TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

A generic question:

What's the ideal number of law firm applications to make in a cycle if you intend to submit a solid, well researched one?

So many opportunities around the same time, and I'm facing a decision fatique. I wonder if this is limiting my depth of research about each firm. I also feel kinda stressed about not maximizing the count, to maximize the opportunity. But, I also feel a burn out to do the same thing on loop. Struggling to figure out what's enough!

A guidance from people who've already figured this out would help a lot (this is my first cycle, and I'm just figuring out and navigating).

Thanks in advance!

Hello!

Not a generic question at all! The best resource that I would recommend is this post by @Andrei Radu on building an Application Strategy - he goes into detail on the number of law firms that you could aim for in a cycle (among other things!).

You can find it here - it is absolutely worth the read

I hope that assists!

 

[Lawlawland]

Hello!

Not a generic question at all! The best resource that I would recommend is this post by @Andrei Radu on building an Application Strategy - he goes into detail on the number of law firms that you could aim for in a cycle (among other things!).

You can find it here - it is absolutely worth the read

I hope that assists!

Thanks Abbie

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Is 180 words/250 too little for an application that says max is 250 words

yes

 

[WeGotThis!]

Hey!

Not always - it depends on the type of competency question. If the question is purely testing a skill (e.g. teamwork, resilience, communication), the main focus should be on showing the competency clearly through the STAR structure. You don’t have to link it back to the firm unless it naturally fits.

If there is a chance to briefly connect the skill to what the firm values or how it would make you a good trainee there, it could make your answer stronger. For example, after your reflection, you could add a short line such as: “This experience taught me how to manage competing deadlines effectively, which is a crucial skill for trainees at [X Firm]”. I wouldn’t try to force this link into every answer - only where it feels like it naturally fits!

I’d focus on answering the competency first, and only link it back to the firm if it adds genuine value rather than including it for the sake of it.

I hope that helps!

Thank you! Really helpful

 

[Lawlawland]

Is Eversheds page down for all?

 

[WeGotThis!]

Re website outages: issue seems to be resolved. Assessments are working normally again.

Best of luck everyone!

All Hires is down again. I think it's WIP at the moment.

 

[AngelB]

6, 4, 7 on simmons blended assessment :/

 

[SamiyaJ]

Also just a word of advice for all those who will be receiving the Mishcon interview- keep more than the recommended 30-45 minutes aside. Took me over 2 hours! Questions are tailored to your own personal experiences so just make sure you know your employment history/extra curricular activities really well

 

[arbitrationfan]

Just did Mishcon chat based interview. I feel like smashing my laptop!! Took me ages. A lot of the questions seemed repetitive, doesn’t seem to very well thought out

Their application portal is horrible to navigate. Whenever I've completed an application for a firm which uses Candid, they're listed there, but when I applied I did so through the cvmail portal on their website. You got an email from recruitment@cvmail for the assessment? Worried there might be some technical issue for my application not going through lol.

 

[arbitrationfan]

Also just a word of advice for all those who will be receiving the Mishcon interview- keep more than the recommended 30-45 minutes aside. Took me over 2 hours! Questions are tailored to your own personal experiences so just make sure you know your employment history/extra curricular activities really well

When did you apply and when did you get the invite? Applied for Spring VS at the start of October and been radio silence so far.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Their application portal is horrible to navigate. Whenever I've completed an application for a firm which uses Candid, they're listed there, but when I applied I did so through the cvmail portal on their website. You got an email from recruitment@cvmail for the assessment? Worried there might be some technical issue for my application not going through lol.

Yup from recruitment@cvmail. They need to sort out all these issues as it’s making me prefer my arch nemesis much more aka Watson Glaser

 

[SamiyaJ]

When did you apply and when did you get the invite? Applied for Spring VS at the start of October and been radio silence so far.

I applied on 29 Sept (opening day) and received invite on 23 Oct

 

[johnsmith]

Their application portal is horrible to navigate. Whenever I've completed an application for a firm which uses Candid, they're listed there, but when I applied I did so through the cvmail portal on their website. You got an email from recruitment@cvmail for the assessment? Worried there might be some technical issue for my application not going through lol.

My VS application doesn’t have their company name against it on CVMail - had me questioning if I even applied!

I’ve yet to receive the assessment yet.

 

[student101!]

Hi guys! I applied to Cleary Gottlieb yesterday - as it is rolling and the deadline for the Vac Scheme is on 31 Oct, I wanted to ask if anyone has applied recently and heard back, or whether this was a lost shot. Thanks

 

[Donna Paulsen]

6, 4, 7 on simmons blended assessment :/

Hey, keep in mind they also weigh the numerical, verbal and video interview equally (according to another comment)! How did you do on those?

I also got a 4 in one of the success areas which I was pretty bummed about. I found it hard to strike a balance between all three areas. I think maybe I just came across as too independent, which probably bumped up my self management score but lowered my people skills score unfortunately.

P.S. 6 and 7 are great scores, and even the 4 is not catastrophic, it’s much better than getting 1 (that’s what I’m telling myself haha)

 

[Jennifer2003]

Invite to Bird and Bird STEM open day! I didn’t realise however that it’s on my birthday but I’m still gonna go

 

[Jennifer2003]

Got 8,7,7 on Simmons test but I think I blew the video interviews - could scores make up for the interview or do we think the interview counts more?

 

[AngelB]

Hey, keep in mind they also weigh the numerical, verbal and video interview equally (according to another comment)! How did you do on those?

I also got a 4 in one of the success areas which I was pretty bummed about. I found it hard to strike a balance between all three areas. I think maybe I just came across as too independent, which probably bumped up my self management score but lowered my people skills score unfortunately.

P.S. 6 and 7 are great scores, and even the 4 is not catastrophic, it’s much better than getting 1 (that’s what I’m telling myself haha)

I got average on the numerical and verbal, did pretty good on the video interviews I thought! I’m expecting a PFO though, amberjack tests are just not my style

 

[johnsmith]

Got 8,7,7 on Simmons test but I think I blew the video interviews - could scores make up for the interview or do we think the interview counts more?

Great score - go you!

 

[johnnysins]

Anybody else faced random disconnections in the middle of the white & case VI? Hopefully my responses were eventually submitted properly