TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Afraz Akhtar]

Hey guys! quick question, the K&L Gates application has questions asking "why K&L Gates", "why commercial law", and two about positions of responsibility along with another section for a cover letter, any idea on how to differentiate my answers to these? I don't really know what else I can write about in my cover letter that's not already addressed in the application questions. Thanks in advance ))

@wrpark it appears that they’ve targeted the application questions to understand more about your motivation for the career choice/law firm. Therefore, my approach for the cover letter would be to utilise the majority of its space to not only summarise the basics (why them/why law) but to go into more detail on why you specifically, giving them a high-level overview of who you are and what you can bring to the role/firm through your skills/experiences.

 

[johnsmith]

My inbox is too quiet!!

It's day one back into the office after new year, all I’ve done today is sift through more than 500 emails to triage them so it's unlikely you'll get much of anything today or tomorrow so probs worth switching off 😅😁🫡

 

[Prudentia]

Hey everybody @Abbie Whitlock and @Andrei Radu are currently on annual leave until 22nd January. Until then, I will be on hand to answer your queries. It may take a little longer to respond to you than usual, but rest assured I'll be here 🤙

Well deserved annual leave for both @Abbie Whitlock and @Andrei Radu! Thanks for picking up the mantle @Afraz Akhtar

 

[Suii]

Hey @Suii typically each VI question is assessed on its own merit, and has a cap of points or grading e.g. out of 10. You cannot go higher than that set metric.

Now, each question is directed at a different skill or capability, and your scores from your previous question do not influence your scores on any following questions.

Once all scores are compiled, an average is generated and you’re positioned in a leaderboard and this is what the firm will see when deciding who to shortlist for the next stage.

The firm may personally decide that they prioritise high scores in one particular question above others, however that is open to their discretion.

Thank you @Afraz Akhtar this is interesting to hear as I always thought it was out of a grading system of 3 or 5 marks for each VI question. Thank you for the insights into this it is helpful.

 

[V5⛷️]

Don't forget to get adequate rest everyone. Don't be like me

SJT: Stay late or tell the other trainee to help you?
My brain: Sisqo Thong Song 🎵

 

[Zimpakos]

Anyone heard Taylor Wessing written exercise for Summer Vacs. Said they'd hear send notification on tests by the end of December. So just wondering.

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

I have an SVS interview very soon and I was wondering, if no questions come naturally to me in the interview, what’s a safe type of question to ask the interviewers at the end?

@Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock @Afraz Akhtar

@jagath I'm sure the questions will come to you naturally, but where you're struggling, think about whose interviewing you and take the time to learn more about them and their work. After all, they can give you an insight into the firm, working life, what makes a successful trainee, their department prospects/challenges - and strike a conversation about that. It doesn't need to be a ground-breaking question, it just needs to be enough to present tangible interest that the interviewer can answer passionately e.g. "You've worked in M&A for 15 years, what factors did you consider when deciding to qualify in this practice area above others".

 

[yasmars]

It's day on back into the office after new year, all I’ve done today is sift through more than 500 emails to triage them so it's unlikely you'll get much of anything today or tomorrow so probs worth switching off 😅😁🫡

Agreed. I think this forum often forgets that GR are still people, and like most people, they would have taken annual leave over the holidays. As a result, it’s reasonable to expect that things will only return to full swing from mid week into next week.

 

[Prudentia]

It's day on back into the office after new year, all I’ve done today is sift through more than 500 emails to triage them so it's unlikely you'll get much of anything today or tomorrow so probs worth switching off 😅😁🫡

This has been the case for me. I worked throughout Christmas and NY (except for the bank holidays), but all my colleagues were on leave and are spending the day catching up on emails and just getting back into work-mode.

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Applied for Summer for every VS and have NOT heard back at all post-application except the automatic stages. Is this normal?

 

[TCLA0322]

WFW vi invite, finally, my email box is not deadly silent

 

[Prudentia]

Agreed. I think this forum often forgets that GR are still people, and like most people they would have taken annual leave over the holidays. As a result, it’s reasonable to expect that things will only return to full swing from mid week into next week.

I would also think it's a gigantic red flag if a firm's GR team were working at full capacity over Christmas, too. It likely means the firm doesn't care about W/L balance and/or doesn't respect holidays.

 

[Rads]

Has anyone heard back from Clyde and Co for their summer vac scheme? I applied on 21 Dec and have not gotten the online test

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Hello I needed help with HL Stage 2 insights, can help with Milbank Stage 1, Freshfields Stage 2, Macfarlanes Stage 1-2, Latham Stage 1-2,Travers interview, Mayer Brown OA. Please let me know!

Hi, when did you do the first stage test and when were you invited to the stage 2 test?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

I have to submit a written exercise for a boutique law firm, and they require me to write a 500-word paragraph on an assigned topic. I need suggestions on structuring the answer and whether I am required to connect it to the firm, as the topic for the written exercise is rather generic. @Abbie Whitlock and @Andrei Radu would love your insights, too.

Hey @WeGotThis! for written exercises, a bulk of the assessment goes into your abilities to write clearly, concisely, stay professional in tone and language and cater your answer to your audience. Without much info on what the nature of the written exercise is, it'll be difficult to say for sure whether you'll need to link back to the firm or not but traditionally you don't need to. Additionally, if it is an opinion piece, all the more reason why you wouldn't be expected to link it back to the firm. Are you able to share more information on how the question is presented so we can think of a structure together?

 

[shays]

Their website says they send tests on a rolling basis but ac invites are sent after all applications have been reviewed! You might have to wait considering some of us got the stage 2 today

On that note, do you have any tips for stage 2 and is the vi part of it competency motivational or commercial or a mix of all? Thank you

Wasn't the test automatic? The Watson Glaser/SJT (tbh I dont remember) just asking cause now I'm confused lol

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Does anyone have any general video interview tips?

Hi @EfficientBag123 I think the following post provided good tips for general tips in relation to VI's - Erin on preparing for video interviews - let me know if this is helpful!

 

[WeGotThis!]

Hey @WeGotThis! for written exercises, a bulk of the assessment goes into your abilities to write clearly, concisely, stay professional in tone and language and cater your answer to your audience. Without much info on what the nature of the written exercise is, it'll be difficult to say for sure whether you'll need to link back to the firm or not but traditionally you don't need to. Additionally, if it is an opinion piece, all the more reason why you wouldn't be expected to link it back to the firm. Are you able to share more information on how the question is presented so we can think of a structure together?

Sure! So, the written exercise question is 'If you could change any law, which one would you change and why?' I believe it's an opinion piece; however, I am unsure how to structure it for 500 words.

 

[Bree]

Hi, when did you do the first stage test and when were you invited to the stage 2 test?

Hey I did Stage 1 on 17th of December and got invited today

 

[Jennifer2003]

Hi!

Applied for Summer for every VS and have NOT heard back at all post-application except the automatic stages. Is this normal?

I applied to 6/7 summer vac schemes and haven't heard back either after application or after doing wg/sjt if that helps! I think if they're somewhere that does spring and summer, they probably get spring ACs out the way first (could be wrong lol)