TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter]

what does the holding email read ? thanks

Dear [insert name],

“Thank you for your application for a place on the Gibson Dunn Vacation Scheme and for completing our online Capptivate Law Assessment. Following the completion of your assessment you will be sent a feedback report. Please note, this will not be sent instantly and may take a few days to arrive in your inbox. Please be assured that we have received your assessment results unless we get in touch to state otherwise.

We just wanted to let you know that we will be reviewing your application and assessment results and will be in touch as soon as we have further updates. As you are aware our programmes are highly competitive so please do bear with us.”

Thank you for your patience.

Kind regards,

International Graduate Recruitment & Development Team at Gibson Dunn.​

 

[KuriTH]

A couple questions on the format of the NRF VI (people are understandably cagey about sharing past questions):

1. From what I understand, there is unlimited time to prepare, and we can re-record all answers. Is this correct? Are we marked on preparation time?

2. Also does anyone know many questions there are? Is it 5?

Any pointers greatly appreciated.

 

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

Those who've done the Reed Smith VI, your insights would be much appreciated!

@Harvey Specter & @Wagamamas, drop the Tyrion Lannister cackle. That mischievous, wine-drunk laugh is scaring everyone off; nobody’s going to help me if you continue like this!

 

[Harvey Specter]

@Harvey Specter & @Wagamamas, drop the Tyrion Lannister cackle. That mischievous, wine-drunk laugh is scaring everyone off; nobody’s going to help me if you continue like this!

My bad boss. I hope you receive your insights and go on to secure the Reed Smith TC.​

 

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

Thank you so much!

 

[floral.tcla]

happy New Year’s eve eve everyone…

has anyone else completed dla piper’s voice interview?
would really appreciate any advice from mods on answering motivational questions in a voice interview when you’ve already answered them at the written stage - is this essentially the chance to deliver that but while showing your voice and personality?
also for some context in the invite email, it says it’s around 15 mins long but the booking suggestion says 30 mins (and also at this stage they don’t want you to ask questions at the end). This is a lot of extra time lol so unsure what to make of it😅

 

[BatmanBeyond]

Anyone still waiting for Milbank stage 2 test, did stage 1 weeks ago

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Is 20 too low then?

Hey!

Unfortunately, I'm not too sure if there is a benchmark or what that would be! It's likely that the firm will look at your VI and SJT holistically and make a determination based on them both, so I would try not to worry too much about the individual score

 

[aria_d]

Hello, for the people getting DLA Piper London ACs, when did you apply + complete your telephone interview?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

when answering this question for AG, Use this space to tell us about any mitigating circumstances that you might have, or any other information about you that might be relevant to your application., should i write more about my work experience/extracirrculars and answer it as a why law, why id be a good trainee question or just leave it blank as I don't have any mitigating circumstances?

Hi!

This question is likely included to give candidates a fair chance to explain anything that might need context (e.g. illness, caring responsibilities, disruption to studies, resits, gaps, etc.). If you don't have any mitigating circumstances or genuinely relevant contextual information, it's absolutely fine (and often better) to leave it blank. The graduate recruitment team are not going to penalise you for this, and are likely expecting it for the majority of applicants.

I would avoid using the space to:

1. Repeat work experience or extracurriculars already covered elsewhere in your application
2. Squeeze in a "why I'd be a good trainee" answer
3. Answer "why law or why AG" directly

If the firm wanted this to be included in the application form, they likely would've made it a dedicated application question - it could be the case that these questions will come up later on in the process!

If there is a substantial extracurricular or responsibility that adds important context to your application and didn't fit elsewhere in your application, I'd say that you can add this very briefly if you feel it would add value to your application. If not, it's totally fine to leave it blank

 

[TheLegalEdit]

Hey!

Unfortunately, I'm not too sure if there is a benchmark or what that would be! It's likely that the firm will look at your VI and SJT holistically and make a determination based on them both, so I would try not to worry too much about the individual score

Okay thank you! I stumbled a bit on Q1 and was not able to give my full answer, the rest were better. Do you think it’s an automatic rejection when you stumble? I know there’s a marking criteria grad recruitment are using

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Has anyone heard back from Akin post TI, they were meant to respond before Christmas

when did you do the TI? I did mine today and they said they will get back to me after the first week of JAN

 

[elle woods]

😖😣 watching reels on vacation destinations and people's holidays over the past year rn

making a promise that once we get that TC we will too! it'll all be worth it, hold on a little longer everyone!

 

[x_law2004]

Does Mishcon SJT have video questions?

 

[Novaa]

😖😣 watching reels on vacation destinations and people's holidays over the past year rn

making a promise that once we get that TC we will too! it'll all be worth it, hold on a little longer everyone!

Exactly!! Like yes “I love insurance… and banks… and credit cards” but likeee I also really like holidays!

Here’s to more successful news and TCs for everyone 🥂

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Christmas has seemingly been a quiet time for the firms I have applied to. It's worryingly quiet on the western front. Hope everyone has been having a good Christmas, and those prepping for January exams have found some free time to enjoy themselves. Back to lurking and stuffing my face with last weeks Turkey in a sandwich concoction that really shouldn't exist....

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

If anyone here has done an ac with Milbank pls pm me. Can provide insights for other firms too 🙏

 

[hmevey]

Hi!

This question is likely included to give candidates a fair chance to explain anything that might need context (e.g. illness, caring responsibilities, disruption to studies, resits, gaps, etc.). If you don't have any mitigating circumstances or genuinely relevant contextual information, it's absolutely fine (and often better) to leave it blank. The graduate recruitment team are not going to penalise you for this, and are likely expecting it for the majority of applicants.

I would avoid using the space to:

1. Repeat work experience or extracurriculars already covered elsewhere in your application
2. Squeeze in a "why I'd be a good trainee" answer
3. Answer "why law or why AG" directly

If the firm wanted this to be included in the application form, they likely would've made it a dedicated application question - it could be the case that these questions will come up later on in the process!

If there is a substantial extracurricular or responsibility that adds important context to your application and didn't fit elsewhere in your application, I'd say that you can add this very briefly if you feel it would add value to your application. If not, it's totally fine to leave it blank

Thank you thats super useful! I think i will leave it blank- i currently drafted an answer on my work experience and other experiences that would make me a good fit but i wasn't sure if it was needed! Thank you!

 

[llblawstudent]

If anyone here has done an ac with Milbank pls pm me. Can provide insights for other firms too 🙏

Hey when did you receive it and was it for spring/summer? Congrats btw!!