TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Novaa]

Not to be suspicious of firms…. BUT are the questions about hobbies really about our hobbies/personality, or are they trying to see how they relate to the skills we’ll need as trainees?

Also, is there such a thing as a generic skill for those “What skills do you think are important as a trainee?” questions? I put commercial awareness as one, but I’m convincing myself Grad Rec will think that’s expected? But then so are communication, organisation and time management?

You can tell a deadline is looming when I start second-guessing my complete answers.

 

[user55998384]

what is the word count for lathams open day qs?

 

[jamsparkle]

what is the word count for lathams open day qs?

1800 characters

 

[Kakaboo]

Does anyone have a list of firms that don’t require the Watson glazer?

 

[alanshore]

Does anyone know how long it takes to get the Freshfields online assessment after applying? It's been a day

 

[anon78365222111]

Finally got HL test, how comes they took a while this year. Did they review applications first?

 

[thrisha_h]

Hi everyone,
I’m a recent Durham law graduate (July 2026, 68% LLB) and I’ve received an offer to start the LLM at UCL on 28 September. My main goal is to secure a vacation scheme at a commercial law firm in London in this application cycle. So far, I’ve applied to around 15 vacation schemes but haven’t been shortlisted yet.
I’m trying to decide between:

• Accepting the UCL LLM offer and applying to vacation schemes while studying; or

• Declining the offer, moving to London regardless, and focusing on paralegal roles alongside vacation scheme applications.

I’d really appreciate any advice from people who’ve been in a similar position, or who have insights on:

• How much (if at all) an LLM helps with vacation scheme / training contract applications at commercial firms;

• Whether it’s worth taking on the LLM time‑wise if the primary aim is a TC;

• Any strategies that helped you get shortlisted after multiple rejections.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or experiences you can share.

 

[anguscfraser]

Hi everyone!

Just submitted my first application of this cycle to Ashurst Perkins Coie! One down, many more to go.

I have a question regarding A level grades and the "minimum" requirements of some firms. I wanted to apply to the Latham and Watkins vacation scheme, however, I achieved ABB in my A levels. Latham and Watkins say they want a minimum of AAB.

I know its often on a firm by firm basis, but would I be wasting my time in this instance? I achieved a first at a RG university (not sure if that makes a difference in this scenario...)

Thanks in advance.

 

[sarg1234]

Finally got HL test, how comes they took a while this year. Did they review applications first?

Not sure tbh. do u know if there is a vi element?

 

[anon78365222111]

Not sure tbh. do u know if there is a vi element?

I don’t think so usually they say so but they didn’t mention anything

 

[user55998384]

has anyone recieved anything ab paul weiss insight day?

 

[Enyonam]

I don’t think so usually they say so but they didn’t mention anything

Hi everyone!

Just submitted my first application of this cycle to Ashurst Perkins Coie! One down, many more to go.

I have a question regarding A level grades and the "minimum" requirements of some firms. I wanted to apply to the Latham and Watkins vacation scheme, however, I achieved ABB in my A levels. Latham and Watkins say they want a minimum of AAB.

I know its often on a firm by firm basis, but would I be wasting my time in this instance? I achieved a first at a RG university (not sure if that makes a difference in this scenario...)

Thanks in advance.

It’s definitely not a waste if you have any type of extenuating circumstances at all.

I also got ABB and a first at uni and don’t think I’ve encountered any problems with this? But also some firms are a lot stricter about this than others, eg S&M. I have no clue where L&W sits on this scale…

 

[Enyonam]

Hi everyone,
I’m a recent Durham law graduate (July 2026, 68% LLB) and I’ve received an offer to start the LLM at UCL on 28 September. My main goal is to secure a vacation scheme at a commercial law firm in London in this application cycle. So far, I’ve applied to around 15 vacation schemes but haven’t been shortlisted yet.
I’m trying to decide between:

• Accepting the UCL LLM offer and applying to vacation schemes while studying; or
• Declining the offer, moving to London regardless, and focusing on paralegal roles alongside vacation scheme applications.

I’d really appreciate any advice from people who’ve been in a similar position, or who have insights on:

• How much (if at all) an LLM helps with vacation scheme / training contract applications at commercial firms;
• Whether it’s worth taking on the LLM time‑wise if the primary aim is a TC;
• Any strategies that helped you get shortlisted after multiple rejections.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or experiences you can share.

15?!? Go you!

 

[user55998384]

Hi everyone,
I’m a recent Durham law graduate (July 2026, 68% LLB) and I’ve received an offer to start the LLM at UCL on 28 September. My main goal is to secure a vacation scheme at a commercial law firm in London in this application cycle. So far, I’ve applied to around 15 vacation schemes but haven’t been shortlisted yet.
I’m trying to decide between:

• Accepting the UCL LLM offer and applying to vacation schemes while studying; or
• Declining the offer, moving to London regardless, and focusing on paralegal roles alongside vacation scheme applications.

I’d really appreciate any advice from people who’ve been in a similar position, or who have insights on:

• How much (if at all) an LLM helps with vacation scheme / training contract applications at commercial firms;
• Whether it’s worth taking on the LLM time‑wise if the primary aim is a TC;
• Any strategies that helped you get shortlisted after multiple rejections.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or experiences you can share.

15 already??!!!! this cycle??!!

 

[cutiewiththecontracts]

Finally got HL test, how comes they took a while this year. Did they review applications first?

I'm worried, I haven't received mine yet??

 

[soon-to-be trainee]

Hi, Nova gave some great advice, using a structure which I think is pretty good, quite similar to what I did. Nevertheless, I'll give my take to your questions now.


1) I personally did (250 Words)

• Paragraph 1:
  • Brief overview of the company (if it isn't an obvious company, like a known law firm for instance)
  • Brief overview of my broader general tasks that I did (good to quantify: how many of any such thing did you do for instance
• Paragraph 2:
  • A STAR/CAR-Styled paragraph that goes over a crucial competency.
  • It's best to make it quite visual and detailed in regards to what you did so the recruiter can feel immersed in the story.

That was the structure I did for most of my experiences, however there were 1-2 that I wrote differently because it didn't fully fit for it.

I tried focusing on a different core skill for each, however from memory, there were multiple that were about proactivity/taking initiative. But that's because that was strategically my main selling point of myself.



2) I think most of the detail should be in that hypothetical second paragraph, because it can showcase your thought process and also make your story sound much more believable and engaging. However when it comes to things that could, for any reason be private/confidential make sure to talk more broadly (I mean this more so for the part you say you mitigated risks).

3) I included around 9-10 experiences, all of which were 250 words and Graduate Recruitment did not get too bored (I hope haha).

Thank you soo much for your detailed reply and the example. It really helped me a lot!! Hope you are having a good day

 

[amitonalfo]

Does anyone have any insight on the HL first-stage test? is it SJT?

 

[tldrba]

Jones Day PFO. Applied on Friday

 

[yellowbirds008]

Jones Day PFO- applied on Saturday

 

[e.jy336]

Is there a VI for the HL first test?