TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Donuttime]

What is the test for RPC?

thier own early online assessment

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Hey - can someone give me insights into Latham's 1st stage automatic assessment? Does it include a VI?

 

[elle woods]

Hey - can someone give me insights into Latham's 1st stage automatic assessment? Does it include a VI?

no only stage 2 has VI - stage 1 is just a typical SJT

 

[elle woods]

I'm actually getting more anxious about Freshfields and Latham by the day 😭 I'd even prefer an outright rejection as opposed to this stringing exercise - anything at this point please

 

[yk1906]

I'm actually getting more anxious about Freshfields and Latham by the day 😭 I'd even prefer an outright rejection as opposed to this stringing exercise - anything at this point please

I agree... I feel about Freshfields the way you feel about CC, and honestly, just reject me already, so I can lose all hope 😢 😢

 

[BillSikes]

thier own early online assessment

What does it entail

 

[GT1205H]

Wait, what?? S&M PFO at 12/12. Are you from the future? 👽🤯

My bad, poor attention to detail. Maybe that’s why I got a PFO 🥲on the 02/12/2025 😉

 

[Scottishlion]

Does anyone have insight into MacFarlanes stage 2 video interview?

 

[DavidJC]

Trying not to overthink Latham as I did the SJT at 2am yesterday (9/12) and got the feedback report at 2am today (10/12) but still no 2nd stage invite. I made some changes and got different strengths and weaknesses from my Open Day application too but feeling a bit paranoid 😅 Hopefully it'll come through by tomorrow otherwise I guess that's another two days of application writing down the drain

P.S. Remember to take care of yourselves, everyone!

 

[wooliewoo]

Does anyone know what a decent score is for the Simmons test (out of 30)?

 

[anon78365222111]

Is there much of a point doing the Weil test as it’s so late now

 

[elle woods]

I agree... I feel about Freshfields the way you feel about CC, and honestly, just reject me already, so I can lose all hope 😢 😢

🥹 haha I don't know what's the worse feeling - still being in the running and holding onto hope but despairing because of no reply or being rejected outrightly...
I hope you get a favourable reply from Freshfields!

Honestly, I'm no longer concerned about rejections, I know if I don't get a TC this year I will be able to reapply to CC next year so it can be a win-win situation...but the wait and the false hope is killing me 😂

 

[elle woods]

Is there much of a point doing the Weil test as it’s so late now

I think there is, I don't plan on applying until the last day...so ehm I'll probably be the last one to do the test LOL, but applying gives you more of a chance than not applying at all!

 

[elle woods]

Trying not to overthink Latham as I did the SJT at 2am yesterday (9/12) and got the feedback report at 2am today (10/12) but still no 2nd stage invite. I made some changes and got different strengths and weaknesses from my Open Day application too but feeling a bit paranoid 😅 Hopefully it'll come through by tomorrow otherwise I guess that's another two days of application writing down the drain

P.S. Remember to take care of yourselves, everyone!

😭I'm in the same boat but the difference is that I haven't heard back after stage 1 for like a good week or so now... I also tried to make changes from my open day one, but my report came back pretty much the same lol... I hope you get invited to stage 2! I'm losing hope as the hours go by 😣

 

[yk1906]

🥹 haha I don't know what's the worse feeling - still being in the running and holding onto hope but despairing because of no reply or being rejected outrightly...
I hope you get a favourable reply from Freshfields!

Honestly, I'm no longer concerned about rejections, I know if I don't get a TC this year I will be able to reapply to CC next year so it can be a win-win situation...but the wait and the false hope is killing me 😂

Thanks!!! Same to you, CC will have you one way or another, I'm sure 😀 😀

 

[elle woods]

Thanks!!! Same to you, CC will have you one way or another, I'm sure 😀 😀

yesss or else I will walk into CC as opposing counsel one day, mark my words (haha i'm half joking)... anyways, they will be seeing me either way

 

[user55998384]

for the field fisher work exp section - am i right not to include any society positions as there is a seperate section for extra curriculars? - feeling as though my section is lacking as there is also a diff section for insight days etc so i only have 3 entries

 

[M_m]

For anyone who’s been to RPC’s events, did grad rec give any guidance on their “strikingly real” question? Would appreciate any insight at this point 🥲

 

[legallycurly]

Does anyone know whether WFW recruits on a rolling basis?

 

[Amgrad]

I see - my answer is still mostly the same as the one before: I generally do not think there is any issue with expressing an interest in a multitude of practice areas that a firm is known for, even if they span across the transactional-contentious-advisory spectrum. More particular to the matter at hand, I do not see the restructuring & insolvency point to raise any issue at all, as it is not even formally classified as a contentious practice. Instead, it has elements of both, with restructuring work in particular being very transactional-heavy (as at its core it involves getting enough creditors to agree to CVAs to keep the company alive), while insolvency is more contentious. Particularly at Kirkland, who has a core focus on highly-profitable private capital led mandates in London, I would expect the restructuring part of its practice to be more important than the insolvency one, and, as such, I do not think the firm would assume you are a person who is more interested in disputes than transactions if you choose to discuss the this story.

Even if this were not the case, and the firm's restructuring work in London was heavy on the contentious side, as long as you are careful with how you draft your answers I really do not expect this to be a problem in your application. Essentially, you should indeed avoid discussing any reasons for your interest in restructuring & insolvency that could weaken the credibility of your "why transactional" reasons - eg. if you say you are interested in transactional work because it is fast-paced and more business-focused when compared to other more technical practices, you should avoid saying you are interested in restructuring because it involves working on a single complex matter for a longer time and that you would enjoy it because of the incredible complexity and technical detail of regulation in this area. Nonetheless, as you can see, these kinds of tensions in motivations are quite obvious when you spell them out, and I therefore think it is quite unlikely you will inadvertently write conflicting narratives in the two answers.

Thank you Andrei. Again, you bring so much confidence for anyone on this forum to get through any concernment.