TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Ancika]

Can anyone who did the video interview for NRF last year remember which questions were asked?

 

[DavidJC]

Does anyone know if there is supposed to be a VI for Latham's Open Day?
I've just completed the pro bono online assessment but there was no VI section even though I was expecting one and I've seen lots of people talking about a 2nd test. Just concerned as I'm not sure when I would get the 2nd test, my deadline for the online test would be in about 4 hours from now so I'm not sure how this might affect my application.

 

[chiichii]

DLA Piper open day invite!!!

Congrats!! I am also applying for one of their regional office discovery day, do you have any tips on how to answer the question about why you pick that specific regional office? (In your case, Manchester)

 

[TheLegalEdit]

Yes, myself and a few others have Assessment Days upcoming between the 13th-23rd Oct

Amazing! Congratulations

 

[oliviabeijing]

Has anyone heard from A&O post video interview for the Winter Vac Scheme?

i'm still waiting, some heard back last week

 

[c.t.tc]

Anyone heard from Taylor Wessing or Bird & Bird post-test/WG?

 

[c.t.tc]

Also have there been any invites sent out for the Mishcon undergrad open day?

 

[amayad2004]

Does anyone have any information about Mishcon application deadlines, the FAQs say that it is not rolling but also that we should submit as soon as possible?

 

[c.t.tc]

Does anyone have any information about Mishcon application deadlines, the FAQs say that it is not rolling but also that we should submit as soon as possible?

I had the same thought - I reckon it means that they don't send out any next steps until after the deadline but maybe review application internally on more of a rolling basis? So that way if an incredible application gets submitted later it won't be missed out on by the firm, but good applications that are submitted later would be at a disadvantage in terms of standing out.

 

[johnsmith]

Anyone heard from Taylor Wessing or Bird & Bird post-test/WG?

I’ve been trying to find it but believe Taylor Wessing advised next stages weren’t until late October/November in some of their communications.

How long after applying to B&B did you receive your WG invite?

 

[c.t.tc]

I’ve been trying to find it but believe Taylor Wessing advised next stages weren’t until late October/November in some of their communications.

How long after applying to B&B did you receive your WG invite?

I applied on the 17th of September and received it on the 26th!

 

[Jennifer2003]

For the Cooley in person event on November 20th, one of the questions is “what motivates you towards a career at Cooley” (300 words). I was wondering if anyone has any advice for how much to write about a specific sector/practice area, and how much to write about culture/values/pro-bono and if there’s anything else that is commonly advised to include in a “why this firm” answer!

 

[Legallywhatever]

For Burges Salmon WVS Q, they’re saying ‘can you share a specific instance during your research, a conversation, or an event that convinced you that Burges Salmon was the right firm for you’.

Do we literally only need to write about one instance?

 

[futuretraineeihope]

Hi I have a few questions about a Video Interview I have.
(1) any tips generally as I am usually so much worse at pre-recorded interviews than live phone or teams ones.
(2) when speaking about a deal, how recent does it need to be -- there is a deal in particular that id love to talk about but it was in December 2024 -- is this too long ago?
(3) how many deals/clients should we prepare for a 20 minute interview? I have a few interesting ones in mind but they could be used for a variety of different questions and I am unsure if I need to know multiple in depth or if I can use the same one as it Is unlikely there will be multiple commercial questions.

 

[Maddy]

Did anyone who applied closer to the Ashurst deadline receive any AC invite?

 

[bh.sa]

Has anyone been able to apply to Weil yet? The website says application opened on October 1 but when I click apply, it doesn't bring up the option to apply for vacation scheme, just insight days.

I emailed the grad rec and this was their reply:

"Thank you for your email and interest in pursuing a vacation scheme at Weil. We are experiencing some technical issues with our ATS at the moment, but the role be live asap. Please do keep checking our website."

 

[topkop]

Has anyone had any rejections from the A&O winter vac scheme?

 

[futuretraineeihope]

another question: when asking about a sector I am interested in and an example of a recent deal -- do I need to speak about myself and why that sector deal in particular stands out to me?

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

Just tried to apply for the PWC vacation scheme as a graduate, it screened me out of the process as not eligible.

I'm a graduate and was just in the middle of applying but took a pause. I tried to return but they said graduates are not eligible (despite the website saying otherwise). Quite annoying 🙄

 

[lawstudent2]

Has anyone heard back for the Paul, Weiss open day next week?
Also the Mischon undergraduate open day and the Mayer Brown open day?