TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[JBM]

Yup

so cooked

 

[tom-sawyer]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock How would you suggest structuring the following question:

"Is there any specific question you would like answered at interview and, unless obvious, why do you want it addressed? (150)"

 

[Unknowncabbage]

If a firm has a deadline for let's say the 31st but has no specific time, does this usually mean the deadline will be 23:59pm on the 31st, or 00:00 am?

 

[Afuturetrainee]

This person said in their post history, they recieved the second test two weeks after the first - hope I read that correctly. Maybe we are just waiting for that - let’s see.

Also Latham had a virtual zoom webinar on their pvt credit practice and I very kindly but extensively asked (in one question) about this open day and for clarity on progression to the second SJT and VI. Lo and behold, grad rec replied to everyone else’s question in the Q&A box on zoom, apart from mine.

Nice one Latham.

I want to clarify some points, as I realise I may have been unclear in my earlier message. I met with Grad Rec at the Legal Cheek Live event in London and asked extensive questions. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Testing Process: Everyone who applies for an open day will need to complete a test. You need to pass the first test to take the second one. The turnaround time for the second test varies; mine took two weeks after completing the first test, while others have reported waiting only three days.

2. Vacation Scheme Applications: If you apply for a vacation scheme, you will also need to complete tests. However, suppose you successfully apply for and attend one of their open days. In that case, you won’t have to complete the online test when applying for the vacation scheme within the same academic year. If your application for the open day is unsuccessful, you may still apply for the vacation scheme, but you will need to retake the online test. It is likely that the online test will remain the same for the vacation scheme, but I am not sure of this.

3. Cohort Changes: Grad Rec mentioned that you cannot change cohorts. For example, if you apply for the Spring program, you must be able to attend fully, as they are aware that many firms offer candidates vacation schemes, which leads to students trying to switch to the Summer program. They indicated that they no longer accommodate such changes. Many firms are adopting similar policies; for instance, Weil and Akin now only offer Spring schemes, and full attendance is mandatory. Therefore, choose your scheme dates wisely.

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock How would you guys suggest structuring the following question:

"Is there any specific question you would like answered at interview and, unless obvious, why do you want it addressed? (150)"

Would it be better to mention more than one question or just one question but in-depth as to why I want it addressed? I'm also unsure how I should open my answer.

I mentioned more than one question in mine😭

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

I want purely by the 1800 character limit. Went to next stage (WG)

Thanks for letting me know! Hope your WG goes/went well

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Yeah but if you don’t pass the tests, then application doesn’t get reviewed so that would technically mean a rejection.

So if John smith submits a vac scheme application, his SJT that he completed for the open day would be used for that vac scheme app?

No, his application will be reviewed, but he will do another test

 

[c.t.tc]

If a firm has a deadline for let's say the 31st but has no specific time, does this usually mean the deadline will be 23:59pm on the 31st, or 00:00 am?

It took me a second to figure out what you meant I was genuinely wondering how one minute would make a difference haha - if this is for TW I think it's at midnight on the 31st (as in the end of the day) and I would assume that for other firms it is also the same!

 

[johnsmith]

Has anyone heard back from Mayer Brown or Macfarlanes after doing the online assessment/VIs?

Just a holding email from Macfarlanes

 

[johnsmith]

Anyone wondering why they haven’t received the mishcon de reya chatbot, it was sent out to an initial 150 people to check it worked as expected, based on the feedback they get they plan to launch it next week all being well!

 

[aspringlawyer25]

Latham Open day PFO and Milbank second stage assessment.

 

[bh.sa]

Milbank second stage assessment!

 

[SamiyaJ]

Anyone wondering why they haven’t received the mishcon de reya chatbot, it was sent out to an initial 150 people to check it worked as expected, based on the feedback they get they plan to launch it next week all being well!

So I was a guinea pig… made to suffer?! I better get brownie points aka SJT invite for doing it yesterday and providing honest feedback 😂

 

[whywhy88]

Milbank stage 2 invitation! Seems selective given the email says ‘your application has been shortlisted for the next stage of the process’. Thought I did awfully at the first test so am quite surprised 😂

 

[LawAspirer]

Milbank stage 2 invitation! Seems selective given the email says ‘your application has been shortlisted for the next stage of the process’. Thought I did awfully at the first test so am quite surprised 😂

When did you do the first stage? I did mine last friday

 

[Unknowncabbage]

It took me a second to figure out what you meant I was genuinely wondering how one minute would make a difference haha - if this is for TW I think it's at midnight on the 31st (as in the end of the day) and I would assume that for other firms it is also the same!

Thank you!

 

[Lawlawland]

Latham Open day PFO and Milbank second stage assessment.

Congratulations on Milbank!
May I know which Latham Open Day it was for?

 

[Shannon]

Milbank second stage assessment also! Any insight from those that have done it already would be appreciated

 

[aspringlawyer25]

Congratulations on Milbank!
May I know which Latham Open Day it was for?

It's the one for Nov 6

 

[Chelsea101]

I want to clarify some points, as I realise I may have been unclear in my earlier message. I met with Grad Rec at the Legal Cheek Live event in London and asked extensive questions. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Testing Process: Everyone who applies for an open day will need to complete a test. I am not sure whether you need to pass the first test to take the second one (which includes the video interview). So far, it appears that everyone who completed the first test has gone on to do the second one, indicating that two tests are required. The turnaround time for the second test varies; mine took two weeks after completing the first test, while others have reported waiting only three days.

2. Vacation Scheme Applications: If you apply for a vacation scheme, you will also need to complete tests. However, suppose you successfully apply for and attend one of their open days. In that case, you won’t have to complete the online test when applying for the vacation scheme within the same academic year. If your application for the open day is unsuccessful, you may still apply for the vacation scheme, but you will need to retake the online test. It is likely that the online test will remain the same for the vacation scheme, but I am not sure of this.

3. Cohort Changes: Grad Rec mentioned that you cannot change cohorts. For example, if you apply for the Spring program, you must be able to attend fully, as they are aware that many firms offer candidates vacation schemes, which leads to students trying to switch to the Summer program. They indicated that they no longer accommodate such changes. Many firms are adopting similar policies; for instance, Weil and Akin now only offer Spring schemes, and full attendance is mandatory. Therefore, choose your scheme dates wisely.

You need to pass the first stage to get the second one. I never received a second stage test invite - only the first (which I completed three weeks ago) and I received a PFO today for the 6th Nov Open Day so....