TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Moo&mak]

Squires Patton Boggs’ vacation scheme question is just ‘Please argue whether you are for or against stricter regulation of social media. (300 words max)’ I am not sure how I am to approach this and what is the best structure to use.


Would really appreciate any guidance.

 

[Amgrad]

OMG!! Cooley Open Day Invite just now. Finally the anxiety just let it go! It's among my Top 7 law firms!!!

It was my second app after PW, but it wasn't generic. I wrote some American spellings like 'Learned' and "rigor" 😅

 

[user55998384]

have seen a few AC invites for A&O floating about, should i j assume PFO is ACs are being scheduled in 2weeksish

 

[Andrei Radu]

Squires Patton Boggs’ vacation scheme question is just ‘Please argue whether you are for or against stricter regulation of social media. (300 words max)’ I am not sure how I am to approach this and what is the best structure to use.


Would really appreciate any guidance.

I think the point of this question is to see if you can concisely and clearly present a cogent argument on a current business topic. I do not believe there is a clear "right" or "wrong" way of going about this, as the structure it is advisable to use will depend a lot on the content. That said, off the top of my head I would go for the following approach:

1. Paragraph 1 (100-150 words): I would state the background and explain the rough outlines of the views of the two main camps in the current social media regulation debate in the UK. In this context, I would briefly outline the changes brought about by the new Online Safety Act 2023 in regards to age and ID verification of users, censorship of "harmful" topics, and increased fines for online platform operators.
2. Paragraph 2: (100-150 words): I would present my view as to which side has the stronger argument. Here, to have a nuanced argument and not simply only stating your side's points, I would try to address/acknowledge the valid factors brought up by the opposition, but explain why my side's points should be given more weigh and overall win out in an overall cost-benefit analysis. To inform your view, a particular story you may want to read about is Wikipedia vs UK Government, where the two sides took part in this debate before the High Court in a case the could result in Wikipedia being removed from the UK.

 

[TA04]

should i assume pfo for macfarlanes after not hearing from them for over a month?

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Does anybody know roughly when we will hear back from Pinsent Masons?

They usually take a while so we may not hear back till Dec or Jan

 

[aspiringtrainee678]

Does anyone have anything back for Hogan Lovells WVS?

Not yet😩

 

[LawAspirer]

Anyone heard from Dechert? Post Written Exercise

 

[abc124]

It's automatic but it takes a while to be received

Thanks a lot!

 

[abc124]

Does anyone have anything back for Hogan Lovells WVS?

Is that after AC? I've been waiting to hear back after the job sim for over a month, none of my friends have heard back either so idk if I should just assume it's a pfo considering it's nearly mid November...

 

[aspringlawyer25]

should i assume pfo for macfarlanes after not hearing from them for over a month?

Is this post test or post app?

 

[user55998384]

i have the latham Open Day on Thurs, does anyone know how it works with applying to the vac scheme after? Apparently you dont have to do the whole online test again so do you j submit the written qs ?

 

[yk1906]

Does Milbank 1st assessment include VIs?

 

[Amgrad]

Weil test, SJT +VI invite just now! Applied on 12/10.

Don't lose hope if you haven't received it yet!

 

[Amgrad]

should i assume pfo for macfarlanes after not hearing from them for over a month?

If you did the simulate after 12th October, I'd assume not. Typically they will finalise it on 2 batches.

If you applied and did the first + second test between August to 9/10 you've must gotten AC or PFO.

The second batch (10/10 to 5th December) is likely to be announced after the deadline, maybe the second or third week of December.

 

[LawAspirer]

Can anybody give some insights into the Weil Assessment?

 

[LawAspirer]

Does Milbank 1st assessment include VIs?

No

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Is that after AC? I've been waiting to hear back after the job sim for over a month, none of my friends have heard back either so idk if I should just assume it's a pfo considering it's nearly mid November...

Last year, I received my AC invite for HL WVS right around this time (two days from now, to be exact!), so I wouldn't worry yet. Everything moves very quickly for the winter scheme.

 

[lesh]

Does anyone have any specific tips for Pinsent Masons online assessment?

 

[shadowkiller]

Anyone heard back from Jones Day Summer?