TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[abc124]

I think as long as you perform well on the work, remember to ask questions about the work you’re doing, remain polite, show interest in the firm, and arrive on time daily the chances are very high of converting at most firms.

Looking back on the VS I completed I think I did everything right, but one thing I forgot to do which came up in my feedback, was that I forgot to ask more questions about the work even though I performed well on the task.

So even though i know it’s easy to take the approach of “I can do this”, make sure you show them you can by also asking questions before setting off to do the task. Also once you’ve submitted it, ask questions on the topic or the purpose of it.

All the best!!

Thanks so much, that's so helpful and really reassuring! I'll definitely keep this in mind once I manage to secure a vac scheme and try to stop overthinking for now haha Best of luck with everything!

 

[LaDiva]

Any input for the Mills and Reeves online assessment? (amberjack)

 

[meredithgrey]

Just gone to do White & Case test and it's saying time run out but then it said thank you for completing the test. The 4 days since it being sent has not passed and I definitely have not yet completed it. What should I do??????

 

[abc124]

That makes complete sense, thanks so much. I'll defo focus on what I can control now and try to do my best with the apps to actually secure a vac scheme haha

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Just did AG online assessment, was panicked when I open the link it says completed, I tried to sit the test immediately without prep but the my username & password were wrong and then blocked for 5 minutes. I tried to log in again and renew my username & password, and finally the problem has been solved. Sometimes the glitch is so annoying TBH!

Wish that if I had been invited to the next stages for other firms they will allow me to submit on weekend or at least have 7 days deadline or unlimited like AG as I have exams coming up 🫠 why don't they send to me now so I can do it all today and tomorrow.

 

[Lawlawland]

Hoping you get an offer. I'm sure that would be perfect for you.

Very kind of you to say this, thank you ♥️!

Fingers crossed 🤞🏾

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Hi what do ppl put for minimum salary requirement questions? (Perkins Coie)? would really appreciate any guidance here!

@tc2026 I have always opted to go 10% higher than my current salary or as close to the pay on offer available. I've never actually seen this used in practice, but I don't think it's one they'll think twice about candidates over. They'll just use it to see if you fall in line with whats budgeted for the role and if you ask for lower, they'll probably try matching that to save some money unless its a guaranteed pay scale like TC's are.

 

[jojo23]

Anybody got the dla ac on jan 12?

 

[pfoapplicant]

Hi guys! I'm currently filling in the BCLP application form, which contains the following question (with a 500-word limit!):

"What do you find attractive about BCLP's sectors/departments and which area(s) are you interested in having exposure to in your Training Contract and why?"

Does anyone have any ideas on how candidates are supposed to approach answering this? For example, would it be valid to start by focusing on sectors that BCLP specialises in that I find attractive (and, of course, explain why) - e.g. healthcare, energy, etc; and then go on to particular departments that I find interesting (e.g. M&A, Real Estate, Finance) and dovetail that with why I'd like to have exposure to those areas during my TC (perhaps with reference to specific seats that BCLP do?)

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be very grateful!

 

[Prudentia]

Somehow I’ve got through to the next stage of Milbank.

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Somehow I’ve got through to the next stage of Milbank.

Huge congrats! We know you can do it, I am waiting mine or PFO post stage 1 since october

 

[wooliewoo]

Random Q but does anyone know if the Addleshaw critical thinking test is the same as Eversheds' (as in, the Qs are very law focused)?

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Random Q but does anyone know if the Addleshaw critical thinking test is the same as Eversheds' (as in, the Qs are very law focused)?

It's similar to TW's provider (TestPrep), but completely different questions one to another.

 

[TS.Law]

I got the Milbank's Critical Thinking test (2nd stage). Is this the WGT? Does it have VI? Any insights, please?

 

[wooliewoo]

It's similar to TW's provider (TestPrep), but completely different questions one to another.

Thank you!

 

[TCLA0322]

Milbank stage 2 invite, did on stage 1 29th Dec-any insights on the test, what questions are they supposed to have?

 

[Prudentia]

Huge congrats! We know you can do it, I am waiting mine or PFO post stage 1 since october

I’m glad you have faith in me! Tbh, I didn’t even know what Milbank specialised in until they asked me in the first online test 💀🫠 had to quickly Google!

 

[lividowl03]

Thanks so much, that's so helpful and really reassuring! I'll definitely keep this in mind once I manage to secure a vac scheme and try to stop overthinking for now haha Best of luck with everything!

I agree with that reply, best not to dwell on it too much but you can usually figure it out a little though, and in many cases it is something worth considering (e.g if you have two schemes that clash). For example, my friend has a scheme coming up with a firm soon, and they weren't explicitly told much, from googling she figured out they take on about 25 trainees, they have around 30 vac scheme places a year, and they also open a direct training contract route later in the year. So she's surmising around 20/30 may get an offer.

However, everything is guesswork, and there's a lot of factors involved. E.g in the case of this firm, if all of the vac schemes were absolutely perfect, they might offer a TC to as many of them as they can and just not open the direct TC role that year. If they are all awful, they might not offer any, and would instead take on only direct TCs. What I've heard said from multiple firms graduate recruitment (though this definitely isn't applicable to all firms), is that if you can impress on the scheme, they like you and want you and think you'd be a good trainee, there is typically flexibility to offer you the TC. Whether that's a spot in an earlier cohort (provided you've finished your studies), or offering you a later cohort (i.e three years in advance instead of two), or even making an additional spot in the current cohort, they will work it out.

So I'm taking that and running with it, do the best you can and it will (hopefully) all fall into place.

 

[flower1]

Does anyone know if Latham sends out actual rejections, or is it only successful candidates that are emailed?

Thank you

 

[spamelinazoid]

Just did the first Milbank test and 2 questions. It honestly wasnt as bad as I thought but holy hell having to come up with a response on 20 minutes without prior preparation would have *not* have worked.