TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[insomnia]

Slaughter and May direct tc PFO, im feeling really defeated about not getting anything this cycle but still need to hear from Sidley, A&O Sherman, Reed Smith (no assessment yet), and Dechert (no assessment yet). I plan on applying to more firms, but I'm worried I am approaching applications wrong tho I have looked at what recruitment and TCLA forums recommend in your responses.

 

[Minhee]

Does anyone know the word count for Baker McKenzie's SVS application questions. They don't appear on the page but I'm not sure if this is just the case for me or it's the case for everyone.

Sorry I can't be of more help here, but if you can't find an answer, I would write to their Grad Rec and see!

 

[Legal seeker]

Congrats!! When did you submit your DLA and Freshfields?

Just trying to understand the turnaround as I still need to do Freshfields.

I submitted Freshfields on Friday (02/10) and DLA (28/09)

 

[Minhee]

Hi, has anyone been able to access the addleshaw goodddd spring vac scheme application page? I can’t find it to save my life

I'm not sure, but could this be it: https://joinus.addleshawgoddard.com...ontract-london-london-england-united-kingdom? If not, I would definitely recommend writing to their Grad Rec!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Does anyone have Freshfields' official GR contact email? I'm unable to find it Lord knows why!

ukearlycareers@freshfields.com

 

[Minhee]

Any inisghts on the Hogan Lovells job simulation assessment? Especially what the questions for the video interview part are? Thanks!

Unfortunately, I have never personally completed it, but I found this thread on it from last year: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/hogan-lovells-job-simulation-assessment.10028/ where Abbie gives some general SJT and written exercise tips.

Sorry I can't be of more help here! Do let me know if you have any specific questions, and best of luck!

 

[rrr]

Slaughter and May direct tc PFO, im feeling really defeated about not getting anything this cycle but still need to hear from Sidley, A&O Sherman, Reed Smith (no assessment yet), and Dechert (no assessment yet). I plan on applying to more firms, but I'm worried I am approaching applications wrong tho I have looked at what recruitment and TCLA forums recommend in your responses.

It's still very early days!

 

[Minhee]

Hi guys, I was doing my Clifford Chance WGT when it submitted automatically at like 10mins. I have sent an email to recruitment but will they do anything about it? they have already sent me a report and automated rejection.

I'm sorry to hear that happened to you! You definitely did the right thing by emailing Grad Rec. Unfortunately, different firms have different policies on these sorts of glitches, but I hope it works out and you get to re-take it.

 

[Novaa]

Slaughter and May direct tc PFO, im feeling really defeated about not getting anything this cycle but still need to hear from Sidley, A&O Sherman, Reed Smith (no assessment yet), and Dechert (no assessment yet). I plan on applying to more firms, but I'm worried I am approaching applications wrong tho I have looked at what recruitment and TCLA forums recommend in your responses.

Just echoing what rrr said, it's still really early in the cycle, and it's so easy to compare your timeline to everyone else's when it's all so public.

But, I've just realised I don't think I have ever secured a single AC by October. They all came after Christmas, some as late as summer. There's still plenty of time to make this work!

Rooting for you!

 

[MZJxLadha]

Bevan Brittan is now open. Just noticed their vac scheme recruitment process now includes a written exercise after the video interview stage. Until now, it was just a written application + video interview.

 

[Minhee]

Ashurst written exercise invite! Does anyone have any tips? This is my first written exercise and I would really appreciate it!

Hi! Huge congratulations on reaching the written ex stage That's a wonderful achievement! I hope it goes well and wish you all the best of luck.

I was very nervous before my first written ex, so completely understand your position. Unfortunately, I don't know much about Ashurst specifically, but I did a general comment on written exes here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....s-discussion-thread-2026-27.10658/post-262964. Let me know if you have any further questions!

 

[Minhee]

Me too! Any tips would be very much appreciated

Hi! Huge congratulations on also reaching the written ex stage That is lovely to hear! Best of luck!! As mentioned above, I did a general comment on written exes - I hope it is helpful and that it all goes well! https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....s-discussion-thread-2026-27.10658/post-262964

 

[sarg1234]

Does anyone have Freshfields' official GR contact email? I'm unable to find it Lord knows why!

ukgraduates@freshfields.com

 

[vacschemes]

Thanks so much for this! Do you know if the questions are more soft-skill based or motivational?

more soft-skill based

 

[Molly16]

you reckon I'm cooked if I did the test last Thursday, and not heard anything back?

I think since the winter app just closed today, you might be sent it with the last batch of apps (if u applied for winter)? I only did mine last tues and got the second one friday so not that far off !

 

[Futuretrainee002]

Hi guys a large firm i got to the final stage with sent me five emails today about wanting to reconnect and have a call about my career and potential opportunities. I’m thinking this is a scam has this happened to anyone else before?

 

[vacschemes]

Hi guys a large firm i got to the final stage with sent me five emails today about wanting to reconnect and have a call about my career and potential opportunities. I’m thinking this is a scam has this happened to anyone else before?

Remember kiddos if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is!

 

[flower1]

Does anyone know after how long after submitting application for Law DTC Slaughter and May replies back? - whether interview or no?

 

[Minhee]

Hey @Antoni Trochimowicz two quick questions 1) Im applying for Sullcrom, however, their website doesn't express a word limit for the cover letter. Thus, would 1 page be sufficient? Since you did an ac there, could you also provide some tips?

2) Would you be cognisant of any newsletter or website that publishes daily reports on the UK's macroeconomic trends, similar to FT's Spotify?

Thanking you in anticipation !

Hi Cristiano! Sadly, Antoni is no longer helping us as our community assistant (he is focusing on his product lead role). I know this is frustrating as he has experience with the SullCrom AC. Unfortunately, I did not personally apply there so I can't help much - so sorry!

However, 1) Re cover letter, I found a previous thread where another user said: 'Directly from Kirsten Davies (Recruitment Manager at S&C): "Candidates should write a punchy letter of motivation, no more than one side of A4"'. This sounds standard, so I think 1 page should be good. If possible, I would write to their Grad Rec and check though, as this is dated (from 2022): https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2022-23.5995/post-124272.

Re AC - as mentioned, I am not the best person to give tips on SullCrom. But I heard from friends that their AC is very conversational. Candidates have had experience being asked in-depth about work experience entries etc., so I would definitely recommend being ready for that. I found it helpful to put my application form into a data-protected AI, prompt it to ask me questions based on my written answers, speak into the mic using the voice-to-text function, and simulate an AC-style conversation. If you don't have this option, you could always ask a friend to think of questions for you instead!

2) Podcasts
- My personal favourite is the FT 'Daily News Briefing' (I think this might be what you're referring to).
- PwC's 'Economics in Business' focuses on 'the outlook for the UK and global economy' and its 'implications for businesses' with short 5 - 10 min episodes.
- I have also heard good things about the BBC's 'Follow the Money' and 'Wake up to Money' podcasts, though they are on the lengthier side (20 - 50 mins) and not always UK-centred.

Newsletters
- The Guardian's 'Business Today' is more UK-focused.
- The 'Non-Billable' focuses on legal news, but after the legal news section, it has a short couple of paragraphs summarising recent business and finance developments.

Before an AC, I also find it helpful to Google:
- Recent interest rate decisions in the UK, US, and EU? Was this a raise, cut, or hold? Where are they projected to be in a few months' time / next meeting?
- Inflation rates in the UK, US, and EU? Energy prices? Oil and gas prices?
- Exchange rate fluctuations (pound vs dollar vs euro)?
- How are the bond and stock markets performing (NASDAQ, S&P 500, FTSE 100, UK gilts, US treasury bonds, etc.)?
- GDP growth and unemployment rates
- Any upcoming budget news

 

[Novaa]

Hellooooo!!

I just wanted to see how people are approaching SJTs and if anyone has any advice. I'm fine with the verbal, numerical and WG tests, but I think SJTs are what's been impacting me.

The "most/least likely" ones throw me off the most. Most of the options are so similar compared to the slider ones, so it feels like guesswork. I know people say to keep the firm's values in mind, but are you literally comparing each option against the values (like with a table), or do you have another method? They're usually untimed too, so I fear I'm overthinking them.