TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Deleted member 43292]

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!

 

[Novaa]

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.

 

[deejaykay]

If I never have to tell anyone why I want to work for them again, that will be fine by me. "We don't want you to just tell us what we want to hear" - but you do though, you really do, you thirsty, thirsty firm.

Apologies, I've gone mad.

 

[yasmars]

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.

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

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

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)!

 

[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)!

You got this Harvey!!

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.

 

[lolololol]

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 did twice!!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

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.

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

 

[Donna Paulsen]

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)!

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

 

[dannyp123]

How soon after submitting the online application form did people get the online test invite from RPC?

 

[Donna Paulsen]

You got this Harvey!!

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

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

You got this Harvey!!

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.

 

[J1234]

does anyone have an AC advice for BCLP? would be very grateful!

 

[llblawstudent]

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)!

Side note: does anyone know if Winston’s vac schemes are affected by their merger with TW?

 

[BobThebIlly]

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

then theres me who did all my VIs with my main light switched on and a salt lamp in the background

 

[Lord Sumption]

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

Good job a Partner never asked my go to Nando's meal

 

[Novaa]

then theres me who did all my VIs with my main light switched on and a salt lamp in the background

Me looking into the camera, curtains closed, sat directly under the lightbulb with a box visible on top of my wardrobe in the background.

Oh, and with my family hollering and hooting in the background

#StrikinglyReal

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Good job a Partner never asked my go to Nando's meal

How they'd react to mine...

 

[Novaa]

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

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.

Thank you both!! Let me make some notes

ALSO LOL? @Donna Paulsen this steak dream Tbh I’m liking the answer and seeing the vision!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Me looking into the camera, curtains closed, sat directly under the lightbulb with a box visible on top of my wardrobe in the background.

Oh, and with my family hollering and hooting in the background

#StrikinglyReal

Me trying to ignore my 310 decibel ring doorbell going off