TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[lawyersum]

Honestly, I get what you mean. I wrote something relevant a couple of days ago:

The thing is, I also went a private school. Not an egregiously expensive international or 'public' school – but a decent independent school, on a means-tested bursary and scholarship.

I can tell you that the issue isn't where somebody went to school, it's the resources and particular knowledge they had/have.

Despite going to a 'good' school, I always played catch-up when it came to careers. My parents didn't (and wouldn't have known how to) guide me towards a career in commercial law. In contrast, there are students at both private and 'state' (elite grammar) schools whose parents/grandparents exist within a network of people in 'elite' careers. These students can get high-quality work experience at the drop of a dime, and they are taught the exact path to IB/consulting/commercial law while the rest of us are left to figure it out.

Relatedly, this is why I hate 'competency' questions. Asking applicants to "tell us about a time where you overcame a challenge" or "show us how you demonstrated your initiative" is covertly asking which social class we belong to. While overcoming challenges and demonstrating initiative (etc.) is not exclusive to certain classes, the type of answer which firms generally seek will select for a particular type of individual. They're not interested in how underprivileged people overcame long-term challenges (i.e. getting a part-time job to contribute towards household expenses) because these lack immediate-term remedial actions and quantifiable results. They're also not interested in the low-level challenges which you'd overcome in such a part-time role. Instead, they want to hear about how somebody single-handedly improved the efficiency/profitability of a club/society/business (as an intern). And, given the limited amount of executive roles/professional internships, you can guess who's gunning to secure these from the outset!

Thank you for sharing this perspective, it is eye opening

 

[oliviabeijing]

Is clyde and co rolling? if people are getting VIs now for spring vac even though the deadline is in Jan?

 

[yk1906]

my friend has! (very proud of them)

An offer from Freshfields... Dream life!!

 

[yk1906]

LMAO thank you, you as well! Let's aim to meet at an interview HAHA

10000%

 

[Amgrad]

I still applied to Weil, though, mainly because they have 0 questions on the app and I can practice SJTs (It's very, very bad to do that, I know )

Weil and Milbank still consider applicants without rights to work like Skadden as they're reviewing on case basis which potentially offer DTC

 

[yk1906]

Weil and Milbank still consider applicants without rights to work like Skadden as they're reviewing on case basis which potentially offer DTC

Milbank told me they're sponsoring VSs (somehow???), but very good to know about Weil!! Good thing I applied

 

[beanss]

my friend has! (very proud of them)

do you happen to know what time your friend heard back? they mentioned they would call us today but as i haven’t heard anything yet i’m assuming the worst rn…

 

[Deleted member 43292]

do you happen to know what time your friend heard back? they mentioned they would call us today but as i haven’t heard anything yet i’m assuming the worst rn…

they heard back a few hours ago! ahh don't... you never know if calls will extend to the next day or not

you should be proud of yourself regardless! making it to AC is INSANE!! esp at FF

 

[Amgrad]

These AOS, Milbank & Macfarlanes gave me Columbia, MIT, and Northwestern vibes. I got waitlisted for months and ended up rejected

 

[yk1906]

These AOS, Milbank & Macfarlanes gave me Columbia, MIT, and Northwestern vibes. I got waitlisted for months and ended up rejected

Hopefully this time you'll receive a positive outcome

 

[BobThebIlly]

anyone still not hear from:
1. Latham
2. Davis Polk
3. Weil post app

terrified for skadden tmr... so far I've just progressed with CC before they booted me post app review lmao

 

[Deleted member 43292]

please please please manifesting please

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anybody have any tips on how to write about a different firm's vacation scheme that you have completed in the work experience section of job apps?

Hey!

I'd just keep it quite neutral and skills / insight focused. Briefly mention what you did on the scheme (i.e. what departments you sat in) and, more importantly, what you took away from it - such as the skills you developed, insights you gained, and what you learned from working with trainees / associates.

You don't need to go into detail about the other firm itself or make any comparisons - just show how the experience helped you grow and shaped your interest in the firm you're applying for. It is very normal to have done schemes at different firms, so just focus on discussing what you gained from it

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Is this question for Addleshaw Goddard just for mitigating circumstances, or should I be telling them more about me?

'Use this space to tell us about any mitigating circumstances that you might have, or any other information about you that might be relevant to your application.'

Hi!

It's mainly there for mitigating circumstances, but you can also use it for anything genuinely relevant that hasn't fit elsewhere in the application.

If you don't have mitigating circumstances, it's completely fine to leave it blank. If you do use it, try to keep it concise and factual - for example, explaining extenuating circumstances affecting grades, non-traditional routes, caring responsibilities, or anything that adds helpful context to your application.

I wouldn't use it to repeat strengths or motivation that you've already covered in other answers

 

[lawberri3]

the long awaited macfarlanes pfo has arrived

 

[BobThebIlly]

me and you both with CC (and yea nothing from latham or weil post app either)... man CC will NOT be getting rid of me this easily respectfully...
I got pretty good feedback from the partners post AC last year, and even if it's just as a personal challenge, I want to go back and see how much I have improved...

is this ur second cycle too?? and im the same as you except instead of CC ive been harassing FF for the past 2 years. I tried again this year but flunked the stage 1 assessment lmao

good job on the positive feedback too -- a win is a win

 

[zxkwok]

Taylor wessing pfo post wg (for spring)

sorry to hear that Would you mind sharing if the preparation hub reflects the critical thinking assessment?

 

[zxkwok]

Taylor Wessing WE!

congrats!! Would you mind sharing if the preparation hub reflects the critical thinking assessment where there's four sections?

 

[zxkwok]

Taylor wessing written exercise!!

congrats!! For the online test, would you mind sharing if the preparation hub reflects the critical thinking assessment where there's four sections?

 

[BealMcAlly]

sorry to hear that Would you mind sharing if the preparation hub reflects the critical thinking assessment?

Nope, it's a little harder. The format is the same though.