TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[BatmanBeyond]

Anyone still waiting for Milbank stage 2 test, did stage 1 weeks ago

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Is 20 too low then?

Hey!

Unfortunately, I'm not too sure if there is a benchmark or what that would be! It's likely that the firm will look at your VI and SJT holistically and make a determination based on them both, so I would try not to worry too much about the individual score

 

[aria_d]

Hello, for the people getting DLA Piper London ACs, when did you apply + complete your telephone interview?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

when answering this question for AG, Use this space to tell us about any mitigating circumstances that you might have, or any other information about you that might be relevant to your application., should i write more about my work experience/extracirrculars and answer it as a why law, why id be a good trainee question or just leave it blank as I don't have any mitigating circumstances?

Hi!

This question is likely included to give candidates a fair chance to explain anything that might need context (e.g. illness, caring responsibilities, disruption to studies, resits, gaps, etc.). If you don't have any mitigating circumstances or genuinely relevant contextual information, it's absolutely fine (and often better) to leave it blank. The graduate recruitment team are not going to penalise you for this, and are likely expecting it for the majority of applicants.

I would avoid using the space to:

1. Repeat work experience or extracurriculars already covered elsewhere in your application
2. Squeeze in a "why I'd be a good trainee" answer
3. Answer "why law or why AG" directly

If the firm wanted this to be included in the application form, they likely would've made it a dedicated application question - it could be the case that these questions will come up later on in the process!

If there is a substantial extracurricular or responsibility that adds important context to your application and didn't fit elsewhere in your application, I'd say that you can add this very briefly if you feel it would add value to your application. If not, it's totally fine to leave it blank

 

[TheLegalEdit]

Hey!

Unfortunately, I'm not too sure if there is a benchmark or what that would be! It's likely that the firm will look at your VI and SJT holistically and make a determination based on them both, so I would try not to worry too much about the individual score

Okay thank you! I stumbled a bit on Q1 and was not able to give my full answer, the rest were better. Do you think it’s an automatic rejection when you stumble? I know there’s a marking criteria grad recruitment are using

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Has anyone heard back from Akin post TI, they were meant to respond before Christmas

when did you do the TI? I did mine today and they said they will get back to me after the first week of JAN

 

[elle woods]

😖😣 watching reels on vacation destinations and people's holidays over the past year rn

making a promise that once we get that TC we will too! it'll all be worth it, hold on a little longer everyone!

 

[x_law2004]

Does Mishcon SJT have video questions?

 

[Novaa]

😖😣 watching reels on vacation destinations and people's holidays over the past year rn

making a promise that once we get that TC we will too! it'll all be worth it, hold on a little longer everyone!

Exactly!! Like yes “I love insurance… and banks… and credit cards” but likeee I also really like holidays!

Here’s to more successful news and TCs for everyone 🥂

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Christmas has seemingly been a quiet time for the firms I have applied to. It's worryingly quiet on the western front. Hope everyone has been having a good Christmas, and those prepping for January exams have found some free time to enjoy themselves. Back to lurking and stuffing my face with last weeks Turkey in a sandwich concoction that really shouldn't exist....

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

If anyone here has done an ac with Milbank pls pm me. Can provide insights for other firms too 🙏

 

[hmevey]

Hi!

This question is likely included to give candidates a fair chance to explain anything that might need context (e.g. illness, caring responsibilities, disruption to studies, resits, gaps, etc.). If you don't have any mitigating circumstances or genuinely relevant contextual information, it's absolutely fine (and often better) to leave it blank. The graduate recruitment team are not going to penalise you for this, and are likely expecting it for the majority of applicants.

I would avoid using the space to:

1. Repeat work experience or extracurriculars already covered elsewhere in your application
2. Squeeze in a "why I'd be a good trainee" answer
3. Answer "why law or why AG" directly

If the firm wanted this to be included in the application form, they likely would've made it a dedicated application question - it could be the case that these questions will come up later on in the process!

If there is a substantial extracurricular or responsibility that adds important context to your application and didn't fit elsewhere in your application, I'd say that you can add this very briefly if you feel it would add value to your application. If not, it's totally fine to leave it blank

Thank you thats super useful! I think i will leave it blank- i currently drafted an answer on my work experience and other experiences that would make me a good fit but i wasn't sure if it was needed! Thank you!

 

[llblawstudent]

If anyone here has done an ac with Milbank pls pm me. Can provide insights for other firms too 🙏

Hey when did you receive it and was it for spring/summer? Congrats btw!!

 

[Wagamamas]

Okay thank you! I stumbled a bit on Q1 and was not able to give my full answer, the rest were better. Do you think it’s an automatic rejection when you stumble? I know there’s a marking criteria grad recruitment are using

A firm won’t out right reject your for stumbling. It’s how you recover that matters. Apologise and continue.

 

[elle woods]

elle woods is clocking out! Just decided that I am retiring from applying to firms this cycle now Best of luck everyone! I mean we might see each other again next cycle, but hopefully not (since I hope we all no longer need to apply)!

I'll still pop online once in a while (knowing me that will be quite often) but I wish all of you the very very best! Wishing you all insane stamina to get through the rest of your apps and manifesting ACs, VS', and TCs for everyone!

Happy early new years! May 2026 be our year!

 

[angdps]

Does anyone know whether its still worth a shot applying to Dechert despite them doing rolling applications. Haven't had any time to apply but I was really keen on doing so

 

[EfficientBag123]

elle woods is clocking out! Just decided that I am retiring from applying to firms this cycle now Best of luck everyone! I mean we might see each other again next cycle, but hopefully not (since I hope we all no longer need to apply)!

I'll still pop online once in a while (knowing me that will be quite often) but I wish all of you the very very best! Wishing you all insane stamina to get through the rest of your apps and manifesting ACs, VS', and TCs for everyone!

Happy early new years! May 2026 be our year!

Why are you stopping?

 

[Wagamamas]

Why are you stopping?

She has a VS from A&O which is basically a guaranteed TC and a Kirkland AC.

Not much need to apply to more firms if majority of deadlines have passed really especially as they’ll clash.

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Does anyone know whether its still worth a shot applying to Dechert despite them doing rolling applications. Haven't had any time to apply but I was really keen on doing so

I don't know the specific for Dechert but I believe there was a guidance thread addressing later applications for rolling firms.

 

[johnsmith]

“Insights” are a cover up for asking for the vi questions lowkey but I could be wrong.

I’ve given insights and been fully ignored no thank you or anything as it was not the questions themselves.

Like 9 times out of 10 if the application does not have any motivational questions obviously the vi will.

Most of these vi’s are the same just worded differently. Only vi I think is ludicrous is bakers. As well as W&C and Kirkland for 15 secs prep. Also Reed smith for asking 3 sub questions in 1 question.

That being said I don’t mind a cheeky trade!

Oh don’t worry I know what people mean by insights.

Each of the tests has an integrity statement at the beginning that we accept each time we complete them to keep the process fair and any form of trading just breaks that so it’s sad to see people constantly asking.

The short prep times are tough but equally there will plenty of instances where you need to think quickly on your feet so being put under pressure, even at this early stage, feels like something firms needs to assess.

Equally, the questions will come up during interviews, and at that point there’s definitely no insights coming anyones way!