TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Amelia.05]

Has anyone received an application update after Macfarlanes' winter vac scheme stage 2 assessment?

Could you please provide some insights into stage two? happy to share on hogan, ashusrt, mills and reeve, and freshfields

 

[alanshore]

Milbank done, that was effing awful.

How on earth can I ask for adjustments where there is nowhere which indicated what is in the test so I know which adjustments will need to be asked for!! Like something in there I 100% needed adjustments for but the firm didn't even respond to when I asked "what is in the test so I can know if i need adjustments or not".

Really disheartening

(before anyone asks for insight, my next test I plan to do is Sidley Austin, do with that information what you will)

Haven't done Milbank yet. How different is it to a run of the mill WG/SJT?

 

[rose06]

Does anyone know what motivational/long-answer questions A&O Shearman has on their form for the vac scheme?

 

[testing123]

Does anyone know what the A&O Shearman video questions are? I think we have unlimited prep time but can't seem to find them

 

[londonlawyer]

Does L&W only have one question regarding extracurriculars or is my portal just not loading properly?

 

[rose06]

Does L&W only have one question regarding extracurriculars or is my portal just not loading properly?

no, there are two motivational questions as well - I think ppl have been reporting this issue on here

 

[nextgenlawyer03]

Hi! I just wanted an opinion on a question I had...

Would it be a disadvantage to apply for a firm whose applications had opened towards the start of Sept AFTER attending a law fair to gain some more insight into the firm (this would be at the beginning of October) - (note: the firm is non-rolling).

Do firms in general care if you apply mid-October if non-rolling...or is it like a black mark added ...

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi! I just wanted an opinion on a question I had...

Would it be a disadvantage to apply for a firm whose applications had opened towards the start of Sept AFTER attending a law fair to gain some more insight into the firm (this would be at the beginning of October) - (note: the firm is non-rolling).

Do firms in general care if you apply mid-October if non-rolling...or is it like a black mark added ...

Hi! Absolutely no disadvantage in applying later in the cycle for non-rolling firms.

For context, Skadden, where I got the TC, I applied to at 23:57 on deadline day... and hey I made it

 

[Dabby]

Hi everyone!

Welcome to the TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread for the 2026-2027 application cycle.

This thread is for all discussions relating to vacation scheme applications throughout the year. Whether you are looking for advice on submitting written applications, online assessments, interviews, assessment centres, or simply want to share updates on your progress, feel free to post here!

As always, this thread is a space to ask questions, exchange insights, discuss firm processes, and support fellow applicants. The recruitment process can be both exciting and challenging, and we hope that this community continues to be a helpful resource for everyone navigating the cycle. Please remember to keep discussions respectful and constructive, and where possible, share information that may benefit other applicants.

If you want a clear way to organise your own applications, you can save firms, research them and track your progress through each stage in the free TCLA Workspace.

To assist you with your applications, we also have the Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2026-27 thread, and the Open Day and Insight Scheme Deadlines 2026-27 thread.

Finally, last year's thread can be found here: TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26.

Wishing the best of luck to everyone applying this year! We look forward to following your journeys and celebrating your successes along the way

Abbie

Hi everyone, @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu

I’m applying to Slaughter and May again this cycle and wanted to get some advice on how best to approach my academic results.

I applied to Slaughter and May in the previous cycle and reached the interview stage. During that interview, I was asked about my B in A-level Law. At the time, I explained that I had experienced quite significant disruption with my Law teaching — my teacher was frequently absent, we were given the wrong textbook, etc. I later received feedback, and this wasn't identified as a particular issue with my interview.

Since then, I completed my second year at Lancaster University’s UK campus as part of my Study Abroad year. My overall university average is currently a 2:1, but I received two 58s in Land Law and Law of Torts. On the other hand, I achieved 70 in Commercial Law and 68 in International Law.

I’m therefore trying to work out how concerned I should be about the two 58s and, more importantly, how I should explain them if Slaughter and May asks.

The difficult part is that, honestly, I went through a period during the year where my wellbeing was quite poor and I don't think I was performing academically at my best. I didn't seek clinical/medical support at the time, so I obviously don't want to diagnose myself retrospectively or overstate this. There wasn't a bereavement or another obvious mitigating event either. However, I genuinely feel that my wellbeing affected my academic performance.

I'm considering whether to disclose this as mitigating circumstances on the application, but I'm unsure whether this would be appropriate given that I don't have formal medical evidence. I'm also conscious that I previously explained my A-level Law B partly through circumstances affecting my teaching, and I don't want my applications to come across as though I'm repeatedly explaining weaker grades through external circumstances.

I'm also wondering whether the fact that the two 58s are specifically in Land Law and Torts matters more given Slaughter and May's disputes practice. I have completed Lancaster's Commercial Law Mediation Clinic, which I really enjoyed, and achieved 70 in Commercial Law, so I'm hoping these experiences provide some evidence of my broader legal ability and interest in commercial law.

Would really appreciate advice from anyone who has applied to Slaughter and May, particularly if you've had experience with mitigating circumstances or explaining individual low module marks at interview.

Thanks!

 

[Misty Meanor]

Does anyone know if Cleary is just a CV this year? Don't see cover letter mentioned on their site?

 

[marshmallow]

why does mofo require u to submit a postgrad transcript to proceed with their vac scheme application?? undergrads are eligible for the scheme according to their site

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

hmmm. I have mitigating circumstances in my third year. I decided against saying it on my apps because my grades were not bad and I didn't want to get into it, but now I think contextualisation (as there was a drop in some modules) would be appropriate. Does anyone know if its appropriate to email grad rec about this for apps I've already submitted, even though I said I didn't have mitigating circumstances?

Hi, I wouldn't overthink it too much , definitely appropriate to update Graduate Recruitment.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Thanks Antoni! How did you structure the content of your cover letter? I’ve never written one before, so is it better to talk more generally about practice areas and stuff or go into detail about specific details of individual deals they’ve worked on that interest you? I find it much harder to deal with this than specific questions that give you guidelines for content and structure

Also do you need to format it like a letter with addresses etc or is it ok to just start it with “dear xyz”? And do you need to sign off in any specific way?

Hi!

While there are many ways to do it, I would say the most popular standard is:

• Paragraph on Why Law
• Paragraph on Why Firm
• Paragraph on Why You

However, although this is the way I did it for Slaughter and May, I generally prefer (and opted to for Sullivan & Cromwell) to do a slightly different structure, which I first heard of at an Open Day with Travers Smith.

This is as follows:

• Paragraph on Why Law
• Paragraph on Why Firm, with a link back to you --> as in why do you fit in at this aspect of Why Firm (2-3X)

I personally found the latter easier and more natural but this is down to personal preference.

You certainly do not need (unless specifically asked for by the firm) to include addresses etc.

I would just start with dear, and end it off with Yours faithfully if you do not address a specific individual, and Yours sincerely if you do.

In regards to the content of Why Firm, this is very much dependent on you. Write about the things that most draw you to the firm, this may be general practice areas, approach to legal practice or even specific deals to substantiate points.

Hope this was helpful !

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi everyone, @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu

I’m applying to Slaughter and May again this cycle and wanted to get some advice on how best to approach my academic results.

I applied to Slaughter and May in the previous cycle and reached the interview stage. During that interview, I was asked about my B in A-level Law. At the time, I explained that I had experienced quite significant disruption with my Law teaching — my teacher was frequently absent, we were given the wrong textbook, etc. I later received feedback, and this wasn't identified as a particular issue with my interview.

Since then, I completed my second year at Lancaster University’s UK campus as part of my Study Abroad year. My overall university average is currently a 2:1, but I received two 58s in Land Law and Law of Torts. On the other hand, I achieved 70 in Commercial Law and 68 in International Law.

I’m therefore trying to work out how concerned I should be about the two 58s and, more importantly, how I should explain them if Slaughter and May asks.

The difficult part is that, honestly, I went through a period during the year where my wellbeing was quite poor and I don't think I was performing academically at my best. I didn't seek clinical/medical support at the time, so I obviously don't want to diagnose myself retrospectively or overstate this. There wasn't a bereavement or another obvious mitigating event either. However, I genuinely feel that my wellbeing affected my academic performance.

I'm considering whether to disclose this as mitigating circumstances on the application, but I'm unsure whether this would be appropriate given that I don't have formal medical evidence. I'm also conscious that I previously explained my A-level Law B partly through circumstances affecting my teaching, and I don't want my applications to come across as though I'm repeatedly explaining weaker grades through external circumstances.

I'm also wondering whether the fact that the two 58s are specifically in Land Law and Torts matters more given Slaughter and May's disputes practice. I have completed Lancaster's Commercial Law Mediation Clinic, which I really enjoyed, and achieved 70 in Commercial Law, so I'm hoping these experiences provide some evidence of my broader legal ability and interest in commercial law.

Would really appreciate advice from anyone who has applied to Slaughter and May, particularly if you've had experience with mitigating circumstances or explaining individual low module marks at interview.

Thanks!

Hi! Congrats on getting to the interview stage nonetheless last year, it's a great feat. Fortunately S&M are quite positive in regard to repeat applicants so I'm sure you will do great!


Answering one of your later concerns, I definitely wouldn't be worried about how specific grades are perceived. I do not think there will be any particular weight on your performance in Tort/Land Law in comparison to Trusts for instance. This is particularly the case as they take plenty of non-law students, which do not have any 'overlapping' modules with their practice areas.

In regard to mitigating circumstances, I completely understand your worries as to how it could look. However, I think a lot of that boils down to introspective criticism. Firms understand that, if you're consistently scoring highly, it makes sense that each poor grade reflects some change in life. Therefore, your life experiences at the time would be completely valid as mitigating circumstances to mention when you have the chance to.

Wishing you the best of luck !

 

[wooliewoo]

Does anyone have any insights/advice for Milbank's OA? Happy to provide some insights from Macfarlanes Stage 2 in return.

 

[Dabby]

Hi! Congrats on getting to the interview stage nonetheless last year, it's a great feat. Fortunately S&M are quite positive in regard to repeat applicants so I'm sure you will do great!


Answering one of your later concerns, I definitely wouldn't be worried about how specific grades are perceived. I do not think there will be any particular weight on your performance in Tort/Land Law in comparison to Trusts for instance. This is particularly the case as they take plenty of non-law students, which do not have any 'overlapping' modules with their practice areas.

In regard to mitigating circumstances, I completely understand your worries as to how it could look. However, I think a lot of that boils down to introspective criticism. Firms understand that, if you're consistently scoring highly, it makes sense that each poor grade reflects some change in life. Therefore, your life experiences at the time would be completely valid as mitigating circumstances to mention when you have the chance to.

Wishing you the best of luck !

Thank you so much, this is really reassuring and I appreciate you taking the time to respond!

 

[TCchaser]

Does anyone have any insights/advice for Milbank's OA? Happy to provide some insights from Macfarlanes Stage 2 in return.

Is this Stage 1?

 

[amberlaw]

I got adaptability as my weakness for Gibson Dunn... am I cooked?

 

[Fred_Stuart]

I just got to the Macfarlanes in-person written assessment stage. If anyone has any insight from previous cycles, I would really appreciate it.

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Dechert test! Applied on the 8th iirc if it helps anyone

Do Grad rec screen applications before sending the test?