TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thank you!

Another question, if they did ask a question relating to a deal or current news story affecting the firm/clients, would it be okay to mention the same deal i did in my application?

or if i wanted to display a sector strength would it be okay to mention the same deal?

Im not sure where to draw the line with repeating things in my application to the VI

Hi!

No problem at all!

I’d say it’s definitely okay to mention the same deal or news story in your video interview if it’s still the best example to support your point - particularly if it’s relevant to the question and shows your understanding of the firms work / sectors.

However, if you do reuse it, I would try to talk about it from a different angle - maybe a deeper analysis or link it to a different skill / insight that you used in your application. This way it doesn’t feel like you are repeating the same answer word for word.

I’d say it’s fine to reuse examples, particularly if they’re directly applicable, but just make sure you’re building on what you have already discussed

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi everyone - question about Macfarlanes. This year (I think) you can apply to the VS and direct TC in the same cycle. Just wondering - do your test scores carry over? Or do you do the test twice?

Hello!

Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find any information online to confirm whether your test score carries over (which is usually the case for other firms).

It might be worth contacting the graduate recruitment team just to double-check, as I’m sure they’d be more than happy to confirm for you

 

[johnsmith]

Is it timed or untimed? Are there VIs?

It’s very much timed; it’s not a total overall time; it’s 3 mins per question set. No VIs. Definitely get in their prep hub once you’re sent it as I found it the most taxing one I've done due to the time structure.

 

[SamiyaJ]

It’s very much timed; it’s not a total overall time; it’s 3 mins per question set. No VIs. Definitely get in their prep hub once you’re sent it as I found it the most taxing one I've done due to the time structure.

Ah I thought verbal reasoning was untimed but clearly I got it mixed up with another test/firm, feels like I did it ages ago. I stand corrected!

 

[johnsmith]

Ah I thought verbal reasoning was untimed but clearly I got it mixed up with another test/firm, feels like I did it ages ago. I stand corrected!

Actually, you might be correct about the verbal part, they're blurring into one now 😆 the critical thinking part definitely felt pressured!

 

[futuretraineeihope]

Hi - for general tips, please read Section A and B of the Complete Competency Interview Guide I wrote last year. It covers in depth my preparation method, the most commonly met questions, and the most important advice for succeeding in VIs.

For the second question, I think you can safely go back 2-3 years for an average deal the firm on to still be considered relevant, and potentially even 5-6 years if you will look at deals/cases of historical importance and/or you are making a broader point about the firm's historical excellence in the area or its long-standing client relationships.

For the third question, I expect you will be asked at most one direct question about a the firm's cases/deals and client base. As such, I think one of each should generally suffice. Nonetheless, if you plan to use examples of the firm's clients and work in other answers (such as why the firm), you are of course allowed to do so as often as you want.

Thank you so much for this!

 

[abc124]

Could someone who got the Ashurst online AC invite please share when it’s happening?

 

[berocca567]

Where is the actual W&C test?? I saw the email but it just tells you to go back on their website, where I See nothing...?

 

[Tattyasha]

Where is the actual W&C test?? I saw the email but it just tells you to go back on their website, where I See nothing...?

Next paragraph down says:
The next step in our selection process is to complete our Online Assessment. Please return to the Homepage on https://whitecase.grad.allhires.com/ where you have been assigned the Online Assessment.

 

[Shahenshah]

Has anyone heard back from Gibson Dunn yet? Got their personality test back quite a few days ago after some technical difficulties on their end and its just been radio silence since.

 

[Jennifer2003]

I'm struggling to structure my answer to 'What is motivating you towards a career at Cooley' in 300 words for their open day. I'm mainly drawn because of their life sciences sector (I'm a biochemistry student) and the range of transactional work they do with life sciences companies, but of course a lot of firms have a strong life sciences practice and I am struggling to explain why specifically Cooley's life sciences sector. I am also worried about focusing on one sector too much, and making it sound like I am not interested in anything else they do. I also don't know how much to write about the training/culture/diversity, or if i should instead focus on another practice instead of training?

 

[johnsmith]

HL Job Sim invite 😀

 

[Afuturetrainee]

W

I applied to White and Case 10 sep for summer vs, because they're rolling... And I didn't receive an email to complete the test, and just logged in and saw the test was issued 10 sep as well... Did anyone else not receive an email informing them to do the test?

White and Case is Rolling??

 

[noahsmiit01]

W

White and Case is Rolling??

Non-Rolling

 

[chiichii]

@Andrei Radu Hi Andrei! I have been enjoying your responses and I wanted to ask you on some guidance in how to answer this question for DLA Piper's Discovery Day application. I found it particularly hard in how to answer why I am interested in one of their regional office specifically.

The question for your reference: In no more than 300 words, please tell us how you believe attending a Discovery Day at the Birmingham office will enhance your knowledge of both DLA Piper and the legal industry. We’re particularly interested in what attracts you to DLA Piper specifically and which aspects of the firm, and office, you are most excited to explore further during the event.

 

[Tattyasha]

W

White and Case is Rolling??

Yes. Very much rolling. Confirmed on their website

 

[Alturistic whale]

@Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen Hey Team, with Jess now gone, who am I best to message if I have a mitigating circumstances question?

 

[DavidJC]

I'm struggling to structure my answer to 'What is motivating you towards a career at Cooley' in 300 words for their open day. I'm mainly drawn because of their life sciences sector (I'm a biochemistry student) and the range of transactional work they do with life sciences companies, but of course a lot of firms have a strong life sciences practice and I am struggling to explain why specifically Cooley's life sciences sector. I am also worried about focusing on one sector too much, and making it sound like I am not interested in anything else they do. I also don't know how much to write about the training/culture/diversity, or if i should instead focus on another practice instead of training?

I'm not sure if I would be of much help, but I just wanted to highlight that I'm struggling with this too as everyone I've met from Cooley has been contagiously lovely which makes me want to apply but I'm personally not really interested in their sectors so it's a challenge to draw any personal link to the work they do.

It is ultimately an Open Day and the point is very much to find out more about them so I wouldn't worry too much about focussing more on one sector. However, do also try and sprinkle in some amount of "why law" given your non-law background because this is probably an implied part of the question too.

I would say that it's great to highlight your interest in the life sciences sector, maybe look for specific clients and deals which you can relate to (remember to be as specific to London as possible as well) on their website, Legal 500/Chambers, or the many profiles out there (Legal 500 Future Lawyers/Chambers Student/Legal Cheek/TCLA). It might also help you identify if there's a specific part of the market they operate in e.g. listed companies, emerging companies, mid-high value companies etc.

You could also cover their small trainee intake and how it translates to collegiality, early responsibility, and more on-the-job training too. I know they're very active in the VC space and work directly with many founders too so if there's something that you could link to that, I think it would be good.

 

[confusedbird]

Hi guys,

Quick question - I was recording the VI for NRF and someone in my building decided to start work and bang a rope against my window. This was very audible in my VI responses so I waited and took longer than necessary to respond to the questions and even re-recorded one. This made me exceed the recommended 5 min prep time

Would you recommend contacting grad rec and letting them know? or is the 5 min prep time not something that is taken seriously?

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

HL Job Sim invite 😀

Congrats! May I know when you submitted your initial application?