TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[shadowboxer909]

😣 fr they just keep adding more and more rounds with each application cycle... soon we'll be on par with IB with 5-6 interview rounds after all the crazy tests and hirevues haha...

IB is way easier than Law in terms of the process getting started. Law is demotivating because you don't even get responses from firms if they're not interested - at least in IB, those rounds give you a chance to at least explain why you're suited.

For Law, you have to do detailed research, pour over things and then you get rejected anyway because your cover letter was too generic. And the module grades seem to matter so much for Law whereas IB doesn't care as long as it's a 2:1.

For IB, all you have to do is write a generic cover letter, mention a specific deal they worked on and why you liked it, and then praise the firm for either being big (so 'more complex deals') or small ('not being a cog in a machine').

You do that and you can get interviews from many firms. I had lots of IB interviews and my cover letters were so generic.

 

[elle woods]

IB is way easier than Law in terms of the process getting started. Law is demotivating because you don't even get responses from firms if they're not interested - at least in IB, those rounds give you a chance to at least explain why you're suited.

For Law, you have to do detailed research, pour over things and then you get rejected anyway.

For IB, all you have to do is write a generic cover letter, mention a specific deal they worked on and why you liked it, and then praise the firm for either being big (so 'more complex deals') or small ('not being a cog in a machine').

You do that and you can get interviews from many firms. I had lots of IB interviews and my cover letters were so generic.

😮 is this a sign to switch to IB... jkjk lol
that makes sense, I agree being given a chance to showcase your interest and skills is much better than getting rejected straight away after hours of research.

If it's okay to ask - what made you want to switch to applying to law after doing IB? Or are you kind of doing both at the same time? If so, props to you! It's not easy even doing one strand haha

 

[yk1906]

😮 is this a sign to switch to IB... jkjk lol
that makes sense, I agree being given a chance to showcase your interest and skills is much better than getting rejected straight away after hours of research.

If it's okay to ask - what made you want to switch to applying to law after doing IB? Or are you kind of doing both at the same time? If so, props to you! It's not easy even doing one strand haha

IB is waaaaaay stricter with unis though. A member of my family works closely with HR dep in a major IB and said they have a file with unis they target. Not groundbreaking news but just a confirmation. 😁😁

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Can someone give me info on Milbank's 1st stage OA? Does it include a VI etc?

 

[MeWantTCPlz]

Huge congratulations!! 🥳

I have quoted a post below that I have previously shared on how I would approach the Reed Smith assessment - I would really recommend that you watch the video in the TCLA Directory (linked below), as I personally found it really helpful before my Reed Smith online assessment. Wishing you the best of luck!

Thank you so much Abbie!!

 

[elle woods]

IB is waaaaaay stricter with unis though. A member of my family works closely with HR dep in a major IB and said they have a file with unis they target. Not groundbreaking news but just a confirmation. 😁😁

😮 😮 😮 might work in my favour lowkey... jkk that's so interesting to know tho! I thought every company would be big on ensuring they have a diverse cohort these days

 

[Rads]

Hello guys, better to apply for Hogan Lovells DTC than their summer scheme at this stage?

 

[johnsmith]

I saw someone mention on the forum that Travers Smith introduced a new online test for their recruitment process. They made a huge deal during their insight evening about their ‘simple’ process (application and interview). It’s even on their website and marketing stuff. Hopefully it’s not true but would be a shame if it is. Next thing will be Slaughters using the WG lmao. 😂​

Nah slaughters got the ultimate test - 1st from oxbridge 😆

 

[yk1906]

😮 😮 😮 might work in my favour lowkey... jkk that's so interesting to know tho! I thought every company would be big on ensuring they have a diverse cohort these days

In your case for sure!!! Not in my case 😁😁 But I would struggle with technical part of IB interviews anyway hahaha

 

[johnsmith]

If we all get a trainee contract AC everytime someone has spoken about how dreadful the Latham interview is, we all would have atleast 30 training contract invites.

That's not a lot (it is XD), but it's funny it happens all the time.

Imagine how many interviews you’d have for questions on what’s included and when results come 😅😆

 

[elle woods]

In your case for sure!!! Not in my case 😁😁 But I would struggle with technical part of IB interviews anyway hahaha

me too ahah would require so much learning to catch up - i find law much more interesting anyways, but the application processes and the intakes are brutal ahah

 

[W5690]

I see there is a lot of activity regarding DLA Piper. I'd like to know (be extremely grateful too) if someone who has been invited to a phone interview can share when they received their 'passed WG' email and what their scores were. If it helps anyone (I have not been invited to a phone interview - yet?)

• Applied 6th October
• Watson Glaser Invite 26th October (did it on the 28th)
• Received the 'you have successfully passed our online assessment' email on the 29th Oct
• My 'scores' were: 3 Strengths to leverage and 1 Further exploration

But I have not been invited to a Telephone interview (maybe it will be a PFO)

@GT1205H Hi! Do you think it is quite a bad sign not to have heard anything since I took their WG test? 😅 On Friday it will have been 2 weeks. Thank you.

 

[yk1906]

me too ahah would require so much learning to catch up - i find law much more interesting anyways, but the application processes and the intakes are brutal ahah

If I were you I’d just apply to IB for the sake of it 😁 I still do it just for fun. And to practice logical tests

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Nah slaughters got the ultimate test - 1st from oxbridge 😆

Watch them add both - 1st from Oxbridge + 90th percentile in the Watson Glaser…​

 

[yk1906]

Watch them add both - 1st from Oxbridge + 90th percentile in the Watson Glaser…​

Also that obviously wouldn’t be enough without a wide range of weirdly specific extracurriculars 😂

 

[elle woods]

If I were you I’d just apply to IB for the sake of it 😁 I still do it just for fun. And to practice logical tests

that's definitely an idea! although I'm barely managing to keep up with studies while also doing law apps haha, not sure how I'd fare with adding IB to that 😂 but I do agree that practicing the tests and what not is a life hack aha. Maybe it's something to think about post graduation

Edit: 100th post!!

 

[elle woods]

out of interest, did anyone apply to Skadden? I'm really interested in hearing what others put down as their "alternative career" haha

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

out of interest, did anyone apply to Skadden? I'm really interested in hearing what others put down as their "alternative career" haha

I applied to Skadden and I’d written about being a neurosurgeon and pursuing a career in medicine lmao. No idea if they will like it but meh. Wbu?​

 

[jojo23]

Watch them add both - 1st from Oxbridge + 90th percentile in the Watson Glaser…​

Woah woah woah buddy, dont forget to add the trust fund into the mix

 

[elle woods]

I applied to Skadden and I’d written about being a neurosurgeon and pursuing a career in medicine lmao. No idea if they will like it but meh. Wbu?​

i love that haha - it's so cool that you have such a clear vision of what you'd be doing! I was debating on talking about a career that is similar to commercial law but decided to go with my heart 😂 i talked about being a music producer LMAO, so completely irrelevant to commercial law lol- no idea whether they will like it either haha