TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[jojo23]

ur so funny please never go bald

especially since you love those slicked ponytails and big bows yknow 😛

why are you the way that you are 🤣

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Omg what an inspiring journey, we're so lucky to have you here!!

 

[annalise.keating]

I just finished FF second stage and oh dear....

the last VI had 2 parts and I failed to even get to the second point due to time which was I fear the most crucial question ever (without giving too much away), which sucks because honestly I feel like the other vi's weren't too bad but knowing how brutal FF is ... im scared

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

I'm doing the WFW application and I have two questions.
1) There's three skills/competency questions (unexpected obstacle, collaboration, constructive feedback). I'm a career changer in events/sales/hospitality in my 30s and I've had a lot of jobs with relevant experiences, but my current role (2 1/2 years) provides the best examples. Is it an issue to draw from the same job for these questions if the examples are varied and relevant?
2) This question - "Provide an example of when you collaborated with others to reach a goal, and outline the role you played to support the team". My best examples involve me having some form of ownership of a project or part of it and collaborating by project managing. Is this the right way to go or should I try to think of less project manage-y examples, even if they're not as strong? The wording makes me feel like they're looking for a less assertive example.
Thanks in advance

Hey,

1) No, it is not an issue to draw examples from one experience. However, when you have more experiences at hand - it’s better to tap into them as it may look like you didn’t develop many skills from those opportunities. I worked in sales (selling shoes) and I used this experience to explain teamwork, communication and challenges. Don’t try erasing experiences you think don’t sound good - I remember a partner being super impressed with a candidate who sold Christmas lights.
2) When it comes to collaboration, most tend to think of experiences in management (however, it’s a little bit of a trap). You run the risk of providing an amazing example of leadership and ownership, without touching on what you’re like to work with as a team member. I like to frame the question from the perspective of a trainee. As a trainee, you won’t really be managing much - so show them how you deal with work that has been delegated, do you communicate, do you identify problems, do you take action on behalf of others etc.

Hopefully this helps but if not, let me know and we can run through some examples.

 

[msclm]

Any insights on Dechert's Written Exercise? Or more broadly, any tips on how to best prepare for them? I feel its almost impossible to actually practice for them

Hi! Congrats on the WE I did it for the wvs and got progressed to interview! Feel free to dm!

 

[lolololol]

Is the test for Gibson Dunn automatic? i don’t want to do a whole app just for it be discarded when i do horrible in the test?

 

[nbjani]

Hey,

1) No, it is not an issue to draw examples from one experience. However, when you have more experiences at hand - it’s better to tap into them as it may look like you didn’t develop many skills from those opportunities. I worked in sales (selling shoes) and I used this experience to explain teamwork, communication and challenges. Don’t try erasing experiences you think don’t sound good - I remember a partner being super impressed with a candidate who sold Christmas lights.
2) When it comes to collaboration, most tend to think of experiences in management (however, it’s a little bit of a trap). You run the risk of providing an amazing example of leadership and ownership, without touching on what you’re like to work with as a team member. I like to frame the question from the perspective of a trainee. As a trainee, you won’t really be managing much - so show them how you deal with work that has been delegated, do you communicate, do you identify problems, do you take action on behalf of others etc.

Hopefully this helps but if not, let me know and we can run through some examples.

Thanks for this, super helpful!
Would you be able to go over some potential examples with me? I think I have some, but I worry about framing it as a trainee like you said.

 

[BobThebIlly]

Is the test for Gibson Dunn automatic? i don’t want to do a whole app just for it be discarded when i do horrible in the test?

Omg same here

 

[Sharkfin]

I’ve never heard of motivation qs used for a WE — is this more like app questions?

Thank you for your insight

Perfect way to describe them - and yea icl when I saw them pop up my heart SANK, but they arent too bad all things considered.

 

[User2640]

Does anyone have any insights into Reed Smith VI? Are there many questions?

 

[wrpark]

Anyone else also getting this screen when you try to access the Slaughter and May application portal? It's like this across all my devices and browsers.

 

[Rads]

Anyone else also getting this screen when you try to access the Slaughter and May application portal? It's like this across all my devices and browsers.

No works for me

 

[elle woods]

Anyone else also getting this screen when you try to access the Slaughter and May application portal? It's like this across all my devices and browsers.

I would say to give it some time...their portal is known for glitching, though I've never seen that situation before. Last time I tried to access my account, it said I had no account and I had to register for a new one... but then on my 10th try, I managed to log into my old account, and the new account is now who knows where.

but defo if it persists maybe you can let Early Careers know that you can't access your portal.

 

[BobThebIlly]

Perfect way to describe them - and yea icl when I saw them pop up my heart SANK, but they arent too bad all things considered.

Honestly I’ll take anything over a VI after today

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone have any insights into Reed Smith VI? Are there many questions?

Hello!

Whilst I can't remember the specific number of questions in Reed Smith's VI (and someone else who has completed it this cycle may be able to confirm!), I personally found this video on TCLA really useful when I was preparing for the VI and online assessment last cycle. As discussed in the video, the questions are a mix of motivational and strengths-based questions!

Wishing you the best of luck with your video interview, I'm sure you'll smash it!

 

[TCLA0322]

It’s so sad to be this sick right now and have to give up applying to firms I actually like 😵😭😭😭. And then I get a DLA Piper PFO post wgt while I’m lying in bed, using muscle memory to check Outlook. I guess my temperature is high enough to burn that PFO.

 

[BobThebIlly]

It’s so sad to be this sick right now and still have to apply to firms I actually like 😵😭😭😭. And then I get a DLA Piper PFO post while I’m lying in bed, using muscle memory to check Outlook. I guess my temperature is high enough to burn that PFO.

Omg this was literally me today. Had to sit weil SJT and VI as I was dying for my life

 

[M_m]

Anyone applied to Reed Smith on deadline day and received positive news?

 

[TCLA0322]

Omg this was literally me today. Had to sit weil SJT and VI as I was dying for my life

And literally I just went back to ldn from holiday to ready to lock in and feeling the worst when the plan disrupted for some random things😵😵😵 I was forced to rest.

 

[elle woods]

I might do MB tonight, I wonder how wild my scores for amberjack will vary with 12 hours in between each test 😂