TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[radssss]

has anyone applied to Bank of England trainee solicitor programme?

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

FINALLY HL PFO thank you

sry abt that💔was this for summer?

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

seeing the milbank stage 2 invites, i am expecting a pfo now

remember they have to read the long-answer questions from a large number of candidates... I expect that takes a lot of time.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

remember they have to read the long-answer questions from a large number of candidates... I expect that takes a lot of time.

They read the written answers after stage 2

 

[Prudentia]

remember they have to read the long-answer questions from a large number of candidates... I expect that takes a lot of time.

I thought they only read the application questions if you’ve passed stages 1 and 2.

 

[NorthernerInLondon]

Milbank PFO post stage 1 (Levfin track)

 

[spongebob]

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to buy clothes for interviews like blazer trousers? Not too expensive and for women

 

[user123987]

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to buy clothes for interviews like blazer trousers? Not too expensive and for women

Vinted! Or Mango, H&M and Primark has some decent bits.

 

[alphabravocharlie]

Email from f

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to buy clothes for interviews like blazer trousers? Not too expensive and for women

H&M?

 

[spongebob]

Vinted! Or Mango, H&M and Primark has some decent bits.

Thank you I’ll check it out!

 

[oliviabeijing]

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to buy clothes for interviews like blazer trousers? Not too expensive and for women

I got some black trousers from Next and they are my holy grail. High waisted and elasticated at the back. Can't stand sitting down in tight trousers all day! M&S, Next and H&M offer great options in terms of shirts but some shops do seem to go for quite low down on the neck line. So make sure it's not too low down if u catch my drift lol

 

[yasmars]

Thank you I’ll check it out!

M&S as well!

 

[BobThebIlly]

Any advice for how to answer what other law firms have you applied to?
*tbh I've applied to quite a few for different reasons. I've heard you're supposed to say ones that are similar to show you understand the firm but like how many should I say etc??

They asked this for Goodwin and I progressed to their VI, so I hope I can give some advice

I picked 3 firms that met 3 core criteria I focussed on when applying to firms. For example, my criteria was: (1) an international focus Eg white and case, (2), legal tech (I think I spoke about Latham, and (3) PE/corporate which I associated with Skadden. Ofc these are also US firms but that’s what worked for me

Not sure if it was a whim I was progressed so you should take it with a grain of salt lol

Best of luck!

 

[meredithgrey]

They asked this for Goodwin and I progressed to their VI, so I hope I can give some advice

I picked 3 firms that met 3 core criteria I focussed on when applying to firms. For example, my criteria was: (1) an international focus Eg white and case, (2), legal tech (I think I spoke about Latham, and (3) PE/corporate which I associated with Skadden. Ofc these are also US firms but that’s what worked for me

Not sure if it was a whim I was progressed so you should take it with a grain of salt lol

Best of luck!

Thank you sm! That's really helpful

 

[elle woods]

sry abt that💔was this for summer?

yea but it was post test 1 - they've ghosted me since november 😂

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

They read the written answers after stage 2

Makes sense I guess. Out of curiosity, do they read it if you meet the CTT baseline score? Or do they contextualise all the aspects together?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

I got some black trousers from Next and they are my holy grail. High waisted and elasticated at the back. Can't stand sitting down in tight trousers all day! M&S, Next and H&M offer great options in terms of shirts but some shops do seem to go for quite low down on the neck line. So make sure it's not too low down if u catch my drift lol

I second this!! The ones from next are so comfyyyy

 

[radssss]

Does hogan Lovells read your application before sending stage 2 test (the one after stage one test)?

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to buy clothes for interviews like blazer trousers? Not too expensive and for women

M&S!!

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to buy clothes for interviews like blazer trousers? Not too expensive and for women

M&S is great for decent quality and inexpensive stuff.