TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[user123987]

Guys I’m not sure if this is a stupid question, but what should a woman wear to an AC. Is a suit too much?

 

[Novaa]

I do too!! I would rather be prepared than blindsided

Lowkey have done this for some firms and when I've progressed it's felt great, but when I've been rejected i've wanted to attempt to fly off a bridge. My two cents: I think generic next stage prep is never a bad thing, I'd recommened tailored only when ur 8/10+ confident you'll get thru (saying this because I remember one time post a slightly mid VI I started AC prep only to recieve a PFO and feel like utter s***

I think I will try this because:

1. I have no shame and do not acknowledge PFOs as real things! So there is nothing to lose.😍

2. I think it would help me relax more when actually doing a VI, as I end up trying to cram.

Let me go start prepping!

 

[elle woods]

Guys I’m not sure if this is a stupid question, but what should a woman wear to an AC. Is a suit too much?

i always wear a suit lol (no tie tho)

most people overdress - it's better that way than being underdressed

 

[BealMcAlly]

Guys its been 76 days since ive heard from simmons, if it reaches 100 days, what should i do to mark this historic milestone🤣

Not gonna lie at this point they should just automatically make an offer 🤭😅 no ac, just give you the damn TC.

 

[tc2026]

Hello, would it be worth emailing DLA because they have not gotten back to me post an email saying I passed their TI benchmark back in December? I have seen people get AC invites and this is so nerve-wracking haha

apparently their first AC was only a week and a bit ago so I think theres a lot more coming ! (dont quote me on that thoughhh), im still waiting too

 

[Hopeful applicant]

On a somewhat related note (motion to introduce evidence): Has anyone seen/heard about examples of reasonable adjustments impacting negatively one's application? (might be difficult to tell, but maybe someone has personal anecdotes/is aware of HR practices)

 

[BealMcAlly]

On a somewhat related note (motion to introduce evidence): Has anyone seen/heard about examples of reasonable adjustments impacting negatively one's application? (might be difficult to tell, but maybe someone has personal anecdotes/is aware of HR practices)

This completely irrelevant to what you posted but I read your username as 'Hateful applicant' and now I'm tempted to change my username to that just cuz it tickled me. 🤭😅

 

[ellamai0]

Starting to think I’m in the HSF Kramer Spring ‘maybe’ pile since I’ve had no rejection or AC invite despite others receiving invites… the wait continues…

 

[Hopeful applicant]

This completely irrelevant to what you posted but I read your username as 'Hateful applicant' and now I'm tempted to change my username to that just cuz it tickled me. 🤭😅

As we've seen today its a fine line anyway

 

[TheGeek12]

Just did the Gibson Dunn app - it took me way too long. Also their email said 40 minutes but cappfinity says 1 hour so...

 

[TheGeek12]

for an interview question, if they ask what are your strengths and weaknesses, what is the best weakness to choose (i might be overthinking this but pls help)

I would be honest (unless it is a key value for the firm e.g. team working) and say how you are working on improving it.

 

[trainingcontractoffer]

Does anyone know from the previous years how many vac scheme places Milbank offers?

 

[TheGeek12]

On a somewhat related note (motion to introduce evidence): Has anyone seen/heard about examples of reasonable adjustments impacting negatively one's application? (might be difficult to tell, but maybe someone has personal anecdotes/is aware of HR practices)

Motion granted.
Honestly, all firms say that they are inclusive and that it doesn't impact applications but... there is no knowing really.
There are some things that I don't disclose to firms tbh but I don't have any personal examples. And, of course graduate/early careers recruitment always say its fine.

 

[TheGeek12]

from what I remember it is untimed and it took me more than 1hr but that may be me

Yh it is - and it took me way over an hour. 40 mins is way too short

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Motion granted.
Honestly, all firms say that they are inclusive and that it doesn't impact applications but... there is no knowing really.
There are some things that I don't disclose to firms tbh but I don't have any personal examples. And, of course graduate/early careers recruitment always say its fine.

but then saying otherwise would open them to some seriously bad PR and (possibly?) lawsuits.

I'm kind of not sure how the system is supposed to work - I could see firms not wanting people with dyslexia, since a big part of a trainees work (at least in the pre-gpt era) is fast and effective proofreading.

In that case telling the firm "Oh BTW I am extra slow and inaccurate at that" would not intuitively do wonders for the application.

Edit: just to make sure the tone is right -- I have dyslexia myself and I am extra slow and inaccurate at proofreading )

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

i emailed gd about whether theyll be sending out any stage 1 interviews still and this is what they said:
"
I hope you are well.



Many thanks for your email. We are currently reviewing applications and assessment results and will be in touch as soon as we have more information. As our programmes are highly competitive, we receive a large volume of applications, and we appreciate your patience during this process.


We are always happy to work to candidate availability and provide as much notice as possible for any interviews.


Thank you again for your interest in Gibson Dunn and our training programmes."

cant tell if this is some GR fancy language or they're still considering apps and sending out invites

bump - would love some insight into this ackshually

 

[Novaa]

Motion granted.
Honestly, all firms say that they are inclusive and that it doesn't impact applications but... there is no knowing really.
There are some things that I don't disclose to firms tbh but I don't have any personal examples. And, of course graduate/early careers recruitment always say its fine.

This is where I’m at, like I can’t say for certain what the issue was. But I remember disclosing to one firm I had an AC with, and the vibe immediately felt off. I’m not sure whether it just wasn’t a culture fit, but the whole day didn’t feel right, and I was rejected the next morning LOL. I didn’t even ask for feedback, and I won’t be applying to that firm again (VS, TC or NQ lateral move).

I can’t say for certain that my reasonable adjustments request negatively affected my application, but the way it was approached and how I felt after disclosing definitely didn’t help. Aside from that firm (who shall remain unnamed) my experiences with other firms have mostly been positive.

But I still feel cautious about disclosing because of that situation sigh… 💔 Watching Chrissie Wolfe has deffo helped though!

 

[Harvey Specter]

On a somewhat related note (motion to introduce evidence): Has anyone seen/heard about examples of reasonable adjustments impacting negatively one's application? (might be difficult to tell, but maybe someone has personal anecdotes/is aware of HR practices)

I’ve had one bad experience this cycle requesting reasonable adjustments and that was with Hogan Lovells (yeah I’m name dropping). I’ll set out a brief summary of it below lmao.

I asked if I could do the stage 2 VI as a TI with extra time (standard request that I haven’t had any issues with before). At most I’ve been asked to provide more information to firms that’s it.

Grad rec aired me for like a week then responded saying that I needed to submit my uni support plan so they could determine whether I’d need the adjustments for the stage 2 test.

That sounds harmless initially, but they wanted to find evidence I specifically needed the VI as a TI (I’d not done any VI assessments at uni so that wouldn’t be something on any documents).

So I explained this and long story short they just reluctantly decided to do a TI. They didn’t give me any instructions or guidance so I had no idea how the TI would be structured or timed.

Mind you I had asked for extra time. I emailed and they said don’t worry everything has been accounted for including extra time. So I was like okay this seems calm let’s go for it!

So at the start of the TI I asked for confirmation. I was basically ignored and the grad rec person just started by saying she’d ask strengths based questions first then motivational ones after.

It’s safe to say I didn’t know what to do. So I just asked after each question can I take a moment to gather my thoughts, to which I either got half a response or just crickets lmao idek atp.

As I didn’t have any guidance or instructions, it’s safe to say my performance wasn’t the best. They sent me a PFO within 24-48 hours, which I felt like was their intention from the jump.

At their open day I felt the grad rec team weren’t that nice and the culture of the firm didn’t seem to be what they present it as. So in a way I’m glad that it didn’t work out but was a bit sad.

It’s made me reluctant to disclose adjustments. I know I have made jokes about Freshfields, but I’ll give credit where it’s due their grad rec team were so incredibly supportive re adjustments!

Ofc they took ages to get back to me, but they do receive loads of applications and many people will need adjustments. Once they did get around to me, they were 10/10 in my opinion.

Apologies for the long post I’ve tried to separate this into smaller paragraphs so hopefully it’s not too difficult to read it all??!! I just wanted to share my anecdotal experience with HL.​

 

[ninarosee]

Just to bring some positivity back into this convo, let’s remember that there are many people who are neurodivergent and have successfully progressed through multiple application processes, and are now trainees, associates, and partners at law firms. It’s absolutely possible to be neurodivergent and succeed in this process (also speaking from experience). The key is finding firms that genuinely appreciate neurodiversity and create a supportive culture.

I also personally know someone who’s neurodivergent and is a future trainee at an MC firm, so it really is possible. There are firms out there that are supportive don’t lose hope!

 

[radssss]

I’ve had one bad experience this cycle requesting reasonable adjustments and that was with Hogan Lovells (yeah I’m name dropping). I’ll set out a brief summary of it below lmao.

I asked if I could do the stage 2 VI as a TI with extra time (standard request that I haven’t had any issues with before). At most I’ve been asked to provide more information to firms that’s it.

Grad rec aired me for like a week then responded saying that I needed to submit my uni support plan so they could determine whether I’d need the adjustments for the stage 2 test.

That sounds harmless initially, but they wanted to find evidence I specifically needed the VI as a TI (I’d not done any VI assessments at uni so that wouldn’t be something on any documents).

So I explained this and long story short they just reluctantly decided to do a TI. They didn’t give me any instructions or guidance so I had no idea how the TI would be structured or timed.

Mind you I had asked for extra time. I emailed and they said don’t worry everything has been accounted for including extra time. So I was like okay this seems calm let’s go for it!

So at the start of the TI I asked for confirmation. I was basically ignored and the grad rec person just started by saying she’d ask strengths based questions first then motivational ones after.

It’s safe to say I didn’t know what to do. So I just asked after each question can I take a moment to gather my thoughts, to which I either got half a response or just crickets lmao idek atp.

As I didn’t have any guidance or instructions, it’s safe to say my performance wasn’t the best. They sent me a PFO within 24-48 hours, which I felt like was their intention from the jump.

At their open day I felt the grad rec team weren’t that nice and the culture of the firm didn’t seem to be what they present it as. So in a way I’m glad that it didn’t work out but was a bit sad.

Apologies for the long post I’ve tried to separate this into smaller paragraphs so hopefully it’s not too difficult to read it all??!! I just wanted to share my anecdotal experience with HL.​

Yes, you should name drop and I’m proud of you for doing so!!! (I also understand why people don’t want to name drop and that’s completely okay!)
When firms behave like this, it directly affects a persons performance. It’s better you reject them than treat them this way because they’re not gonna be able to perform anyways.

Well, there’s loads of lovely and supportive firms too and I appreciate them and their culture.

This just makes me so sad and angry at the same time ://