TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[lawyersum]

Hi guys. I'm currently applying to NRF and am so confused. Their education bit doesn't let you put in your school or university. You can't actually move forward in the application without this, but the drop down box doesn't work. Has anyone had experience with this?

I'm also experiencing this. Not sure what to do, maybe wait it out until tomorrow then flag it to grad rec if it persists?

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

Do firms know if you have completed their forage work experience? Is it useful to complete them?

 

[tobywstress]

Does anyone know if reusing parts of my previous application (why law & why this firm) for Reed Smith VS is acceptable? I got past the screening for the direct TC last cycle and this year's questions were basically the same.

 

[Shahenshah]

Jones Day interview invitation.

Already? Congraulations!

 

[BT0901]

Already? Congraulations!

Grad Rec really seems on it. I submitted my application today at 9am. Heard back at 12.30

 

[aminajimale89]

Jones Day interview invitation.

Hi,


Congrats on your interview invitation. I did a vac scheme with the firm in Spring 2023. Happy to share any tips and what the experience was like.

Thanks,

AJ

 

[Amma Usman]

Jones Day interview invitation.

Love to see it! Huge congratulations! If you need any tips on the specifics of the interview, do let us know the respective components, and we'll be more than happy to help!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi,


Congrats on your interview invitation. I did a vac scheme with the firm in Spring 2023. Happy to share any tips and what the experience was like.

Thanks,

AJ

Loving the support! Thanks @aminajimale89

 

[aminajimale89]

I am currently drafting my HSF Kramer application and I need help with approaching the first question.
Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you.
We are looking for structure and succinctness in your answer. Your answer does not need to be related to law or Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and it is a chance for us to find out more about you and your interests. (Max 300 words)
Does anyone have any advice on how to approach, answer, and structure this question?

Hi,

The firm is looking to see how you approach writing and how concise your answer is. Like they mentioned, your answer does not need to be linked to commercial law or HSF Kramer. I would say it is best to use the 300 words in something you have a genuine interest in. Can be about anything that excites you, e.g., hobbies or other interests. This will come out more to the reader (grad rec) when they read your application over something you are superficially interested in. It will also potentially make you unique as they are probably aware that many people will mention things like topics in the current affairs, economy, or legal concepts.

Finally, proof read and get someone from a non-law background (e.g., friend from a different course) to read your draft. This will help test whether the language you are using is too complex for a lay reader to understand. This is especially important if you are planning on writing about something very nuanced in the 300 words.

I hope that helps and best of luck with the application.

 

[Amma Usman]

Does anyone know if reusing parts of my previous application (why law & why this firm) for Reed Smith VS is acceptable? I got past the screening for the direct TC last cycle and this year's questions were basically the same.

I have been getting many questions about this lately. Here are my thoughts on this:

As much as your previous application was successful, I do recommend still switching up some things a bit. Largely, this is because your skills and experiences would have developed so much in one year, whether it's evident or not to you. That said, not everything will need dramatic changing, and you can do this subtly. For example, I suspect that your why X firm answer would have not changed too much. However, if, for example, the firm has been involved in any latest deals that align with your interests, and you can substantiate this with why that appeals to you, then it's worth mentioning. You could also mention a new experience. Again, it doesn't' need to be a big internship - it could even be a short online course you took on X, a coffee chat you had with a member of the firm, or even an online webinar on AI in the legal sphere! There is much flexibility here.

Overall, the change doesn't need to be too legendary or dramatic - firm's just want to see that your skills and ideologies are consistently evolving. Your application should reflect that trait.

 

[Amma Usman]

Does anyone know if its worth applying to A&O Shearman TC based on their intake numbers cos I can't seem to find info anywhere? Also, given its been a month since apps opened for winter VS - do you think its still worth applying?

Please apply regardless. I always recommend candidates not looking at the numbers. There could be only one spot open and it could be yours - you would never know unless you apply!

 

[aminajimale89]

Good evening everyone. Does anybody have any advice on how to genuinely make a personal connection with facts about the firm and yourself? I find that I can get loads of stats and info about a firm, but it ends up reading like a shopping list in my answer. For example, with energy deals (I’m very interested in the sector), I usually make the connection with a firm’s excellence in a particular area to my heritage (APAC/ South Asia) and being interested in that region. But with more ‘drier’ deals or facts such as PE, real estate, M&A I struggle to find a meaningful personal connection beyond ‘I did a Forage programme on it’. Would be grateful for any tips

Good evening,

I totally understand your point about trying to make meaningful connections in areas like PE and M&A. I have a genuine interest in M&A and PE and how I approached this in applications is linking back to experiences where I worked with companies that are potential clients to the firm. Working in retail is a good example as you can link it back to current PE houses buying and selling retail giants and likewise in the M&A space. Even though your role in retail may have been small, it still shows that you understand how these retail corporations run and what their targets may be. If you do not have any experience in retail it is not the end of the world. Firms understand that many applicants are still early in their careers. Alternatives to forage tasks can be any PE or M&A insight talks held by firms that you have attended to (or could plan to attend).

In terms of real estate, it is slightly tricker but not impossible to make a link. I volunteered at an advice centre where I would help individuals with disabilities apply for housing benefits. I would link this will any residential real estate work the firm has done (e.g., social housing development). Any pro-bono experience or volunteering is valuable can be your link. It does not have to be the direct work experience with estate agents or real estate companies like JJL or Greystar.

With that being said, there is no one way to link any experience you have accumulated with the practice areas. As long as have real work experience to link and back up your points, you should be good!

Best of luck with the application.

 

[aminajimale89]

Does anyone know when King and Spalding applications open?

Hi Mara,

I've had a quick look over their website and it seems that they have not got around to updating it yet for 2025/26 cycle. As it is the first week of September some firms may still be finalising the dates for application windows.

I would suggest keep a regular eye out this week and next week.

Good luck!

 

[aminajimale89]

Hi,

Yes, you can jump straight in. I did not have a date in my cover letter but did have my own address on the right hand side of the letterhead. I applied to Slaughter and May with my cover letter back in 2023 and managed to get to their AC for the direct TC.

Best of luck with your application!

Do we need to write the date on the Slaughter and May cover letter? The website says there's no need to write any addresses, so am I correct in assuming we can jump right into the content?

 

[aminajimale89]

When Reed Smith say 'we accept a maximum of 3 applications to a vacation scheme or training contract' what exactly do they mean- you only have 3 chances of applying?

Hi,

I could not seem to find the maximum of 3 application cap on their website. If you could send over where this is mentioned I can have a look into it. On the firm's FAQs they do allow you to reapply if you are unsuccessful at the application stage of vacation scheme (link below).

Frequently asked questions | Careers | Reed Smith LLP

www.reedsmith.com

I hope that helps and best of luck with your applications.

 

[jojo23]

Hi,

I could not seem to find the maximum of 3 application cap on their website. If you could send over where this is mentioned I can have a look into it. On the firm's FAQs they do allow you to reapply if you are unsuccessful at the application stage of vacation scheme (link below).

Frequently asked questions | Careers | Reed Smith LLP

www.reedsmith.com

Hiya
I hope that helps and best of luck with your applications.

When you click on the vacation scheme itself (on vantage), it showed up there before you begin the actual application

 

[aminajimale89]

Do firms know if you have completed their forage work experience? Is it useful to complete them?

Hi,

I am not 100% sure if firms know whether you have completed the forage tasks as they are open to the public at large, and may not store the data of each candidate due to data protection laws.

However, I would strongly encourage you to complete the tasks as they give you a flavour of what the work is like at the firm (especially at a trainee level). I did forage tasks for firms that I was applying for and managed to bring it up in applications and some partner interviews. It generally does give a good impression to the firm as you are taking initiative and using your own time to complete the tasks.

Best of luck with applications!

 

[aminajimale89]

When you click on the vacation scheme itself (on vantage), it showed up there before you begin the actual application

Thanks for clarifying. In that case, I would reach out to the grad rec to make sure what the 3 max cap means in vantage.

 

[manifestingthetc]

Anthony Gold AC but I am not in the country ;(

 

[abbietc03]

Do firms know if you have completed their forage work experience? Is it useful to complete them?

Hey! If I remember correctly, you are able to decide whether your participation and work is shared with the firm (I believe there is an 'opt-out' option). You will also get a certificate of completion once you complete them, which you can always add to your Linkedin etc to show that you have completed the work experience.

I did a couple over the past few cycles, and I have found them really useful! Firstly, it gives you a really good insight into areas of practice that you may not be sure of, and the types of tasks that trainees may do. For example, I wanted to gain an insight into Private Equity as a practice area, so I completed the Weil PE Forage programme. I really enjoyed the variety of tasks I got to complete, and it reaffirmed to me that I would be interested in working in that area.

Secondly, sort of linked to the above, it helps you write more refined application answers. If you don't have any direct experience in Private Equity or Construction Law but you are applying to a firm that specialises in these areas, I think it's really helpful to complete a forage simulation as it shows you have taken the initiative to learn more about the area, and that you know you like it following this. I would make sure to expand on it though - simply stating you completed the programme is unlikely to be helpful, and it's important that you discuss why you found the tasks interesting and what you learnt from the programme.

I definitely don't think you need to be doing a Forage simulation for every firm, though (which I initially tried to do, and very quickly realised was very unsustainable!). I would pick certain practice areas that you are interested in, and then utilise this in applications, even if you are applying for a different firm. I used my Weil PE example for a number of firms, and didn't seem to have any issues with passing the application stage, despite it being for a different firm. If a firm has a really niche area or a specific Forage programme that interests you, then it might be a good idea to do that too!

I hope that helps!