TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[xMontmorency]

For a cover letter, is it ok to weave 'why you' throughout the 'why commercial law' and 'why firm' section rather than doing it standalone?

Yes, every part of the cover letter should in some way say 'why you'.

In the 'why commercial law section' you should put experiences and achievements that show why you would be a great commercial lawyer.

In the 'why the firm' section you should show them why you would be a good fit for the firm.

The 'why you' section is just any bonus points at the end that you haven't put in before.

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith I did my RS test+VI first week of December and have heard nothing since… I think I met their benchmark with my scores + saw that others got PFOd so I’m assuming its down to my VI answers now..

What stage am I likely in atm?? Someone posted here that firms usually put candidates on hold while assessing new incoming test results, so am I in the “maybe AC” pile and will only progress if new test takers aren’t that good? Or should I be expecting a PFO?

Hey @TortillaTC Abbie is currently on annual leave, so she won't be able to respond to this. However, I would say that if others got a PFO and you haven't, then this is likely indicative of you having passed the benchmark and that they're currently screening through those applications to decide who to take to an AC, but lets wait and see.

Appreciate the waiting game is stressful, but your outcome is not decided until you hear back directly - anything can change e.g. last minute AC drop-outs for which they need to go back to the screening pile etc. It's tempting to contrast to others that have heard back, and try to picture where you're at (especially when you've taken the time and effort to go through the process) but it's better to ignore it and focus on other things until you receive word directly.

Good luck!

 

[legalbeast]

anyone know when we will hear back from Kennedys / Stephenson Harwood re. direct TC? Completed Kennedys VI + SH form

 

[applicant457]

will we hear from Gowling next week guys?

 

[floral.tcla]

Yes it happens and it's not a bad sign.

does anything usually come out of it?

 

[floral.tcla]

will we hear from Gowling next week guys?

if we don't I will march to their office myself and host my own mini vacation sheme xox, tcla limited edition (they're not even replying late I'm just keen to know)

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

If people got ACs and done VIs after you did does that mean pfo is likely or is each firm different in that sense?

Hey @JustwantaTC I've heard of some firms inviting for AC before sending out their PFO's, just to give them a little safety net in case anyone can't take the AC space, allowing them to then turn back to the pool of candidates. It could be the case here, or it could also be that they're working in phases for AC invites to manage resource a little better. Either way, its hard to know for sure until you receive final word.

Until that PFO hits, anything is still possible, so my best advice would be to ignore the application and remain focused on other things. It's what helped keep me sane with this process.

 

[solicitor_2028]

Would it be better if I write a few words about each Open Day/ Insight Evening attended in the WE section or it is okay either way? (All of them are pooled into one and there are about 8 which I have written in bullet points). @Afraz Akhtar any insight would be helpful, thanks.

 

[RowdtoTC2026]

hi has anyone heard back about ACs after passing benchmark for the phone interview at dla piper? (i had my TI + found out i passed on the 6th jan)

I have received passing on the 7th and still waiting

 

[xMontmorency]

does anything usually come out of it?

No I think it's usually just a general check as part of the recruitment process to see if they find any red flags.

Having a good profile may help give a good impression, but they usually don't have time to analyse much. Not having much on your profile won't be a detriment since they go off your application..

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Would it be better if I write a few words about each Open Day/ Insight Evening attended in the WE section or it is okay either way? (All of them are pooled into one and there are about 8 which I have written in bullet points). @Afraz Akhtar any insight would be helpful, thanks.

Hi @solicitor_2028 if you're pooling them together under one experience (which is recommended) I would say a few words about each of them, either what you learned or what you did is okay. You don't have to go into immense detail, but you also don't want to say nothing at all - so just explain what the takeaway of that particular open day/insight day was to you.

 

[xMontmorency]

Would it be better if I write a few words about each Open Day/ Insight Evening attended in the WE section or it is okay either way? (All of them are pooled into one and there are about 8 which I have written in bullet points). @Afraz Akhtar any insight would be helpful, thanks.

Agree with @Afraz Akhtar. In my opinion just listing them is fine. The recruiters know that open days are pretty generic, and you've made your point by stating the firms you've gone to.

If you want to write more you should pick out one or two presentations or sessions in an open day that stood out and explain why and what you learned: e.g. an M&A case study or talking to a partner/associate (and link to current firm application). The idea is to show grad rec that the open day either made you a more knowledgeable and therefore suitable candidate, or helped you realise what kind of firm you're interested in training at.

 

[lolololol]

does anyone know what the MoFo app process is like? Is it just cv and cover letter or with additional questions?

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Well done! Is this for the London office ?

Yeah, I applied very early once it opened

 

[Dannie]

does MDR chatbot interview take up the whole screen or can you have other tabs open at the same time?

 

[TortillaTC]

Hey @TortillaTC Abbie is currently on annual leave, so she won't be able to respond to this. However, I would say that if others got a PFO and you haven't, then this is likely indicative of you having passed the benchmark and that they're currently screening through those applications to decide who to take to an AC, but lets wait and see.

Appreciate the waiting game is stressful, but your outcome is not decided until you hear back directly - anything can change e.g. last minute AC drop-outs for which they need to go back to the screening pile etc. It's tempting to contrast to others that have heard back, and try to picture where you're at (especially when you've taken the time and effort to go through the process) but it's better to ignore it and focus on other things until you receive word directly.

Good luck!

Thank you, I appreciate the thorough answer

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

does anyone know what the MoFo app process is like? Is it just cv and cover letter or with additional questions?

So I am in the midst of writing it. The cover letter is part of the application website but I don't think it is part of the form. When you're filling it out there are three questions that the form says are specifically the assessed part of the app and also don't have a word limit. Hence why I think the cover letter is part of creating a website account and not actually part of the application form (feels silly to do a cover letter when you have a written form of unlimited word count). Also the cover letter isn't mandatory which I think would be strange if it was part of the form.

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

does MDR chatbot interview take up the whole screen or can you have other tabs open at the same time?

Whenever I clicked off the tab (even if it was a word doc) the camera turned off. I kinda just did it regardless cause I didn't think it would matter that much but if you're worried about it then id advise having a separate screen with notes on competency questions

 

[Novaa]

How it feels trying to remember a case study from an open day, because I don’t want to go find the notebook I used 💔