TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[iwatchsuits]

Hi, can I ask what office you applied for ?

Hi! I applied for Cardiff

 

[Bree]

I got my HL report which said I am good with Work Ethic and Personal Resp and bad with Ambition, does this look good?

 

[charlieefinch]

Hi! I applied for Cardiff

Thanks. I applied to their Nottingham office, but still yet to hear back…

 

[futuretraineeihope]

Did you just hear back? Can I ask when you applied?

I heard back yesterday evening and applied 09/12

 

[BealMcAlly]

I heard back yesterday evening and applied 09/12

Awesome thanks!

I will DM you as I did their VI last year waiting to hear back post application now. Applied Monday this week.

 

[iwatchsuits]

Thanks. I applied to their Nottingham office, but still yet to hear back…

Good luck!! I’m unsure about what offices the others who got VI invites applied to, but it could very well be that different offices are sending invites on different dates. Hope you get an invite!

 

[pepsicola96]

HSFK PFO, buuuut Reed Smith WVS offer!!! Absolutely over the moon!

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Can anyone provide insights to Reed Smith’s VI?

If I remember correctly for the VI section there were two questions and it was strength based (e.g what would you do in X situation or how would you handle X issue). You have unlimited prep time so I would advise maximising it. Also, when answering think about it from the perspective of a trainee as the questions seem more general. I don't remember if there was a motivational question there but since there's unlimited prep time you can easily prep for it. You also have 2 mins to record practice being succinct in your answers.

 

[Madison Pinewall]

HSFK PFO, buuuut Reed Smith WVS offer!!! Absolutely over the moon!

What a good combination. I know both is ideal but who cares about a rejection when you have that haha!!

 

[BealMcAlly]

If I remember correctly for the VI section there were two questions and it was strength based (e.g what would you do in X situation or how would you handle X issue). You have unlimited prep time so I would advise maximising it. Also, when answering think about it from the perspective of a trainee as the questions seem more general. I don't remember if there was a motivational question there but since there's unlimited prep time you can easily prep for it. You also have 2 mins to record practice being succinct in your answers.

They reduced it to two questions?!?! Last year they had 4.

 

[warrencourt4ever]

Anyone hear from Bates Wells?

 

[Jessica Pearson]

They reduced it to two questions?!?! Last year they had 4.

Icl I don't fully remember. I've just been applying and putting things behind me as I go haha

 

[LawAspirer]

Does anybody have a list of firms offering DTCs already? I am trying to manage my workload in that sense now

 

[BealMcAlly]

Icl I don't fully remember. I've just been applying and putting things behind me as I go haha

Ngl that is a good tactic haha

I remember last year there was 1x motivational question and it felt like quite a big one too because there were many parts to it and then 3 x scenario based questions.


I echo what you said about framing everything as a trainee. I remember I didn't last year for their DTC but also it was my first VI so I messed up anyway.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

HSFK PFO, buuuut Reed Smith WVS offer!!! Absolutely over the moon!

Congratulations!!!!!!!

 

[Legalfreak212]

Milbank first test, any insights??

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

People who have applied on the last 3 days of the deadline for the Slaughter and May DTC, did you guys receive any update from the team?

They're radio silent and IDK what to make out of it.

I applied on the 21st, so I know not exactly 3 days within the deadline. They got back to me with a tbe PFO on the 2nd of December.

 

[applicant3000]

Would people say it's too late to apply to Dechert/Baker McKenzie as they're rolling even though deadlines are in a couple weeks?

For Dechert, yes. Grad rec said they had about 100 applications for the winter scheme that weren't considered because they had given out WEs already

 

[TortillaTC]

Any new RS AC invites post SJT+VI?

 

[applicant3000]

Now that both slots are over, was anyone else disappointed in the Skadden written exercise?
They say not to use AI but it's so easy to in the format they sent it in and I'm sure lots of people will use AI, seriously disadvantaging the candidates who followed the rules. There are so many systems that allow for AI-secure written exercises; it says a lot about the firm that they couldn't be bother to ensure their recruitment process is fair and secure.

Sorry for rant!