TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[kikiki]

For the Mishcon AI test, did everyone else also not get a question in Part 6? It just sent me a text saying Mishcon looks for xyz in an ideal candidate. Didn't know what to say and just replied "I understand.", to which it responded with "Thanks for sharing that with me."

Also anyone else not been asked additional questions on anything? I only got to type one message per question and everything went straight to thanks for sharing. A friend said a lot of additional questions were asked.

 

[FutureLawyer_]

Hey guys! Does anyone have any examples of questions to ask at the end of an ac, ones that you’ve asked that have really impressed the partner? I’ve got a few, but just trying to see if there are any unique ones?!

I know one person that asked ‘if you had to compared the firm to a premier league footballer, who would you say and why’ which apparently the partner loved haha

 

[Gabri3l]

Proskeur Rose AC invite!!!

I would be very very grateful for any insight as it is one of my top choices and I have no clue what to expect in the AC (they will provide details closer to time of the activities).

@fTS3002 @Mart1nVa1l congrats guys!! Do Yall wanna create a gc to prep? Let me know if anyone else wants to be added.

Would love to get involved in prep if possible

 

[Madison Pinewall]

YES omg haha I was trying to lie to myself that since I technically started applying in Winter, the application cycle doesn't end until after Winter...so next year's WVS' are part of this cycle...yes...indeed

I didn't start in the winter so I feel like I can totally just have the cycle start in the spring right.....

 

[Madison Pinewall]

also does anybody have any tips on how to stop comparing, I go to a uni where it seems like everybody is getting TCs or VSs. its hard not to feel like a flop, especially when you feel like you have been working a lot harder towards this goal!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Not me anxiously refreshing my emails for an update from Willkie

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

Got the Cleary WG yesterday - applied on 23/01.

Didn’t know they only give 48 hours to do it

 

[sbbusybee]

guys do u reckon taking a placement year in a law firm gives me a better chance when applying to tc's, and do you think its worth still applying to vac schemes because i have the placement

There are pros and cons.

I’m on placement this year, and the legal experience I’m gaining is definitely a huge plus for TC applications.

However I’ve only been able to apply to 4 VS because -
1. Realistically I cannot do spring/winter, only summer and that’s difficult enough (getting time off, explaining to firm)
2. Time, it takes a lot of time to research and write apps that I have less of because of working full time

I also cannot attend virtual legal events during the day and it’s difficult to go to open days/ interviews (if I had any right now..).

It’s also awkward as I believe my current firm (a very good regional/national) expect me to stay with them for a TC.

Next year is my final year of uni and when I’ll actually apply to a lot of schemes / DTC, and my experience this year will be a huge plus for those apps.

 

[Myparentsdream]

Not me anxiously refreshing my emails for an update from Willkie

I think it'll be a rejection. The recruitment has been a weird one this year. Lost all faith.

 

[llblawstudent]

haven't gotten the Cleary WG invite yet...

When’d you apply btw?

 

[kikiki]

also does anybody have any tips on how to stop comparing, I go to a uni where it seems like everybody is getting TCs or VSs. its hard not to feel like a flop, especially when you feel like you have been working a lot harder towards this goal!

Hey, same. From the looks of it we may be in the same uni lol, and I've flopped so hard I'm doing a masters to stall. I think firstly you need to understand part of it is luck, but if you have been consistently "unlucky", I'd recommend finding people who have gotten a lot of offers and have a chat with them. I was kind of soloing the whole thing, and this cycle I'm looking back and seeing that a lot of my efforts were misdirected. I fixed that this time by bothering people and inviting them out to coffees (my treat). Helps wonders, truly.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

When’d you apply btw?

26/01 - maybe I just need to wait a bit

 

[oliviabeijing]

I have printed off some notes for my AC. Am I able to take them to the day? Like while im waiting in between each stage is it 'tacky' to quickly refresh by reading through my notes?

 

[kikiki]

any mishcon updates (spring)?

Hello! If you don't mind me asking do you remember if the AI chat test asked you a question in part6, cus I got something that was just like "we are looking for xyz in an ideal candidate". There was no question! Also, were you asked a lot of follow up questions by the bot? Cus I got nothing, it moved on immediately after each response. Kinda freaking out, I've emailed gradrec about 50 times about this but no response.

 

[Deleted member 43292]

I have printed off some notes for my AC. Am I able to take them to the day? Like while im waiting in between each stage is it 'tacky' to quickly refresh by reading through my notes?

no it's not tacky, but I think it's important to read the room as well - i like to print notes as well, but I've found that at some ACs, people tend to be more social rather than studying up on their notes etc. so if you're the only person who's isolating themselves during a break etc to read your notes, then that might not come across very well.

what I like to do is go to the toilet with my bag and quickly skim the notes there... lol

but other firms might let you look over notes or keep you in more of a quiet atmosphere between stages, and I think it's fine to look over your notes in those instances

 

[llblawstudent]

26/01 - maybe I just need to wait a bit

If it’s any consolation, I applied at a very similar time and haven’t heard back either. But the people that got theirs in minutes does make me worry….

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Still nothing for Freshfields London-Asia, someone asked me privately about the update, but I have nothing! Would love to receive wait-list email too, at least for them, applied 22/12

 

[YYmasterTC]

Hello! If you don't mind me asking do you remember if the AI chat test asked you a question in part6, cus I got something that was just like "we are looking for xyz in an ideal candidate". There was no question! Also, were you asked a lot of follow up questions by the bot? Cus I got nothing, it moved on immediately after each response. Kinda freaking out, I've emailed gradrec about 50 times about this but no response.

Hi, it does ask a lot of follow-up questions. But apparently, if you answer the question fully then it doesn't ask any follow-ups. And I don't remember the question from part 6, maybe someone will remember and can help

 

[elizabethkate]

is bevan brittan rolling?

 

[helenaskelton]

Hi everyone, has anyone here done the video interview for DAC Beachcroft? If yes, I would be grateful if you could tell me what the questions are? Need to do mine in next 5 days. Thank you so much!!

Haha yeah same here! Pls lmk anyone x