TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[l789]

I don't think so...tbh the firm is pretty gatekeeped i literally don't know how to tailor my app...they don't attend any events either lol

- don't attend any events- ugh nice one from grad rec

 

[Diana54]

Has anyone heard from White & Case post-VI (For VIs completed on Thursday)?

I did my VI on Wednesday and haven’t heard back yet. I can’t see that anyone in the forum has heard back yet

 

[Deleted member 42704]

DLA Piper said they’re non-rolling at their open day however I got an email just now saying that I had passed the test benchmark and that applications are reviewed on a rolling basis??

Do you know what the next stage is?

 

[Legal Beagle]

Any word from hogan winter post 3rd stage (job simulation)? When do they usually get back

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Simmons PFO excelled in numerical and verbal and got 7,9,4 in success areas

 

[AngelB]

Do you know what the next stage is?

They’ll be reviewing our applications and sending out invites for phone interviews.

 

[TCComingSoon]

Milbank test was intersting and I liked it over other tests this year. My favourite test so far.

 

[lawyersum]

They’ll be reviewing our applications and sending out invites for phone interviews.

Did they also review applications before sending the WG?

 

[LawAspirer]

Simmons PFO excelled in numerical and verbal and got 7,9,4 in success areas

Sorry to hear. When did you apply if you don't mind me asking? And you reckon you did well in the vid interviews?

 

[c.t.tc]

Simmons PFO excelled in numerical and verbal and got 7,9,4 in success areas

Ah I'm sorry - I'm expecting mine imminently - when did you do your test?

 

[AngelB]

Did they also review applications before sending the WG?

When I got the email including the test link I was told I had “successfully advanced to the next stage” so I’d assume so

 

[lawberri3]

if i got ABB at A level but graduated from a RG uni with a 1st (non-law degree but traditional subject). what firms are worth applying for that have AAB requirements? i don’t want to waste anymore applications on a firm that might not take me because of it.

 

[Deleted member 40373]

any advice with moving VS - not because you are doing another one, but because of difficulty getting leave from your current role?

 

[LawAspirer]

Hello!

You're absolutely right that there's some overlap between the cover letter and the two subsequent questions - it can feel a bit repetitive at first glance! The trick is to think of the cover letter as the big picture narrative that ties everything together, while the other two questions let you to into depth on specific points.

One way to approach it could be:

• Cover Letter: Treat this as your overall introduction and pitch. I would summarise who you are, your motivation for law in broad terms, and why Orrick stands out to you - but keep it concise and integrated between each section. You don't need to unpack every detail here, just enough to create a coherent, personal story and show enthusiasm!
• "Why commercial law?" question: Use this to explore your motivations in more detail - you could refer to specific experiences, influences, or reflections that made you decide to pursue a career in commercial law. This is a chance to go deeper into the why, not just the what.
• "Why Orrick" question: This is an opportunity to show real research and insight into the firm. Focus on showing your interest in the firm, and what genuinely differentiates Orrick - it's clients, international reach, innovation, culture, training structure, etc. Tie in your previous experiences and skill set to why this makes you a good fit for the firm, and how it's unique features make it the right place for you to train.

I would think of the cover letter as the overview that shows your entire profile as a candidate, and the two follow-up questions as supporting sections that provide more evidence and reasoning behind the themes you have introduced. Some overlap is fine (and you will want to look consistent across your application), but I would avoid copy-pasting sentences between sections.

I hope that helps!

Thanks so much!
I'm also wondering if I should get a bit more personal in the cover letter. I have quite a unique background (moving around a lot within Europe for multiple legal roles and not having a typical UK law degree).
Should I try to be holistic about my profile more generally, or should I just try to tie up my cover letter with my existing answers.
Essentially what i'm trying to balance is
1. Whether I should cover as many things that have not been covered in the 2 subsequent questions, or;
2. Whether I should try to piece all answers together in the cover letter and link them

I'm torn

 

[TortillaTC]

If I have to write a max one-page cover letter for a law firm’s open day, and there is no indication on the content, is it okay to just write about (1) my motivations to attend the open day and (2) why me? I think if I wrote about “why commercial law?” too, it’d be unnecessarily long.

@Abbie Whitlock and anyone that might have an insight, thank you in advance!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Ah I'm sorry - I'm expecting mine imminently - when did you do your test?

Hey, I did it on 27/10

 

[a1024]

Please provide your cover letter in the space below and address your cover letter to Tara Davidson. Max 1000 words.

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu Given the max word count is 1000 words, how many long would you recommend writing the cover letter. Would it be expected to write 850-900 words? Additionally, how would you recommend structuring it?

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Sorry to hear. When did you apply if you don't mind me asking? And you reckon you did well in the vid interviews?

Hey, I applied on the 25th I’m pretty sure, and I think my answers were good but I perhaps came across too nervous.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Has anyone who did the Hogan lovells job sim last week heard back?

 

[johnsmith]

Sorry to hear this for you! was this for London or Bristol? I did mine 24th and not heard back yet!

Simmons PFO excelled in numerical and verbal and got 7,9,4 in success areas