TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Rejections PFO]

Can anyone give any advice for this baker mckenzie question?

Discuss something that you have pursued outside of your academic or professional life, why it is important to you and what impact it has had on your personal development. (300 words max)

I've answered similar questions where it's "discuss something you're interested in/passionate about" which I've been able to answer, but this seems harder as it's something you have PURSUED. I can honestly say I'm super boring, I work part time, do uni, I am a part of some academic society committees, but that feels like it falls under academic. I really haven't pursued anything else other than a commercial law career lol.

What have other people written for this question?

(Haven't written answer yet but planning) I did choir during university, so I was going to answer about that and how I always liked singing when I was young but never pursued it as a proper hobby until I pushed myself into joining and it surprisingly became a highlight experience of my time in university (also some values stuff about a charity concert I did in choir too).

 

[Dannie]

Has anyone heard back from Cleary pre-WG for spring/summer - Anyone who applied early Nov perhaps...

 

[Rejections PFO]

I applied last week for summer and also haven't heard anything

I applied over 3 weeks ago and still haven't gotten the WG 😭

 

[elle woods]

Dear graduate recruitment... please this girl just wants an update...ANY update at this point...please stop ghosting me 😭 my inbox is feeling a little too empty

 

[BealMcAlly]

Dear graduate recruitment... please this girl just wants an update...ANY update at this point...please stop ghosting me 😭 my inbox is feeling a little too empty

Literally me all of this week. Constantly refreshing my inbox. 🫠

 

[QuillandCounsel]

Dear graduate recruitment... please this girl just wants an update...ANY update at this point...please stop ghosting me 😭 my inbox is feeling a little too empty

Honestly so happy that Gowling (on a specific date) release whether or not you get a VI... never been so happy to receive clarity 🤣

 

[Hopefully2025]

Has anyone who applied to Willkie in early-mid November heard back following the application stage (either with a VI invite or rejection)?

 

[Vakil]

Has anyone who applied to Willkie in early-mid November heard back following the application stage (either with a VI invite or rejection)?

I applied in late October, shortly after successfully attending a very competitive open day. I still haven’t heard back either way. Hope that helps.

 

[TortillaTC]

Hi everyone! I attended Goodwin's open day back in November but forgot to ask if they prefer prose or bullet points for their WE section - did anyone catch that?

 

[RJ Ruban]

Any more ReedSmith AC offers been released yet?

 

[yk1906]

Honestly so happy that Gowling (on a specific date) release whether or not you get a VI... never been so happy to receive clarity 🤣

With my Artic shores results for Gowling I know I'm not getting a VI loool 😂 😂

 

[Lawyergyal123!]

Does anyone have any advice for Latham VI, Happy to swap for Macfarlanes AC, HSF AC, Slaughters AC, Weil VI, Freshfields stage two!

 

[Amgrad]

Hi everyone! I attended Goodwin's open day back in November but forgot to ask if they prefer prose or bullet points for their WE section - did anyone catch that?

You can do either, but make sure to put more verbs than adjectives and show metrics if any.

 

[TortillaTC]

You can do either, but make sure to put more verbs than adjectives and show metrics if any.

Thank you!!

Also the last question on Goodwin's app about further positions of responsibility/extracurriculars/awards etc. says 'briefly summarise': does this mean we're not supposed to talk about skills developed or link each back to the firm, just briefly list? They said at the open day to always highlight skills and link back but maybe they only meant the WE section.

 

[elle woods]

With my Artic shores results for Gowling I know I'm not getting a VI loool 😂 😂

me with NRF 😂

 

[James Wakefield]

Everyone stop worrying about Willkie!

1) They’re not rolling and look at every application (as stated on their website).

2) They’ve also got a new graduate recruitment manager (and probably a spike in applications given all their outreach this year), so that should explain any delay in them getting back.

 

[Amgrad]

Thank you!!

Also the last question on Goodwin's app about further positions of responsibility/extracurriculars/awards etc. says 'briefly summarise': does this mean we're not supposed to talk about skills developed or link each back to the firm, just briefly list? They said at the open day to always highlight skills and link back but maybe they only meant the WE section.

Hey just like Willkie, American firms are direct. If they ask you to briefly summarise means you should write it in prose, if it states with please list that means bullet points. Make sure to link it back, especially if your skill is quite relevant.

 

[DavidJC]

Still waiting on Latham PFO or VI invite 🙃

 

[elle woods]

Still waiting on Latham PFO or VI invite 🙃

😭 me too haha it's been like 2 weeks since i did test 1, just reject me already - my friend did their AC yesterday so I don't have much hope LOL

 

[MaryAra299]

Can anyone who had progressed to Mayer Brown's next stage after the online assessment and vi in previous cycles share their scores here? I got high for applied verbal intellect, low for numerical intellect, 4/7/6/4, think I did well in vi but still not sure.