does time taken also count in the percentile or just the number of correct answers?

 

[trainee4u]

Wait does time taken also count in the percentile or just the number of correct answers?

For the genuine WG, time taken is NOT a factor - you just have an overall time limit.

For knock-off versions, they might take it into account.

 

[James Wakefield]

Hey, do you know if the interview is also part case study at all? no worries if not

Hey, no I don’t! I’ve got my AC next week.

I know they did a case study last year during the interview but didn’t have a written exercise on the AC.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the written exercise has replaced it.