Thank for the reply bro! would u know which ones are direct to ac after application? ( assuming a few of these have second/third stages such as WE)
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Debevoise, King & Spalding, Paul, Weiss are all straight to AC after application
Ropes sends you a test if you get invited to AC, but it's not a filtering stage, I think
Hey!
Whilst I haven't previously completed an in-tray exercise myself, I previously did a bit of research and wrote a post that I have quoted below. Hopefully it is a useful reference point in your preparation - best of luck with the exercise!!
Hi!
I am doing well, thank you - hope you are too! Congratulations on the AC invite, that is amazing news!!
I haven't actually completed an in-tray exercise before either, but I've had a look online and I'll share how I would personally approach this sort of exercise!
For an in-tray exercise, the firm is essentially testing how you manage a busy inbox as a trainee - therefore, things like prioritisation, attention to detail, commercial awareness, and communication will all be key traits that you'll want to display.
In terms of preparation, I would try to practise by quickly reading and extracting key information from documents or emails, and then making decisions based on that. You don't necessarily need legal knowledge, but I do think it is important to be comfortable identifying what is urgent vs important, spotting risks, and thinking about logical next steps.
On the day, my approach would be to:
I would also keep an eye out for small details, such as deadlines, attachments, or any inconsistencies - firms might use these to test your accuracy and attention to detail.
- Read everything once through fairly quickly to get the overall picture
- Then go back and prioritise tasks accordingly (for example, urgent / time-sensitive / client-facing first)
- Be clear and structured in any responses - even things like bullet points could work if they are concise and logical
- Always explain the reasoning briefly if the format of the assessment allows it (e.g. why something is prioritised or why a risk has been flagged).
Ultimately, I think it is important to try not to overthink it, as they'll be looking for a sensible and structured approach, rather than perfection.
Good luck - I'm sure you'll smash it!!
Hey!
Waiting for TC results post-VS can definitely really get in your head, so what you are feeling is completely normal. On the points you have mentioned, I don't think those sound like dealbreakers at all. Firms tend to assess you holistically, rather than on a few moments that you might wish you'd handled differently and I think almost everyone comes away from a VS thinking that they could have expanded an answer or contributed more in a group setting. However, I think if your overall performance and engagement were strong, and you felt you fit in to the firm culturally, that is what will matter most.
If you aren't able to convert, it always helps to see it as refinement rather than starting again. You have essentially already done the hardest part - you understand how a scheme works, you have more legal examples to draw on, and you've identified specific areas to improve. This will put you in a much stronger position for the next cycle, and I'd always encourage you to get feedback if you can, as sometimes you aren't necessarily aware of the areas that might need improvement. If you are able to get to the VS stage, you are clearly more than capable of securing a TC - it is much more about making small and deliberate tweaks which will make the difference.
It is also worth remembering that not converting a VS is relatively common, and people still go on to receive TC offers at firms that are perhaps a better fit overall! When I failed to convert my vacation schemes last cycle, I was devastated as I felt I'd really got to know the firm and could picture myself there - however, I still ended up securing my TC through a DTC application and ultimately I feel I'm at the firm that is the best fit for me overall.
The experience will be more valuable than you think - if you had to do another cycle, I'd use it as an opportunity to apply to firms that you maybe didn't have the chance to this cycle, and to incorporate all the things you learned from the VS!
Fingers crossed for you!!
Thank you so much Abbie!Hey!
Waiting for TC results post-VS can definitely really get in your head, so what you are feeling is completely normal. On the points you have mentioned, I don't think those sound like dealbreakers at all. Firms tend to assess you holistically, rather than on a few moments that you might wish you'd handled differently and I think almost everyone comes away from a VS thinking that they could have expanded an answer or contributed more in a group setting. However, I think if your overall performance and engagement were strong, and you felt you fit in to the firm culturally, that is what will matter most.
If you aren't able to convert, it always helps to see it as refinement rather than starting again. You have essentially already done the hardest part - you understand how a scheme works, you have more legal examples to draw on, and you've identified specific areas to improve. This will put you in a much stronger position for the next cycle, and I'd always encourage you to get feedback if you can, as sometimes you aren't necessarily aware of the areas that might need improvement. If you are able to get to the VS stage, you are clearly more than capable of securing a TC - it is much more about making small and deliberate tweaks which will make the difference.
It is also worth remembering that not converting a VS is relatively common, and people still go on to receive TC offers at firms that are perhaps a better fit overall! When I failed to convert my vacation schemes last cycle, I was devastated as I felt I'd really got to know the firm and could picture myself there - however, I still ended up securing my TC through a DTC application and ultimately I feel I'm at the firm that is the best fit for me overall.
The experience will be more valuable than you think - if you had to do another cycle, I'd use it as an opportunity to apply to firms that you maybe didn't have the chance to this cycle, and to incorporate all the things you learned from the VS!
Fingers crossed for you!!
for tc interviews, do they consider u holistically or is it all based on the final interview ahhaha feel like i smashed the other stages but fucked the last bit
Yeah depends on the firm but the last AC I completed, none of the associates or partners had read our application (blind process). They stated that essentially how we perform on the day will determine the outcome. Sucks when you're a nervous wreck at times hahah
Hello guys,
I am finalising my cover letter to Perkins Coie and wanted to ask if I am following the right structure.
I included why commercial law, why Perkins and why thie vacation scheme. Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith, I would appreciate your comment.
Could I also ask you how should I end my cover letter?
Thank you in advance.
I am finalising my cover letter to Perkins Coie and wanted to ask if I am following the right structure.
I included why commercial law, why Perkins and why thie vacation scheme. Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith, I would appreciate your comment.
Could I also ask you how should I end my cover letter?
Thank you in advance.
Morrison has a TI component if im remembering correctly.
A note for those who have not come across this resource:
GROW Mentoring has a really useful platform that connects aspiring solicitors with mentors for structured, 6-month, one-on-one partnerships. This is my second year on the scheme, and I have been accepted into the Kennedys (2025) and Mishcon de Reya programmes (2026). They can be really beneficial for networking and insights, and sometimes more material benefits, too. I got my first AC last year after my mentor filed an internal recommendation with his firm.
In my experience, GROW are great at reviewing your application carefully and partnering you with a mentor who has specific links to your own interests or backgrounds. Take a look, if this is new to you: https://www.growmentoring.org/. Highly recommended!
GROW Mentoring has a really useful platform that connects aspiring solicitors with mentors for structured, 6-month, one-on-one partnerships. This is my second year on the scheme, and I have been accepted into the Kennedys (2025) and Mishcon de Reya programmes (2026). They can be really beneficial for networking and insights, and sometimes more material benefits, too. I got my first AC last year after my mentor filed an internal recommendation with his firm.
In my experience, GROW are great at reviewing your application carefully and partnering you with a mentor who has specific links to your own interests or backgrounds. Take a look, if this is new to you: https://www.growmentoring.org/. Highly recommended!
Hey!
I'd say that it likely differs from firm to firm, so there isn't necessarily one fixed answer.
However, many firms do take a holistic view of your performance across the whole process, so doing well in the earlier stages definitely still counts. While the final interview can carry a bit more weight, I think it is unlikely that one slightly weaker performance would completely undo an otherwise strong application.
It is also worth remembering that we tend to be much harsher on ourselves than interviewers are. What feels like a bad interview on your side can often come across as perfectly solid (or even strong) from theirs!
For what it's worth, in one of my own final stage ACs I was convinced I'd messed it up because I ran out of time on a written task - but I still ended up getting an offer. I really wouldn't assume the worst!
Wishing you the best of luck - I hope it works out for you!
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