TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[tosin4774]

Would it be possible to have a member listed above to review my app via the application review service?

How do i do that

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Speaking of Jones Day, has anyone for the spring/summer vac scheme application received an interview invite?

Hi, granted I didn't apply for this cycle so I'm not necessarily the target reply. However, last year I applied within the Spring deadline (November I believe) for Summer and then heard back in early January. So I do believe they will go in order, all winter, then spring then summer.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

How do i do that

Hi, sorry apologies, I understand my thumbs up can be misleading. I treat the thumbs up reaction as "I have read this and will get to this" and then the tick reaction as "I have answered".

Currently, it would not be possible to request a specific application review from that team. We do have a dedicated application reviewer who is equally experienced (but even more experienced in application reviews specifically).

However, if you decided to sign up to the coaching service, it would be able to be done over one of those calls (with the coaching team).


Hopefully that helps !

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz

Hope you're doing well.

For one of my applications, this question is listed: "Please outline why have you chosen to become a commercial solicitor and what relevant skills and experience you possess that you feel make you a suitable candidate". The max word count is 400. I was thinking of spending 100 words on my motivations for commercial law and 300 words on relevant skills. Do you think this is ideal or should I do a 50/50 split between motivations and skills?

Thanks in advance!

Hi, thank you and likewise !!

I think there isn't a necessarily right or wrong way to go about this. However, how I personally would do it is more so aligned with your first idea.

I would potentially make the why law closer to 150 words so the split is not as drastic, but still not 50:50.

Then, once you do that you can spend the rest of the answer taking a skill/experience each paragraph. While I know you didn't directly ask for my advice on that, I would probably do each paragraph as follows:

• Clear skill you possess
• The experience in which you developed this
• How this makes you a suitable candidate
  • While you can make this in regards to being a suitable candidate in being a Commercial Solicitor, I would say extra points if you are able to in the middle of the 2nd and 3rd point include a specific detail about the firm.
  • Then, follow that up with why that skill makes you special for that specific detail.
  • For instance (if this was Jones Day) :
    • Initiative/Proactivity
    • [Skill demonstrating that]
    • Jones Day has non-rotational TC
    • Better ability and confidence to walk the floors and get work.

Hope that's helpful !

 

[wrpark]

How have people formatted their cover letter for Gibson Dunn? Do you include address and date, etc. or no?

I haven't included it, I've seen someone else's from last year who got an interview offer and her's didn't include an address/date either. In general, I assume it's better for words to be used towards actual substantive content rather than for formatting.

 

[alanshore]

Anyone know why Freshfields cut training contract numbers to 70?

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz

I hope all is well!

For the following question, would you recommend making an explicit link back to the firm, or should the answer focus purely on the experience and what it taught me?:
"Tell us about an interest or activity that matters to you outside of your academic studies. Your answer should focus on:
• A challenge or setback you encountered; or
• What this experience has taught you about yourself"

Thank you very much in advance!

Hi, thank you!!

I would say focus purely on what the experience taught you, brownie points if that indirectly (but directly enough for Graduate Recruitment to be able to see, rather than being told) links to your capabilities as a commercial lawyer.

 

[lawyergal101]

Hi, thank you!!

I would say focus purely on what the experience taught you, brownie points if that indirectly (but directly enough for Graduate Recruitment to be able to see, rather than being told) links to your capabilities as a commercial lawyer.

Amazing, thank you!!

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

i am trying to approach this round more effectively so can someone help me and let me know how important the Work Experience section is? i saw someone say only include the relevant ones. does this mean not going back years to like 2015 or does it mean not including a 3 week year 10 work experience placement in a shop? pls help

Hi! The Work Experience section is very important in my eyes, I think it is widely overlooked by applicants (including myself in 1st year).

I would certainly include more than just the 'relevant' ones. When the 'cut off' point is definitely dependent on the individual, as to whether you are a career changer or a university student etc.

Using myself as an example, I was applying in the 2025/2026 cycle and I included a small placement that occurred in 2023 while I was in Sixth Form. Realistically, if I had any work experience from Year 10/11-ish I would have likely included it too, particularly if it fills a void that is missing elsewhere.

 

[Saul_specter]

Did anyone else just get an email from a and o for winter vac

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

Hi, thank you and likewise !!

I think there isn't a necessarily right or wrong way to go about this. However, how I personally would do it is more so aligned with your first idea.

I would potentially make the why law closer to 150 words so the split is not as drastic, but still not 50:50.

Then, once you do that you can spend the rest of the answer taking a skill/experience each paragraph. While I know you didn't directly ask for my advice on that, I would probably do each paragraph as follows:

• Clear skill you possess
• The experience in which you developed this
• How this makes you a suitable candidate
  • While you can make this in regards to being a suitable candidate in being a Commercial Solicitor, I would say extra points if you are able to in the middle of the 2nd and 3rd point include a specific detail about the firm.
  • Then, follow that up with why that skill makes you special for that specific detail.
  • For instance (if this was Jones Day) :
    • Initiative/Proactivity
    • [Skill demonstrating that]
    • Jones Day has non-rotational TC
    • Better ability and confidence to walk the floors and get work.

Hope that's helpful !

Thanks so much Antoni!!

 

[WillYouGiveMeATC]

Anyone received test invite from Sidley, Dechert or HL after submitting their app.

 

[Emmaflanagan24]

Did anyone else just get an email from a and o for winter vac

Was it an offer?? I keep getting the same email saying that my application is under review

 

[jamsparkle]

Was it an offer??

i just got sent an email telling me that they had received my online experience... i think they might just have something wrong with their IT because i've been sent the same 2 emails 3 times

 

[Emmaflanagan24]

i just got sent an email telling me that they had received my online experience... i think they might just have something wrong with their IT because i've been sent the same 2 emails 3 times

ok same here!!! my heart keeps jumping every time I get it!!! what a way to spike cortisol

 

[yellowbirds008]

does anybody have a list of firms that recruit at least half from the direct route? thank youu in advance!!