TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Shannon]

Just completed the 2nd Milbank test, can confirm it's a WG!

 

[Alex111]

if you're still waiting to hear back from AOS post-AC, what does it say on your application portal? still at interview or..?

Mine still says at interview. Have you heard back yet?

 

[I_hate_pickingusernames]

Mine still says at interview. Have you heard back yet?

Haven't seen anyone who's heard back. Reply above says tomorrow afternoon which makes sense considering that's what they did with invites I suppose.

 

[watson_glazer]

will be tomorrow afternoon

Is this confirmed, or a guess?

 

[lawninja00!]

Cananyone give any insight into the Freshfields Stage 1 test?

 

[firmfirm]

is dla piper's WG automatic?

 

[JBM]

last year was on the friday. calls for offers emails for rejections

 

[milawalton]

Hey, does the Freshfields Direct TC test for stage 1 have a virtual interview?

 

[floral.tcla]

Mine still says at interview. Have you heard back yet?

Same and not yet

 

[Bbhu19]

Milbank stage 2 invitation! Seems selective given the email says ‘your application has been shortlisted for the next stage of the process’. Thought I did awfully at the first test so am quite surprised 😂

What was the first stage btw? A Watson glasser?

 

[SS21]

Hi, I attended a DLA Piper talk and grad rec mentioned that for the CV there's no need to include an education section because the online form will ask for grades anyway. She also mentioned having a brief introduction (but I might have misheard this). Is it alright to still stick to the standard format for CVs (i.e. with an education section and without including an introduction)?

I did a standard CV, including module breakdown because the form didn't ask for that info so I assumed we had to include it in the CV.
I've never heard of a legal CV needing an introduction section tbh...

 

[firmfirm]

I did a standard CV, including module breakdown because the form didn't ask for that info so I assumed we had to include it in the CV.
I've never heard of a legal CV needing an introduction section tbh...

That's also what I did and I was able to progress to the next stage. I think a standard CV is fine tbh!

 

[arbitrationfan]

HSF WVS PFO

 

[johnsmith]

So I was a guinea pig… made to suffer?! I better get brownie points aka SJT invite for doing it yesterday and providing honest feedback 😂

I think the experience will be the same for all but I’m sure they’ll know you were in the 1st batch so if you faced any issues I’m sure they’ll take that in to consideration!

 

[boots pharmacy]

Averaged 62 and 61 in my first two years, including 2x 2:2s, but applied to Cleary last year after graduation and passed the initial screening. Did have a really strong final year though where I topped a module.

Awesome, thanks for sharing. May I know if you graduated with an overall 1st?

 

[boots pharmacy]

Cananyone give any insight into the Freshfields Stage 1 test?

SJT + WG style questions. No VI. Quite standard.

 

[whywhy88]

What was the first stage btw? A Watson glasser?

It was SJT style multiple choice with two written questions at the end

 

[boots pharmacy]

Can anyone confirm if Milbank is rolling/non-rolling? Says the latter on the tracker, but seems people are getting test invites.

 

[Bbhu19]

It was SJT style multiple choice with two written questions at the end

Than you, is the written questions short like 200 words or longer?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock How would you guys suggest structuring the following question:

"Is there any specific question you would like answered at interview and, unless obvious, why do you want it addressed? (150)"

Would it be better to mention more than one question or just one question but in-depth as to why I want it addressed? I'm also unsure how I should open my answer.

Hi @tom-sawyer I do not think there is a right or wrong way to tackle this question vis a vis the number of questions you should mention. I can both see how mentioning 1 question and then providing an 130 word explanation of the background and context of the question, but also the way it ties to your motivations, could be compelling in its show of depth; and how mentioning 3 questions, each with a 30-40 word explanation, could be attractive in terms of showing a breath of interests and research.

In my opinion, the option you go for should just depend on the specific of your interests and the firm; if you have one central interest in the firm that comes before all others, and especially if a question related to it may take a longer while to spell out, it wold make a lot of sense to go for the first approach. If instead you have a variety of reasons for interest, and the questions related to such interests are also easier to explain, it would definitely be sensible to go for the second option.

What I think is central to get this question right is to come up with good questions and clear explanation as to why they matter to you. As such, you should avoid doing the following:

• Asking questions which could also be researched online - a good question is one that you could only get a good answer from at the interview from someone with insider knowledge of the firm;
• Asking too broad or ambiguous questions: seek to be specific in the details of how you frame your question, showing that you know what kinds of aspects can truly differentiate the firm from its competitors;
• Asking questions solely meant to impress: while it is important to ask questions that reflect the depth of your research into the firm and of understanding of the legal market, you should also not ask questions only for asking's sake; instead, I think you should seek to connect each question with a plausibly-held motivation;