TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[johnnysins]

Anyone else not receive a confirmation email after completing the second Milbank test?

I don’t think they are sending out confirmation emails for the second test haha

 

[llblawstudent]

I don’t think they are sending out confirmation emails for the second test haha

Oh thanks that’s a relief haha I did the test and was worried it didn’t submit or smth lol

 

[a0]

Hey thanks!
Do you know if its selective?

It mentions being shortlisted for the next step so I’m assuming so.

 

[anon78365222111]

Hey!

If you have mitigating circumstances, I would say this is unlikely to be an issue as long as you explain why that specific grade is an isolated incident amongst the rest of your academic profile. The FAQ's on their website state: "We do take into account mitigating circumstances, including those relating to a disability, which may have affected your grades either at school or university and there is a space on the application form to include these."

Best of luck with your application!

Thank you !

 

[tjeya26]

Would it be considered too late now to apply to a competitive rolling firm like Hogan Lovells when the deadline is mid December? @Abbie Whitlock sorry for the bother but would really appreciate your honest opinion

 

[tjeya26]

Have Hogan Lovells AC invites been sent out?

Hi, is this in relation to winter or summer vac scheme?

 

[V2002]

Hi, Just to know if anyone has heard about Interviews from cleary and Dechert, should i assume pfo?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Would it be considered too late now to apply to a competitive rolling firm like Hogan Lovells when the deadline is mid December? @Abbie Whitlock sorry for the bother but would really appreciate your honest opinion

Hey!

Not a bother at all! I wouldn't say it's too late to apply - with rolling applications, earlier is usually better, but there is still a while until the deadline! As long as your application is strong and tailored, you've got a solid chance. Most law firms (even with rolling deadlines) will receive the bulk of their applications right before the deadline, so there's still plenty of chance to be progressed

 

[abc124]

Does anyone have any tips for the Reed Smith VI? Does it include commercial awareness questions?

 

[a1024]

Hi, does anyone know how many days are given to complete the Pinsent Masons online assessment?

 

[emily3827]

could i get some advice on how to best prep for an ac - interview and written exercise within one day - it was super short notice and i’ve been ill all weekend - what’s the most valuable thing to do in the time i have?

 

[Lawlife5]

If you withdraw an application (there is that option) will it let you apply again? I just noticed one typo on my application and feel like it is quite obvious.

 

[msclm]

Hi, Just to know if anyone has heard about Interviews from cleary and Dechert, should i assume pfo?

Dechert have given some out already!

 

[legal18]

Hi, does anyone know how many days are given to complete the Pinsent Masons online assessment?

You need to complete it before the application deadline! Speaking of Pinsent Masons does anyone if the VI questions have unlimited prep time?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Does anyone have any tips for the Reed Smith VI? Does it include commercial awareness questions?

It didn't have any last year.. but I'm not too sure about now.
Btw can I ask when you submitted your application?

 

[Lawlawland]

Can anyone who's been successful with the Paul, Weiss Open Day application please guide me on how what do they expect us to highlight?

 

[abc124]

It didn't have any last year.. but I'm not too sure about now.
Btw can I ask when you submitted your application?

Thanks for the insight! I submitted my application on 20 October

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Thanks for the insight! I submitted my application on 20 October

Ig it's a PFO for me then

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Andrei Radu, I am applying to both Dechert and Eversheds and would like to ask your opinion on how to approach these two questions.

1) If applicable, please state any additional information which you think is relevant to your application or which you think has not been covered adequately in this form. I have 300 words to answer this question and I really do not know what to write.

2)Please detail all your positions of responsibility including title, date and a brief description. Please separate each position with a bullet point. Do you think I need to provide the exact dates of each position?

Hi @AS24 for the first question, I would likely seek to discuss any hobbies/experiences/firm research I did not have the opportunity to elaborate on in the other answers. In essence, I would write the "why me", "why commercial law", or the "why the firm" points I think can add value to my candidate profile and portray me as a well-rounded individual.

For the second question, I would try to provide the most exact dates possible. If you have no way of finding out what those were and/or you cannot remember, I would advise you to try to guess. If you are very uncertain, provide the firm with dates expressed in a MM/YY format instead of DD/MM/YY format.

 

[Andrei Radu]

If you withdraw an application (there is that option) will it let you apply again? I just noticed one typo on my application and feel like it is quite obvious.

From what I know, this is generally not allowed. I would not worry too much about one typo - even if they notice it, most recruiters will be willing to overlook it. Even the strictest recruiters I know only operate a "three strikes and you're out" policy to spelling and grammar. Also, when I was reviewing my successful applications, I almost always identified 2-3 typos; so I can say from personal experience that this is not as big of an issue as you may imagine.