TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Anniee]

Hi, just wondering if anyone heard back from Akin for their Virtual Open day. They said they will get back by the 24th 🥲

 

[J1234]

congrats was this for the direct tc or vac scheme?

Thanks! For the vac scheme ☺️

 

[anon78365222111]

Has anyone heard back from HSF K for their VWS this week?

still no response, really odd on the wait time. As most have got AC or got the offer. Assuming PFO

 

[silonthesofa]

still no response, really odd on the wait time. As most have got AC or got the offer. Assuming PFO

I don't think this is true. I've seen about eight PFOs and only four or five ACs and one offer, which was to someone that the week before had posted they got an AC invite. They get 1,800 applications for their winter vacation scheme, 70% pass the assessment, which means they have 1,260 applications to read through. They invite 100 people to ACs for 30 spots on the vac scheme itself. Given that the deadline wasn't even three weeks ago and they don't screen on a rolling basis, I'm almost certain that this week's AC was the very first one. Additionally, they apparently have a habit of giving you only a week's notice for ACs because someone posted last year that they got an early November AC invite for a mid November AC.

So it's definitely way too early to assume anything.

 

[anon78365222111]

I don't think this is true. I've seen about eight PFOs and only four or five ACs and one offer, which was to someone that the week before had posted they got an AC invite. They get 1,800 applications for their winter vacation scheme, 70% pass the assessment, which means they have 1,260 applications to read through. They invite 100 people to ACs for 30 spots on the vac scheme itself. Given that the deadline wasn't even three weeks ago and they don't screen on a rolling basis, I'm almost certain that this week's AC was the very first one. Additionally, they apparently have a habit of giving you only a week's notice for ACs because someone posted last year that they got an early November AC invite for a mid November AC.

So it's definitely way too early to assume anything.

Thanks a lot for the clarification!

 

[Dannie]

Freshfields Stage 2 assessment invite!

was it direct tc?

 

[lawstudent2]

Has anyone who applied for the Freshfields DTC received the second test?

 

[bh.sa]

was it direct tc?

This was for the vac scheme

 

[Tyler2203]

Has anyone received the assessment for Weil? Applied on the 11th but I’ve heard nothing yet.

 

[bh.sa]

any details on what Freshfields stage 2 involves?

The email and the preparation portal say it's a strengths-based video interview and a job simulation

 

[Lawlawland]

Hey People,
Here with an unusual request!

I would highly appreciate if anyone who has been successful with applications could help me proofread my application for Covington, submission due tomorrow.

I am very keen about this and none of my immediate circle had deep English or Law knowledge to suggest me corrections. This would mean a lot to me.

Please feel free to DM me! Thanks in Advance.

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Anyone here who has heard bk from Gibson Dunn post test, did you apply for spring or summer?

 

[stilltrying]

Has anyone who applied for the Freshfields DTC received the second test?

Haven't even received my first test - sent my application 8 days ago - is it just me?

 

[Suii]

How many days do we get for W&C test.

 

[applicant457]

Anyone have any tips for Jones Day VI?

 

[jojo23]

How many days do we get for W&C test.

72hrs I think it says in the email

 

[Lawlawland]

Hi @a1024 !

This is a very interesting question, and I believe that it is one of the most difficult questions that I have seen!

I believe it is very difficult to tie questions like this to the firm's practice area or work, so I would not worry about this. Firms often ask questions like this not to assess a candidate's motivation or experience, but to see whether they can write succinctly while explaining their reasoning clearly and answering all aspects of the question.

Therefore, I believe you can pick any event and it does not have to be tied to the firm, or even the work of a commercial lawyer generally.

When structuring your answer, I would advise you to pay attention to the following aspects:

• Clearly identify and state which event you would want to witness, ideally in your first sentence: This may seem obvious, but I think it is important to be really clear as to what the particular event you would want to witness is, and when it was/is/will be.

• Explain any important details about the event: If there are any significant details about this event which may not have been clear from your initial description, you should do this next. However, I would not spend too much of your limited word count in explaining what the event is; certainly not more than 100 words, as the more significant aspect of the question, to me, appears to be the question "why?".

• Explain why you would like to witness this event: This is the most important part of the question and, in my opinion, should be the majority of your answer. Offer ideally two or three reasons outlining why this event would be particularly interesting to witness. Pay attention, in particular, to what insight you might gain by witnessing this event, rather than reading about it online. Also, don't be afraid to explain why the event is interesting to you in particular! It is always good to be able to tie your answer to such questions to your personality, background and other experiences!

Good luck!

This is really insightful and helped me structure the answer. Thank you for this!

 

[WeGotThis!]

How many days do we get for W&C test.

It says 4 calendar days in the email

 

[Krausaar]

Ashurst WVS AC invite!!

Same here! Might be worth connecting if our AC is on the same day.

 

[Harvey Specter]

Has anyone else not received HL 1st stage test which is meant to be automatic? I applied a week ago.
Also, this is for HL Lift Off so not sure if it's different to the vac scheme process

I also applied for Lift Off last week and have yet to receive the 1st stage test. Not sure if they are dealing with the WVS apps and ACs first though, since that is in Dec. Lift Off is in late Jan so they might send those tests out in batches.​