TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

What structure should I follow for a VI question like "what practice areas interest you and why?"

Hey!

For this sort of question in a video interview, I'd say that sometimes having a clear and structured answer matters more than extensive detail. My approach to it would be:

• Directly answer the question first, clearly stating the practice areas you are interested in
• Explain why those areas interest you, and focus on what attracts you to the work (such as the type of clients, the skills involved, or the overall nature of the matters)
• Support this with brief evidence from your past experiences, linking them to a past example where you have gained an insight into the area or something that developed your interest
• Show how this fits with the firm, referencing why those areas appeal to you at that firm specifically (i.e. if this is for the Corporate team, the firm might have a unique client sector that specifically interests you)
• Finish with your overall motivations and what you are keen to learn or develop as a trainee in that practice area at the firm.

As it is a video interview, I'd try to focus on keeping your points concise and natural - otherwise, you might find that you run out of time!

I hope that assists

 

[abc124]

I just remember from the open day that grad rec said timing is taken into account! I’m not sure if that’s an amberjack or Mishcon thing though sorry!

Thanks for the insight! I hate it when law firms do that, at least be transparent and mention that time is taken into account...They technically do say to 'try and work through it as quickly as you can' but I thought it was standard amberjack language to discourage people from taking ages on the test, Reed Smith also used that disclaimer and their grad recruitment said timing is not taken into account at all...

 

[elle woods]

Just did Weil!! Gotta do MB tomorrow... God help me.... and then Kirkland the day after that... hehe I might be in a mental asylum the next time you hear from me

Anyways, lowkey this score is so bad 😂whatever, using Weil as a practice before MB then I guess - are the pillars the same for MB does anyone know?

 

[Lamosophia41]

Just did Weil!! Gotta do MB tomorrow... God help me.... and then Kirkland the day after that... hehe I might be in a mental asylum the next time you hear from me

Anyways, lowkey this score is so bad 😂whatever, using Weil as a practice before MB I guess - are the pillars the same for MB does anyone know?

Its the same pillars

 

[elle woods]

Its the same pillars

Thank you!!

 

[iwatchsuits]

Browne Jacobson asking for the 'date taken' of each of my A-levels and GCSEs - am I expected to go find all of the dates of my exams? Confused 😂

 

[elle woods]

Browne Jacobson asking for the 'date taken' of each of my A-levels and GCSEs - am I expected to go find all of the dates of my exams? Confused 😂

😂 for those things I just pick a random late date in June of the year I took the exams and stick to it

 

[floral.tcla]

icl ive been finding it tough recently to balance uni with grad scheme applications but regardless of what happens i am so proud of us all for continuing to persevere and working towards our dreams/goals🥺 this might sound patronising but I think it’s very easy to forget when we’re all so swept up❤️

 

[elle woods]

Does anyone have any insights into the K&E VI? Is it 3Qs? How much time to prep and answer? Types of questions? Am I to be expecting commercial questions... anything would help, thank you!!

 

[DavidJC]

Just did Weil!! Gotta do MB tomorrow... God help me.... and then Kirkland the day after that... hehe I might be in a mental asylum the next time you hear from me

Anyways, lowkey this score is so bad 😂whatever, using Weil as a practice before MB then I guess - are the pillars the same for MB does anyone know?

I can relate, I've got to finish MB tomorrow and I'm currently travelling, and I've still got four applications I'd like to get in before Christmas too

 

[elle woods]

I can relate, I've got to finish MB tomorrow and I'm currently travelling, and I've still got four applications I'd like to get in before Christmas too

Omg so much!! Best of luck with all of them and safe travels!! I don't think I'd be able to cope with all of that haha

 

[Harvey Specter]

I can relate, I've got to finish MB tomorrow and I'm currently travelling, and I've still got four applications I'd like to get in before Christmas too

Here’s me thinking 3 apps before NYD is gna be a mission and you’re aiming to try get 4 done before Xmas??!! I rate the grind lad, you’ve got this! 😎​

 

[Lawlawland]

So... How strict are the grad rec teams with putting down the work experience in chronological order? (I realised I missed one important work especially within the section and added it late😞)

 

[DavidJC]

Here’s me thinking 3 apps before NYD is gna be a mission and you’re aiming to try get 4 done before Xmas??!! I rate the grind lad, you’ve got this! 😎​

I've got one mostly done, honestly the real challenge is Dechert's first question (it's very loaded for 300 words) cos idk how to link skills to specific practice area interests lmao, I definitely put this one off for too long (I'd originally intended to finish and send it off first week of the month but irl and other deadlines got in the way)

 

[Lawlawland]

Here’s me thinking 3 apps before NYD is gna be a mission and you’re aiming to try get 4 done before Xmas??!! I rate the grind lad, you’ve got this! 😎​

I'm planning the holy Trinity of US firms (Debovoise, Gibson and Akin) from the scratch before the NYD lmao. Additionally, RPC and Dentons are almost done, just editing and submitting.

IDK if I'm being too ambitious, but it is what it is!

 

[elle woods]

So... How strict are the grad rec teams with putting down the work experience in chronological order? (I realised I missed one important work especially within the section and added it late😞)

I want to petition for these application portals to install the draggy thing feature... like wdym I can't just move these entries where I need them to be (like my SJT choices)?

 

[DavidJC]

So... How strict are the grad rec teams with putting down the work experience in chronological order? (I realised I missed one important work especially within the section and added it late😞)

I just had to re-copy + paste everything for PW cos I've got like 4 new things since I last applied to their Open Day 😭

 

[Lawlawland]

I want to petition for these application portals to install the draggy thing feature... like wdym I can't just move these entries where I need them to be?

Exactly!

Vantage: reads submit in reverse chronological order. I do the same.
Also Vantage: automatically changed it to chronological order.

Allhires: reverse chronological order.
Also Allhires: I will not let you edit the order. So for you to add the new work experience at number 1, you have to remove all the 10 work experience and add them again ✨

don't piss me off🤬😡

 

[Harvey Specter]

I've got one mostly done, honestly the real challenge is Dechert's first question (it's very loaded for 300 words) cos idk how to link skills to specific practice area interests lmao, I definitely put this one off for too long (I'd originally intended to finish and send it off first week of the month but irl and other deadlines got in the way)

Seems like I completely misunderstand that one then cos I’d written about Dechert’s training model and structure (6 seats, 10 trainee intake, critical skills institute), and tied those to the diff skills I’ve developed through experiences and not Dechert’s core practices, so there goes that app into the PFO box. I did use the additional space question to write about Dechert areas of practice I liked cos I didn’t think it would fit nicely into their first app question at all, hopefully that does something.​

I'm planning the holy Trinity of US firms (Debovoise, Gibson and Akin) from the scratch before the NYD lmao. Additionally, RPC and Dentons are almost done, just editing and submitting.

IDK if I'm being too ambitious, but it is what it is!

I’m doing Gibson Dunn, Debevoise and Cooley at the moment so similar situation. Can’t be overly ambitious cos you never know which firm is gna say yes to our app in the end! I’m about half way done for Gibson Dunn atm.​

I want to petition for these application portals to install the draggy thing feature... like wdym I can't just move these entries where I need them to be (like my SJT choices)?

Where do we sign for this petition? I’m sure TCLA LLP would happily advise pro bono… 👀

On a level though it’s acc so irritating esp AllHires it never allows you to change stuff around smh.​

 

[Lord Sumption]

icl ive been finding it tough recently to balance uni with grad scheme applications but regardless of what happens i am so proud of us all for continuing to persevere and working towards our dreams/goals🥺 this might sound patronising but I think it’s very easy to forget when we’re all so swept up❤️