TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[AnnonymousOtter]

What is the benefit of doing a TI as opposed to a VI? I have reasonable adjustments and have struggled with VI’s but always felt it may be unfair to request a TI or questions beforehand as ultimately you’re meeting the recruiters themselves and can build a small but somewhat personal rapport. Also what if I’m asking for too much too soon. I mainly pass applications that do not require a VI.

Does GR look down on those who request this adjustment? Is there discrepancy between those doing the VI and TI? How does this translate to meeting a client on a zoom call would adjustments made too or is it only for assessment purposes?

The core benefit of doing a TI is human interaction. You can pick up on tonal cues, ask for brief clarification if needed, and build a more natural rapport. It feels less like a performance and more like a dialogue. A VI can often make you feel like you're speaking into a void which can heighten anxiety, and cause some people to perform less adequately.

Any GR team that views a reasonable adjustment request negatively is failing in its duty to ensure fair access. In practice, GR teams handle these requests confidentially and routinely. Using an adjustment you're entitled to does not mark your application down, it simply ensures the assessment measures what it's supposed to.

The format is different, but the assessment criteria are the same. You are still being evaluated on your motivation, competencies, and commercial awareness. The TI might allow for slightly more nuance in a conversation, but the benchmark for success doesn't change. The firm is assessing your suitability for the role of a solicitor, which leads to your next point.

Good luck on your applications!!

 

[AnnonymousOtter]

ive not heard back from hsf summer vs after passing their sjt. not heard from bclp for summer either yet… did u apply for spring w bclp?

I got my invite for the hsfk summer vac scheme ac in February last year, so it might take a while as they will probably still be interview spring vac scheme candidates at this time. The waiting is really tough, but no news is definitely still good news at this stage.

 

[AnnonymousOtter]

How long should I spend on preparing for my Weil VI? It’s next Tuesday

I’m getting very overwhelmed because it’s my first VI ever and I have no clue what to expect!

I’ve currently structured my prep as:

1. Motivation
   • Why Weil?
   • Why commercial law?
2. Competency
   • Teamwork
   • Challenge
   • Resilience
   • Communication
3. Judgement / values
   • Ethical dilemma
   • Handling conflict
   • Client pressure
4. Commercial awareness
   • Recent deal
   • Market trend
   • Why it matters to Weil

However, I’m so worried they’re gonna throw in a trick question that I will be stumped on. I’ve spent 1-2 hours today just bullet pointing key facts about the firm, their values and practice areas. I know I need to start recording myself actually practicing saying my answers out loud but I’m stumped…

Also, are there any exemplar responses to VI questions on TCLA?

You’ve prepped really well! A solid tip now is to start recording yourself answering mock questions. Smiling while you speak and ounding confident makes a huge difference and is one of the things they assess. You’ve got this!

Weil VI

Could I ask for some advice on Weil VI? What kind of questions do they usually ask? I have terrible stage fright whenever doing HVs or VIs and usually only do well when the firms allow re-record (my first takes are usually not very good). I have PTSD from getting rejected from this stage by...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

This post from a year ago seems to suggest that Weil doesn't try to trick you out either, so I wouldn't worry too much about it

 

[tball]

Can anyone provide insight into HL stage 2 test? Please PM me! Need help prepping for VI and worried that my reasonable adjustments haven't been added.

Thanks so much and happy holidays!

 

[Rads]

Can anyone provide insight into HL stage 2 test? Please PM me! Need help prepping for VI and worried that my reasonable adjustments haven't been added.

Thanks so much and happy holidays!

Congratulations! Do you mind sharing when you took the first test?

 

[AnnonymousOtter]

Hi everyone, I am very grateful to be in a position where I have two AC's. However, they are both next month and I am quite stressed about them. Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with nerves? I believe my nerves are what ultimately get in the way. I need to stay calm somehow. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Massive congratulations on securing two ACs! One thing that really helped me was focusing on my physical presence. I made a conscious effort not to visibly show my nerves through things like tapping my leg or fidgeting. By deliberately presenting myself as composed, it actually started to make me feel more confident and in control. It’s a bit like “acting as if”, and over time the feeling catches up with the performance.

 

[tball]

Congratulations! Do you mind sharing when you took the first test?

Thanks! I did the first test on the 5th then got job sim invite a week later

 

[Rads]

Thanks! I did the first test on the 5th then got job sim invite a week later

Thank you for sharing! Best of luck

 

[Bree]

@Abbie Whitlock Hello Abbie, hope you are doing well. I wanted to ask how to approach 'Why have you decided to pursue a career in commercial law'? Should I include only my motivations or also the skills I have that are matched to commercial law?

 

[FutureTrainee213]

@Abbie Whitlock Hello Abbie, hope you are doing well. I wanted to ask how to approach 'Why have you decided to pursue a career in commercial law'? Should I include only my motivations or also the skills I have that are matched to commercial law?

I remember struggling with this question a lot at the beginning of my application journey, so just to offer my two cents as to what worked for me. There is no fixed answer, but I found a lot more success when I broke each component of the cover letter/application form down into “stages” if you will. Each of which I told myself were assessing for a different thing. As for the “why law” portion, I decided this was to assess my pure motivation for the industry and not skill, and wherever I mentioned a skill - it was more in line with if I had a certain skill I was good at, was that pushing me to this career above others (but this was kept at a minimum, given the word count and all there is to say on motivation alone). It’s important to be honest to yourself too, think about where your motivation has genuinely come from, and rely on that to guide your overall answer. Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[Bree]

I remember struggling with this question a lot at the beginning of my application journey, so just to offer my two cents as to what worked for me. There is no fixed answer, but I found a lot more success when I broke each component of the cover letter/application form down into “stages” if you will. Each of which I told myself were assessing for a different thing. As for the “why law” portion, I decided this was to assess my pure motivation for the industry and not skill, and wherever I mentioned a skill - it was more in line with if I had a certain skill I was good at, was that pushing me to this career above others (but this was kept at a minimum, given the word count and all there is to say on motivation alone). It’s important to be honest to yourself too, think about where your motivation has genuinely come from, and rely on that to guide your overall answer. Hope this helps and good luck!

Thank you for this! Do you think if the application does not give you any space to talk about your skills then it is good to mention those in this answer?

 

[FutureTrainee213]

When you have a lot of deadlines and a firm isn't really your first choice AND you heard that they stopped reviewing apps potentially - this is mayer brown - is it still worth doing their whole online assessment? especially when you're travelling soon, have an app due and 2 other firm assessments that you care more about. would love your objective thoughts on this bc balancing is becoming hard lool

It’s a tricky one because sure Mayer Brown may not be your first choice, but something about it must have taken your liking for you to apply right? I wouldn’t suggest compromising anything for a first choice, as nothing is set in stone, and you don’t want to leave yourself without options in the event your top choices aren’t successful.

That being said, I would only do the online assessment if it does not significantly affect the quality of your upcoming application/2 other firm assessments that you care more about. If you can make the time, then try, but if not, then avoid the Mayer Brown assessment. It seems like it’ll take some investment as I believe their VI’s require knowledge of the firm/work.

I agree, balancing is hard, but remember to be kind to yourself. One of my biggest regrets from my TC journey was the constant mental torture of trying to do so much at once. So, don’t do anything that pushes you towards a burnout.

 

[Madison Pinewall]

For HL i did the online assessment on the 23rd of November and got the Job Sim on the 8th December. Hope this helps some people

 

[FutureTrainee213]

Thank you for this! Do you think if the application does not give you any space to talk about your skills then it is good to mention those in this answer?

If that's the case, then I wouldn't think strengths are what they're assessing at this stage. They'll typically assess that at a later stage of the application process, and I wouldn't suggest jeopardising the quality of you answer for a question that usually looks for those who are genuinely interested in this career choice. To err on the side of caution here, I would touch upon some skills, but again, only where they have pushed me to this career choice above others.

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

I got my invite for the hsfk summer vac scheme ac in February last year, so it might take a while as they will probably still be interview spring vac scheme candidates at this time. The waiting is really tough, but no news is definitely still good news at this stage.

thank you so much🙏

 

[CharlesT47]

In the fund formation space, how do firms typically differentiate themselves? Why would you approach Kirkland vs Debevoise vs Akin? is it sector-specific expertise? Does anyone know why Debevoise's fund team is so renowned?

 

[Bree]

If that's the case, then I wouldn't think strengths are what they're assessing at this stage. They'll typically assess that at a later stage of the application process, and I wouldn't suggest jeopardising the quality of you answer for a question that usually looks for those who are genuinely interested in this career choice. To err on the side of caution here, I would touch upon some skills, but again, only where they have pushed me to this career choice above others.

That makes a lot of sense, thank you!

 

[Lawlawland]

People who have applied on the last 3 days of the deadline for the Slaughter and May DTC, did you guys receive any update from the team?

They're radio silent and IDK what to make out of it.

 

[FutureTrainee213]

In the fund formation space, how do firms typically differentiate themselves? Why would you approach Kirkland vs Debevoise vs Akin? is it sector-specific expertise? Does anyone know why Debevoise's fund team is so renowned?

This is a really good question. It's tricky to try and differentiate every little thing about a firm, when in reality, sometimes they just are pretty similar and the only way you can tell their specifics is by having already worked there. However, typically with firms that are "renowned" per say, they usually have a USP. Something that speaks to clients so they keep coming back. For example, with Kirkland & Ellis they seem to have a really good understanding of the secondaries market (thanks to Theodore Cardos) so I would hone in on the work they typically do and see if there is a pattern. Are they assisting more with a specific type of client or asset deal - is that whats setting them apart? My suggestion would be to first look at their annual report/briefing to see if they themselves have identified whats worked for them this year and what they're hoping to focus on. Following which, have a look at their clients and most recent deals to see if a pattern is forming. Hope this helps

 

[M_m]

How soon after the TW online assessment do you know if you’ve passed the benchmark?