TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[swaye]

Anyone heard back from Stephenson Harwood for those that applied around the deadline? Thanks

nothing as of yet, not for the vacation scheme or for the training contract.

 

[whywhy88]

Mayer Brown PFO for summer 😭 . Really gutted about this one as I thought the VI went quite well. Completed test on 23/12, please do not message asking for any more info.

 

[hmevey]

I applied on 17 Dec. Fingers crossed there are still more VIs/ACs to come.

Eeek okay i think i applied like 2nd Jan, fingers crossed we get there

 

[km20]

I'm so chronically online, Travers Smith posted a TikTok on how to prep for summer vs interviews; does that mean they have already sent out invites or ?? 🫠🫠

 

[sal44]

I'm so chronically online, Travers Smith posted a TikTok on how to prep for summer vs interviews; does that mean they have already sent out invites or ?? 🫠🫠

I don’t think so! On their early careers instagram story it says that they’ll be in touch by the end of march

 

[stilltrying]

anyone who's done White & Case final interview please dm - i can help out with a number of us and uk firms ac's including ashurst, hsfk, latham and JD

 

[km20]

I don’t think so! On their early careers instagram story it says that they’ll be in touch by the end of march

ok ok, thank you so much, my bad... this application cycle has me spiralling 😅😂

 

[Cece176]

Might be a silly question, but are there any firms that don't ask for a written exercise?

 

[Afuturetrainee]

I offered the March one after PFO for the January, they said the Feb is rescheduled to March

I got invite for Feb. I wasn’t told it was rescheduled though

 

[sbbusybee]

anyone who's done White & Case final interview please dm - i can help out with a number of us and uk firms ac's including ashurst, hsfk, latham and JD

Be prepared for them to ask why you are interested in their firm without mentioning their guaranteed international seat.

They are really lovely and it was a good interview experience, unfortunately it was my first ever interview and I was superrrrr nervous so my mind blanked on two questions (the one above and about a recent deal they’ve done). Unfortunately didn’t get the VS because of that!

 

[ACHat8r]

Anyone see what happened with PW, thinking my rejection was a sign (at least I’m telling myself this to cope)

 

[AryanAgg]

Might be a silly question, but are there any firms that don't ask for a written exercise?

I don't think there is any firm which doesn't take a written exercise at some point in the recruitment process.

 

[stilltrying]

Be prepared for them to ask why you are interested in their firm without mentioning their guaranteed international seat.

They are really lovely and it was a good interview experience, unfortunately it was my first ever interview and I was superrrrr nervous so my mind blanked on two question (the one above and about a recent deal they’ve done). Unfortunately didn’t get the VS because of that!

thank you soo much

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

What’s a good answer to the question “talk about a time when you demonstrated integrity”? I feel like any genuine answer would be giving tmi ngl

Hey!

I'd say that a strong answer is usually professional and grounded in judgement - firms are simply looking for evidence that you'll act responsibly when a slightly uncomfortable situation comes up, rather than a life-changing ethical crisis.

You could frame it as:

• Spotting an error and flagging it even though it created more work / reflected badly on you
• Being honest about something you didn't know or couldn't complete
• Pushing back (politely!) when something didn't feel right or accurate
• Treating confidential or sensitive information properly
• Giving credit to others instead of taking it yourself

You can structure it by briefly setting the context, identifying the ethical issue, explaining the decision that you made (especially where it was slightly uncomfortable or not in your immediate interest), and then reflect on why this mattered.

Overall, firms will be looking for honesty and accountability - things like flagging mistakes or being upfront about limitations should work great. I hope that assists!

 

[Gr33ntea]

I saw someone who progressed with a 21/36 and got an ac.

I’m assuming 21 is a safe score and meets the benchmark.

hiya, do you mean you saw someone this year get 21/36 and get an AC at mishcon?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock
I hope you are well!
I have a quick question regarding a firm's interview slot confirmation email. At the end of this email, they added 'please join the call 10 minutes before for your adjustments to be facilitated'. But I haven't requested any adjustments - so I'm really not sure whether to address this in the reply 'thank you' email or to let it be.

Hey!

I'm doing well, thank you - I hope you are too! 😁

Whilst I couldn't say for certain, it might be that this wording is included as a standard line in their emails and isn't targeted at you specifically. It just means they'll be available shortly before the interview in case anyone has approved adjustments.

Therefore, it is unlikely that you need to mention it in your reply unless you actually require an adjustment - a simple email confirming your availability should be perfectly fine!

Best of luck with the interview, I'm sure you'll do great! 💪

 

[cocochanellaw]

Has anyone heard back from Baker post-AC? They said they were getting back to us in 2 weeks + it has been 2 weeks

 

[mariikulia]

Has anyone who did the Dechert Written Exercise last week got an AC?

Hi, have you heard back from them yet?

 

[trainee4u]

Not sure what you should do but this question is literally the reaosn why I did not apply to them last year. I think it's really private and a very weird thing to ask. People can, for example, go to counselling for a variety of reasons and I don't think firms are entitled to know every little bit of your private life.
Anyway just a rant.

Regarding the "lying", applications usually have a statement at the end saying that you acknowledge that everything you said was true so not sure whether they could do anything if they learnt you lied... although quite unlikely they would unless you told them later

It's slightly ambiguous, but in my view

"Have you ever required any treatment or counselling, or been the subject of any disciplinary action by an employer, relating to alcohol, drugs or gambling?"

Means

• Have you ever required any treatment or counselling for either alcohol, drugs, or gambling or
• Have you ever been subject to disciplinary action for alcohol, drugs or gambling.

They're not asking if you've had counselling for anything else - depression, relationship issues, etc.

So if you have not had treatment/counselling for one of those things, but have had treatment/counselling for something, else you should answer no.

There is also a "give details", so it's not disqualifying.

Note https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/60

1)A person (A) to whom an application for work is made must not ask about the health of the applicant (B)—

(a)before offering work to B, or

(b)where A is not in a position to offer work to B, before including B in a pool of applicants from whom A intends (when in a position to do so) to select a person to whom to offer work.


There are exceptions, but for example, a person who is a "high-functioning alcoholic" (i.e. who has not got into trouble at work) and who has been successfully treated for that, is of no relevance to the firm at all, so this question does appear unlawful.

 

[mariikulia]

Hi, have you heard back from Dechert after the WE?