TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Lawlawland]

REED SMITH VI!!!!
jumping off the cliff postponed!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

did you write about firm awards and the firms work or just generally how you can apply this as a trainee at the firm! mines quite general in that it says how x skills will help me as a trainee but its not super specific to the firm! just worried that will be me missing the mark!

Nopeee, I didn't mention anything specific because I felt like it was only really asking why the experience was valuable/how they represent you as a person and going into firm specifics might be overkill.

 

[futuretraineeihope]

hey! does anyone have any DLA AC insights?

 

[kuuks_]

Milbank PFO, Macfarlanes PFO, Clyde & Co PFO, what a day!

But at least I am getting closer as I applied in October whilst other ppl got PFOs fairly quick. On to the next! I bet Monday is usually a good day..

sorry to hear!

what stage did you get to for Milbank if you don't mind me asking?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Still haven't heard back from Milbank post Stage-1. Should I assume PFo

 

[Jack Falahee]

Sadly post stage 1, didn't get an invite for stage 2 as I was among the first to take the test, so didn't prepare for the jumpscare question.

Lesson to learn: Don't fall into a trap if firms remove app questions in the written app, usually it'll come up as a jumpscare. I have a feeling many law firms will follow Milbank next cycle, I'm praying this is our last cycle to secure TCs haha. 😅

Still waiting for Weil, though I'm surprised as I applied early October too, but haven't heard back.

 

[user123987]

How would you guys structure an answer to this question “how would you contribute to X firm’s future?” I’m quite stuck and unsure where to start, advice would be appreciated!

 

[elle woods]

How would you guys structure an answer to this question “how would you contribute to X firm’s future?” I’m quite stuck and unsure where to start, advice would be appreciated!

I'd start by identifying any unique skills or strengths you have, and then linking it to what a law firm does and how that can benefit them - either on a micro or macro scale.

It's basically asking you "what skills would you bring to the firm as a trainee" or something along those lines - but I would also be wary of the word "future" - it may require you to be a bit forward-looking :3

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

hey! does anyone have any DLA AC insights?

Would love to know as well!

 

[Prudentia]

Sadly post stage 1, didn't get an invite for stage 2 as I was among the first to take the test, so didn't prepare for the jumpscare question.

Lesson to learn: Don't fall into a trap if firms remove app questions in the written app, usually it'll come up as a jumpscare. I have a feeling many law firms will follow Milbank next cycle, I'm praying this is our last cycle to secure TCs haha. 😅

Still waiting for Weil, though I'm surprised as I applied early October too, but haven't heard back.

I don’t think they read the application questions until after stage 2. So it’s more likely you didn’t meet the benchmark for the SJT.

 

[Prudentia]

Still haven't heard back from Milbank post Stage-1. Should I assume PFo

When did you take it?

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Still haven't heard back from Milbank post Stage-1. Should I assume PFo

Me neither..

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

wondering if anyone would have some advice as I am freaking out a bit - but I recently applied to a firm where I fully thought that I hadn't appplied before and so when that question came up on the application form, I stated that I hadnt. However, when I was searching for my previous application from a different firm, I saw that I did apply to this firm quite a few years ago but just totally forgot. Would anyone have any advice on what to do? I do not want to seem untruthful at all and maybe the firm has already realised it, but I am worried about seeming careless if I let them know now!

Hi @lawyer48205 I don't think this is much of a problem. Usually the ATS gets rid of historic applications after a certain while, which may be the case here. Even then, I think they ask if you've applied before more to see how recent it was, or whether you progressed to a certain stage - and yours was a few years and simple application form (so there is no risk there). Just nerves that don't need to be felt so don't worry.

 

[Jack Falahee]

I don’t think they read the application questions until after stage 2. So it’s more likely you didn’t meet the benchmark for the SJT.

I am wondering too, but why it takes so long to receive PFO. Just FYI I didn't finish the second app Qs and failed to click submit so that might explain the reasoning of my PFO. I thought you submitted close to deadline and clicked submit before the timer ends right?

Maybe they not assessed it based on the quality and accuracy, but about working quick, adaptive, and under pressure

 

[user123987]

I'd start by identifying any unique skills or strengths you have, and then linking it to what a law firm does and how that can benefit them - either on a micro or macro scale.

It's basically asking you "what skills would you bring to the firm as a trainee" or something along those lines - but I would also be wary of the word "future" - it may require you to be a bit forward-looking :3

Thank you!

 

[James Wakefield]

Did people receive a confirmation email after the second Milbank test?

Thanks!

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

When did you take it?

14 Dec!

 

[Prudentia]

Did people receive a confirmation email after the second Milbank test?

Thanks!

I didn’t, but I emailed the support team and they said they had received it.

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

can you submit an application with the same personal details but different email address? I've heard ppl do this before but question the legitimacy and success rate

You can, but what good will it achieve? Either they find out and both applications get withdrawn OR they don't find out and one day whilst you're enjoying the lavish life that an NQ salary got you, you're listening to "Sweet Fantasy by Mariah Carey" as you're walking your way through the busy streets of Farringdon and BOOM you notice an email from the the graduate recruitment partner, they want to talk about your application from years ago and the SRA have been notified. You panic, thinking what could it have been.... did you mess up a client file, did you misplace funds, did you lie on an email? No, all you did was send in two applications but for the SRA this was it! The next thing you know, your face is plastered all over Legal Cheek, and you're dealing with a penalty/bar from service. Goodbye career, goodbye mortgage, goodbye all that wasted effort to draft amazing applications. People will be scouring LinkedIn to see if they can put a face to that name...

But.... it probably won't get that far, although it is tempting ATS's have duplication systems that compare applicants for plagiarism, and personal details are flagged within this check.

 

[elle woods]

Has anyone been seeing the amount of junior lawyers leaving to either go in-house or leaving big law altogether these past few days? Or maybe my LinkedIn algorithm is just biased lol. But it makes me wonder why... especially when I see people leaving the firms I'm currently fighting tooth and nail to get into lol.

Granted, it could just be their preference, a growing generational phenomenon, or wanting more of a work life balance etc., but it does make me worry that there might be something deeper...

Edit: and yes I know we tend to see more of these at this time of year since bonuses have been paid etc. but still makes me wonder haha