TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Suii]

Do law firms deduct points in VI if you discuss a point that is not relevant to the question even if your first point is really strong. Say your first point is really strong then your second point is not related to the question. Hope that makes sense.

 

[BealMcAlly]

Other firms with Watson Glaser/Critical Thinking Test (Apps still open):

Milbank
Cooley
Cleary Gottlieb
Addleshaw Goddard

I've made a list for Amberjack before on this thread, worth check it out.
Other firms use Cappfin and SHL (Ashurst, Osborne Clarke, etc). The rest are quite direct either with written exercise or interview.

I want to just add on say that Milbank's WG is a stage 2 assessment.

There is an SJT and timed application questions for stage 1!!

 

[floral.tcla]

White & Case VI was absolutely criminal. I prepped so well and had no idea that the prep time was like 15 seconds lol, it completely threw me off. I spent like half of the response time for one of the questions just reading the question because I didn't even get a chance to fully register it lol

Most time-generous US law firm VI:

 

[yasmars]

hi, did you find out please?

No VI

 

[tc2026]

is Cooley rolling?

 

[BealMcAlly]

is Cooley rolling?

Get submitting!! 👏🏼💪🏼😉

 

[CharlesT47]

How many people heard from Kirkland ? Do you think this is all their ACs?

 

[sadlawyer01]

do firms take into account your written application during your VI?

 

[Donna Paulsen]

OC's test was designed to cook aspiring solicitors full of energy and dreams.

Was definitely the hardest one I have sat so far! That stupid interactive test needs to be put in the bin

 

[jojo23]

That’d be extra work for grad rec and they prefer to keep things rly ambiguous. They probs read these forums and see our daily crash-outs over whether they’re rolling or non-rolling and be like:

Gives them more time to make shitty, poorly timed tiktoks

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Does Milbank provide a report for the Stage 1 SJT?

 

[Novaa]

Gives them more time to make shitty, poorly timed tiktoks

Me watching them pause for 2 seconds at the start of their “Assessment Centre tips” video while waiting for my Stage 1 link

 

[BealMcAlly]

do firms take into account your written application during your VI?

I know that Reed Smith screen applications and then move on from it when they review SJT and VIs.

At one online event they basically said you can refer to your application for your VI but expand slightly for motivational questions.

I would assume most firms don't watch your VI with your application open, they have so many to review. The only time they maybe do that is if partners are reviewing the VIs. For example, Bristows' VI is not reviewed by GR but by partners. I think that makes is more stressful imo 😅🫢 but I guess if you make it past that they like you already.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Me watching them pause for 2 seconds at the start of their “Assessment Centre tips” video while waiting for my Stage 1 link

'Day in the life of a trainee!😁'

Yeah ok whatever

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

Does anyone have any insights into the Baker McKenzie vi? I have insights into the Mishcon Bright Apply interview, Reed Smith vi, Freshfields DTC second stage, Jones Day AC and Slaughter and May AC.

 

[AGB2060]

???? Help why is Kirkland so fast to reply

Edit: not that I'm complaining

Like post-VI for AC? Congrats!! May I ask when you did it (the VI)

 

[elle woods]

Like post-VI for AC? Congrats!! May I ask when you did it (the VI)

24th! Hence why I was so surprised since it hasn't even been a week

 

[AGB2060]

24th! Hence why I was so surprised since it hasn't even been a week

Ooo congrats! Likely rejection for me then, did it nearly a week before. Onto the next😛

 

[elle woods]

Ooo congrats! Likely rejection for me then, did it nearly a week before. Onto the next😛

noo don't think that - I think K&E do ACs on an ad hoc basis...it sounds like it anyways. I heard that last year they were doing ACs into Feb. So maybe they're inviting in batches. Or putting people on hold. From what I know, it seems like they have only invited people to 1 AC, meaning it's probably only been 12 people. There will defo be more ACs!!

ehm my uni also may or may not have sent a letter to firms asking them to stop taking students during term time since a lot of us were missing sessions to go to open days lol. This is a stretch but... so maybe they're doing us first to ensure it doesn't clash with term time. No clue if that's truly the case though.