TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Amgrad]

Milbank test invite! - Leveraged Finance Summer VS!

 

[M_m]

B&B wg

Congratulations! Can I ask when you submitted your application and whether it was for the summer VS?

 

[GiveMeTC2026]

B&B wg it shows hard work and 8 drafts paid off!

 

[TCLAUser1]

Ashurst WVS AC invite!!

Congrats!! Was this after the online written exercise?

 

[RSK]

hey has anyone received an offer for the latham open day on 6th November?

 

[king752]

Congrats!! Was this after the online written exercise?

Thank you! Yes I completed the WE on 8th October

 

[Dannie]

Is Links WG timed? and is it hard...

 

[berocca567]

I've been to a few open days/Acs recently and the trainees are never that welcoming/friendly. They always look a bit awkward and tired. Is this something to be concerned about?

 

[Atam!]

Is Links WG timed? and is it hard...

Nope and i wont say its hard, they're just testing your ability so dont think such questions will be classed as "hard"

 

[aspringlawyer25]

hey has anyone received an offer for the latham open day on 6th November?

not yet, also still waiting for this. The october batch got the invite a week to the event so likely to hear back next week I guess.

 

[Dannie]

Nope and i wont say its hard, they're just testing your ability so dont think such questions will be classed as "hard"

not timed yay!

 

[RSK]

not yet, also still waiting for this. The october batch got the invite a week to the event so likely to hear back next week I guess.

ahh makes sense; still can't figure out if their open day application was rolling or not - I think it was last year, but apparently people are still being progressed etc to second stage so maybe not as rolling as I thought.

 

[jaisrihere]

Is Links WG timed? and is it hard...

The online one you do doing the application is not timed.

but, on the AC, you will be made to take the test in person again, that is timed.

 

[jaisrihere]

Where and how do I practice for Links Capp test? Is it hard?

 

[johnsmith]

I've been to a few open days/Acs recently and the trainees are never that welcoming/friendly. They always look a bit awkward and tired. Is this something to be concerned about?

I think it’s worth remembering they are often quite junior in their roles and may not be quite as confident as you might expect in social situations. Quite a few I’ve seen at events only started their training contract in September, and have recently graduated - adjusting to full time work is tiring whilst learning lots of new things and having particular experiences for the first time!

They do work long hours though too, as do many working at top commercial outfits, as that’s the reality of the big salaries, so some signs of fatigue are likely.

You’ll probably feel the same if you end up in their shoes 😅

 

[Sharkfin]

Anyone know what to make of Mischon's chat-based screening interview?

 

[SamiyaJ]

Anyone know what to make of Mischon's chat-based screening interview?

I was just going to ask this 😂

 

[firmfirm]

I've been to a few open days/Acs recently and the trainees are never that welcoming/friendly. They always look a bit awkward and tired. Is this something to be concerned about?

I used to think US firms generally had worse cultures, but after attending a few open days I’ve realised the vibe really depends on the firm.

At one US firm, a trainee was quite rude and grad rec seemed blunt, which put me off applying. At another, both the trainees and grad rec were friendly, which completely changed my view.

I’ve noticed that when grad rec is friendly, the trainees usually reflect that energy. And it makes sense because trainees interact with grad rec a lot during their training and often adapt to their vibe to fit in. That’s why I think it’s so important to also pay attention to how grad rec treats people, because it says a lot about the firm’s overall culture.

 

[lawyersum]

I've been to a few open days/Acs recently and the trainees are never that welcoming/friendly. They always look a bit awkward and tired. Is this something to be concerned about?

I've seen this as well. But I take it as my reminder to literally not be so stressed out about joining these firms. Don't get me wrong, have your goals and aspirations as we all do, and commercial law is a very good platform for career development, networking, travel etc, but at the end of the day, it's a job, so don't spoil your health over it. Your 2-year TC could just be a springboard for you to go on to do something much more valuable for the world lol. We need more socially conscious people rather than more secondary PE funds.

I used to think US firms generally had worse cultures, but after attending a few open days I’ve realised the vibe really depends on the firm.

At one US firm, a trainee was quite rude and grad rec seemed blunt, which put me off applying. At another, both the trainees and grad rec were friendly, which completely changed my view.

I’ve noticed that when grad rec is friendly, the trainees usually reflect that energy. And it makes sense because trainees interact with grad rec a lot during their training and often adapt to their vibe to fit in. That’s why I think it’s so important to also pay attention to how grad rec treats people, because it says a lot about the firm’s overall culture.

This is so important as well. Meet firms, even if its for 5 minutes at a packed networking event, you will learn a lot from the way they interact with candidates. Although, I have found that US firm trainees tend to be the most disillusioned. Really nice firms I've recently met are WFW, Bristows, Bird & Bird, Taylor Wessing, OC.

 

[c.t.tc]

I was just going to ask this 😂

Have you received the link/email for it?