TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Hi @vera.mekhonoshina and @ZNadeem, in my app, can I mention a case that the firm handled in April 2024?

HI @AS24,

Interesting question! I'd say it depends on why you want to mention the deal.

Is it a landmark deal that changed the trajectory of the firm or put the firm's name on the map for a specific type of transaction, for example? In this case, it's definitely possible to use the deal as part of your motivations.

You may also use a deal this old in a 'tell us about any opportunities for the firm's sector' as evidence that the firm has sought to capitalise on specific opportunities in the past.

However, if the deal is not of the highest degree of importance, I'd suggest picking something more recent.

Hope this helps!

 

[floral.tcla]

[nvm]

 

[Maddy]

Does Ashurst test have numerical questions or is it just SJT+ critical reasoning?

 

[lawschool123]

I did Mayer Brown's practice assessment and it said this before practising the VI: “Before you continue, please be aware that there’s no time limit on how long you spend thinking about your response before starting your recording; but, once you do start your recording, you’ll have up to 2 minutes to give your response.” Does that mean the actual VI itself has unlimited prep time? There's no information available on doing the entire immersive assessment under a time limit. At the same time, their email says: "Please note, the only section of the assessment that extra time can be applied to is the preparation time for two of our video interview questions (which are the only part of the assessment where there is a set preparation time)."

 

[lawyersum]

Any tips for the Latham test? Am happy to share my insights for other firms

 

[ZNadeem]

I did Mayer Brown's practice assessment and it said this before practising the VI: “Before you continue, please be aware that there’s no time limit on how long you spend thinking about your response before starting your recording; but, once you do start your recording, you’ll have up to 2 minutes to give your response.” Does that mean the actual VI itself has unlimited prep time? There's no information available on doing the entire immersive assessment under a time limit. At the same time, their email says: "Please note, the only section of the assessment that extra time can be applied to is the preparation time for two of our video interview questions (which are the only part of the assessment where there is a set preparation time)."

Hi! It does seem like the prep time is unlimited, but I can see why the wording is confusing. To be safe, I’d recommend dropping the graduate recruitment team a quick email to clarify.

 

[M_m]

I’m having technical issues progressing with the NRF form. Does anyone know what the application questions are if it’s a cover letter?

 

[SamiyaJ]

I’m having technical issues progressing with the NRF form. Does anyone know what the application questions are if it’s a cover letter?

Yes it’s a cover letter

 

[svb risk management intern]

Can I safely assume that if I use the same thing from my work experience ('WE') in my application, I dont need to put the same amount of experience or explanation on what i did.

For example, I am writing about how i worked on a report for my supervisor which was vague. Now, I am realising that I have repeated some of the things heavily when explaining the thing in both my WE and app, which makes ≈100 words a bit of a loss.

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Can I safely assume that if I use the same thing from my work experience ('WE') in my application, I dont need to put the same amount of experience or explanation on what i did.

For example, I am writing about how i worked on a report for my supervisor which was vague. Now, I am realising that I have repeated some of the things heavily when explaining the thing in both my WE and app, which makes ≈100 words a bit of a loss.

Hi @svb risk management intern,

Great question. I would not necessarily treat it as a loss of words, since you should be emphasising different things when talking about an action in the work experience section and in an application answer.

In the work experience section, you are mainly describing the things you did in a lot of detail. To take the supervisor report you mentioned in your post, you would discuss what the report was about, what steps you took to complete it successfully, and the skills you gained as a result.

As for the written answer part of an application, you'd use the same report in the context of explaining why you are interested in a specific aspect of the firm or commercial law.

So, don't worry about repeating things too much in this particular context - as long as the purpose for which you invoked the experience was different and you described it from different angles, it should not be an issue.

 

[Carrington Lane]

Guys, did Macfarlanes actually read through the 300 word application answers or did they just send out OAs based on the results of the previous OA?

I think it's the latter because I did the first OA on Wednesday and, jumpscare, I got the second OA on Thursday.

 

[fbtrainee]

Hi! Has freahfields removed their winter vacation scheme for this year?

Yes they have, now they only have the summer vac scheme and DTCs

 

[dreamer]

Hi which is the second stage? What does that entail?

From what I've seen/read so far, it's a job simulation exercise with some video recording of your response.

 

[dreamer]

the second stage is a judgment style scenario type test, theres also some video questions u have to answer. has anyone heard back after completing the second stage?

poking my nose here

 

[CharlesT47]

I think it's the latter because I did the first OA on Wednesday and, jumpscare, I got the second OA on Thursday.

Yeah that must be it. I applied on Aug 20th but am yet to receive the second stage. Don't understand why they're waiting to reject me if they aren't even going to read my application

 

[Jessica Pearson]

@Veronica @Ammanbaby1 I am interested in a particular firm's emerging market group. How do I link it to me? The only thing I can think of right now is that I come from Nigeria and I have experience with some of those companies (as in I have used their services) but I don't know if this is substantive enough.

 

[TC seeker]

@vera.mekhonoshina Hi Vera! Will law firms have requirements for the grades of PGDL? will they mention that conditions if candidates have been offered a training contract?

 

[Tattyasha]

Anyone else having problems with NRF? It won’t let me enter Uni info at all

 

[BT0901]

Anyone else having problems with NRF? It won’t let me enter Uni info at all

I couldn't enter my secondary school information. Definitely one of the most useless application portals. Who even asks for a GPA in the UK.

 

[lawyersum]

I couldn't enter my secondary school information. Definitely one of the most useless application portals. Who even asks for a GPA in the UK.

I thought cv mail was bad then I experienced NRF's portal and was truly proven wrong lol