TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Donna Paulsen]

Does anyone know when we hear back from ES? I’m sure at the end of the VI it said before the new year, but not sure if I’m imagining that 🤣

Could be tomorrow...... EEK

 

[futuretraineeihope]

Does anyone have an DLA TI insights?

 

[jamsparkle]

From Clifford Chance's application receipt email (applied for SPARK):


"Whilst you wait to hear from us, we have a number of open access resources which we encourage you to complete:

• Our Global Virtual Internships. Applicants are 9.1x more likely to progress to interview and 15.6x more likely to secure a Training Contract having completed at least one Global Virtual Internship."

doesn't that seem insanely high? why might this be the case? esp since they seem to say that they don't take this into account

 

[johnsmith]

Should I lose hope with Reed Smith? Have they got back to anyone else who applied on the deadline? Or is it just an automatic rejection now.

I’m still waiting, they will have had high volume just before finishing for Christmas so maintain hope

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Clyde and Co doesn't ask for anything in the application, not even work experience????? I'm confused

 

[johnsmith]

I swear someone on this forum (who was not a BA or on the FYS) claimed they got an AC in Jan for the summer vac scheme before Christmas, which is a bit strange.

I thought there was an interview stage before assessments or is it all rolled into one?

 

[elle woods]

From Clifford Chance's application receipt email (applied for SPARK):


"Whilst you wait to hear from us, we have a number of open access resources which we encourage you to complete:

• Our Global Virtual Internships. Applicants are 9.1x more likely to progress to interview and 15.6x more likely to secure a Training Contract having completed at least one Global Virtual Internship."

doesn't that seem insanely high? why might this be the case? esp since they seem to say that they don't take this into account

Firstly, firms have to pay to have their programmes (that they also worked hard to create) on Forage, soooo

Anyways, I have seen people get onto SPARK or the TC who have done none at all. Most people end up doing at least 1 because of what they say and because it's a good application talking point (as well as just a good general resource to learn about commercial law). That's why it's so high, because most people would have done it anyways - correlation doesn't always equal causation though!

Edit: and like the others have said: from a stats perspective, most successful candidates will have completed at least 1.
I've personally done over 4, but I still got rejected at application review stage ahah, so like the person above said, not sure if it makes a difference truly.

Either way, GVIs are also just good to do. They're good insight into the actual work trainees do. If you complete one and still think commercial law is for you, then that's good for the firm since they can be sure you're committed to and interested in commercial law.

 

[A worried paralegal]

Anyone heard from SPB for Manchester?

 

[A worried paralegal]

Clyde and Co doesn't ask for anything in the application, not even work experience????? I'm confused

Is this for the Academy?

 

[A worried paralegal]

6,6,6,3 (creative force) in amberjack.. goodbye Mishcon hun can’t wait to have one to one with AI chat therapy bot again next year xx

I got an absolutely awful score which has gave me even more pain

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Is this for the Academy?

No this is forthe summer vac scheme

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Can Freshfields reject me already...has anyone been invited to the January ACs yet. Please let me know so I can finally leave this firm alone.

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

From Clifford Chance's application receipt email (applied for SPARK):


"Whilst you wait to hear from us, we have a number of open access resources which we encourage you to complete:

• Our Global Virtual Internships. Applicants are 9.1x more likely to progress to interview and 15.6x more likely to secure a Training Contract having completed at least one Global Virtual Internship."

doesn't that seem insanely high? why might this be the case? esp since they seem to say that they don't take this into account

A stats perspectice: correlation not causation
The majority of applications (in general) are probably not high enough to meet their standards.
People who spend time doing those things, are less likely to be people who would rush applications / make applications that didn't meet the thresholds.
Therefore the % of people who complete these things who progress is likely significantly higher than the % of the overall application cohort, not because an equally strong candidate who did the GVI is a more credible candidate, but rather that people who rush/ spend little time on applications won't be completing those.

 

[zara elles]

Does anyone know whether the Milbank OA is automatic?

The wording in the email is: "Your application has been shortlisted for the next stage of the process as you've demonstrated the potential that we are looking for.

This is a formal invitation for you to complete an Online Assessment."

So I would assume its not automatic, but from reading their online material and TCLA I'm getting the feeling it is?

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

Did anyone apply to Dechert in the past couple of weeks and receive the written exercise?

 

[Harvey Specter]

Did anyone apply to Dechert in the past couple of weeks and receive the written exercise?

I saw someone got theirs last week and they’d only applied two weeks prior. Others waited 6-8 weeks so it’s all over the place lmao. I sent my app early Dec and haven’t heard since.​

 

[kukubird]

Does anyone know whether the Milbank OA is automatic?

The wording in the email is: "Your application has been shortlisted for the next stage of the process as you've demonstrated the potential that we are looking for.

This is a formal invitation for you to complete an Online Assessment."

So I would assume its not automatic, but from reading their online material and TCLA I'm getting the feeling it is?

I do not think it is automatic but rather they do a basic screening of your application and then decide to send you a test.

 

[kukubird]

I saw people asking questions about applying to Perkins LBA, if anyone needs any advice feel free to DM me I have done their SVS.