TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Novaa]

Do people think a disruptive parents’ divorce is sufficient extenuating circumstances for A level results ( got abb but they want aab)? Ty ty. Xx

Not to get into my psychology bag, but divorce can have a massive psychological impact on children/teenagers, even when it’s “smooth”. So a disruptive divorce plus A-Level exams? I’d definitely say that’s sufficient and worth flagging

 

[Legal seeker]

I applied at the very start. I am going to assume a PFO lol; you will get it in a few days, hopefully.

sorry to be annoying but when did u complete stage 1? i did stage 1 on the 24th and havent heard since hence why im askiing

I did stage one on the 25th, got my report on the 27th and still hoping for stage 2! It has been a bank holiday weekend so I’m hoping that’s why!

 

[IshantheG]

Do people think a disruptive parents’ divorce is sufficient extenuating circumstances for A level results ( got abb but they want aab)? Ty ty. Xx

Replying as one of the people, yes.

 

[Jaysen]

Hey everyone! Today is @⁨Abbie Whitlock⁩’s last day at TCLA as she leaves to begin her TC. Please join me in wishing her the best! She will be sorely missed.

In the meantime, @Antoni Trochimowicz, one of our product leads at TCLA, will be stepping into the role for the next month to help with questions. Welcome Antoni!

 

[TCchaser]

All the best with your TC @Abbie Whitlock!! Thank you for all of your help!

 

[174Tess9y3]

Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz, I have several questions about the application question: What do you understand to be the key features of the firm's approach to legal practice? Why does Skadden's model appeal to you? (300 words)?

1) When a firm talks about its approach to legal practice, am I to interpret that as their strengths in certain practice areas, or something along the lines of multidisciplinary integration/lean deal teams/focuses on high-stakes matters, etc?

I'm not sure which way to take that.

2) How should I structure the answer? Do I:

1. Choose 2/3 features, write a paragraph on each, then add an experience and explain why it appeals to me; or
2. Explain their approach in the first paragraph, then explain why it appeals to me in the second paragraph.
3. Any other idea you may have

Thank you so much!

 

[lk23]

Best of luck @Abbie Whitlock - can't tell you how useful you've been to me and so many others!

 

[lalalailovelife]

for vacation scheme CVs, should i include experiences from school? for context i'm going into my final year now and i have uni experience too, so i'm thinking of deleting all my school leadership and volunteering experiences

 

[yellowbirds008]

Has anybody heard back re Paul Weiss’ open day on the 7th ?

 

[amitonalfo]

Does anyone know any useful resources for practicing case studies or written exercises?

 

[user55998384]

has anybody else who completed macfarlanes stage 1 last week not heard back yet?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thank you so much everyone!

It has been so lovely being part of the TCLA community and getting to know so many of you over the past year. I've really enjoyed being able to help out on the forum, and I'm so grateful for all the kind messages and interactions along the way.

For everyone preparing for applications this cycle, keep going and don't let any rejections get you down - it only takes one offer, and I hope to see lots of you securing the opportunities you're working towards!

I'll definitely miss the forum, but hopefully I'll see some of you around! Thank you again, and goodbye for now!

 

[Novaa]

All the best @Abbie Whitlock ! You’re going to smash that TC and do amazing things. Thank you for all the advice and support you’ve given us!!

Your presence will definitely be missed!

 

[alanshore]

Hey all, not sure if this is the best thread for this, but for firms like HSFK and Milbank, if I have a 2:1 overall, with a first in contract, but a 2:2 in a jurisprudence-esque module, would I get auto-filtered or be affected in my application?

 

[Fred_Stuart]

Does anyone know if Milbank is rolling this year?

 

[ufdj]

Does anyone know when STB plans to get back re the 21 open day?

 

[IshantheG]

Has anyone heard back from Hogan Lovells for the vac scheme? After the application stage.

 

[ilovegardening1111]

Hi do you get a feedback report after the first Macfarlanes test or the second test? Or both?

 

[hibiscusvanilla]

Is there any essay question for Milbank? I’m only seeing the work history, so I’m a bit confused. I thought they would ask for a cover letter ?

Thanks !

 

[sagekensuke]

Has anybody heard back re Paul Weiss’ open day on the 7th ?

It's non rolling I think so probably after the deadline