TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[DavidJC]

just finished FF Stage 2, that was something, probably some of the harder and more time-constrained (relative to question depth) VI questions I've done so far lol

 

[LCamilaPG]

Does anybody know to whom we should address the cover letter for Freshfields?

 

[bh.sa]

Does anybody know to whom we should address the cover letter for Freshfields?

There's no cover letter / written questions - you just submit a form with your education, work experience etc and then complete 2 tests

 

[fbtrainee]

ffs dla piper pfo after passing wg two weeks ago😭

Sorry to hear that. Do you mind sharing what rankings you got in the WG report?

 

[Trophy]

I’ve received Milbank test is this a standard sjt? I assume it’s automatic, how does this first test differ from the second one?

What platform is the test?

Thanks.

 

[Amgrad]

I’ve received Milbank test is this a standard sjt? I assume it’s automatic, how does this first test differ from the second one?

What platform is the test?

Thanks.

The first one is SJT and second one is critical thinking test, good luck!

 

[yk1906]

Should we include ODs and extracurriculars like mooting, etc. in Skadden's work section?

 

[Gr33n]

I swear some of these TikTok influencers give such conflicting advice. Some say to apply to loads of firms and some say to do 5 or 6? Idrk who to believe

 

[yk1906]

I swear some of these TikTok influencers give such conflicting advice. Some say to apply to loads of firms and some say to do 5 or 6? Idrk who to believe

I would say trust your own gut. For example, last year I only applied to a handful of law firms (like 5), as I was busy with uni. This year, I am on a gap year, so I have plenty of time to make as many high-quality applications as possible.

 

[Harvey Specter]

Should we include ODs and extracurriculars like mooting, etc. in Skadden's work section?

There is an app question (additional 4) which asks for hobbies, interests and achievements, so it could be better to include extracurriculars in that part of the form. If you have quite a few insight days, I think you could amalgamate them into a single work experience entry. I asked grad rec at their open evening about adding open days or Forage and they said have one entry each and then put them all in, as opposed to having one entry each open day and internship. Not sure if the form has a maximum work entry limit though.​

 

[yellowbirds008]

freshfields svs ac!!

 

[yk1906]

There is an app question (additional 4) which asks for hobbies, interests and achievements, so it could be better to include extracurriculars in that part of the form. If you have quite a few insight days, I think you could amalgamate them into a single work experience entry. I asked grad rec at their open evening about adding open days or Forage and they said have one entry each and then put them all in, as opposed to having one entry each open day and internship. Not sure if the form has a maximum work entry limit though.​

Thanks, yeah, I did put all of the ODs in one entry.

 

[user55998384]

freshfields svs ac!!

congrats!!!! when did you apply

 

[yellowbirds008]

congrats!!!! when did you apply

i applied the day it opened i believe!

 

[Goodbyetc]

How long does dla piper take to get back after telephone interview?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Please can someone clarify some issues about the budget: @Ram Sabaratnam @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu

Government borrowing is going to be higher than expected over the next 3 years (although promised to decrease in 2029-30 - unsure if this will materialise), is this likely to put pressure on yields and interest rates (despite the fall in yields after the budget announcement + interest rate cut expected in December)? Will it increase borrowing costs? Overall, how does this affect deal activity keeping private credit in mind?

Hi @badmintonflyinginsect I think the effects you mentioned are natural consequences of increased government borrowing. Increased borrowing firstly means an increase in demand for government bonds, which, in the absence of a proportionate increase in supply, results in a decrease in bond price, which leads to an increase in yields. Secondly, increased government borrowing comes with increased defaulting risk, which bond markets price by demanding higher yields as compensation.

On the general interest rate side, an increase of government borrowing can firstly lead to increased government spending, which can be inflationary and thus lead to central banks increasing interest rates. Secondly, rising government borrowing can theoretically have a "crowding out" effect: because of its size, it can absorb a large portion of the economy's lending capacity, potentially leading to higher interest rates across the entire economy, including for private sector businesses and individuals.

Nonetheless, while these consequences follow from an economic theory perspective if you look at this point of fiscal policy in isolation, I do not actullay expect them to end up materialising in practice (at least in a very strong and impactful sense). Firstly, on the yields side: modern governments rise and fall on the reaction of bond markets, as seen with Liz Truss' disastrous mini budget, and this Labour government is very unlikely to take the risk of a similar situation occurring. If there is any wind of a negative outlook as to the country's defaulting risk, this will likely result in further tax rises. Secondly, on the interest rate side, I would not expect this crowding out effect to occur, simply because the UK government has access to immense pools of international public and private capital; and following this post-Covid inflationary period, I think government spending is something that will be a lot more tightly controlled.

 

[p2bv]

How long does dla piper take to get back after telephone interview?

I got an email saying I passed around two weeks after

 

[Goodbyetc]

I got an email saying I passed around two weeks after

Thanks! I heard we will hear about ACs next week but idk if that’s true

 

[p2bv]

Thanks! I heard we will hear about ACs next week but idk if that’s true

Have you heard back yet? I wasn't sure if I was put on some sort of reserve list because my email said I passed the TI but only being considered for an AC after everyone has completed their TI

 

[Goodbyetc]

Have you heard back yet? I wasn't sure if I was put on some sort of reserve list because my email said I passed the TI but only being considered for an AC after everyone has completed their TI

I had mine today so idk if maybe im one of the last interviews? I was told that we’d probably hear in the next week for ACs which are in December/jan