TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[ZNadeem]

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?

Hi! You don’t need to focus on the firm throughout, but you should mention them towards the middle or end — explain how the opportunity you’ve identified could benefit the firm specifically. The bulk of your answer can focus on the sector and commercial awareness, then tie it back to the firm.

 

[ZNadeem]

Any tips for a successful open day application?

Hi! Emphasise the USPs of the firm that genuinely interest you, and explain why attending the open day would help you learn more about them. Keep it specific and show genuine curiosity rather than just listing generic reasons.

 

[ZNadeem]

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?

Hi! They’re looking for extra-curricular activities, hobbies, volunteering, or other experiences that helped you develop relevant skills.

 

[ZNadeem]

for hogan lovells' application, they ask us to write about any open days and events in the legal sector. should i talk about the events i attended with HL in the previous application cycle or wait until the events this year before applying?
also any advice on whether i should apply to lift off or the vac scheme?

Hi! It’s perfectly fine to mention events from the previous application cycle or even before. You don’t need to attend additional events just to add to this section.

 

[c.t.tc]

Is it fine to shorten Mishcon de Reya to Mishcon in an application or is that not a good idea?

 

[Lawstudent1011]

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?

I'm confused about this too. Is it talking about extracurricular activities maybe?

 

[londonlawyer]

Is it fine to shorten Mishcon de Reya to Mishcon in an application or is that not a good idea?

I shortened to Mishcon and was successful in my Open Day application last year

 

[c.t.tc]

I shortened to Mishcon and was successful in my Open Day application last year

thank you!

 

[Jamtaz12]

Hey @ZNadeem I was wondering do you know if the Latham online test includes a video interview bit this year or not

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[user333]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could tell me what is considered a recruitment cycle?

I applied for Hogan's Direct TC and was rejected last month. However, I was wondering if this September is considered the beginning of the new cycle or is it an application per year?

 

[kn]

would it be better to apply to HL lift off or the vac scheme? has anyone who got rejected for lift off last year secured an AC for the vac scheme?

 

[Amz2006]

guys for reed smith's vac scheme is does not mention final year students can i still apply

 

[bh.sa]

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

Thank you! I applied on Monday 08/09

 

[bh.sa]

would it be better to apply to HL lift off or the vac scheme? has anyone who got rejected for lift off last year secured an AC for the vac scheme?

I would recommend Lift Off - if you're successful, you get fast-tracked to an AC anyways. But Lift Off will give you lots of insights and tips into the AC and how to be successful there. But it doesn't matter too much, as long as you make a strong application, you have a good chance. The picture below may also help you decide:

 

[a0]

guys for reed smith's vac scheme is does not mention final year students can i still apply

yup! it says penultimate year law students/final year non-law onwards.

 

[bh.sa]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could tell me what is considered a recruitment cycle?

I applied for Hogan's Direct TC and was rejected last month. However, I was wondering if this September is considered the beginning of the new cycle or is it an application per year?

Hogan Lovells says, "Our current application window runs from 1 September 2025-31 August 2026." So I assume that 1 Sep 2024 - 31 August 2025 was last year's cycle. You want to email grad rec and double-check though

 

[tenibankoleolusina]

for hogan lovells' application, they ask us to write about any open days and events in the legal sector. should i talk about the events i attended with HL in the previous application cycle or wait until the events this year before applying?
also any advice on whether i should apply to lift off or the vac scheme?

Hi there! Events attended in any cycle would be acceptable. I'm also pretty sure that Hogan Lovells say if you apply for Lift Off, your application will automatically be considered for a vacation scheme anyway, so if you have interest in both and are eligible for both I'd advise applying to Lift off.

 

[emily3827]

are graduates elligible for HL lift off?

 

[Chriss]

just got the confirmation email from macfarlanes, it takes about 2 days

 

[cbuck]

Heya! Yesterday I received an invitation for an HR telephone interview with Sidley which I'm really excited about. Although I'm a little confused because everything I've seen online suggests that the process is (1) Initial Application, (2) Interview, (3) Vac Scheme. I feel like a telephone interview can't be the only stage before a vac scheme but idk because I've seen no mention of it anywhere. Does anyone who has been through the process before know if this is the only interview, or is there a normal in-person one afterwards?