TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey guys, just looking for some insight. So I knew I wanted to do VS this cycle, but wasn’t aware how soon applications closed (that’s on me tbf just had no one from uni tell me ahaha) so it means that I’ve only done 5 applications for VS this cycle. There’s not any more London firms (where I want to work) that interest me. Is it worth also doing so DTC applications as some that I’m interested in close later? So far I’ve had a rejection from Willkie after application (wasn’t my best application tbh) and waiting to hear back after SJT from MDR. Waiting for answers from the rest of my apps.

Hey!

I'd say it is definitely worth doing DTC applications for firms that you are genuinely interested in! I know plenty of people in my DTC cohort that had never completed a vacation scheme or worked in law, and whilst it'll differ between firms, there usually isn't an expectation that you have legal work experience. What matters most is that you are able to write a strong application that is tailored to the firm, and that you perform well in the assessments themselves

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock This might be a super stupid question but I wanted to ask about how you approach talking about a deal to an interviewer. I have found a deal that I am super interested in ahead of my AC next week but it's a deal in another office and not the firm's London office. Is the expectation typically to speak about deals done in the office you're applying to? Thank you!!

Hello!

Not a stupid question at all! The short answer is that it is absolutely fine to talk about a deal from another office - the interviewers will mainly be testing:

• Whether you understand what the firm actually does
• Whether you can explain why the deal interested you, and
• Whether you can link it back to the practice area or skills relevant to the London office

If you wanted to be clear in your answer, you could briefly acknowledge that the deal is from another office and explain how the same practice area or client work is relevant to London (e.g. cross-border nature, collaboration between offices, similar clients / sectors).

What matters more is that you can talk about the deal commercially and with genuine interest - a well-understood and well-explained deal from another office would land better than a London deal that you only half understand.

Best of luck with the AC!!

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

Hello!

Not a stupid question at all! The short answer is that it is absolutely fine to talk about a deal from another office - the interviewers will mainly be testing:

• Whether you understand what the firm actually does
• Whether you can explain why the deal interested you, and
• Whether you can link it back to the practice area or skills relevant to the London office

If you wanted to be clear in your answer, you could briefly acknowledge that the deal is from another office and explain how the same practice area or client work is relevant to London (e.g. cross-border nature, collaboration between offices, similar clients / sectors).

What matters more is that you can talk about the deal commercially and with genuine interest - a well-understood and well-explained deal from another office would land better than a London deal that you only half understand.

Best of luck with the AC!!

This is so so helpful Abbie - thank you very much!!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

If Vantage has a million haters I’m one of them. If Vantage has 1000 haters I’m one of them. If Vantage has 1 hater it’s me. If Vantage has 0 haters it means I have left this world. If the world is against Vantage I am with the world, if the world is for Vantage, I am against the world

This is Rare after seeing this forum post about their Vantage platform being a complete mess:

 

[anonymous.15]

apparently R&G would like headings lmao

WHATTT BUT IN THEIR INSIGHT SESSION THEY DIDNT MENTION ANY OF THAT TF ....INCOMING PFO

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

WHATTT BUT IN THEIR INSIGHT SESSION THEY DIDNT MENTION ANY OF THAT TF ....INCOMING PFO

Who’s gna take it for the team and message one of R&Gs future trainees to see if they used headings for their R&G response. I feel like grad rec would tell us the opposite of the truth lmao. Makes their job to filter apps so much easier too.

 

[SNA99]

Just completed the WBD online test. I agree with previous posts on this thread about not knowing how it assesses who passes onto the next stage but I'll hope for the best 🤷‍♀️🤞

 

[anonymous.15]

Has anyone heard back from White & Case summer post app?

yess PFOOOOOD

 

[anonymous.15]

Who’s gna take it for the team and message one of R&Gs future trainees to see if they used headings for their R&G response. I feel like grad rec would tell us the opposite of the truth lmao. Makes their job to filter apps so much easier too.

I GOT GHOSTED LMAOOO

 

[nicoledm]

Who’s gna take it for the team and message one of R&Gs future trainees to see if they used headings for their R&G response. I feel like grad rec would tell us the opposite of the truth lmao. Makes their job to filter apps so much easier too.

I got through to the AC last year and never used headings

 

[Novaa]

I got through to the AC last year and never used headings

Oh Nicole you’re a star for this 😍

Now let me make a note of your user in case I need to return in the near future for insights LOOOOOL JK (Or am I? 🤨)

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I got through to the AC last year and never used headings

Ayy so there’s hope for the 95% of us who didn’t use headings. That R&G TC is up for grabs:​

 

[gmmd1012]

Hey!

I would say that they generally do differ, as the graduate recruitment team only have one day to assess you (compared to a week or two on a vacation scheme). For example, my DTC AC at Reed Smith had some additional tasks that weren't included in the VS AC, and the graduate recruitment team had mentioned that there is generally a higher benchmark that you have to meet. However, this could differ between firms - I would definitely reach out to the graduate recruitment team of the firm you are applying to if you wanted to find out more!

Thank you so much!

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Debevoise (haven’t heard but I think it’s a PFO because I don’t think they do their open day AC invites in batches)
V&E- Invited to video interview to be completed by Sunday
PW- PFOed on Tuesday
Goodwin - Silence post VI

may I ask, whether V&E is for spring or summer? thanks!

 

[ACHat8r]

yess PFOOOOOD

whennnn. I guess PFO incoming tomorrow morning.

 

[Wanda Maximoff]

Who’s gna take it for the team and message one of R&Gs future trainees to see if they used headings for their R&G response. I feel like grad rec would tell us the opposite of the truth lmao. Makes their job to filter apps so much easier too.

The TCLA Premium Database has an example of a successful application from last year and there were no headings. In one of the commercial awareness webinars, one of the speakers shared a snippet from his successful answer and there were also no headings - I wouldn’t worry too much !

 

[Novaa]

The TCLA Premium Database has an example of a successful application from last year and there were no headings. In one of the commercial awareness webinars, one of the speakers shared a snippet from his successful answer and there were also no headings - I wouldn’t worry too much !

Ohhh Wanda… Ender of Earth-616 😍 *Insert fancam*

 

[Novaa]

yess PFOOOOOD

Heyyyyyy…. Sorry to hear this ❤️

Um, can I just ask when exactly you got your PFO?

 

[Ernesto]

Hill Dickinson 3 written app questions and then an automatic SJT with 4 VI questions is actually crazy.

 

[adf43256]

Guys whats the best way to prepare for an AC that consists of a group task and some individual tasks?