TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

I struggled with this for SO LONG but I discovered the 'Wake Up to Money' podcast and it's so good. It discusses business news but without any jargon so it feels really comprehensible. It also covers so many different issues and sectors so it's great for building an understanding of different business areas

thank you so much! I'll check it out!

 

[TCLA0322]

Does anyone have any advice on how to build commercial awareness (other than reading the FT everyday and keeping up with the Firm)...? Any current trends to look out for?

My uni tutor, who was also an ex-Big Law associate, recommended me reading 'The Lawyer': which some uni accounts have a subscription.

 

[zara elles]

Does anyone know is DWF still offers a legal tech seat? I cant seem to find anything on whether they renewed it after the trial period in 2021.

 

[Jennifer2003]

Really rogue question, but when you start the PGDL or SQE, how do people afford to live in London? I’m coming from Leeds and having to move down with my partner and for the life of us cannot see how we will manage it. Those who’ve done the SQE or going to, how do you make it work? Most firms I’m looking at give a 10-15k bursary but I’ve no idea how to make that work :/
- sorry if this is a really daft question, but I’ve tried to do some research and thought maybe this could be a good place to discuss since we will all (or majority) need to move down to London at some point?

thank you to everybody who replied to this!! Really helpful and reassuring stuff

 

[Diana54]

I did the Hogan Lovells first stage test at the beginning of November and I have still not heard back. Is it definitely a PFO at this stage? - I can see some people got a message within an hour that they have passed the first stage which I still haven’t got.

 

[elle woods]

I did the Hogan Lovells first stage test at the beginning of November and I have still not heard back. Is it definitely a PFO at this stage? - I can see some people got a message within an hour that they have passed the first stage which I still haven’t got.

I'm in the same situation - my thoughts are that yes it's probably a PFO - HL usually just takes forever to reject you if you fail their tests

 

[Harvey Specter]

I'm in the same situation - my thoughts are that yes it's probably a PFO - HL usually just takes forever to reject you if you fail their tests

Unless your performance is absolutely atrocious, in which case they’ll acc reject you within 48 hrs after taking the test (stage 2). 🫠​

 

[elle woods]

Unless your performance is absolutely atrocious, in which case they’ll acc reject you within 48 hrs after taking the test (stage 2). 🫠​

😭

 

[Amgrad]

ive not heard back from hsf summer vs after passing their sjt. not heard from bclp for summer either yet… did u apply for spring w bclp?

Honestly I applied Milbank and HSF for summer as we can pick freely (no wonder I got no update yet), but my MacFarlanes and Weil app is intended for Spring, but for Mac we can't choose the scheme like Willkie or Reed Smith. I wish I did it in reverse order, so I can get update for HSF and Milbank quicker lol rather than waiting all super longgg and felt like being reserved.

 

[BobThebIlly]

How long should I spend on preparing for my Weil VI? It’s next Tuesday

I’m getting very overwhelmed because it’s my first VI ever and I have no clue what to expect!

I’ve currently structured my prep as:

1. Motivation
   • Why Weil?
   • Why commercial law?
2. Competency
   • Teamwork
   • Challenge
   • Resilience
   • Communication
3. Judgement / values
   • Ethical dilemma
   • Handling conflict
   • Client pressure
4. Commercial awareness
   • Recent deal
   • Market trend
   • Why it matters to Weil

However, I’m so worried they’re gonna throw in a trick question that I will be stumped on. I’ve spent 1-2 hours today just bullet pointing key facts about the firm, their values and practice areas. I know I need to start recording myself actually practicing saying my answers out loud but I’m stumped…

Also, are there any exemplar responses to VI questions on TCLA?

 

[Amgrad]

Interview invite to SH? Congrats!! I thought they were non-rolling

Yep, I do like firms which shows a real commitment for DEI, not just a brag like white shoe or boutique firms. I always prioritise firms which rank highly on SMEI and Law360 index.

 

[Harold Gunderson]

Is the clyde and co VS not open to grads?

 

[_hashirm1]

Is the clyde and co VS not open to grads?

I think only their spring vacation scheme is.

 

[iwatchsuits]

Hey! I did ES's video interview last year and you're right it is strengths-based. The firm really focuses on your motivations in specific scenarios and what qualities you're naturally drawn to expressing. Expect mainly questions about an experience you have and how that shows your affinity for a specific strength. The firm also likes if you mention what energised you about the overall situation. Focus on preparing these competency examples instead of preparing the typical why law, why firm!

Thank you so so much for the insight! I love competency questions and definitely prefer them over the 'why law' types of questions so I'm not as nervous now haha. I emphasised the whole energising thing on my application so they seem to love that!

 

[iwatchsuits]

Has anyone done the ES VI yet? I'm planning to do mine tomorrow morning would love to know how it went

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Have people progressed with firms to interview before and then re-applied and got rejected at app stage? So annoying

yea and that initial app didn't even have application questions (only work exp and education), or an online test in conjunction with it! that's super annoying I dont even wanna guess why

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Has anyone done the ES VI yet? I'm planning to do mine tomorrow morning would love to know how it went

Following too!

 

[iwatchsuits]

Also guys I'm lowkey embarrassed because I re-read my ES application and saw I made a stupid typo (repeating a word) in one of my questions. Feel so fortunate to receive a video interview but it is kind of funny because my pristine Simmons application (that admittedly I also did way more research for) was chucked in the bin LOL

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Really rogue question, but when you start the PGDL or SQE, how do people afford to live in London? I’m coming from Leeds and having to move down with my partner and for the life of us cannot see how we will manage it. Those who’ve done the SQE or going to, how do you make it work? Most firms I’m looking at give a 10-15k bursary but I’ve no idea how to make that work :/
- sorry if this is a really daft question, but I’ve tried to do some research and thought maybe this could be a good place to discuss since we will all (or majority) need to move down to London at some point?

Hey!

Absolutely not a daft question at all - this was something that really stressed me out too, especially as I didn't grow up near London and knew many firms require the PDGL/SQE to be completed in person.

Honestly, it is a tricky situation! I'm quite fortunate that my course provider is fully online, so I've been able to stay in my university city while completing the SQE and will move to London when I start my TC. However, it definitely isn't a perfectly solution - I have to get the train at 6am on my office days, and it is relatively expensive to commute (thank you British rail!).

From speaking to others in my cohort, particularly those from outside London, a lot of people ended up house-sharing to keep costs down. That said, I completely understand that can be difficult when moving with a partner and you don't want to share with others, as I was also in the same position. Living further out and commuting in can help with rent, although travel costs can add up quite quickly!

When I did my placement year in London, I was on around a similar salary as those bursary's and lived an hour commute away. Combined with my partner's salary, we did make it work, so there are definitely ways to balance it - it just takes a lot of careful planning and compromises. I'd have a look at commuter towns around the City, as you might be able to find a good balance between renting costs and travel costs.

Some firms also do offer interest-free loans and other ways of supporting those who would struggle to afford to live in London on the bursary/maintenance alone - I would definitely encourage you to reach out in the future, as the worst thing they can say is no!

I hope that provides some insights, and at least reassures you that you're not alone in worrying about it!

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Also guys I'm lowkey embarrassed because I re-read my ES application and saw I made a stupid typo (repeating a word) in one of my questions. Feel so fortunate to receive a video interview but it is kind of funny because my pristine Simmons application (that admittedly I also did way more research for) was chucked in the bin LOL

I kinda bombed the last question so thought it would be PFO but made it to VI - you never know lmfao!