TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jennifer2003]

Hi, has anyone heard from A&O Shearman for the Winter VS? Also anyone that has done the HL online assessment, have you heard back? How long did it take to get the report?

Haven’t heard from A&O yet if that helps!

 

[jojo23]

Receiving the hsfk test invite this early in the morning was definitely a jumpscare

 

[aspringlawyer25]

Any Ashurst ACs yet?

 

[GT1205H]

Hey, when did you apply for HL and when did you receive the online assessment? Thanks!

I applied on the 18th and received the invite to the assessment on the 23rd

 

[GT1205H]

Anyone else found the Hogan Lovells online assessment excessively long? For me it did not aligned with the timescales they mentioned. Particularly the Critical Reasoning section which is technically a full Watson Glaser ( 80 Q) which they said on average should take 35 minutes 🥲 and on top of that speed contributes to the score

 

[SamiyaJ]

Anyone else found the Hogan Lovells online assessment excessively long? For me it did not aligned with the timescales they mentioned. Particularly the Critical Reasoning section which is technically a full Watson Glaser ( 80 Q) which they said on average should take 35 minutes 🥲 and on top of that speed contributes to the score

Completely agree. It was too long and I definitely spent more than the recommended 90 minutes on the assessment!

 

[aspringlawyer25]

Finally received my Gibson Dunn cappfinity report after 2 weeks. Phew.

 

[noahsmiit01]

Has anyone applied to Akin's VS? They have six 250-word questions in the application. That's the first time I've seen so many of them, wow!

 

[chiichii]

Does anyone know whether DLA Piper's Discovery Day application is running on rolling basis? It's been 2 weeks since it opened, and i'm worried that they ran out of place and i got rejected again after i put my hearts and sweats into my answer.

 

[noahsmiit01]

I am applying to Macfarlanes dinner event hosted by one of their partners, and as part of the application, the question is: Why do you want to attend the dinner?
Would any of you be able to help me out with how to start this question and its structure, including what to mention, as it is only 200 words?

@ZNadeem , @Abbie Whitlock and @Andrei Radu

Thank you

 

[coolwizard22]

is it timed or untimed?

It isn't timed in the traditional sense, i.e. you only have 40 mins to complete the test. However, the time you take to answer each question is taken into account.

 

[rosedunn]

for linklaters winter vacation scheme - it is just cappfinity we need to have done not watson glaser?

 

[dannyp123]

The rumours of the horrors of the Macfarlanes Simulate Assessment were unfortunately true

 

[BT0901]

Does anyone know if Debevoise screens applications on a rolling basis?

 

[e_turbo2]

Has anyone else applied to HL and still waiting for the test? Has anyone received a rejection?

 

[Tattyasha]

Also interested. Applied 11 Sep and no WE invite.

Same. Applied 9/9 and nothing at all, so think I know what’s coming 🙈

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I am applying to Macfarlanes dinner event hosted by one of their partners, and as part of the application, the question is: Why do you want to attend the dinner?
Would any of you be able to help me out with how to start this question and its structure, including what to mention, as it is only 200 words?

@ZNadeem , @Abbie Whitlock and @Andrei Radu

Thank you

Hi!

That's a great question - 200 words is tight, but you can definitely write a strong answer if you have a clear structure! A good way to start is by briefly showing genuine enthusiasm for Macfarlanes and the opportunity to meet their people in a more personal setting. Then, you could move into:

• Why Macfarlanes specifically - I'd focus on your genuine motivations towards the firm (e.g. reputation for high-quality work, their distinctive culture, or a USP of the firm that appeals to you based on your past experiences or future aspirations)
• Why the dinner format matters - this is where you need to distinguish why you want to attend the dinner event rather than an open day or insight event. It's a chance to engage with partners and associates in a relaxed environment, ask questions, and get an authentic feel for the firm. I would discuss why this is important to you!
• What you hope to gain from it - linking this back to why you are wanting to attend the dinner event, discuss what information or insights you hope to gain by the end of it. This could be an insight into a specific practice area, the partner's perspective on certain developments, or how trainees are given responsibility early on.

If you wanted to round it all up at the end, you could connect it back to your motivation for a career in law and how the dinner would be a great opportunity to help you decide if Macfarlanes is the right fit. Make sure to keep it authentic and concise to make the most of the 200 words - show curiosity and enthusiasm, and this should make your application tailored and personal!

Best of luck with your application

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

for linklaters winter vacation scheme - it is just cappfinity we need to have done not watson glaser?

Hi!

If you mean before the deadline, then yes that is correct!

The Watson Glaser can be completed after the deadline, as long as you complete it by the deadline provided in the test invite

 

[TortillaTC]

Hi everyone! I’ve been looking at Paul Weiss and wonder whether they’re extremely selective academics wise - of course as all elite firms I assume they’d want to see at least a strong 2.1 but are they Slaughters-level picky? I really wanna save my time this cycle by not applying to firms that only select very high 2.1s or first class grads when plenty of firms don’t care as much.

 

[ZNadeem]

I am applying to Macfarlanes dinner event hosted by one of their partners, and as part of the application, the question is: Why do you want to attend the dinner?
Would any of you be able to help me out with how to start this question and its structure, including what to mention, as it is only 200 words?

@ZNadeem , @Abbie Whitlock and @Andrei Radu

Thank you

Hi! I’d structure this similarly to an open day application, but tailored to the unique setting of a dinner. A good way to approach it is:

• Pick 2–3 USPs of Macfarlanes that you genuinely resonate with and would like to explore further (e.g. their focus on complex cross-border work, their strength in both private client and corporate, or their distinctive culture as a single-office firm).
• For each one, use a PEA structure:
  • Point – state the USP/area of interest.
  • Evidence – briefly link it to your experiences, research, or what draws you to it.
  • Analysis – explain why attending the dinner, with direct partner and trainee insights, would give you a deeper understanding of that aspect.

This way, you show motivation, research, and self-awareness while keeping the answer tightly linked to the value of the dinner itself (i.e. the opportunity for more personal, in-depth conversations).