TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[aspringlawyer25]

Has anyone heard back from Gibson Dunn post-test? I completed mine on 16th September. Should I assume PFO at this point?

 

[johnsmith]

Has anyone heard back from Gibson Dunn post-test? I completed mine on 16th September. Should I assume PFO at this point?

No, not yet, it's early though so could be some lengthy waits between steps with firms. Stay positive

 

[V2002]

Has anyone completed a Covington AC before please PM me!

 

[abc124]

Has anyone completed a Covington AC before please PM me!

Hey have you received an invite?

 

[Amgrad]

Cooley open day invite just now!​

Hey, is this the 1st meet on November 20th? could you ask at the open day, when would they sent invitation for the 3rd (December) open day which closed yesterday?

Has anyone heard back from Gibson Dunn post-test? I completed mine on 16th September. Should I assume PFO at this point?

I drafted my VS app and applied open day in December, I'd ask them later at the event.

 

[JBM]

Has anyone heard back from Gibson Dunn post-test? I completed mine on 16th September. Should I assume PFO at this point?

My friend applied after and has the ac

 

[aspringlawyer25]

My friend applied after and has the ac

Oh, can I ask how long it took between the steps as there are 2 interviews post test.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Hey, is this the 1st meet on November 20th? could you ask at the open day, when would they sent invitation for the 3rd (December) open day which closed yesterday?

The 1st Meet Cooley open day app closed on the 23rd Oct and invites were sent last Fri (31st Oct). I reckon the 2nd Meet Cooley open day will follow a similar process so invites might be sent around the 13th to 15th of Nov, since apps closed yesterday. If open day invites aren’t sent by the 20th, I can ask them for a timeline on when they will.​

 

[aspringlawyer25]

Hey have you received an invite?

RT, and also when you applied.

 

[TCchaser1]

Stage 1: normal SJT. You get to do it immediately after your application.

Stage 2: if you meet the benchmark for the SJT, you'll be passed on to the second stage, which is also a test and VI. This is for behaviour and critical thinking (similar to WGT but bespoke to Latham). This part is untimed. The video interview happens in a different way. Unlike the usual ones where they just as a question, here you'll be reading a case situation, it's relevant content and a crisis associated with that situation. It is followed by two questions testing your competency to handle the situation. 2 videos. Each can be 3 minutes long (maximum) and they give you one minute to prepare. Each question has 3 components (thus really long to read). That was the toughest part for me. One minute runs out by the time you read and process the question, thus barely any time to prepare.

As I did not make it to the second stage last year I'm unaware if it was the same.

I hope that helps.

Hi, thanks so much !

 

[YS391]

My friend applied after and has the ac

There’s an interview stage before the AC though? Did they do the interview as well then?

 

[Shahenshah]

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.

It does vary significantly, I had disastrous A levels, that I've not hid at any step of the application process - got AAD and then privately sat an A level at university alongside my LLB to make sure I met the minimum requirements for law firms, so its AADA now. Likewise, graduated from a RG university with a 1st but in law, and now at a very prominent RG university doing my masters while working as a paralegal at the same time. Slaughters put me through the paper shift but at both the vacation scheme and TC interviews the partners rejected me. Sidley and Macfarlanes likewise didn't bother, but I've managed to get through Jones Day's AC, and am hearing good things from Skadden. Got a PFO from HSF Kramer's Open Day though, so it's a mixed bag to be honest!

 

[BobThebIlly]

Does anyone know how to cancel the TCLA Academy (commercial awareness) subscription? I can’t find it anywhere

 

[Deleted member 29181]

@Andrei Radu Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith I was wondering if we should mention non-selective law firm insight events we've attended at other law firms in our application as well as the events that pertain to that firm? Thank you!

 

[LawAspirer]

Has anyone completed a Covington AC before please PM me!

Did you get a response from Covington yet?

 

[LawAspirer]

In this question from Orrick:

Have you used AI in preparing your application? If so, how? If not, why not?

They allocate max 300 words. Do they expect this to be filled to the brim? And is there any structure/principle to follow?

 

[johnsmith]

It does vary significantly, I had disastrous A levels, that I've not hid at any step of the application process - got AAD and then privately sat an A level at university alongside my LLB to make sure I met the minimum requirements for law firms, so its AADA now. Likewise, graduated from a RG university with a 1st but in law, and now at a very prominent RG university doing my masters while working as a paralegal at the same time. Slaughters put me through the paper shift but at both the vacation scheme and TC interviews the partners rejected me. Sidley and Macfarlanes likewise didn't bother, but I've managed to get through Jones Day's AC, and am hearing good things from Skadden. Got a PFO from HSF Kramer's Open Day though, so it's a mixed bag to be honest!

Just shows there is more to it than grades for some of the firms - well done on all your successes!

 

[Bread]

Does anyone have any reviews of the TCLA application review? Is it worth the money?

 

[V2002]

Has anyone heard from Cleary WVS?

 

[c.t.tc]

In this question from Orrick:

Have you used AI in preparing your application? If so, how? If not, why not?

They allocate max 300 words. Do they expect this to be filled to the brim? And is there any structure/principle to follow?

I have answered similar questions about AI for other firms, and usually just mention my genuine reasons for having/not having used it - i.e. if I felt like it would compromise the authenticity of my application answers. In one where I did mention using it I talked through which parts I used it for and how but then made sure to make it clear my use of AI was limited - I had made it through a few stages of a vac scheme last year that I was reapplying for so described using ChatGPT to create a checklist against which I could compare using my application this year to last year's successful one to make sure I was ticking the same boxes and making it stronger. My answer was around 100 word ish but not sure if expectations are different per firm. Hope that helps!