TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Madison Pinewall]

Sigh Mayer Brown Automatic Test invite 😭 would anyone have any insights into the VI please? Same with Weil tbh

The Mayer Brown test has a VI??

 

[elle woods]

Elle, you should've seen my face when they made that hair line comment to that poor paralegal😭

I had the same issue struggling with interrupting partners as they can have so much aura. What I did that seemed to work was when initially getting introduced to them by my supervisor, I would ask whether they were free for a coffee at the end of the day or tomorrow. I would then use that coffee chat to really get to know them and try to build rapport. After that, it became a lot less scary to ask them about their work.

On that note, I would say to always ask if you're interested as a closed mouth doesn't get fed. If you don't ask you definitely won't get anything from them but if you do ask there's always a chance they'll be happy to walk you through things. One time, I overheard a partner talking about a scheduled client negotiation over the phone, After his call ended I asked him about it and cheekily suggested that it would be a great learning opportunity for me if I could sit in and he actually ended up bringing me to the negotiation. I might've just been a piece of furniture during the discussion but it was a really interesting experience that I wouldn't have gotten if I hadn't asked!

I do already have a TC so feel free to ask any questions you have. Best of luck to you too!

poor thing hahah

Yess thank you for the above! Closed mouths don't get fed is sooo true. I love that haha, hopefully I'll be less stressed about the scheme when the time comes around so that I can just be myself and be a curious little social butterfly hahah

Oh wow well done on securing your TC!!

 

[TinnedFish]

Sigh Mayer Brown Automatic Test invite 😭 would anyone have any insights into the VI please? Same with Weil tbh

I haven't done the Mayer Brown test before but I have done the Weil one. Last year they sent a link in the email to a VI practice site. Definitely practice that as much as possible - I was using it to practice for other firms even after I'd finished the Weil VI.

Weil's questions tend to be a lot more motivational and commercial so make sure to brush up on your commercial awareness beforehand!

 

[elle woods]

The Mayer Brown test has a VI??

yea 😭

 

[elle woods]

I haven't done the Mayer Brown test before but I have done the Weil one. Last year they sent a link in the email to a VI practice site. Definitely practice that as much as possible - I was using it to practice for other firms even after I'd finished the Weil VI.

Weil's questions tend to be a lot more motivational and commercial so make sure to brush up on your commercial awareness beforehand!

Thank you! By commercial, do you mean like the typical commercial questions, or were the questions more bespoke or required wider wider commercial awareness like at an AC?

 

[LawAspirer]

Did anybody get to next stage with Eversheds?

 

[Rads]

Hello, I am struggling with VIs. I am unsure if that has been covered, but can someone help me with how to do better and practice?

 

[nbjani]

Hi all just had my DLA interview. Don’t want to give too much away but I think it’s fair to say not to worry too much, all of the questions were fair enough, nothing to stump you. Just be clear with your motivations and self awareness.

 

[fayfayk]

If your written application was successful in the last cycle and the questions are the same, can you submit same application but with a few changes?

Hey! This is a really sensible thing to be thinking about.

If your written application was successful last cycle and the questions are exactly the same, it’s generally fine to reuse the core structure of your answers. That said, I wouldn’t recommend submitting it word-for-word with only very minor tweaks.

Firms do keep records from previous cycles, and even where they don’t do a line-by-line comparison, they’ll expect to see some progression. Ideally, you want to reflect what’s changed since you last applied, whether that’s new experience, clearer motivation for the firm, or a more developed understanding of the work and the market.

So in short, reusing the foundation is okay, but make sure the final application feels current and specific to this round rather than a resubmission of last year’s work.

 

[LawAspirer]

Hey there!

This is a really sensible thing to be thinking about.

If your written application was successful last cycle and the questions are exactly the same, it’s generally fine to reuse the core structure of your answers. That said, I wouldn’t recommend submitting it word-for-word with only very minor tweaks.

Firms do keep records from previous cycles, and even where they don’t do a line-by-line comparison, they’ll expect to see some progression. Ideally, you want to reflect what’s changed since you last applied, whether that’s new experience, clearer motivation for the firm, or a more developed understanding of the work and the market.

So in short, reusing the foundation is okay, but make sure the final application feels intentional, current and specific to this round rather than a resubmission of last year’s work.

Wtf is with all this AI content

 

[scoffee]

Thank you so so much! This is also super helpful!! And damn you should’ve seen my face when I read that last line 😂

What I struggle with is knowing if it’s okay to interrupt a partner if I’m interested in their work or if they’re too busy to want to discuss things with you 😭

Haha I guess the best way to go about it is just to be less nervous as it’s easier to be confident and curious when you’re not worrying about the small details (maybe?)

All the best!! Are you applying to DTC or VS’ this year? Or do you have a TC already? Best of luck either way and thanks again!

I know that the question about the partners wasn't directed at me, but I thought I could also give my opinion from my experience as this was something I was really worried about during my VS too.

From my experience, I was introduced to most partners in each of my seats at the start of each seat, at which point some of them offered to have a discussion about their work themselves. For the ones that weren't in the office at this point/did not directly offer a discussion, I researched more about their niche and either approached them in the office or sent them an email asking for 10 minutes of their time, normally at the start of the day when they are not fully immersed in their work.

I also made the most of trainees in each seat and their advice on how partners prefer to be communicated with. Some partners don't like being approached at their desks and some expect you to be introducing yourself personally at their desk, so if there are any trainees in your seat I recommend asking for their advice on how to approach the situation. Also if there are any informal breakout areas like a canteen or coffee room, make the most of these. I managed to catch a partner while he was on his coffee break and ask to discuss a case he was working on as it was in an area I was interested in, and this negated the awkwardness of approaching him at his desk.

I'd also completely agree with the idea of closed mouths never get fed- I definitely wish I had been scared of potential rejection and asked more partners/team members in general to run me through the work they do!

 

[fayfayk]

Any tips on how not to lose my mind over christmas knowing firms are going to be telling anyone anything until Jan🫠

Honestly, as long as you've done what you can and put in all the work, take it as a break. Log off, relax and regroup in Jan! Fingers crossed you get the results you've been hoping for 🤞

 

[NCTC2025]

Thank you! By commercial, do you mean like the typical commercial questions, or were the questions more bespoke or required wider wider commercial awareness like at an AC?

Hey! Commercial questions could also includes stuff like your knowledge of the legal industry such as the role of a trainee and how Partners interact with clients!

 

[applicant3000]

Hello, I am struggling with VIs. I am unsure if that has been covered, but can someone help me with how to do better and practice?

I used to struggle with them a lot but have improved and I think these things helped me:

1) practice by recording yourself saying it on your laptop camera. This is particularly useful for the motivational questions that you know will come up (i.e. why this firm?). It can help you get a sense of your cadence and timing.

2) have a bank of situational/competency answers prepared. Make sure you've practiced saying them allowed but be prepared to use those examples for slightly different questions.

3) for competency/motivational, try and use the STAR method as much as possible to structure your answer. Often grad rec mention that candidates spend a while setting out the situation/task/action but forget to reflect on the outcome.

Hope this helps!

 

[applicant3000]

Anyone heard from Simmons post AC? :////

 

[fayfayk]

When does grad rec usually work over december and january? I'm sure it varies by firm but if anyone has any idea.

Is it usually an, off from this friday until 5th jan type of situation, or working every day except 24th-26th and the 1st.

Hey! I don't have an exact answer for you because (as you said) it honestly differs between different firms and even between different people on the grad recruitment team! From my experience in the past, I heard back between December 1-20, and then it was a quiet period until around January 10. But, again, I want to emphasise that it really depends on the firm/person.

 

[nicoledm]

Got an email from Grad Rec saying I will get feedback and outcome on the 31st of December, what a fun thing to look forward to on new years eve 😅

 

[anjali20]

Does anyone know if DLA is still sending out invites for TIs?

 

[Madison Pinewall]

yea 😭

oh lord I just read the email properly lol, VI automatically for everybody is a bit harsh hahaha I hate them

 

[elle woods]

I know that the question about the partners wasn't directed at me, but I thought I could also give my opinion from my experience as this was something I was really worried about during my VS too.

From my experience, I was introduced to most partners in each of my seats at the start of each seat, at which point some of them offered to have a discussion about their work themselves. For the ones that weren't in the office at this point/did not directly offer a discussion, I researched more about their niche and either approached them in the office or sent them an email asking for 10 minutes of their time, normally at the start of the day when they are not fully immersed in their work.

I also made the most of trainees in each seat and their advice on how partners prefer to be communicated with. Some partners don't like being approached at their desks and some expect you to be introducing yourself personally at their desk, so if there are any trainees in your seat I recommend asking for their advice on how to approach the situation. Also if there are any informal breakout areas like a canteen or coffee room, make the most of these. I managed to catch a partner while he was on his coffee break and ask to discuss a case he was working on as it was in an area I was interested in, and this negated the awkwardness of approaching him at his desk.

I'd also completely agree with the idea of closed mouths never get fed- I definitely wish I had been scared of potential rejection and asked more partners/team members in general to run me through the work they do!

Thank you also for sharing your experience! That's actually so interesting to think about, and the trainee thing is such a good idea! I'll keep this in mind for my scheme, thank you!