TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Lawlawland]

is there anywhere i can find imminent deadlines for law firm applications?

Legalcheek deadline tracker and TCLA deadline Calander have almost everything you wanna track.

 

[Donuttime]

Any tips for the Weil SJT? does anyone know how many questions are in the VI element?

 

[Lawlawland]

How long does the Freshfields WGT take?

How many questions, and does the time we take to complete the test matter here?

 

[DavidJC]

How long does the Freshfields WGT take?

How many questions, and does the time we take to complete the test matter here?

it's the same as HL Stage 2 if you've done that, really didn't actually take as long as I'd thought it might, I finished the entire Stage 2 test in just over 60 minutes with maybe 20-25 mins on the WGT (assuming approx 1 min per question, each of which has 4 sub-questions like in the practice assessment)

 

[Jennifer2003]

Bird and Bird AC!

 

[YS391]

Hey guys, whats the time limit to answer each video interview quesion in the Simmons & Simmons assessment. It doesn't tell you how long next to the first question. Thanks!

 

[Snickerdoodlesolicitor]

For Mayer Brown is a 7/7/4/7 with high verbal intellect and mid numerical intellect good enough to get past? I also did relatively well in the VIs

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi Andrei Radu, I hope you’re well. I had a question for you as a future trainee at Davis Polk regarding their cover letter. The cover letter has an 800-word limit and asks applicants to address: why you are specifically interested in Davis Polk, why you are attracted to the work that the firm carries out, and the skills you have developed that would contribute to your success in the role.

I’m not sure how to structure this. Should I split it roughly 50/50 — for example, around 400 words on why Davis Polk and their work, and 400 words on my skills and attributes? Or would it be better to merge these sections? For instance, I plan to discuss a four-week internship as part of the “why Davis Polk” section, but that experience also helped me develop relevant skills. I’m a bit unsure how to balance this, so any guidance would be appreciated!

Hi @BobThebIlly I do not think the firm has any strict view as to how the response to this question should be structured. As such, I think your overriding principle when determining your approach should be to have an answer that is clear, well-put together, and easy to read and navigate, while also developing your analysis of the substantive points in the most convincing and nuanced manner possible. For me personally, this often led to splitting answers roughly 50/50 if I had two main elements to address, as I generally found combining them would make the connection between the different elements be somewhat hard to see on a quick read. Thus, if I were writing an answer to this question right now, this is the default approach I would consider going for.

That said, I have seen answers that combine the two work really well, particularly if there was a large overlap in terms of claimed interests/claimed skills and the experiences used to showcase these interests and skills. If you can ensure you can avoid sounding repetitive and that it will be clear when you are addressing which part of the question, I think you could try this out. For instance, your structure could look like this:

1. Paragraph 1 (250-300 words): Explain a relevant experience using a STAR structure in 100ish words, explain how this makes you interested in the firm's work in another 100ish words, and then explain how it demonstrates you are a good fit in terms of skillset is another 50-100.
2. Repeat this for Paragraph 2 and 3, but with different experiences, firm interests, and claimed skills.

 

[c.t.tc]

Absolutely thrilled for everyone that got Bird & Bird ACs! Just feeling a bit demoralised as it definitely means I’m not getting an invite - knew already as felt it was a bit all over the place in terms of VI but just stings a bit more to have gotten so close. Anyways onwards and upwards and good luck to everyone!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Does it make sense to apply for Latham even without attending their Open Day?

Yes - while it seems like Latham places more weigh on open day attendance than other firms, I have heard of many people getting to the AC without it. This also makes sense from a recruitment policy perspective, as the firm would lose out on a huge talent pool by restricting their consideration to people who attended an open day.

 

[Lawlawland]

This week I have to complete:
1. Simmons SJT VI
2. Weil SJT VI
3. Hogan Lovells SJT
4. Freshfields Stage 1

And 4 applications... Additionally an interview to another graduate role at a University.

Phewwwwwww!

 

[CharlesT47]

Any advice for Akin Telephone interviews?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi guys - I'm going through the Mischon de Reya application form, and have a quick query to ask. If anyone's got any advice, I'd be really grateful

On the form, there's a section marked "Work Experience", but it only contains 4 available spaces (all of which are only 150 words long). The next section on the form is titled "Activities & Achievements"; here, there's 5 spaces available, all of which are 200 words long.
Would it be right to assume that the "Activities & Achievements" section is only for extra-curricular stuff (and so it wouldn't be a good idea to use it to list any examples of work experience that I couldn't fit into the previous section)?

I think so - the fact that the firm only provided you with 4 entries in the work experience section is likely a conscious choice to deviate from the norm, as most firms allow you to have around 10 or so entries. Thus, the firm probably wants to get candidates to be selective with the work experiences they discuss instead of mentioning everything and anything they did in the past. If this is the case, using the activities & achievements section to talk more about work experiences could be seen as you ignoring the restriction the firm was trying to place on you.

That said, I think there may be an exception if what you would discuss would be centrally focused on the achievement part, and merely ancillary in terms of discussing any work experience as the context of which the achievement took place. For instance, if you interned at a firm/company that had some internal competition (for instance, I know of some firms that have internal mooting competitions) and you placed 1st there, I think you could include this in the achievements section.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi all, I recently attempted to complete the Mishcon chat-based interview, but on the last question the system completely crashed (out of my control, I have videos and pictures of evidence) and I was unfortunately unable to complete/submit any of the contents. I have persistently reached out to Mishcon Grad Rec (with no luck), but I am wondering whether there is a more appropriate route of communication I should take? I obviously can understand that it may just be a tough luck situation, but I was hoping to hear back from them with a concrete answer - any tips/suggestions?

As long as you keep it to one message which is very politely formulated, I think you can reach out to the firm's graduate recruiters on LinkedIn and explain you wanted to let them know about the situation there as well, as you feared your emails might have not gotten through. If you decide to do this, I advise you to include your full name, email address, and application reference number in the message. I would also apologise in advance in case they had simply not gotten to see your email or had time to respond yet, to show that you appreciate how busy they are at this time of year and are not someone who thinks they are entitled to an immediate response.

 

[ahahamwahaha]

Did anyone get a second email from Mischon post chat interview asking them to do the feedback form?
They asked me to do it the day I did the interview about 10 days ago, then, today they sent an identical email again. Not sure if it is a glitch or what.

what were you asked for the recorded interview?

 

[W12345]

Hey has anyone done the CMS VI and would be willing to give any insight into it at all? I can help with Reed Smith, Weil, Willkie, Goodwin, Simmons, DLA VI + Hogan, Skadden, Pinsent, Macfarlanes, Akin Gump Goodwin and Fried Frank ACs

 

[llblawstudent]

How soon after applying to the summer wex at slaughters did everyone hear back?

 

[boots pharmacy]

Hello, does anyone know if the Taylor Wessing stage 1 Verbal/Critical reasoning test includes a VI component? Thank you!

 

[p2bv]

bit of a random question but do any firms not have a final interview after the vacation scheme and just judge off your performance on the scheme ? or do most firms include a final interview afterwards

 

[User22022002]

Has anyone heard back from Milbank 2nd test (critical thinking)? I got an email saying I missed the deadline to do it but I had completed it a few days before. Thankfully they allowed me to re-complete it but now I’m worried I don’t exist in their database!