TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[nicoledm]

I don't want to sound like a doomer, but I've recently come to the realisation that the content of our application answers doesn't matter. These answers often just act as a filter for the other parts of your candidate profile.

Obviously I can't share these but, I have an old friend's successful applications from his second year of university. Trust me when I tell you that he essentially copy/pasted the exact same application for every firm he applied to – even down to using the same adjective for each of these firm's cultures. They were absolutely indistinguishable. However, this guy was on track to getting a first, he held multiple executive (society) positions, and he had also secured a large number of first-year schemes. If anybody else had written those applications, they would have been binned. But, his candidate profile was genuinely so impressive that (in my opinion) firms were willing to look past the lack of substance in his application answers.

I disagree with this. In my second year of university, I held some society positions, was on track to get a first at a RG, but did not tailor my applications at all, wasn't sure what kind of firm I wanted and blindly applied to a lot of firms, and also wasn't sure what firms were actually looking for. I did not progress past application stage once.
However, since then, I've tailored my applications, and became more focused on what firms I wanted, and I progressed to interview stage with the exact same firms that rejected me in second year, with the same credentials and have not been rejected at application stage yet.
I do 100% believe that there is an element of luck and certain firms take a chance on you, and maybe if you're a first class Oxford student with loads of commercial awareness and society positions your applications dont matter. But I would say for the vast majority of people the quality of your applications can make or break your chances.
I also believe that once you get past the initial application stage/any first stage tests, it is so much easier to progress.

 

[elle woods]

Yes! 5/5:30am, train before work, then all on all law apps at night before bed at 11.

Woahhh can I please be like you 😮‍💨 that’s so cool - I always see those YouTubers do 5am mornings and wish I could be like them HAHA

 

[johnsmith]

when do you make time for tweaking out and doomscrolling 🧐

I'm mid-30s and never used tiktok 😅 do enjoy a good book though

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Yes! 5/5:30am, train before work, then all on all law apps at night before bed at 11.

Samee! Istg working and applying is a different kind of pain😂

 

[BealMcAlly]

I disagree with this. I have had roughly the same experiences and extracurriculars as in my previous cycles. What truly made the difference for me was sitting down and telling a story in my applications. I gave recruiters a break from all the AI-generated content they read and showed them who I am through my experiences, and why those make me a strong fit.


I do think it’s crucial to gain experiences and participate in extracurriculars to a certain extent, but mainly to help you answer questions like ‘why commercial law?’, or ‘what do you bring to x firm?’ on the application form.


Changing my style led to a considerable shift: I went from 26 straight first-stage rejections to, so far this cycle, progressing in 6 out of 8 applications and even reaching an assessment centre at a US firm. It’s all about mentality. Once you change the way you approach applications, that’s when you start progressing.

Keep it up, we’re all in this together!

P.S. I’m not an Oxbridge student with 10 first-year schemes; I go to a non-target RG and did one first-year scheme. I have worked in fast food and retail since I was 16, though.

Tell me your secrets, please wise one! 😍🙏

 

[Sonia2004]

Struggling with the question "What is the role of a trainee solicitor?" any insight would be appreciated @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock

It's quite a PE focused firm

Hi!

The easiest way to answer that question is usually by focusing on what skill is relevant for a trainee. For example, why would organisation be important? Where would that come to use? Think about the typical tasks such as:
- Researching (E.g what would you be expected to research? Legislations, recent developments, Investment schemes for the client etc)
- Writing emails or meeting notes (requires good written communication, being concise and clear. So, here, you might benefit from showing your academic credentials to show you have these skills).
- Due diligence (think of what skills would be relevant for this e.g organisation, being able to prioritise).
- Proof-reading (and thus identify where you have shown good attention to detail).

If you are not confident in what the typical trainee tasks are, I would suggest to go on Forage and go through some of their tasks, specifically on PE focused firms, so you can get a good idea

Best of luck!

 

[BillSikes]

I'm going to work at an American firm from Jan, and I can't wait to throw my healthy sleep schedule out of the window 😂

Paralegal role? What’s your previous experience to get this?

 

[DavidJC]

Skadden rejection 😔

 

[zonnonomo]

I'm mid-30s and never used tiktok 😅 do enjoy a good book though

ah i would love a good book rec 🧑‍🏫 need to read something other than the FT and diary of wimpy kid

 

[Sonia2004]

Hello, if the grad rec has not replied to a grade correction email, good idea to follow up?

Hi,

Yes, give it 3-4 working days and then chase up. If it is urgent, then 1 day is fine.

 

[Suii]

Seeing these Skadden PFO's I am so happy I did not apply for the Galactico's Real Madrid of law firms.

 

[Sonia2004]

Would anyone please be able to share if Weil VI is primarily motivational or competency/strengths/situational questions or an even mix of both? Though I suppose it doesn't really make a difference as long as I'm clear on my answers for why commercial law and why Weil 🤔

Hi!

Mix of both including commercial questions. Although not exactly this, but something akin to 'Why would a client select us?' 'How can we remain competitive?'

 

[Sonia2004]

Do law firms that use AllHires monitor our app progress? Debevoise sent me an email to remind me about their deadline and to fill in the rest of my app lmao. Is this normal? 🥲​

It is normal, it is an automatic email sent to everyone, don't worry!

 

[Sonia2004]

Hi! Is time factored into SJT/WG results? For example, Weil says “The SJT portion of the assessment is untimed, but we recommend it should take around 45 minutes to complete.” Will I be penalized if I take let’s say double the time?

Hi!

You will not be penalised, they will not go around checking. They give that time frame in case people are busy and have things like work/uni seminars etc, so just helps in terms of planning time better.

 

[yk1906]

Paralegal role? What’s your previous experience to get this?

It’s a legal internship in a big American consulting firm (known for loooong hours) in the EU

 

[Giannis_218]

Any advice for CMS VI?

Hey Olivia,
First of all, congrats on getting through to the VI stage. From what I remember last year, there were four questions covering a mix of commercial, situational, and strength or attribute based topics. One key difference compared to other VIs is that the talking time is only one minute (thinking time is also 1min I believe), so make sure you are as direct and concise as possible. Best of luck!

 

[Somefriendlyadvice]

Any advice for CMS VI?

Hey

I would say the best piece of advice for VI's generally is to speak clearly, and not to speak too fast. Graduate recruitment knows you will be nervous, and that is ok! I would say the best VI's are delivered in a composed, and thought through manner. In terms of CMS specifically, I would say their scale and sheer number of offices are worth mentioning, but make sure you substantiate this with the numbers!

Here is a link to what CMS have put out, it will be helpful for you to take a look over!

Hints & tips · CMS Emerging Talent

cmsemergingtalent.com

All the best for the VI

 

[Sonia2004]

How long do you typically spend on applications? Say a typical 3 x 200 words/ cover letter application form?

I have spent two days on one application qs, but I hear people submitting a lot more within a smaller time frame!

I fear giving too much energy on one application form which might get rejected post test or something

Hi!

You will get quicker with applications as you write more. So, the first few you might spend a day or two because you don't really understand what you are doing, how to structure, what content is useful etc. But, once you get 3-4 successful applications in, you are able to re-use some of the responses (especially the skills based questions), so you will get quicker as you go

 

[Trophy]

I hope not to attract any hate here, but I am the first class Oxford law undergraduate described (with society positions, legal volunteering and research internships).... I am willing to tell you how things go and if it really does matter how well your written apps are written...... I think it probably still matters a lot!

Written application does matter regardless of the university however you still have an advantage. Oxbridge candidates are always looked upon favourably. Skadden may not have for that one person but in the grand scheme of things they are.

I know someone who went to a very low ranked NG university never made it past the first stage. Went to oxbridge for their masters. Almost every application got progressed and they now have a TC.

Unconscious bias is rife in law no matter how many background questions we fill out. President of the rowing society, clay pigeon shooting exec, college senior student. There are so many ways to tell what university a person goes to without the university name.

*This message isn’t an attack on you im just replying to your comment as its the most recent on this topic.

 

[Sonia2004]

People applying to Kirkland, could you please tell me if you're answering the open question at the end? "Is there anything else you would like to add in support of your application?"

I've just noticed this and not sure whether they are expecting an answer

Hi!

This is usually for things like medical issues impacting academic performance, or like if you have a huge gap in a CV and you want to explain why that's happened e.g family grievances. They don't expect that part to be filled with more information on why you want to join Kirkland.