TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jessica Pearson]

Hi guys, I have a question Re application writing / specifically Reed Smith's application. I recently received a PFO post-app from RS and upon looking at the generic feedback sheet I think I've pin-pointed where I went wrong. For my 'Why RS' Q I covered three points: Innovation at the firm / training programmes available / interest specifically in Life Sciences at the firm and linking it back to my own experience in the industry.

In the generic feedback, RS said that honing in on one practice area / industry is a big no-no as it essentially comes across as narrow-minded (AKA what I did in my written app 😬). I always thought that to make an application personal and specific enough, honing in on a practice area can be a good way of doing this espesh when word counts can be tight.

Would love any input from people on how they are integrating their interests for specific practice areas while also coming across as not narrow-minded. Thank you

Hiya,
I think it depends on how you go about it. For example, when I wrote my RS app, I talked about my interest in their disputes team. But I also included that I am particularly drawn to this practice area because it allows me access to various sectors. I also found it's best to show your interest in what their USP is. So beyond access to various sectors, I wrote about their shipping practice within the disputes team (this was also the sector I talked about in the third question).

Also, try to find a balance between the practice area strength and other things. For example, I did abt 100 word on the work, ~70 words on the training programme, and ~50 words on DEI. This shows that that you have thought about what the firm can offer you as a whole and how they can help you thrive.

On a side note, I had attended on RS event where I think grad rec mentioned that their Life Science practice isn't running in London (it's more prominent in their US offices), so talking about that when you may not have the chance to sit in that area may not be the best

This is just my two cents based on how I've approached writing my app.

 

[Marble_Moth]

Hiya,
I think it depends on how you go about it. For example, when I wrote my RS app, I talked about my interest in their disputes team. But I also included that I am particularly drawn to this practice area because it allows me access to various sectors. I also found it's best to show your interest in what their USP is. So beyond access to various sectors, I wrote about their shipping practice within the disputes team (this was also the sector I talked about in the third question).

Also, try to find a balance between the practice area strength and other things. For example, I did abt 100 word on the work, ~70 words on the training programme, and ~50 words on DEI. This shows that that you have thought about what the firm can offer you as a whole and how they can help you thrive.

On a side note, I had attended on RS event where I think grad rec mentioned that their Life Science practice in currently being grown (it's more prominent in their US offices), so talking about that when you may not have the chance to sit in that area may not be the best

This is just my two cents based on how I've approached writing my app.

Thank you very much for your insight. Will defo take this into account for the future

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Did my RS VI on 20th November - is it likely to be a PFO now?

 

[_microwaved]

Anyone who applied to the Spring VS at TW whose online test invite mentioned that they will get back to us mid december - received a written exercise invite?

 

[Bread]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock and anyone else who may have insight,

What are some commercial topics likely to come up in an interview/AC?
Thanks x

 

[user55998384]

how likely is it if you attended the latham OD to get an AC seeing as you dont ahve to do the online test

 

[p2bv]

anyone heard from DLA for AC

 

[TortillaTC]

Does Milbank prefer prose or bullet points in their WE section? Also, is highlighting skills developed in each experience a good idea? Some firms expressly ask for it while others seem quite against.

 

[jaccobbhx]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock,

I've been invited to A&O Assessment Centre for TC next week. As this is my first ever Assessment Centre, frankly I'm quite scared and don't know what to expect, the email mentions a case study discussion with a partner, scenario based interview, and office tour. I have less than a week to prepare and don't know where to start and what area to focus on, thus any advice would be appreciated.

Also, I have ADHD and was asked if I require any reasonable adjustments for the AC. I would benefit from additional time to prepare for the case study and the interview but not sure if that would be reasonable from the firm's perspective. Any advice on this or what other adjustments I could request for the AC?

Many thanks!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock and anyone else who may have insight,

What are some commercial topics likely to come up in an interview/AC?
Thanks x

In terms of current affairs topics, a few that come to mind are:

• The aftermath of the US' trade policy changes on global markets and the present stabilisation of tariff policy
• The possibility of an AI bubble and the general worry of inflated valuations of public companies (with historical highs for P/E ratios)
• Generally easing inflation and predicted lowering of interest rates in the UK and US
• Booming M&A and capital markets activity
• Budget deficits and increased government borrowing in a number of major economies
• Slower current and projected economic growth in developed economies
• Weakening consumer confidence, historically high household debt, and increasing reliance on high-income households for most of the consumer spending
• Geopolitical developments: ceasefire agreement in Gaza and peace talks between the US, Russia, and Ukraine
• Increased spending on defence and energy infrastructure in Europe

 

[yk1906]

Does Milbank prefer prose or bullet points in their WE section? Also, is highlighting skills developed in each experience a good idea? Some firms expressly ask for it while others seem quite against.

Hi, i used prose and progressed to Stage 1 and 2 assessments. I also highlighted the skills

 

[wooliewoo]

Hi! Does anyone know whether HL and Eversheds assessments are automatic, or do they look at your application first? Thanks!

 

[TortillaTC]

Hi, i used prose and progressed to Stage 1 and 2 assessments. I also highlighted the skills

Thank you very much!!

 

[yk1906]

Hi! Does anyone know whether HL and Eversheds assessments are automatic, or do they look at your application first? Thanks!

Eversheds: “This test is compulsory for all applicants and we are unable to progress your application without completion of the test. “

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock,

I've been invited to A&O Assessment Centre for TC next week. As this is my first ever Assessment Centre, frankly I'm quite scared and don't know what to expect, the email mentions a case study discussion with a partner, scenario based interview, and office tour. I have less than a week to prepare and don't know where to start and what area to focus on, thus any advice would be appreciated.

Also, I have ADHD and was asked if I require any reasonable adjustments for the AC. I would benefit from additional time to prepare for the case study and the interview but not sure if that would be reasonable from the firm's perspective. Any advice on this or what other adjustments I could request for the AC?

Many thanks!

Hi @jaccobbhx I do not have a lot of specific information on this topic (so I'll tag @Abbie Whitlock again here in case she knows more), but what I can say is that you should be able to ask about additional preparation time without this being held against you. Ideally, I would advise you to firstly explain how ADHD affects you during assessments, and why extra time is a reasonable adjustment in the sense that it helps mitigate a disadvantage you have when compared to other candidates and also enables the firm to better ascertain your true abilities and potential.

It would also be helpful to cite any university/school policy to this effect, in that if you explain that your university considers it a reasonable adjustment to given you some extra time in assessments because of your ADHD, it is less likely that the firm would see this as an unreasonable demand. Worst case scenario, the firm may tell you they cannot offer you this adjustment because they see time-management under pressure an essential skill to test for the role of a trainee solicitor. Even if that is the case, I believe it is extremely unlikely the firm would take a negative view of you simply because you raised this enquiry.

 

[CuriousTrainee]

anyone heard from DLA for AC

I think there's still a fair amount still doing their WG, wouldn't be surprised if they start offering ACs in late Dec-Jan time🤷‍♀️

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Did anyone who completed the Reed Smith test by end of October receive an AC invite? Will they be sending more AC invites?

Hey!

Whilst I can't say definitively whether more AC invites will be sent out, there were multiple batches sent out when I applied last cycle, so I wouldn't assume a rejection if you haven't heard yet (as I'm sure more will be sent in due course)!

 

[TortillaTC]

Hi, i used prose and progressed to Stage 1 and 2 assessments. I also highlighted the skills

Did you also include extracurriculars or just actual WE?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Off of the back of this, what are some of the best ways to find out more about a firm’s clients?

Hi!

There are a few good ways to learn more about a firm's clients, and the best approach usually depends on how public the information is. A few reliable methods that worked for me:

• Company Website: most firms will highlight their key clients or at least the sectors they work in through case studies, press releases, newsletters, or portfolio pages
• Industry Publications / News Coverage: media articles and press releases in legal news often mention major projects or client wins that individual law firms carry out
• Online Resources: websites such as Chambers, Legal Cheek, and the Legal 500 will often discuss some of the key clients that firms typically act for.

It can sometimes be tricky to find public information on specific clients (as many law firms will have to keep this confidential), but you can usually find a few for each firm by using the resources above.

I hope that helps!

 

[yk1906]

Did you also include extracurriculars or just actual WE?

Yes I included extracurriculars and also separately all legal events (one entry for each EC and one for events)