TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[radssss]

Does anyone know if mills reeve online assessment has a vi element?

Their application form was a bit weird with no work experience section so I’m confused.

 

[Prudentia]

I'm assuming that Milbank don't read the application questions until after the stage 2 test is complete?

 

[michelle ma]

Any insights on Goodwin's VI? I can exchange with the Milbank's ot

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

can you apply to both TC and VS for Farrer & Co? I made a mistake on the VS app after finishing it off all day today :/

Hey!

Yes, you can! I remember speaking to a trainee on my vacation scheme that was rejected from the VS application but ended up re-applying for the DTC route and ended up securing an offer at the firm in the same cycle

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Is there a general timeframe for when it would be "too late" to apply for rolling deadlines? Especially for firms like White & Case and Gibson Dunn that are in the next few weeks - thanks in advance!

Hi!

I wouldn't say there is generally a timeframe where it would be too late - most rolling firms will still review any applications submitted before the deadline! @Andrei Radu has actually posted a really useful post on this where he discusses whether it is worth submitting later in the window for a rolling deadline, which might be reassuring to read

Ultimately, whilst it will differ between firms, if you can submit a strong and tailored application to the firm, you still have a good chance of being progressed!

 

[Shiv Lawy]

Asking for a friend who got a Capsticks PFO without an invite to the online test the emailed implied was automatic.
He applied on deadline day is it possible he got rejected because it was rolling and already filled?

Did anyone get an auto invite to the online test or PFO before the invite? Any advice appreciated because I believe his application was strong and he met the minimum grade requirements.

 

[CharlieandLola]

Hey everyone! Does anyone have insights on Goodwin VI and Akin TI? Can provide insights for NRF VI, Latham VI, FF VI, Mayer Brown VI, HSF AC, NRF AC, Links AC (2 years ago)

Hey, I can provide Akin TI tips if you need, could you provide some on the NRF VI?

 

[Bread]

Asking for a friend who got a Capsticks PFO without an invite to the online test the emailed implied was automatic.
He applied on deadline day is it possible he got rejected because it was rolling and already filled?

Did anyone get an auto invite to the online test or PFO before the invite? Any advice appreciated because I believe his application was strong and he met the minimum grade requirements.

Hi, took a quick look at the website and the test does not seem automatic. Your friend may not have had the correct requirements or failed a spag check

 

[Kakaboo]

Any insight on the pwc test?

 

[AMullin]

Was wondering the same thing.. Idk if this refers to one of their Business Groups or a specific seat within a Business Group? Could anyone who's successfully progressed to the next stage before pls advise? Thanks in advance!

So I’m not sure if the next stage was automatic or not but on my application I wrote a short paragraph about the sector and then a couple of paragraphs about the specific seats I would like to do within that sector.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Did anyone receive a PFO from PwC after the video interview?

 

[User2640]

So I’m not sure if the next stage was automatic or not but on my application I wrote a short paragraph about the sector and then a couple of paragraphs about the specific seats I would like to do within that sector.

Ah I see thank you so much! I can confirm their next stage is not automatic, congrats!

 

[soph107048]

Has anyone applied to Clyde & Co during Christmas and not yet received their auto assessment?

I applied on 12th dec and have yet to hear anything back.. seems strange as the application form was just basic eligibility. Has anyone else who applied during that time heard back already?

 

[soph107048]

Has anyone applied to Clyde & Co during Christmas and not yet received their auto assessment?

Nevermind I just sent them an email to ask, and in their auto response they say they will not be sending out online assessment invites between Dec 17th and Jan 5th, and will resume sending them Jan 5th onwards

 

[svb risk management intern]

Happy weekend y'all!

Exciting times ahead (everything closes soon and uni assessments in full swing 💪).

Keep going! Cue Rocky's theme

 

[stilltrying]

anyone able to share the timings for goodwin's vi

 

[xMontmorency]

Hey need advice. I am struggling a bit with commercial awareness right now. I usually rely on Watson's Daily but he (Peter Watson) is on holiday. I am struggling to find a methodical way of going through the FT to find the relevant information in a time efficient manner. Does anyone have any tips ?

Bloomberg daybreak Europe podcast / Bloomberg businessweek podcast. Or just a Bloomberg subscription if you have the money.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

I honestly don’t understand how I can score 9, 9, 7, 7 for Weil Amberjack, and then get 4, 4, 6, 4 for Reed Smith. The gap just doesn’t make sense to me.

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Hey need advice. I am struggling a bit with commercial awareness right now. I usually rely on Watson's Daily but he (Peter Watson) is on holiday. I am struggling to find a methodical way of going through the FT to find the relevant information in a time efficient manner. Does anyone have any tips ?

FT has a legal section too. It's not quite as fleshed out as their more target financial or economic productions but it will go over the commercial basics of headline stories with a focus on the legal sector. Think sanctions, firm mergers, the effect of tariffs and so on. The big reads every week are good talking points, especially in interviews as a lot of people will read that on a monday morning. Commercial awareness more broadly is just the ability to logically reason through real life talking points and the ramifications on different industries, most reliable non-biased news sources are worthy of a read so long as you can flesh out your own opinions in an evidenced way.

 

[Deleted member 43292]

Hey need advice. I am struggling a bit with commercial awareness right now. I usually rely on Watson's Daily but he (Peter Watson) is on holiday. I am struggling to find a methodical way of going through the FT to find the relevant information in a time efficient manner. Does anyone have any tips ?

I usually use podcasts like the others have said, but also some commercial news pages!
Here are some good examples;

• The Commercial Legiscope (instagram and linkedin + website)
• UK Legal Pulse (instagram and linkedin)
• Littlelaw
• Watson's Daily is good too!
• If you're interested in a particular niche/practice area, you can subscribe to some pages dedicated to that too!

Regarding the FT, I just usually skim top headlines and check 'my FT' more thoroughly because I've followed categories which I am interested in. If I see a headline which I believe is interesting/ will have relevance to the legal/commercial world, then I'll read it quickly.