TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[gao8899]

Hey @Abbie Whitlock
I was wondering whether you'd have any advice on the Reed Smith VI and 'high potential assessment'? Maybe around what the firm's looking for skills/experience wise?
Thank you so much!

 

[wqueens8]

Is it bad for me to mention IP as one of 3 reasons "Why HSFK?"

It's something I've got a good deal of experience in (to evidence why im interested in it), and it is something they're very strong in. They even have an IP open day. I just don't wanna take any chances of them being like "Well you might not even get a seat in it so why is it one of your top 3 reasons"

 

[Amgrad]

Taylor Wessing Test invite just 15 mins ago! Applied on Friday, deadline day.

 

[yasmars]

Has anyone heard from Willkie recently? Sent my app a month ago so kinda expecting a rejection now🥲

They’ve just had a change of gradu

Is it bad for me to mention IP as one of 3 reasons "Why HSFK?"

It's something I've got a good deal of experience in (to evidence why im interested in it), and it is something they're very strong in. They even have an IP open day. I just don't wanna take any chances of them being like "Well you might not even get a seat in it so why is it one of your top 3 reasons"

yes! I’d defo mention it!

 

[msclm]

Is it bad for me to mention IP as one of 3 reasons "Why HSFK?"

It's something I've got a good deal of experience in (to evidence why im interested in it), and it is something they're very strong in. They even have an IP open day. I just don't wanna take any chances of them being like "Well you might not even get a seat in it so why is it one of your top 3 reasons"

What benefit would you have by not mentioning it? Even if you don’t get a seat in it (which is unlikely if you show interest in), IP feeds into a lot more sectors than just the realm of an IP seat. You have to sell yourself, and if you can do so best by talking about IP then you’d be doing disservice not mentioning it.

 

[sinirs]

Is it acceptable to shorten Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer to HSF Kramer?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

For those who applied to skadden, did you include positions of responsibilities/open days in your work experience section?

 

[pepsicola96]

Reed Smith AC!!! I could cry.

Really happy, as I applied for their first year scheme last year, and was rejected. It was very very similar this year, and I thought this year went so much worse so I thought I had no chance. Already crossed it off my tracker lol. I could've sworn my video interview was so so so so so so bad, and I felt my scores were just average for the SJT.

Just goes to show you never know I guess.

 

[Trophy]

If they had wanted you to be aware they would state it in their website. It seems like you've been blaming someone else on the forum for not telling you about a written part, really not cool

I’m not blaming anyone. 9 times out of 10 the firm would say. Also saying allow 50 minutes for the test with two 20 minute written pieces isn’t something I would assume is it? Your opinion on whether it’s cool or not does not affect me.

 

[Trophy]

10 days

A week

A couple of hours

Ahhh okay thank you all. @yk1906 a few hours wow!

 

[Trophy]

There is no mention anywhere in the website or even brochure, but there were people mentioned months ago who surprised there were WE in the last 2 Qs, they were pretty much didn't expect it, but some still progressed to second test. 🤣

Milbank just a trial for most people that commonly if a firm don't ask general questions in the app form, they will ask it in later stage.

Not necessarily will it be a written question but ok. My annoyance isn’t the what the asked it’s how it was asked. I knew my motivations for the firm I didn’t expect to be writing it with a count down.

 

[Amgrad]

Not necessarily will it be a written question but ok. My annoyance isn’t the what the asked it’s how it was asked. I knew my motivations for the firm I didn’t expect to be writing it with a count down.

Yea, Milbank is known for its "working under pressure culture" and if other firms mention it, Milbank is another level. It shows how you can handle in an unexpected situation. If you could then you pass, it's the reasoning why they undisclosed or not mentioning it publicly, even those who attended their event earlier they haven't been told the detail. So, I call it as a fair process.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Reed Smith AC!!! I could cry.

Really happy, as I applied for their first year scheme last year, and was rejected. It was very very similar this year, and I thought this year went so much worse so I thought I had no chance. Already crossed it off my tracker lol. I could've sworn my video interview was so so so so so so bad, and I felt my scores were just average for the SJT.

Just goes to show you never know I guess.

Congratulations!!!! Can I ask when you completed the test?

 

[yk1906]

Ahhh okay thank you all. @yk1906 a few hours wow!

Hope you’ll receive it soon! 🙏🙏

 

[YS391]

Reed Smith AC!!! I could cry.

Really happy, as I applied for their first year scheme last year, and was rejected. It was very very similar this year, and I thought this year went so much worse so I thought I had no chance. Already crossed it off my tracker lol. I could've sworn my video interview was so so so so so so bad, and I felt my scores were just average for the SJT.

Just goes to show you never know I guess.

Congrats!

What were ur SJT and numerical/verbal scores too if u dont mind me asking.

 

[pepsicola96]

Congratulations!!!! Can I ask when you completed the test?

Thank you!

Applied 8th Nov, Invite to test 10th, completed test 17th.

 

[pepsicola96]

Congrats!

What were ur SJT and numerical/verbal scores too if u dont mind me asking.

Thanks!

Verbal was high, numerical was middle. Then grit and digital mindset were both 7/9, creative force 9/9, applied intellect 3/9. Thought the 3/9 would've done me.

 

[BillSikes]

If you have not already applied Freshfields - apply quick as the direct TC deadline is at midnight. The application has no questions - just gotta put in your grades and work exp.

 

[abc124]

Reed Smith AC!!! I could cry.

Really happy, as I applied for their first year scheme last year, and was rejected. It was very very similar this year, and I thought this year went so much worse so I thought I had no chance. Already crossed it off my tracker lol. I could've sworn my video interview was so so so so so so bad, and I felt my scores were just average for the SJT.

Just goes to show you never know I guess.

Congrats!!! Is that for the winter vac scheme?

 

[tcla02]

submitted my app for mayer brown today. how long did people wait before receiving the immersive assessment?