TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[LaDiva]

Hi, I had an interview yesterday and got asked follow ups on just under half of my responses. Is this a bad sign? To me it seemed like my initial answers were incomplete hence the probing interview style so I feel like a rejection may be incoming

I'm yet to have an inperson interview, but I think they were just testing how well you can think on your feet, check your deeper understanding etc..

 

[LaDiva]

Not related to applications, but keen to know - how do you guys manage upcoming assignment deadlines and making VS applications? What's the best strategy?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Not related to applications, but keen to know - how do you guys manage upcoming assignment deadlines and making VS applications? What's the best strategy?

 

[lawstudent2]

Can anyone offer eversheds vi insights, happy to exchange for weil amongst other firms
pm me if interested

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

Not related to applications, but keen to know - how do you guys manage upcoming assignment deadlines and making VS applications? What's the best strategy?

Structure your week appropriately. I am a non-law student and have video interviews, as well as three exams in January and February. I have two days per week dedicated to interview preparation, three days committed to revision and two days off. Keeping that structure is the only way I can remain sane (I hope!)

 

[ninarosee]

is gibson dunn test automatic bc i havent received it since submitting my app on dec17

bumping this!!!

It is automatic! When I submitted my app they sent me the test straight away so I’d recommend emailing grad rec if you haven’t received yours

 

[QuillandCounsel]

DLA Piper WG invite, pleasantly surprised as I applied an hour before the deadline

Which office?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi, I had an interview yesterday and got asked follow ups on just under half of my responses. Is this a bad sign? To me it seemed like my initial answers were incomplete hence the probing interview style so I feel like a rejection may be incoming

Hello!

This is actually very common and I wouldn't say it is a bad sign at all. If you are asked follow-up questions, this usually means that the interviewer was engaged with your answers and wanted to understand your thinking more clearly, not that you were "failing" to answer correctly. If your responses were way off base or uninteresting, they likely would have moved on rather than probing further! I've found in past interviews that some interviewers deliberately use this style of interviewing to see how candidates think and communicate when prompted.

It's also worth remembering that interviews rarely feel as good as they look from the other side. I remember thinking my Reed Smith interview wasn't great, but it worked out in the end! Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and looking back, it can definitely feel like answers were incomplete - however, that doesn't mean that is how your answers were perceived by the interviewers. Until you hear back, I'd try not to read too much into one aspect of the interview - there are many factors that are involved!

 

[flamingocelot]

Side note but do you reckon it’s too late to apply if they’ve already started giving these out?

I doubt it, it's rolling so they won't be planning to fill all the places before the closing date anyway

 

[lolololol]

Tell me a interesting/ commercial story you have been keeping up with - how do i structure this question for a vi?

 

[londonlawyer]

Does anyone know if RPC uses video interviews as part of their process?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

is it okay to refer a firm's work in its regional offices when answering a VI questions for its London office (esp, if it was a big case/important ruling)? @Abbie Whitlock

 

[radssss]

is it okay to refer a firm's work in its regional offices when answering a VI questions for its London office (esp, if it was a big case/important ruling)?

Yes!

 

[xMontmorency]

Hi, I had an interview yesterday and got asked follow ups on just under half of my responses. Is this a bad sign? To me it seemed like my initial answers were incomplete hence the probing interview style so I feel like a rejection may be incoming

Lowkey if an interviewer does this then that shows they're interested in what you're saying and want to hear more about you. Good sign.

Caveat: if your first answer was really bad or they rolled their eyes at any point.

 

[emily3827]

hi!! @Abbie Whitlock, I've recently accepted a tc offer but its delayed and I have a year to fill - I feel like you mentioned potentially working in grad rec for a bit, completely ignore me if ive gotten that wrong but is that a normal thing for future trainees to do/ easy to access, find roles - or do people tend to stick to paralegalling for that year? thank you!!

 

[Bbhu19]

@Lord Sumption did you liking my post mean you attended the OD and get a vac PFO

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

Tell me an interesting/ commercial story you have been keeping up with - how do i structure this question for a vi?

Briefly outline the story and link to the practice area it influences. Three points on how the story directly impacts the firm. If you can link to a firm value, then even better

 

[MusaMoses]

Has anyone gotten a VI invite from NRF recently? I applied for their summer VS on 2nd Dec and scored 4/4/4/4 for the Arctic Shores (11th Dec), but I haven't been sent a VI invite - are they sending out VI invites in batches or should I assume PFO?

Dont worry i did their WVS VI after getting 4/4/4/4 too! Reapplied for summer VS. Still waiting to hear too

 

[Eudora]

I spoke with someone at Mills & Reeve and they said that you’re given points based on your responses. E.g. for ranking questions you need to get the most likely and least likely correct to get the points.

Not sure if this is also the case for other firms but I thought this may provide some insight.

I think they probably have their own ideal candidate profile and hope that the qualities revealed in our SJT report match that profile.

 

[Lord Sumption]

Just following on from the Bank of England announcing the interest rate cut, bringing the base rate down to 3.75% - from a commercial law perspective, what are the main legal and transactional implications of this move (for example, on financing arrangements, M&A activity, restructuring, or disputes)?

Additionally, how would you recommend discussing this development in interviews with commercial law firms in a way that demonstrates commercial awareness rather than just economic knowledge? What practical effects should I focus on?

Thank you for any help or insights lovely people! @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu @Jaysen