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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

I am deceased, did Bates Wells Watson Glaser, then W&C app, SJT and WG this weekend and I work full time #rip me. Sending strength to everyone, January is giving death so far. Make sure you're all looking after yourselves xxxxxx
Tired Tom And Jerry GIF
Oh I’ve decided to put myself first and I will be calling in sick tomorrow. My chest hurts too much, and I worked too hard this weekend and still have tests to do!!

bad girls club television GIF by Oxygen


Side note: Does anyone know any good home-remedies? LOL
 
A really dumb question, I would like to know if people have progressed to next stages when they did video interview at night (with lights on). For some reasons I always think that it's unprofessional to do video interviews without natural day light, but I don't have any time when the natural day light is there :(
 
I am deceased, did Bates Wells Watson Glaser, then W&C app, SJT and WG this weekend and I work full time #rip me. Sending strength to everyone, January is giving death so far. Make sure you're all looking after yourselves xxxxxx
Tired Tom And Jerry GIF
Me working full time from 9 to 7 with several deadlines for 4 tests, 2 VI and 3 applications to submit before 16th. And getting ready for the graduation next week. I feel ya😭.
 
A really dumb question, I would like to know if people have progressed to next stages when they did video interview at night (with lights on). For some reasons I always think that it's unprofessional to do video interviews without natural day light, but I don't have any time when the natural day light is there :(

My uni accom room gets 0 sunlight whether it's day or night. I did all my VIs in here and it was fine. Granted I had my desk light on as well, so maybe give that a go if you're worried about it being a bit too dark!
 
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Reactions: Lawlawland
Anyone else suffering from major application fatigue rn. Trying to start this Lewis Silkin application but I am deaddddd and my brain is not working
Oh Donna this is very relatable. 💔

I’ve been brushing up on my firm research today and I’ve hit a wall… I honestly think if I hear back from anyone this week with good news. I may put the gloves down for everyone else, and just focus on them.

Ending Jimmy Fallon GIF by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
 
Oh Donna this is very relatable. 💔

I’ve been brushing up on my firm research today and I’ve hit a wall… I honestly think if I hear back from anyone this week with good news. I may put the gloves down for everyone else, and just focus on them.

Ending Jimmy Fallon GIF by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
That’s where I’m at too. I figured that if I only get rejections next week then I’ll write more applications but if I get progressions then I’ll focus on them and maybe do DTC apps when I have more energy.

However, I do still want to apply to Lewis Silkin, OC and possibly Covington and Travers. God help me 😭
 
Anyone else suffering from major application fatigue rn. Trying to start this Lewis Silkin application but I am deaddddd and my brain is not working
Honestly same here I feel like I’m hitting a wall rn esp cos I’ve heard back from most firms.

Like rn I’m trying to do my Travers app alongside prepping for Akin TI and Gibson Dunn VI.

My brain is refusing to cooperate and I’m lowkey losing motivation to carry on with apps ngl.

I have Covington, Ropes, Orrick and Winston left to do but I’m in two minds so we’ll see haha.

Hopefully we can all get through this experience together and make it to the other end (TC offers)!

stephen colbert win GIF by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
 
Honestly same here I feel like I’m hitting a wall rn esp cos I’ve heard back from most firms.

Like rn I’m trying to do my Travers app alongside prepping for Akin TI and Gibson Dunn VI.

My brain is refusing to cooperate and I’m lowkey losing motivation to carry on with apps ngl.

I have Covington, Ropes, Orrick and Winston left to do but I’m in two minds so we’ll see haha.

Hopefully we can all get through this experience together and make it to the other end (TC offers)!

stephen colbert win GIF by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
You got this Harvey!!

Dance Dancing GIF by ABC Network


Also, a question for you and others: how are people prepping for VIs?

Because I honestly do not have time for curveballs, so I have mostly been thinking of competency scenarios, why this firm, why law, challenges and opportunities for clients/firms, a deal the firm has done, and why me.

But I’m not sure if there’s anything I’m missing or obvious curveballs which I could prepare for.
 
Oh Donna this is very relatable. 💔

I’ve been brushing up on my firm research today and I’ve hit a wall… I honestly think if I hear back from anyone this week with good news. I may put the gloves down for everyone else, and just focus on them.

Ending Jimmy Fallon GIF by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
I'm sorry you relate my sweet Nova😞
Honestly if I get any good news soon it might revive me. Can a firm stroke my ego already?!!!! Pls xxx
Angry New York GIF
 
Honestly same here I feel like I’m hitting a wall rn esp cos I’ve heard back from most firms.

Like rn I’m trying to do my Travers app alongside prepping for Akin TI and Gibson Dunn VI.

My brain is refusing to cooperate and I’m lowkey losing motivation to carry on with apps ngl.

I have Covington, Ropes, Orrick and Winston left to do but I’m in two minds so we’ll see haha.

Hopefully we can all get through this experience together and make it to the other end (TC offers)!

stephen colbert win GIF by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Ahh I haven't heard back from the majority of mine - didn't realise most of them are non-rolling hahaha

I've got two applications to do by the 15th omg I need to be revived


Waking Up Funeral GIF
 
You got this Harvey!!

Dance Dancing GIF by ABC Network


Also, a question for you and others: how are people prepping for VIs?

Because I honestly do not have time for curveballs, so I have mostly been thinking of competency scenarios, why this firm, why law, challenges and opportunities for clients/firms, a deal the firm has done, and why me.

But I’m not sure if there’s anything I’m missing or obvious curveballs which I could prepare for.
Honestly I think it's almost impossible to prep for curveballs, a firm could ask literally anything - but as long as you have a good baseline (which you do!) you'll be able to make something up on the spot.

Sidenote: I had a dream a partner asked me, 'if you were a type of food, which one would you be' and I said steak
My reasoning was 'if a client wants me to be tough, I'll be well-done, and if a client wants me to be tender, consider me bleu' 😭😭😭😭 okay girl xxx

steak piece of meat GIF
 
You got this Harvey!!

Dance Dancing GIF by ABC Network


Also, a question for you and others: how are people prepping for VIs?

Because I honestly do not have time for curveballs, so I have mostly been thinking of competency scenarios, why this firm, why law, challenges and opportunities for clients/firms, a deal the firm has done, and why me.

But I’m not sure if there’s anything I’m missing or obvious curveballs which I could prepare for.
Usually I’ll prepare motivational and competency answers but sometimes firms like Hogan Lovells or Willkie will throw in commercial awareness so I prepared for those VI questions too.

I use flash cards to write down bullet points so in the TI/VI I can remember a basic structure, cos otherwise I’m just gna waffle lmao. I try not to use pre-written scripts cos that’s just effort.

I’m under the impression curveball questions are usually reserved for ACs or final stages tbh.

Scared Kermit The Frog GIF
 
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Reactions: Novaa
Honestly same here I feel like I’m hitting a wall rn esp cos I’ve heard back from most firms.

Like rn I’m trying to do my Travers app alongside prepping for Akin TI and Gibson Dunn VI.

My brain is refusing to cooperate and I’m lowkey losing motivation to carry on with apps ngl.

I have Covington, Ropes, Orrick and Winston left to do but I’m in two minds so we’ll see haha.

Hopefully we can all get through this experience together and make it to the other end (TC offers)!

stephen colbert win GIF by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Side note: does anyone know if Winston’s vac schemes are affected by their merger with TW?
 

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