TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Lawlife5]

Hi @Lawlife5,

I definitely shared this feeling when I was going through the application cycle. Writing a good number of high-quality applications is by no means an easy task, and I'd definitely recommend finding a routine that would prioritise deep work while also giving you time to rest.

1) Build a routine around when and where you're writing applications - for example, you dedicate an hour every day from 7 to 8 pm to just that. This way, you'll be able to make decent progress every day while also giving yourself enough time away from applications.
2) Limit the media noise and exposure to content that may overwhelm you. I personally found LinkedIn quite daunting when I was applying, so I'd try to minimise the time I spent there. Work at your own pace and remember that everyone has their own path - there isn't one straightforward way of getting a TC!
3) Make time for hobbies and activities that fulfil and energise you. It's very easy to lose steam when you don't give your brain time to do something that makes you truly happy. Whether it's seeing friends, playing a sport, or engaging in a hobby - make sure to still do those things. Often, it's in those 'resting periods' where your brain will come up with a very good point/ make a good argument that you can later use in your application!

Good luck!

Thank you for taking the time to reply Vera!

 

[Dannie]

I do not think so as that seems quite early regardless of it being rolling! May I please ask which events you are meeting them at?

Hey! Its at the Legal Cheek event in Angel on Thursday (in-person)!

 

[a0]

Macfarlanes assessment lmfaooo 😭 that's all I can say at this point

 

[ninarosee]

Does anyone know if Paul Weiss’s open days are rolling?

 

[dm_corporate]

Does anyone know if Paul Weiss’s open days are rolling?

Non-rolling. Applied last week and told will hear after deadline.

 

[Chriss]

Guys is the mayer brown test automatic?

 

[ZNadeem]

For HSF Kramer SJT, it says it is untimed.

However, does this mean that the time we DO take to answer each question influences our overall test score?

Reason for my query is that JobTestPrep says this...
View attachment 7267

Hi! Grad rec has said they do take into account the overall time you spend on it, but don’t rush too much. I know of people taking about an hour and still progressing.

 

[ohnoselim]

has anyone ever progressed far in a VS/TC process despite not having a clear idea of what practice you want to do? and not having a clear previous experience in one practice?

im afraid of my why commercial law answer being too generic without the above

 

[ohnoselim]

and another question apologies if its seems silly

if i mentioned a mock pitch i did on an open day/scheme on my application as something i enjoyed

in the interview process will you be grilled on this?

because i can remember the gist of the task eg: what i liked about it

but i cant recall the entire scenario this was years ago...

 

[iklawapps]

For someone who didn’t really used to attend events, I might have overcompensated and attended like six events for a firm in applying to. Is it bad to sprinkle all of them around my app? Like mention multiple events in a question even (like one per paragraph)? Or is that overdoing it? Thank you!!

 

[lawschool123]

Hi, does anyone have insight into the Mayer Brown test? Are the video interview questions competency-based or motivational? How much time do we have to prepare for them and answer them? And is the rest of the test timed as well, or can we complete it in multiple sittings?

 

[bh.sa]

Just got Jones Day interview invite!

 

[JasmineM9]

Just got Jones Day interview invite!

Congrats!!!! May I know when you applied? ☺️

 

[futuretraineeihope]

When a application question is along the lines of: "based on your research of X firm, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise", do you need to talk about the firm a lot, or is it sufficient to pick one of their strong sectors as it's primarily assessing commercial awareness?

 

[sophielaw]

Does anyone know how best to split up work experience answers into description and achievements for the Linklaters application? I'm struggling to know what to put in each part

 

[lawyersum]

Right, if you achieved below AAB at A-Level (I achieved ABB) without mitigating circumstances, you are barred from applying to Hogan Lovells. The application form will not let you proceed. Lovely... Great firm, but such a shame.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Any tips for a successful open day application?

 

[yasmars]

View attachment 7268
Right, if you achieved below AAB at A-Level (I achieved ABB) without mitigating circumstances, you are barred from applying to Hogan Lovells. The application form will not let you proceed. Lovely... Great firm, but such a shame.

Just think about it as it being their loss and not yours . It’s also better that they stopped you from applying before completing the full application.

 

[lawstudent2]

With the Hogan Lovells question - Tell us about any experiences outside of your work and study that have allowed you to develop skills that are relevant to this role. - when they say work, does that mean excluding part time jobs and other paid positions as well as university?

 

[lawyersum]

Just think about it as it being their loss and not yours . It’s also better that they stopped you from applying before completing the full application.

Ahh love this perspective thank you