TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[boots]

Averaged 62 and 61 in my first two years, including 2x 2:2s, but applied to Cleary last year after graduation and passed the initial screening. Did have a really strong final year though where I topped a module.

Awesome, thanks for sharing. May I know if you graduated with an overall 1st?

 

[boots]

Cananyone give any insight into the Freshfields Stage 1 test?

SJT + WG style questions. No VI. Quite standard.

 

[whywhy88]

What was the first stage btw? A Watson glasser?

It was SJT style multiple choice with two written questions at the end

 

[boots]

Can anyone confirm if Milbank is rolling/non-rolling? Says the latter on the tracker, but seems people are getting test invites.

 

[Bbhu19]

It was SJT style multiple choice with two written questions at the end

Than you, is the written questions short like 200 words or longer?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock How would you guys suggest structuring the following question:

"Is there any specific question you would like answered at interview and, unless obvious, why do you want it addressed? (150)"

Would it be better to mention more than one question or just one question but in-depth as to why I want it addressed? I'm also unsure how I should open my answer.

Hi @tom-sawyer I do not think there is a right or wrong way to tackle this question vis a vis the number of questions you should mention. I can both see how mentioning 1 question and then providing an 130 word explanation of the background and context of the question, but also the way it ties to your motivations, could be compelling in its show of depth; and how mentioning 3 questions, each with a 30-40 word explanation, could be attractive in terms of showing a breath of interests and research.

In my opinion, the option you go for should just depend on the specific of your interests and the firm; if you have one central interest in the firm that comes before all others, and especially if a question related to it may take a longer while to spell out, it wold make a lot of sense to go for the first approach. If instead you have a variety of reasons for interest, and the questions related to such interests are also easier to explain, it would definitely be sensible to go for the second option.

What I think is central to get this question right is to come up with good questions and clear explanation as to why they matter to you. As such, you should avoid doing the following:

• Asking questions which could also be researched online - a good question is one that you could only get a good answer from at the interview from someone with insider knowledge of the firm;
• Asking too broad or ambiguous questions: seek to be specific in the details of how you frame your question, showing that you know what kinds of aspects can truly differentiate the firm from its competitors;
• Asking questions solely meant to impress: while it is important to ask questions that reflect the depth of your research into the firm and of understanding of the legal market, you should also not ask questions only for asking's sake; instead, I think you should seek to connect each question with a plausibly-held motivation;

 

[Andrei Radu]

If a firm has a deadline for let's say the 31st but has no specific time, does this usually mean the deadline will be 23:59pm on the 31st, or 00:00 am?

Normally this would mean the last possible time you can submit your application is on the 31st at 23:59 - at 00:00 on the 1st the application form should be already closed. That said, I would advise you to seek to submit yours at least 15-20 minutes before the deadline. Application portals are busiest just before the deadline, and will not infrequently end up having technical issues with uploads and submissions in the last few minutes. As someone who has suffered the pain of having invested tens of hours in an application just to be unable to submit last moment, I would thus urge you to send yours in before that can happen 🥲

 

[A worried paralegal]

Is anyone else doing their AS CA semi-final at BCLP? Would be great to connect beforehand.

See you on Tuesday !!!

 

[tcapplicant.1]

HL WVS AC

 

[whywhy88]

Than you, is the written questions short like 200 words or longer?

250 each

 

[Goingtogetatc]

HL WVS AC

Congrats! Did you just get the email now?

 

[tom-sawyer]

Hi @tom-sawyer I do not think there is a right or wrong way to tackle this question vis a vis the number of questions you should mention. I can both see how mentioning 1 question and then providing an 130 word explanation of the background and context of the question, but also the way it ties to your motivations, could be compelling in its show of depth; and how mentioning 3 questions, each with a 30-40 word explanation, could be attractive in terms of showing a breath of interests and research.

In my opinion, the option you go for should just depend on the specific of your interests and the firm; if you have one central interest in the firm that comes before all others, and especially if a question related to it may take a longer while to spell out, it wold make a lot of sense to go for the first approach. If instead you have a variety of reasons for interest, and the questions related to such interests are also easier to explain, it would definitely be sensible to go for the second option.

What I think is central to get this question right is to come up with good questions and clear explanation as to why they matter to you. As such, you should avoid doing the following:

• Asking questions which could also be researched online - a good question is one that you could only get a good answer from at the interview from someone with insider knowledge of the firm;
• Asking too broad or ambiguous questions: seek to be specific in the details of how you frame your question, showing that you know what kinds of aspects can truly differentiate the firm from its competitors;
• Asking questions solely meant to impress: while it is important to ask questions that reflect the depth of your research into the firm and of understanding of the legal market, you should also not ask questions only for asking's sake; instead, I think you should seek to connect each question with a plausibly-held motivation;

Thank you @Andrei Radu !

 

[tcapplicant.1]

Congrats! Did you just get the email now?

Thanks, I got an email around 4

 

[flower1]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu

This may seem ridiculous, but I was wondering what's the best way to actually gain commercial awareness to the point I'm fluent in using terminology and understanding the implications of things. Right now, I'm extremely new and don't know where to begin. I was thinking of first understanding terminology like equity, bonds etc and then after 2 weeks, start to read articles and see if I can apply this to the articles, but I don't know how to go about it. What did you find was successful for you? I feel like there's so much and am worried in interviews I wouldn't be able to answer follow-up questions. Also, how do you actually remember what you've read - like keep a log of it, and also how can I keep track of a news story from start to finish? Sorry for lots of questions, just really don't know where to even start

Thank you

 

[TortillaTC]

HL WVS AC

Congrats!! When did you do the 2nd test if you don’t mind saying?

 

[Bbhu19]

250 each

Ok thank you

 

[msclm]

Dechert interview 😎 (and hsfk pfo, the second PFO they sent me this week💀)

 

[mg42guy32]

I have a clash between a Latham & Watkins Open day and a Mentoring Scheme with a law firm I will be applying to. I really want to go to the LAaham open day, but how should I navigate this? Any help?

For anyone who applied for Latham OD and received a PFO, will you be applying to the vac scheme? Are the app questions similar/the same?

Hey I believe the app qs are slightly different but I think the why Latham is the Same so don’t let it stop you! Plus they allow you to redo the sjt if you do get rejected from the OD for that reason (I assume)

 

[iqra.ahmed]

Anyone still waiting to hear back from W&C after completing the Cappfinity test? As in they have not yet received the VI yet?

 

[legal18]

Is there a word limit for the TCLA Application review?