TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[AP2000]

I'm not able to find the link to apply for Clifford Chance's London VS - just the Direct TC? Is anyone else having the same issue?

Yeah, it's just Spark and the Training Contract - confirmed during their open day last week.

 

[JBM]

I couldn’t find it either. I assumed applications for them aren’t open, so I’m applying for the DTC.

They don’t have a vs only spark

 

[V2002]

Has anyone done a gibson Dunn zoom interview before any tips?

 

[Andrei Radu]

I had a DTC interview at Slaughters last week and my application has now changed from 'under consideration' to 'interview confirmed'. My references haven't heard either - should I lose hope

I would not necessarily infer that you have been rejected. The firm's application portal status is only really meant to help you track your progress up to the interview stage - I do not think they have any separate "status updates" that show on your portal depending on whether you got an offer or not. Moreover, in my experience Slaughters is a firm that can take a while to make a decision - it took over a month to hear back after my VS interview.

 

[yk1906]

Just out of curiosity, are ACs usually held on weekdays or is there an option to choose Sat or Sun? I know it would differ from firm to firm, but it's important to know.

 

[Prudentia]

Just out of curiosity, are ACs usually held on weekdays or is there an option to choose Sat or Sun? I know it would differ from firm to firm, but it's important to know.

I haven't been to an AC at a law firm, but I would be very surprised if any were held at weekends. They tend to be held during business hours.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Has anyone done a gibson Dunn zoom interview before any tips?

Hi @V2002 I linked here a couple of resources:

• A free TCLA article with a candidate's interview experience from 2017/18
• A 2020 thread where candidates discussed interview experiences at the firm
• A 2024 thread where candidates discussed tips for Gibson Dunn interviews
• A detailed description of a candidate's interview experience from 2023/2024 (available on the Premium Database)
• Similar article from a candidates interviewing in 2022/2023 (also available on the Premium Database)

As for general tips for Zoom interviews, I would say the following:

• Since you will be behind a screen, the nature of the medium will make it harder to really "connect" with the interviewer; as such, I think you should try to be extra enthusiastic and personable to make up for the less personal nature of the medium.
• Generally, I would try to not rely at all on notes, as it can (i) be noticeable in terms of where you are looking; (ii) be noticeable in terms of you having pre-prepared phrases that do not come out as naturally formulated on the spot; and (iii) can distract and confuse you (as you may come up with certain points in your mind as you are also looking through your notes, and then be undecided how to combine them and what to say) and therefore disable you from putting forward a cogent answer in a composed manner.
• If you have to have notes around you, keep it to a minimum of very high level bullet points, which you should only consult if you completely forget what you were going to say to answer a specific question.