TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Somefriendlyadvice]

A bit of a silly question... for Cooley's summer programme, one of the questions is 'Please tell us about interests and activities you pursue and positions of responsibility that are relevant for the role.' I was wondering if I should place advising at my university's legal clinic in this section instead of the work experience section as I have done previously? Also, would this count as a position of responsibility?

I ask this because its probably my strongest point, but I don't want to repeat what I have said in the work experience section. My other positions of responsibility largely come from my paid employment, so I don't want to mention them in this question. I also have a couple of positions of responsibility from Year 11 but I am very reluctant to use these seeing as it's been four years since then and it seems a little juvenile...

Hey, It's not a silly question at all!

I think it's a very strong point. When you bring it up the legal clinic in the context of the work experience section, it should be in bullet points, and detailing what you did at the clinic, with metrics where possible (IE Advised 10 clients across 2 months, providing detailed and tailored legal advice).

When you talk about the experience in a written answer, it expands more and provides more detail. It's the link between the further detail, and how this relates to the summer programme. I would write something along the lines of how the experience showed that applying yourself to a client matter led to a desirable outcome, despite its difficulties, and then link this to the attitude towards work that you would display on the programme.

Their FAQ's says the following, which will be helpful:

'What do we look for?​

Cooley trainees need plenty of motivation and initiative. They should be adaptable and capable of thinking on their feet. Candidates should have developed great communication skills from a variety of situations and understand the critical importance of inclusivity and collaboration. Cooley will look for evidence of taking on leadership and seeking responsibilities. Interesting achievements, making the most of non-academic and work experience (not necessarily legal) opportunities – in addition to evidence of working hard to contribute to teams – will help applicants stand out.'

UK Trainee FAQs // Cooley // Global Law Firm

UK Trainee FAQs

www.cooley.com

I hope that helps, and if you have any other questions, feel free to reply to this message!

 

[Giannis_218]

Is it too late to apply to Akin? Are they rolling?

They are, but it is never too late. Last year, people were still progressed to the next stages even if they submitted late. Most TI outcomes usually come out in mid January, so I would encourage you to apply.

 

[BealMcAlly]

I think you have misunderstood what I am saying. People are currently speculating and discussing University bias / the extent to which firms care about academic credentials over the application itself. I myself am quite interested as the applications are very long winded, often include lots of tests and frankly it would be a real shame if those elements weren't the heavy lifters. I'm simply just saying, I am not personally sure, but maybe my experience will be informative and I will share how things go. (Why exactly would this go down badly??).

I just don't see how that is helpful when your friend has previously said you submitted generic applications and relied on your profile? Clearly other candidates who don't have a similar profile will not see the same success and will rely on other aspects of the application process, such as the motivational and competency based questions to succeed? Hell, maybe they're just really good at the tests like you say.

I don't see how saying 'I stopped tailoring my apps because they took time and I got through anyway' is in any way helpful? Of course someone with an insane list of extracurriculars and a degree from an elite university will be looked at favourably, not sure it constitutes as sound advice... I will agree and say it's a very interesting topic of discussion and it just shows the unconscious bias majority of firms have towards Oxbridge, but it does not help anyone.

 

[Icantstopeatingfood]

skadden written exercise invite.

 

[Somefriendlyadvice]

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

Hey

When firms ask this, don't worry about filling it. If nothing comes to mind, that means you probably wrote a strong application, hence nothing needs to be said!

I hope that helps!

 

[Madison Pinewall]

I just don't see how that is helpful when your friend has previously said you submitted generic applications and relied on your profile? Clearly other candidates who don't have a similar profile will not see the same success and will rely on other aspects of the application process, such as the motivational and competency based questions to succeed? Hell, maybe they're just really good at the tests like you say.

I don't see how saying 'I stopped tailoring my apps because they took time and I got through anyway' is in any way helpful? Of course someone with an insane list of extracurriculars and a degree from an elite university will be looked at favourably, not sure it constitutes as sound advice... I will agree and say it's a very interesting topic of discussion and it just shows the unconscious bias majority of firms have towards Oxbridge, but it does not help anyone.

I'm so confused. I don't have a friend on here. I haven't been submitting generic applications or relying on my profile. This is my first application cycle? I've not gotten through anywhere yet. I was just saying that I had a similar profile to the person they had mentioned and was rejected from a lot of first year schemes. I have no idea how my current applications will go down, but that I would feed back.....

 

[oliviabeijing]

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!

This is brilliant advice, thank you so much! Good luck in your applications!

 

[user55998384]

HSF PFO after passing the benchmark, lol, when it rains it pours doesn't it?

so sorry to hear, would you mind saying what date you passed the benchmark?

 

[BealMcAlly]

I'm so confused. I don't have a friend on here. I haven't been submitting generic applications or relying on my profile. This is my first application cycle? I've not gotten through anywhere yet. I was just saying that I had a similar profile to the person they had mentioned and was rejected from a lot of first year schemes. I have no idea how my current applications will go down, but that I would feed back.....

Sorry, I think that other person saying they know an Oxford student on track for a first submitting generic apps and getting through and you then saying you are the Oxford graduate in question confused me.

thanks for clarifying. I just saw red hahah

 

[BobThebIlly]

Skadden PFO. Caught me pretty off guard as it was my best application so far and sent it to get reviewed. I also have a decent amount of legal experience and hold a few positions of responsibility

Really sucks. That’s my 5th rejection out of the 8 firms I’ve applied to currently

 

[oliviabeijing]

Very interesting that you are willing to tell them how things go...

Your experience is your experience and will look completely different to the next person's? Maybe consider that others have seen success by doing the complete opposite of what you have done?

Not sure how and why you thought this would go down nicely.

I think Madison was just offering insight on their experience as someone from Oxbridge with high grade credentials. Whether they think, from their experience, firms are swayed by the uni prestige or not. Not a brag on the forum but rather just to add some nuance to the conversation? I, myself, am not from Oxbridge/ Durham/ Exeter/ St Andrews/ Bristol etc but I would be interested to hear from Madisons experience too!

 

[BealMcAlly]

I think Madison was just offering insight on their experience as someone from Oxbridge with high grade credentials. Whether they think, from their experience, firms are swayed by the uni prestige or not. Not a brag on the forum but rather just to add some nuance to the conversation? I, myself, am not from Oxbridge/ Durham/ Exeter/ St Andrews/ Bristol etc but I would be interested to hear from Madisons experience too!

Yeah, I understood this in the end.

I think what ruffled my feathers was actually the other person implying tailoring apps doesn't matter if you have the right credentials. I think the correlation between the posts probably got the better of me there.

 

[Giannis_218]

Skadden PFO. Caught me pretty off guard as it was my best application so far and sent it to get reviewed. I also have a decent amount of legal experience and hold a few positions of responsibility

Really sucks. That’s my 5th rejection out of the 8 firms I’ve applied to currently

Hey, I know the feeling. This happened to me many times in the past. Unfortunately, sometimes there really is nothing more you can do. For Freshfields, I attended their workshop, which required an application, spoke to many lawyers, and spent a lot of time on my application, yet I still did not make it past the first stage. It is also a numbers game. You just have to stay consistent with the quality of your applications, and I am sure the results will come. Onwards and upwards!

 

[Lexie Ni]

Does anyone have Kennedys vi questions? Can exchange with Latham/CC/Macfarlanes

 

[oliviabeijing]

I just don't see how that is helpful when your friend has previously said you submitted generic applications and relied on your profile? Clearly other candidates who don't have a similar profile will not see the same success and will rely on other aspects of the application process, such as the motivational and competency based questions to succeed? Hell, maybe they're just really good at the tests like you say.

I don't see how saying 'I stopped tailoring my apps because they took time and I got through anyway' is in any way helpful? Of course someone with an insane list of extracurriculars and a degree from an elite university will be looked at favourably, not sure it constitutes as sound advice... I will agree and say it's a very interesting topic of discussion and it just shows the unconscious bias majority of firms have towards Oxbridge, but it does not help anyone.

The person who said they had a friend who submitted generic applications was someone else. Madison was just piggybacking off of the conversation. The person your referring to made the point that this friend had generic answers to questions, but presumes the uni prestige and grade credentials was what got them through. And that if someone from a non-Russel group uni put the same, they wouldn't have. Not my views, just hoping to clarify the conversation!

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Sorry, I think that other person saying they know an Oxford student on track for a first submitting generic apps and getting through and you then saying you are the Oxford graduate in question confused me.

thanks for clarifying. I just saw red hahah

OMG nooooo! I was just saying I have this profile and so far I definitely have not been able to do that (righty so lol, there's more to being a lawyer than grades for sure + what a waste of time the rest would be) I have really been trying to make my apps specific and tailored but tbh I don't know what I am doing. I just meant I will keep updating when I hear back from places and give my opinion on how much it helped lol

 

[futuretraineeihope]

Anyone got an Dentons VI tips?

 

[oliviabeijing]

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

This certainly was some friendly advice! Thank you so much! Have a lovely day

 

[TortillaTC]

A guy I know with top grades from Oxford Law just got rejected from Skadden soooo...

No way, sorry to hear that! My point proven though, prestige of uni+academics aren’t everything

 

[oliviabeijing]

Anyone got an Dentons VI tips?

When did you hear back? Is this for VS? I did my assessment yesterday for Spring VS!