TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Donuttime]

Any tips for the Pinsent Masons blended assessment please?

 

[tcla02]

does anyone know NRF cover letter's word limit? @Ram Sabaratnam @Abbie Whitlock

 

[firmfirm]

Is Osborne Clarke’s online verbal reasoning test and deductive reasoning test timed?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

does anyone know NRF cover letter's word limit? @Ram Sabaratnam @Abbie Whitlock

Hello!

I don't believe there is a word limit for the cover letter this year! In practice, I would aim to write around 750 words (as I believe that is what the limit was in previous years), but there is definitely some flexibility to write a little more or less than that

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

For DLA Piper's question, describe a specific personal experience that shaped your motivation to pursue a legal career. How has this influenced your career ambitions, my draft is based on a vacation scheme experience, but would that be considered a personal experience? I might be overthinking it here, but are they asking for an experience outside of work (extracurriculars or leadership positions)?

Hello!

I would say that a vacation scheme can absolutely count as a personal experience, as long as you describe it in a way that shows how it genuinely shaped your motivation and direction.

In this context, "personal" doesn't have to mean outside of work or extracurriculars - it just means an experience that you had that has had a meaningful impact on you. If something from your VS helped crystallise your interest in law, exposed you to a type of work or client that you hadn't appreciated before, or made you realise what kind of lawyer you want to become, that's valid and often stronger than something more detached.

The key is to make sure that you show:

• What happened and why it stood out to you
• What it taught you about the reality of legal work
• How it influenced your ambitions going forward.

If you can do all of the above, it won't matter that the example came from a professional setting - it will still read as personal and reflective.

Therefore, I would still stick with your VS example if it's the one that genuinely shaped your motivations. It'll likely be more compelling than something chosen just to feel "personal" for the sake of it.

I hope that helps, and best of luck with the application!

 

[aschi23]

What can I expect from Mischon chat interview? is it written and then VI? Or what is the spiel? Very confused!!

Set out for wayyyy more time than they say (it took me almost 3 hours). Starting questions are the same for everyone and mainly behavioural / competency, but then as you answer they all change for each candidate so no real way to prepare your answers. The AI interview is all written (unless you wanna send them audio notes lol) and then 1 final VI, 1 min to prep, 1 min to answer (cant take it twice and no preparation question). My advice - make a doc of all your experiences and the skills/values they taught you, but dont bother pre-writing out answers because that's what I did and just wasted hours of my time. Good luck!!!!

 

[aschi23]

Does the Mischon chat include motivational questions like why the company? Or is it more getting you to think on your feet?

Not directly motivational questions. Definitely need to be able to come up with stuff during the interview bc the questions change based on the answes you give

 

[maylawwww]

Does NRF assess the cover letter before reaching the VI, or is it just based on the performance of the Arctic Shores test? I'm thinking of reapplying for SVS, and I'm wondering if I should change the cover letter (it's not like I have much more experience than for my WVS application!)

 

[FutureTrainee100]

I did the Weil SJT and VI this morning and i,officially traumatised. How should I prepare for the Amberjack assessments going forward? Is there a guide on how to answer or practise the questions? I saw that Aptitude Tests offers one, is it worth it??

 

[Wompycapy]

Freshfields stage 2 online test invite. For context, applied last week and invited to do test last week, completed the test on Monday, feedback on Tuesday

Congrats! Is this form DTC or VS?

 

[FAS444]

Links PFO. 99th percentile WG

How long did it take after completion to get your WG results?

 

[abc124]

How bad is it to record VIs at night? I can either do my VI tonight or tomorrow at 9am and as a night owl I anticipate I’ll actually be much more coherent tonight…Just worried about how it may be perceived as I’ve heard the preference is to record them in daylight?

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

How bad is it to record VIs at night? I can either do my VI tonight or tomorrow at 9am and as a night owl I anticipate I’ll actually be much more coherent tonight…Just worried about how it may be perceived as I’ve heard the preference is to record them in daylight?

One of the main reasons for VIs is that the applicant can complete it whenever it suits them. Many people are working full-time or have university during the day, so the only time they can complete it is when they get back home. Given it's late November and it gets dark at like 4pm, I highly doubt grad rec care, in fact I'd say it's the norm. I strongly suggest you do it tonight if you believe you will perform better. Just make sure your face is well lit and you aren't in complete darkness lol. Best of luck.

 

[Harvey Specter]

White & Case WVS PFO post app & test. Idk if it was down to the app, the test or both.​

 

[Dannie]

Any spring/summer W&C responses post test?

 

[Harvey Specter]

Has anybody heard back from Weil or Willkie yet who applied in November? Been almost 3 weeks since I applied to Weil and over a week since I’ve sent off my Willkie application.​

 

[WeGotThis!]

documenting my rejections which I am collecting like pokemons -
BCLP post interview (haven't gotten feedback as in why I was rejected so atp idk)
PW post app
Akin post app
DLA post app
CMS post WG
Covington post app
HSFK post test
Bird and Bird post app
Reed Smith post app
Gibson dunn post test
Links post app
WnC post app
FF assuming PFO bec blabbered nonsense in the VI
MB assuming PFO
Jones Day post app
HL post job sim
Davis polk post app
Mac post 2nd test
A and O post app

I have no ounce of hope left and I hope my rejections help someone feel better that you are not alone in this.

Don't worry about these rejections, even though it's disheartening, I'm sure you'll be landing at an amazing firm soon! And that time these PFOs will feel like a blessing! 🥹

Also, for A&O was it the DTC or the VS?

 

[Suii]

Can anyone share the VI questions for Pinsent Masons online blended assessment? I know its untimed prep and they mentioned the questions at the open day but I've forgotten what Q2 was

You get unlimited prep time so it won't make a difference if someone shares the VI questions or not.

 

[Chelsea101]

How bad is it to record VIs at night? I can either do my VI tonight or tomorrow at 9am and as a night owl I anticipate I’ll actually be much more coherent tonight…Just worried about how it may be perceived as I’ve heard the preference is to record them in daylight?

I've recorded VIs at night before and progressed to next stages. Especially as now it gets dark at like 5pm, I tend to not have time to do VIs until after work! Anyway as long as you're coherent and have decent enough lighting, i don't see how the time of day you submit a VI would affect your chances. Good luck!

 

[TCLA0322]

Jones Day interview invite (summer vs) just come in