TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[bh.sa]

How long does it take Milbank to get back to candidates after the first stage for the 2nd stage assessment?

I heard back in 8 days

 

[cookedlawstudent]

For anyone who has been invited to the Freshfields AC, I would really appreciate insight into when you applied, whether you included extracurriculars within the work experience section, and how you found the stage 2 assessment. Feel free to either PM or reply here!

 

[tom-sawyer]

Do we have to complete the NRF OA before the deadline on the 7th too?

 

[flower1]

Hello @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock
I was wondering in terms of pure concepts - what should we know about regarding banking and finance? I know for M&A for example - to know about public/private, deal structure etc but I'm struggling with regard to banking and finance. And also, where to find out about this?

Thank you

 

[whywhy88]

Is 1 and a half pages alright for the cover letter for NRF? I am conscious that they didn't give any guidance on word count/how many sides of A4 and I don't want them to reject me cause its too long, but I genuinely don't know what I would cut to get it to 1 page 😂

 

[lolololol]

gosh my vi for latham went so so bad instant pfo there

 

[elle woods]

gosh my vi for latham went so so bad instant pfo there

😭omg was it very difficult I'm terrified
granted i didn't even pass the first test when I applied for the open day so maybe my worries are unfounded...lol

 

[lolololol]

😭omg was it very difficult I'm terrified
granted i didn't even pass the first test when I applied for the open day so maybe my worries are unfounded...lol

i found the time constraints challenging 1 min prep for 3 min answers with multiple components!

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

Sorry to hear that, If you don’t mind sharing, were there any particular aspects of the interview or preparation you’d recommend focusing on for next time? Any tips would be really helpful.

hey !! wait dm me

 

[warrencourt4ever]

Anyone heard from Bates Wells? I only applied the day before the deadline but am curious if people who applied earlier heard back as I know they said it was rolling.

 

[elle woods]

i found the time constraints challenging 1 min prep for 3 min answers with multiple components!

three minutes? what am I supposed to yap about for a whole 3 mins lol... that does seem difficult! even 2 minutes is sometimes too much I find haha

 

[shays]

also anyone heard from Gowling?

 

[elle woods]

Just to get a feel for things - if anyone has any previous experience: usually how many rejections can one expect for VS/TC applications per cycle? I think I need to reset my expectations lol

Edit: by rejections, I mean pre-AC rejections

 

[tcla02]

what time is the NRF deadline tmrw?

 

[anonymous.15]

Does anybody ever have a block for writing applications? I think I've been doing it for so long and now I can't write a word.

me rn gave up going back home xx

 

[WeGotThis!]

also anyone heard from Gowling?

It mentioned in their application acknowledgement email that we'll hear from them after 12th December.

 

[yk1906]

Just to get a feel for things - if anyone has any previous experience: usually how many rejections can one expect for VS/TC applications per cycle? I think I need to reset my expectations lol

Edit: by rejections, I mean pre-AC rejections

All I can say is don't focus on rejections. If you progress to further stages in any of your apps, focus on making it further. It's honestly a big, big luck to receive one interview these days. Of course, it also depends on your educational and professional background, but even for the brightest minds from the best universities, it's still quite hard.

 

[futuretraineeihope]

Has anyone heard from Dentons post application for the spring vacation scheme (either London or Milton Keynes)?

I got invited to do their test but I'm not sure if this is automatic?

 

[Lawlawland]

I got invited to do their test but I'm not sure if this is automatic?

It's not automatic, congratulations ✨

 

[wooliewoo]

How long should the NRF cover letter be?