TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[bh.sa]

Any info on Paul Hastings openings this year? Either for DTC or VS or both....

Do you mean dates? If so:

DTC: 5 Jan-30 June 2026
PHirst Steps placements: 20 Oct-4 Jan 2026

 

[Andrei Radu]

How would you recommend structuring a cover letter for an open day? Would it be 1. Why the Open Day 2. Why you 3. Why commercial law 4. Why the firm?

Am I missing anything?
Thank you!

I think you are covering everything relevant, but I would switch up the ordering a bit to help it flow more naturally. Thus, my structure would go like this:

1. Why commercial law: starting from the highest level of generality, it makes sense to explain why you are interested in this profession in the first place before discussing your interest in the firm or why you are a good fit, as without an interest in the career it would make no sense to have an interest in the firm or to care about any "fit" in terms of skills and abilities.
2. Why the firm + why the open day: I would discuss these two together, as the "why this open day" part is normally just wanting to learn more about an aspect of the firm that already interests you.
3. Why you: this should come last in my opinion, as once again it only makes sense to discuss your "fit" if your interest in the firm is already established. Furthermore, since this is where you will likely bring in your most impressive skills and achievements, it makes for a good ending note to leave the reader with.

 

[Harvey Specter]

Does anybody know what the email address is to email Hogan Lovells’ early careers? The test was sent by [email protected] but in the email itself, it states if we need to send an email regarding adjustments, we need to email [email protected]. I’m not sure which one is the right one.​

 

[Lawlawland]

Does anybody know what the email address is to email Hogan Lovells’ early careers? The test was sent by [email protected] but in the email itself, it states if we need to send an email regarding adjustments, we will need to email [email protected]. Not sure which one is the right one.​

I've had two way communications with both emails... I send my queries to Earlycareers mail, I received Open day and other events confirmation from gradrec email.

I would prefer Earlycareers mail for clarifying doubts, and gradrec for event related queries.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi, do you know if there's an overall score cut-off? I think I did okay in the video interview but I scored really poorly in 2 of the pillars so my total is 22 and I'm scared it won't even get watched :')

Hello!

Unfortunately, I'm not too sure on whether there is an overall cut-off - apologies! Even if you believe you scored poorly in 2 of the pillars, I think an overall score of 22 is still strong so I would try not to worry too much

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

What's the etiquette for incoming vacation schemes on the work experience section?
Do applicants generally put 'incoming vacation scheme at X firm' in their work experience section?

Should I;
A) Not include the incoming scheme (as I haven't completed it yet + don't want Y firm to think I prefer X firm, or that I'm more likely to receive/accept a TC at X firm first).
B) Only include the incoming scheme for firms which are very similar to X firm (e.g. they operate in the same key sectors).
C) Include the incoming scheme when applying to all firms.

I'm conscious that for non-CV firms, putting in a blank entry on Candid for an 'incoming scheme' might also seem odd. However, I also recognise just how beneficial it is to have a VS under your belt, and that other law firms might see this incoming VS and think I am a competitive applicant. (Equally they might hate it for reasons outlined above).

Any help will be much appreciated! @Abbie Whitlock eager to hear your thoughts too

Hello!

That's a great question, and something that I also wondered last cycle as well!

When I applied, my approach was to not include my upcoming vacation schemes in my vacation scheme applications, but I did include them in my direct training contract application. My reasoning was that, for a DTC application, it can be useful for graduate recruitment to know that I'll have gained some legal experience before attending their assessment days - whereas for a vacation scheme, that information felt less relevant.

In my application, I phrased it along the lines of: "After a competitive application process, I will be completing a two-week vacation scheme at the firm's office in London in June 2025" and "After placing second place in the British and Irish University Commercial Awareness Competition 2024, I will be completing a two-week vacation scheme at X in July 2025." This gave some context of how I gained the vacation scheme(s), and showed which firms they were with.

Ultimately, it'll really depend on each firm's preference. If you're concerned about it being perceived negatively, you could leave it out - but I honestly can't imagine it would harm your application either way. I'm sure that the graduate recruitment teams see this quite often!