TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Hopeful applicant]

The orrick application asks for a 300 word cover letter, is this correct or should i email to confirm

I think it is (you can cover other "cover letter points" in the following questions - I treated it as a summary meant to answer "why should i continue reading your application".

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

hii GD was for Summer, but they are still conducting first stage interviews so don't worry about it. I did the AC at V&E last year, but the format of the interview remains the same Could you let me know if you know anyone who is doing / has done the GD interview this cycle?

are they still sending out first stage invites post-app for summer?

 

[Hopeful applicant]

hii GD was for Summer, but they are still conducting first stage interviews so don't worry about it. I did the AC at V&E last year, but the format of the interview remains the same Could you let me know if you know anyone who is doing / has done the GD interview this cycle?

Thanks a lot! Unfortunately, do know know anyone (

 

[shadowboxer909]

Hi, ive just received a final stage Gibson Dunn interview - does anyone have any insights on this? I can provide information on A&O Shearman Summer and Vinson & Elkins AC!

When did you do the first interview?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

While I think the sense of community is cute and wholesome I would really appreciate being able to see information on the forum.

The jokes and support messages are very nice and that’s why I think there should be a dedicated space for that kind of discussion

If people’s posts get deleted for “derailing the forum” when they discuss eg the fairness of contextual offers, they should also be deleted when people make 20 posts on fake law firms. For consistency’s sake.

I'm going to second this. The argument for allowing applicants to "relieve stress" in the same forum is a bit overused when you look at how many posts are actually just GIFs and jokes more recently, to the point where it became genuinely difficult to find the information I had been looking for.

Especially the jokes about @rulebritannia despite Jaysen's warnings and him redirecting users to contact him privately. A very specific group of people continued piling onto the topic even after I and other users said it had been discussed enough. This appears to be a very specific group of users and it needs to be stopped in consideration for others.

 

[gmcaolaw]

What things are people mentioning in interviews when asked about what key legal trends are affecting the industry right now? Please help

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

While I think the sense of community is cute and wholesome I would really appreciate being able to see information on the forum.

The jokes and support messages are very nice and that’s why I think there should be a dedicated space for that kind of discussion

If people’s posts get deleted for “derailing the forum” when they discuss eg the fairness of contextual offers, they should also be deleted when people make 20 posts on fake law firms. For consistency’s sake.

10000% agree

But let me just blend in as I don’t want to be hit with 10+ gifs of passiveness or people implying I hate those with disabilities again😭

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

I don't go for any specific thing just because firms are different. One obvious one is AI. Another is transatlantic mergers. Look at sites the The Lawyer and Non-Billable - those might be helpful

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

I don't go for any specific thing just because firms are different. One obvious one is AI. Another is transatlantic mergers. Look at sites the The Lawyer and Non-Billable - those might be helpful

From AI to PE: Major UK Legal Trends for 2026

From AI to PE and the rise of women lawyers: explore a changing legal industry as our new research reveals the top UK law firms and best UK lawyers.

chambers.com

You can also start here

 

[IWillGetATC]

how long did OC test take?? not sure if i have time to do it now or later

 

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

how long did OC test take?? not sure if i have time to do it now or later

It is timed. One test lasts 30 minutes and the other 23minutes.

 

[IWillGetATC]

It is timed. One test lasts 30 minutes and the other 23minutes.

and can I do them separately? like not back to back

 

[zonnonomo]

and can I do them separately? like not back to back

yes!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

10000% agree

But let me just blend in as I don’t want to be hit with 10+ gifs of passiveness or people implying I hate those with disabilities again😭

Totally get your point but you were joining in with the rulebritannia nonsense so I think it’s a bit hypocritical from you…

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Totally get your point but you were joining in with the rulebritannia nonsense so I think it’s a bit hypocritical from you…

tu quoque fallacy x! regardless, point stands! and i hope some people/admins/jaysen consider this for the rest of us.

 

[Bread]

Totally get your point but you were joining in with the rulebritannia nonsense so I think it’s a bit hypocritical from you…

No one is saying that the nonsense shouldn’t happen, just that it shouldn’t happen here

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

to all those who got the pfo from cooley today, may i ask did you apply to spring or summer?

Spring applied around Dec 29th

I applied to Dechert in late December, and I have not heard anything yet. Not even WE. Have people been rejected from Dechert outright yet post-app or is there still a chance with this firm?

im the same!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

tu quoque fallacy x! regardless, point stands! and i hope some people/admins/jaysen consider this for the rest of us.

Well it only became a problem for you when it was people jumping on you and not someone else… 🤔

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

Totally get your point but you were joining in with the rulebritannia nonsense so I think it’s a bit hypocritical from you…

I made 3 posts and I @ Jaysen so he himself could see the evidence. I left it at that. Be so fr rn and go attack someone else. There are many instigators on here who consistently use gifs to shame people. If your opinion is different or against the 5 running this thread you’re a joke and laughing stock for a good 3 pages of the thread.

You can all like this message of someone calling me out but can’t like the message of the people calling you out. Hilarious.

 

[Hopeful applicant]

tu quoque fallacy x! regardless, point stands! and i hope some people/admins/jaysen consider this for the rest of us.

If we are being pedantic, not a tu quoque fallacy - Donna acknowledged that the point is correct, while separately (appriopriately or not) pointing out hypocrisy