TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Anon145]

WFW VI invite 👍

Congrats!!! May I ask when you applied?

 

[TCGrad1642]

Hi! Does anyone have any advice for Latham second stage. Happy to swap for Macfarlanes, Mishcon, Weil or Mayer Brown AC

 

[plsgivemetc]

Did HSF Kramer's test on Saturday and still haven't heard back. My report had 3 weaknesses (of course saying the complete opposite about who I actually am IRL) so I have no hope but I still want the confirmation email to fully accept it and put them aside. It's really frustrating because it's my favourite firm, I've taken every opportunity to interact with them at their open day, virtually and events at my university. I actually didn't pass their benchmark last year when applying to be their campus ambassador so I kept asking for tips on passing the test and I did what they said. I researched situational judgement scenarios, asked their lawyers how they would approach them and I memorised the firm's values but that STILL didn't help. Whenever I get a gmail notification I get a mini heart attack, I've even had a vivid dream opening their email and to add to that, someone I sat next to in a lecture opened up their email saying he passed the test AND THE NEXT DAY someone from my course also opened up an email saying he passed while we were talking. The universe really hates me haha idk what I'm doing wrong. I spend hours interacting with firms, writing applications, preparing for their tests and neglecting my uni work just to get rejected at the initial test stage. I wish they would take a glance at my application, 3 months of legal work experience that I've worked so hard to get this summer and achievements and give me a chance at interview.

 

[Kakaboo]

Anyone heard from CMS Manchester? Not even got the WG…

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Is it worth applying for Reed Smith rn (say I send my app a week before deadline)?

Hello!

Yes, definitely still worth applying! The graduate recruitment team look at all applications submitted before the deadline, and they do not allocate the spaces on the vacation scheme until they have reviewed them all. The most important factor is writing a strong and tailored application - if you feel you can submit that before the deadline, there is plenty of opportunity to be progressed to the next stages!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

For Kirkland, there is a work experience section in the application form but a separate section to attach our CVs. I'm not entirely sure whether they are looking for us to just copy paste what we've said in our CV. Would it be safe approach to only include legal work in CV and then non-legal and extracurriculars in the work experience section of the application form? @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu Thank you!!

Hi!

I would say that generally it is okay for there to be overlap between your CV and the work experience section - this is to be expected! A good approach could be:

1. CV: Keep this concise and highlight the strongest / most relevant experiences (legal and non-legal)
2. Work Experience Section: Use this space to expand on roles you didn't have room to fully explain on your CV, or to include additional non-legal / extracurricular experience that shows transferable skills

You don't need to force a strict divide between just having legal on your CV and everything else in the work experience section - the key is that the overall picture is coherent and shows your candidate profile as a whole.

I hope that helps!

 

[elle woods]

Did HSF Kramer's test on Saturday and still haven't heard back. My report had 3 weaknesses (of course saying the complete opposite about who I actually am IRL) so I have no hope but I still want the confirmation email to fully accept it and put them aside. It's really frustrating because it's my favourite firm, I've taken every opportunity to interact with them at their open day, virtually and events at my university. I actually didn't pass their benchmark last year when applying to be their campus ambassador so I kept asking for tips on passing the test and I did what they said. I researched situational judgement scenarios, asked their lawyers how they would approach them and I memorised the firm's values but that STILL didn't help. Whenever I get a gmail notification I get a mini heart attack, I've even had a vivid dream opening their email and to add to that, someone I sat next to in a lecture opened up their email saying he passed the test AND THE NEXT DAY someone from my course also opened up an email saying he passed while we were talking. The universe really hates me haha idk what I'm doing wrong. I spend hours interacting with firms, writing applications, preparing for their tests and neglecting my uni work just to get rejected at the initial test stage. I wish they would take a glance at my application, 3 months of legal work experience that I've worked so hard to get this summer and achievements and give me a chance at interview.

how i feel about CC tbh

But I'm so sorry that happened I really wish I could give you a hug rn 🫂 I totally get your frustration and heartbreak!! I myself got rejected by CC first stage this year after doing very much what you have done (went to almost every single one of their events this year and also got work experience lol). I can't do much for you right now other than offer a few words of wisdom that I received from my time crying over my CC PFO (haha).

I understand that you're frustrated and tired, and that it seems like your hard work has gone to waste, but often times, things that we feel strongly about aren't meant to be the end goal, instead they might be in our lives to serve as a stepping stone. Now that you've worked so hard and have improved yourself because of your love for the firm, you are now a much stronger candidate and person with much more experience. Maybe it's not time yet, and this love that is pushing you to greater heights is preparing you for something more, or the right time and moment. I am firm believer that things happen for a reason in life, and while we would all love success at the first or second attempt, sometimes these failures are there to teach us something more, or prepare us for the future. Please don't beat yourself up! You worked really hard and are super passionate, and I'm really proud of you for that! I promise that in a few years you will look back and realise that all was worth it 💗🤞


But definitely, allow yourself to vent, to feel frustrated, to even cry, but remember, how you react and move on is the most important thing! Maybe this time next year you will be an even stronger candidate who will end up getting to where you are supposed to be. Anyways, don't rule yourself out so early yet - you haven't received true indication that you didn't reach the benchmark! Either way, if it helps, let's both do our best in reapplying to our favourite firms next year if it comes down to it! (Moving laterally is also an idea!)🫂 I really believe that things that are meant for us will come to us at the right moment, and I trust it will to you too! Hang in there soldier 💗

 

[p2bv]

Anyone heard from CMS Manchester? Not even got the WG…

from what I’ve seen in this thread only responses for London have been given out so far, none for the regions

 

[Bbhu19]

out of interest, did anyone apply to Skadden? I'm really interested in hearing what others put down as their "alternative career" haha

I did a travel chef

 

[TCLA0322]

out of interest, did anyone apply to Skadden? I'm really interested in hearing what others put down as their "alternative career" haha

Gym Group Class Instructor (just cannot hide my personality from last year's answer on being a stand-up comedian)

 

[Bbhu19]

I wrote about being a chef!

Great minds think alike

 

[elle woods]

Gym Group Class Instructor (just cannot hide my personality from last year's answer on being a stand-up comedian)

I did a travel chef

omg haha these are such cool alternative careers 😆 I love them both!
fingers crossed and best of luck!

 

[plsgivemetc]

how i feel about CC tbh

But I'm so sorry that happened I really wish I could give you a hug rn 🫂 I totally get your frustration and heartbreak!! I myself got rejected by CC first stage this year after doing very much what you have done (went to almost every single one of their events this year and also got work experience lol). I can't do much for you right now other than offer a few words of wisdom that I received from my time crying over my CC PFO (haha).

I understand that you're frustrated and tired, and that it seems like your hard work has gone to waste, but often times, things that we feel strongly about aren't meant to be the end goal, instead they might be in our lives to serve as a stepping stone. Now that you've worked so hard and have improved yourself because of your love for the firm, you are now a much stronger candidate and person with much more experience. Maybe it's not time yet, and this love that is pushing you to greater heights is preparing you for something more, or the right time and moment. I am firm believer that things happen for a reason in life, and while we would all love success at the first or second attempt, sometimes these failures are there to teach us something more, or prepare us for the future. Please don't beat yourself up! You worked really hard and are super passionate, and I'm really proud of you for that! I promise that in a few years you will look back and realise that all was worth it 💗🤞


But definitely, allow yourself to vent, to feel frustrated, to even cry, but remember, how you react and move on is the most important thing! Maybe this time next year you will be an even stronger candidate who will end up getting to where you are supposed to be. Anyways, don't rule yourself out so early yet - you haven't received true indication that you didn't reach the benchmark! Either way, if it helps, let's both do our best in reapplying to our favourite firms next year! (Moving laterally is also an idea!)🫂 I really believe that things that are meant for us at will come to us at the right moment, and I trust it will to you too! Hang in there soldier 💗

I'm crying reading this, thank you so much. You have no idea how much you have helped me with your words knowing I'm not alone and you're going through the exact same thing and have adopted such an amazing mindset. I wish I could give you a hug too!! You're right that this is only making us stronger and we will get there when the time is right

 

[vweewcvew]

Love how you can attend every event a firm puts on and still get binned at the first stage, yet another firm you’ve never really looked at decides youre suddenly God’s gift to recruitment

 

[Lawlawland]

out of interest, did anyone apply to Skadden? I'm really interested in hearing what others put down as their "alternative career" haha

That's a fun question NGL! I would have been a film critic! Being paid to watch movies, shitpost about them and interview (favourite) celebrities? Sign me up!

 

[elle woods]

I'm crying reading this, thank you so much. You have no idea how much you have helped me with your words knowing I'm not alone and you're going through the exact same thing and have adopted such an amazing mindset. I wish I could give you a hug too!! You're right that this is only making us stronger and we will get there when the time is right

🫂 I'm glad!! After this we will be such beasts of resilience the firms won't even know what to do with us 😂 Everyone's timelines are different, and are not always as linear as other people's paths (and probably for a good reason!). I'm excited to see where you'll go and what you'll accomplish in the future! 😆 Best of luck with this application cycle! and remember, we can always try again 💪

 

[elle woods]

Love how you can attend every event a firm puts on and still get binned at the first stage, yet another firm you’ve never really looked at decides youre suddenly God’s gift to recruitment

😂😂😂 so real haha

 

[elle woods]

That's a fun question NGL! I would have been a film critic! Being paid to watch movies, shitpost about them and interview (favourite) celebrities? Sign me up!

😍 lowkey the dream life omg hahaha

 

[plsgivemetc]

🫂 I'm glad!! After this we will be such beasts of resilience the firms won't even know what to do with us 😂 Everyone's timelines are different, and are not always as linear as other people's paths (and probably for a good reason!). I'm excited to see where you'll go and what you'll accomplish in the future! 😆 Best of luck with this application cycle! and remember, we can always try again 💪

haha I agree!! I wish you all the best too💗 I'm confident you will accomplish amazing things with your mindset

 

[elle woods]

💀ok lowkey i need to stop keeping up my #1 ranking for posts and go do my Land supervision reading 😂 have a goodnight everyone! rest earlyy