TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[king752]

Ashurst WVS AC invite!!

 

[Mkyria]

Hey! I think the best way to approach these questions is to treat them like mini personal statements. I would keep them personal and tailored to DLA Piper, and reflective of your own experiences when you can.

Here is how I’d break it down:

Personal Experience and Motivation for Law

This question is asking you to go beyond generic motivations (like problem-solving or liking to debate) and focus on something that genuinely developed your interest. This is ideally something that you personally experienced or were actively involved in.

The typical structure I would follow is:

1. Briefly explain the context - what was the experience, and why was it relevant?
2. Reflect on what you realised from this experience - did it change your perspective? Did it spark an interest in a distinct area, such as regulation?
3. Link this to your long-term career ambitions - how did it lead you to pursue a career in law? Why does DLA Piper align with that?

This doesn’t have to be a legal experience! It could be something like helping someone navigate complex systems, a moment that taught you analytical thinking, or a personal situation with a legal element. The main thing is that you have to clearly link it back to your motivation for law!

DLA Piper Insights Article

This is your opportunity to showcase your commercial awareness and understanding of the firm’s work, and how your interests align.

I would structure my response using the following:

1. Choose an article on a client sector that you find interesting - this should ideally be something that overlaps with your genuine interests and your background (e.g. emerging tech, ESG, healthcare etc.)
2. Summarise the main points of the article in your own words - this should be brief, but show that you understand the commercial and legal implications
3. Explain why this topic resonates with you - what does it tell you about the evolution of the legal industry? What part of it excites you? Does it relate to something you have studied or explored in another setting?
4. Link to DLA Piper - think about the firm’s international reach, sector focus, innovation, or work with leading clients. How does this article show the kind of work that you’d be interested in working in?

I would avoid picking a random article - choose something that you have a genuine interest in, and clearly explain why that is and how it links to your future career.

I know that there aren’t a lot of words available due to the word limit, so you should aim to be as concise as possible. Hope this helps!

Hi Abbie,

Do you think it would be okay to answer the first question by explaining one experience like an insight day and then saying other T experiences which led on from this (work experience, legal workshops, summer school) to show how your career ambitions have evolved and been shaped by the original experience?

Thanks

 

[Amgrad]

Non-rolling in the sense that they don’t give out any offers until after the deadline passes. Also, the written exercise will be done after the deadline. But, they do screen applications as they come in and they do invite people to video interview before the deadline.

Is Willkie's VI timed or untimed?

 

[WillkieGemma]

How tho lol. Attended their open day earlier this week and Gemma - the head of recruitment said that apps are non-rolling and that decisions will not be made till the deadline passes.

Hi @noahsmiit01 I didn't say that I'm afraid. I said that we review applications and video interviews when they come in. However, as the last two stages (written and partner-led interview) take place after the deadline, therefore we don't offer vac scheme places until well after the application deadline. So, people can be invited to the written exercise, but it won't take place until January/February.

 

[c.t.tc]

The OC test is the worst one I've had to do so far - I feel like it must be impossible to do well at and finish all the questions (for the deductive bit)

 

[aspringlawyer25]

anyone completed the Milbank assessment and know what it's about? any VI?

 

[johnsmith]

anyone completed the Milbank assessment and know what it's about? any VI?

Someone posted last night about this - they had seen grad rec at an event that day and said it's just an SJT. Unsure if that includes a critical thinking element as well

 

[aspringlawyer25]

Someone posted last night about this - they had seen grad rec at an event that day and said it's just an SJT. Unsure if that includes a critical thinking element as well

thank you!

 

[lawninja00!]

Hi guys! I applied to Links but I couldn't complete the test within 7 days cause I got injured. I emailed their early careers team about it but no one has gotten back to me and they've withdrawn my application. What do I do?

 

[oliviabeijing]

Has anyone done the Irwin Mitchel TC app? There was no space to add Work Experience, so alot riding on this VI/ SJT?

 

[YS391]

I got 3/6/3/4 and mid for numerical and verbal and I dont even know why it's genuinely disheartening. if it works out then so be it but if it doesn't I know exactly why hahahaha. oh well.

Sorry to hear that, fingers crossed things work out!

 

[YS391]

Is it rolling?

Yep

 

[Amgrad]

Milbank test invite! - Leveraged Finance Summer VS!

 

[M_m]

B&B wg

Congratulations! Can I ask when you submitted your application and whether it was for the summer VS?

 

[GiveMeTC2026]

B&B wg it shows hard work and 8 drafts paid off!

 

[TCLAUser1]

Ashurst WVS AC invite!!

Congrats!! Was this after the online written exercise?

 

[RSK]

hey has anyone received an offer for the latham open day on 6th November?

 

[king752]

Congrats!! Was this after the online written exercise?

Thank you! Yes I completed the WE on 8th October

 

[Dannie]

Is Links WG timed? and is it hard...

 

[berocca567]

I've been to a few open days/Acs recently and the trainees are never that welcoming/friendly. They always look a bit awkward and tired. Is this something to be concerned about?