• Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training Contract
    Now half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
    Join Premium →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

TheLegalEdit

Star Member
Apr 29, 2025
35
32
I just completed my Reed Smith VI and I literally want to cry, I feel like I’ve done terrible :( really had my hopes set on this firm and I feel defeated. Just got my feedback now but I’m not sure what to make of it. Any advice going forward would be appreciated because I just want to give up now :(
I struggle mainly with the VI, the first question I ran out of time to answer it well, the others I feel I did better but I was mentally so shaken from the first question I did have to have a quick cry after doing it lol. I believe the others I answered well but I’m just so anxious now. Has anyone else had a bad VI and had luck and success with still progressing?
 

Harvey Specter

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
860
3,103
what does the holding email read ? thanks
Dear [insert name],

“Thank you for your application for a place on the Gibson Dunn Vacation Scheme and for completing our online Capptivate Law Assessment. Following the completion of your assessment you will be sent a feedback report. Please note, this will not be sent instantly and may take a few days to arrive in your inbox. Please be assured that we have received your assessment results unless we get in touch to state otherwise.

We just wanted to let you know that we will be reviewing your application and assessment results and will be in touch as soon as we have further updates. As you are aware our programmes are highly competitive so please do bear with us.”

Thank you for your patience.

Kind regards,

International Graduate Recruitment & Development Team at Gibson Dunn.​
 
  • 🏆
Reactions: badmintonflyinginsect

KuriTH

Standard Member
Nov 17, 2024
5
3
A couple questions on the format of the NRF VI (people are understandably cagey about sharing past questions):

1. From what I understand, there is unlimited time to prepare, and we can re-record all answers. Is this correct? Are we marked on preparation time?

2. Also does anyone know many questions there are? Is it 5?

Any pointers greatly appreciated.
 

Harvey Specter

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
860
3,103
@Harvey Specter & @Wagamamas, drop the Tyrion Lannister cackle. That mischievous, wine-drunk laugh is scaring everyone off; nobody’s going to help me if you continue like this!
My bad boss. I hope you receive your insights and go on to secure the Reed Smith TC.​

Will Do Donald Duck GIF
 
Last edited:

floral.tcla

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Aug 15, 2024
173
236
happy New Year’s eve eve everyone…

has anyone else completed dla piper’s voice interview?
would really appreciate any advice from mods on answering motivational questions in a voice interview when you’ve already answered them at the written stage - is this essentially the chance to deliver that but while showing your voice and personality?
also for some context in the invite email, it says it’s around 15 mins long but the booking suggestion says 30 mins (and also at this stage they don’t want you to ask questions at the end). This is a lot of extra time lol so unsure what to make of it😅
 

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.