TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Andrei Radu,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience and for your encouraging words. It genuinely means a lot to hear from someone who has been through something similar. I also appreciate the guide you shared — I’ll definitely take a closer look and try to apply the advice.

I’ve spent a lot of time refining my interview skills over the past year, but given that I haven’t even been invited to a single AC this cycle, I’m starting to worry that all that effort might have been for nothing. Recruitment also feels completely different this year — I was finally starting to feel like I understood the process last cycle, and now suddenly it’s a whole new landscape with constant tests and VIs. Do you have any advice for handling those?

So far I’ve submitted 5 applications, with 3 more planned for this week, and 16 more lined up over the next couple of months. Would that be enough? I’m trying to balance a job to pay my bills alongside all of this, and nothing seems to be progressing. With rolling deadlines, I also feel like I’m racing against time — it’s starting to feel really overwhelming.

I completely understand your worries around the changing applications landscape - SJTs and VIs used to be the part of applications I dreaded the most as well. The only thing I think makes a major difference for VIs is, unsurprisingly, hours and hours of practice in front of the camera. It can be a uniquely boring and awkward exercise to go through, but in truth it is the only way you can ever get comfortable with the format. Section A and B of the competency interview guide I linked bellow go more in-depth in terms of the particulars of how you should prepare for VIs as well, so maybe also take a look there.

As for the number of applications, I think a total of 24 is a solid goal and will definitely improve your chances significantly compared to last year. If you figure out you can actually do more in the later stages of this cycle (particularly as you may find that your researching and application writing speed increases drastically with time), I would of course advise you to go for it; but for now I think this is a very reasonable target.

 

[AP2000]

Guys... Any tips on how to manage anticipation anxiety?

I've never made so many applications and awaited for so many results, worrying about their outcomes. Life in academia was so smooth and I always got into wherever I wanted to.

Dealing with rejections for the first time, in bulk is mildly shivering but I'm getting past it well. It's the anticipation and uncertainty of not knowing anything I'm struggling with. I'm on my email page once in 20 mns refreshing... And it just spikes up my heartbeat and makes me feel nauseating.

If any of you have been there, I would like to know what helps you!

Thanks in Advance.

Hey, really sorry you feel that way!! Like others have said, this is natural because you care. It's also natural because our brains are hard-wired to scan for threats and at the moment many of our brains react to law firm emails the same way we'd react to being chased by a bear. What I've found to work quite well after lots of coaching and counselling, is to acknowledge when these thoughts come up and speak to yourself like you'd talk to a child have a meltdown: "it's fine, I checked my email 5 mins ago, I don't need to do this again. The result is out of our hands, but we'll be fine in any case. Shall we go for a walk and a sweet treat?". Don't beat yourself up for these thoughts, but also remember they're not rational, they're not "real".

Plus, if it's any consolation, as someone a few years out of uni I can confidently say that where you get rejected by one place another door will open. I didn't expect to be in my current role, and it was the result of many, many rejections, but I currently work at the biggest US bank. Just trust it will all be fine!

 

[msclm]

I'm quite confident in my abilities, as I've also got a lot of experience under my belt and office experience too.

Idk if I would be at an advantage applying for the summer/spring scheme then, as a way to stand out more amongst general undergrads, with not so much experience. Not in a conceited way, but to just help increase my chances amongst what will be a very talented cohort of students/graduates and career changers.

From going through their interview process over the last month, they def take a holistic review of your app. If you think it’s strong, they will see it. Good luck!

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Is this for VS or OD?

VS

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman,

I’m re-applying to Gibson Dunn this cycle after reaching the AC last year and would really appreciate your advice.

I’ve re-written my “why commercial law” paragraph and fully refreshed my first “why Gibson Dunn” paragraph.

My question is about my two other reasons for wanting to join the firm: the disputes/transactions balance, and the training philosophy. My reasoning on those hasn’t changed — so is it acceptable to keep those broadly the same this year, or is that still too risky even if I lightly rephrase?

Separately, my final “why me” paragraph is currently focused on my university research achievement and my society leadership roles (I graduated two years ago). Should I keep the research award and add a recent achievement to show progression — or would you replace it entirely?

Would really appreciate your thoughts. I thought last year’s application was strong and I’d like to keep elements of it this year if I can.

A general rule when reapplying is that the broad theme of your motivations, interests, and skills can stay the same, but you should change how you elaborate on those underlying motivations, how you tie it to experiences, or at least the particular form in which you express these substantive points. I would advise you to therefore seek to connect these general why-the-firm reasons to any new pieces of research you can find (such as new deals/cases, rankings, awards, etc) or any new experiences you have had.

As for the second question, I think you should keep the experiences that are most impressive but change/add at least one new one - you certainly do not need to replace all of them. Finally, I would say that when you are reviewing your work, to ascertain whether the new application is different enough, I think you should ask yourself the following question: when looking at the application on the whole, does it look as a genuine new attempt or just as an altered version of the prior one?

 

[user55998384]

anyone else waiting for Simmons OD still?

 

[whywhy88]

I have seen a few posts about Jones Day AC invites. Are these for the spring or summer scheme? Applied for spring yesterday and am thinking it might have been a better idea to apply for summer if people are already getting AC invites for spring...

 

[Trophy]

Thanks for this!

Do you think Sidley winter vac scheme is more competitive to get on to, or the summer and spring scheme

Winter vacation schemes tend to be open for finalist and graduates only across most firms.

Most international students cannot apply to WVS due to visa and term date restrictions so you’ve already eliminated some “competition”.

I’d say sidley is always the first to open the applications and people tend to rush and apply within the first 3 days writing half hearted answers. Given their scheme dates this year it’s within holiday period (same with dechert) for most universities, many international students would be eligible to apply so the possibly makes it equally competitive as its other dates.

I’ve applied to vac scheme for a couple years and found no luck with winter but did with spring and summer not sure why but I found those who succeed (post winter scheme) and post on LinkedIn had a vs the previous cycle they did not convert or had a bit of work experience. But this is all my observation and waffle

 

[lawstudent2]

If anyone is still applying for DLA Piper and has issues with uploading their CV, if you put it through dropbox it should work.
Fixed the issue immediately for me.

 

[MaryAra299]

Has anybody done the mayer brown sjt plus vi, was your camera turned on the entire time and was there numerical element. They said to keep a calculator but the problem is I use my phone to calculate don't have a calculator so if they see me using Mt phone during the numerical part would that have a negative effect? Is there anyone who used their phone as a calculator during the mayer brown numerical reasoning

 

[lelezb1]

Has anybody done the mayer brown sjt plus vi, was your camera turned on the entire time and was there numerical element. They said to keep a calculator but the problem is I use my phone to calculate don't have a calculator so if they see me using Mt phone during the numerical part would that have a negative effect? Is there anyone who used their phone as a calculator during the mayer brown numerical reasoning

i used my phone calculator during the numerical part and my camera was turned on during the entire test

 

[johnsmith]

Truly happy for you buddy!

Thank you! They're top of my list

 

[LaDiva]

For Taylor Wessing online tests, is it just the verbal critical thinking test, or is there an element of numerical and/or SJT?

 

[Arv_329]

If I haven't got AC invite for Cleary should I assume PFO?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Guys... Any tips on how to manage anticipation anxiety?

I've never made so many applications and awaited for so many results, worrying about their outcomes. Life in academia was so smooth and I always got into wherever I wanted to.

Dealing with rejections for the first time, in bulk is mildly shivering but I'm getting past it well. It's the anticipation and uncertainty of not knowing anything I'm struggling with. I'm on my email page once in 20 mns refreshing... And it just spikes up my heartbeat and makes me feel nauseating.

If any of you have been there, I would like to know what helps you!

Thanks in Advance.

Hello!

I completely get what you are feeling. The waiting and uncertainty can be so draining - sometimes even more than facing the results themselves. This was something that I really struggled with last cycle, and I ended up spiralling when I would see people hearing back online when I was still waiting.

The mindset that really helped me (and might help you too!) was reminding myself that once I've done my part of submitting the best application I could, the outcome was out of my hands. The decision element was out of my control, so spending mental energy on it just amplifies anxiety without changing anything. There are so many elements and factors that go into the graduate recruitment team's decisions that it's impossible to predict how each individual application will do.

When that worry or restlessness kicks in, I always used to try to redirect my focus and energy toward the aspects I could control - such as working on university assignments, researching for applications, or practicing other elements of the process. This made me feel a bit more grounded, and felt like I was bringing the 'power' back into my own hands. It doesn't make the anticipation disappear, but it might help reclaim some calm and agency.

It is an incredibly tough process, and you've already shown a lot of strength by powering through! Hang in there, and be kind to yourself while you wait

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Can anyone clarify what is meant when firms say this (in the context of their online tests): "This assessment is untimed, however, please try to work through it as quickly as possible."
Does this mean the time we take to answer a question impacts the score we get? If not, I don't understand why they say it. Anyone know?

 

[M85672]

For Reed Smith, 9/9 for both applied intellect and digital mindset, but 4/9 for both grit and creative force... Is there still a chance?

 

[Lawlawland]

Thank you for all your responses! This did put things at ease for me mentally.

I much appreciate it!

 

[Lawlawland]

If I haven't got AC invite for Cleary should I assume PFO?

I'm assuming the same, as quite a few got it already!

 

[Dogecoin GC]

Would it be fine to apply for a VS before attending the firm's open day? The application questions aren't motivation based.

Other way around might be better. However, it really depends on the firm. Which firm are you applying to?