TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Bbhu19]

Specifies eligibility criteria for the vacation scheme here, maybe email in? View attachment 7291

I can’t find an email, have you?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Ashurst WVS written exercise invite! Does anyone have any insight on how to prepare for this?

Hello!

Congratulations on getting the invite! 🎉 Whilst I haven't completed the Ashurst written exercise, they will usually test your ability to communicate clearly and structure your arguments logically - similar to what you'd do as a trainee when drafting emails or internal notes.

I've outlined some previous tips that I always used when preparing for written exercises below:

• Practice timed writing - pick a 30-45 minute slot, read a short business or news article, and summarise the key points in a structured 1-2 page memo with a clear conclusion summarising your findings.
• Work on prioritisation - pick an article with a lot of information, and practice picking out the 3-4 most important issues rather than trying to summarise and include everything.
• Use a clear structure - this was the main thing that I implemented that helped me score higher on written assessments! Follow a clear structure in your answer, and practice what this would be for each type of document.
• Check clarity - after writing (potentially one of the above), ask yourself if someone with no context to the facts could follow along with the information and your reasoning.
• Proofread under pressure - I would get used to quickly checking grammar and flow, as this is really important in a written exercise! I sometimes struggled with this, as the pressure made me skip parts of my writing, but I found that literally following along with a pen or your finger can make sure you don't miss anything.
• Review sample case studies - I would have a look online and see if there are any free resources that you can have a go at. A true lifesaver during my last cycle was this forum post by Jacob Miller, and I would definitely give it a read!

The main thing that assisted me in written exercises is following a clear structure! I would go through and read all of the materials first, and then go back to pick out the key details. You should be looking for key issues, areas that you will require more information, and anything that you think is important for the client to know.

I would then follow a clear structure in your answer. There are a a few different types of documents that they could test you on - e.g. an email, memo, report, note, etc. I would have a look beforehand at the formatting of each, and have a go at writing them! If you are writing a letter / email to a client, make sure that you aren't including technical terms and writing in way that is easy for them to understand.

I would also try and find ways to showcase that you have the skills that they are looking for in trainees. For example, in one of my previous ACs I was asked to write an email to a supervisor. In this email, I outlined my arguments and recommendation, but I ended it by offering to draft the email / document for the client (e.g. proactivity). This will be dependant on each exercise, but if you can incorporate this in some way, I think it's a great way of standing out!

I hope that assists - best of luck with the written exercise, I'm sure you'll smash it!

 

[Ancika]

Can anyone who did the video interview for NRF last year remember which questions were asked?

 

[DavidJC]

Does anyone know if there is supposed to be a VI for Latham's Open Day?
I've just completed the pro bono online assessment but there was no VI section even though I was expecting one and I've seen lots of people talking about a 2nd test. Just concerned as I'm not sure when I would get the 2nd test, my deadline for the online test would be in about 4 hours from now so I'm not sure how this might affect my application.

 

[chiichii]

DLA Piper open day invite!!!

Congrats!! I am also applying for one of their regional office discovery day, do you have any tips on how to answer the question about why you pick that specific regional office? (In your case, Manchester)

 

[TheLegalEdit]

Yes, myself and a few others have Assessment Days upcoming between the 13th-23rd Oct

Amazing! Congratulations

 

[oliviabeijing]

Has anyone heard from A&O post video interview for the Winter Vac Scheme?

i'm still waiting, some heard back last week

 

[c.t.tc]

Anyone heard from Taylor Wessing or Bird & Bird post-test/WG?

 

[c.t.tc]

Also have there been any invites sent out for the Mishcon undergrad open day?

 

[amayad2004]

Does anyone have any information about Mishcon application deadlines, the FAQs say that it is not rolling but also that we should submit as soon as possible?

 

[c.t.tc]

Does anyone have any information about Mishcon application deadlines, the FAQs say that it is not rolling but also that we should submit as soon as possible?

I had the same thought - I reckon it means that they don't send out any next steps until after the deadline but maybe review application internally on more of a rolling basis? So that way if an incredible application gets submitted later it won't be missed out on by the firm, but good applications that are submitted later would be at a disadvantage in terms of standing out.

 

[johnsmith]

Anyone heard from Taylor Wessing or Bird & Bird post-test/WG?

I’ve been trying to find it but believe Taylor Wessing advised next stages weren’t until late October/November in some of their communications.

How long after applying to B&B did you receive your WG invite?

 

[c.t.tc]

I’ve been trying to find it but believe Taylor Wessing advised next stages weren’t until late October/November in some of their communications.

How long after applying to B&B did you receive your WG invite?

I applied on the 17th of September and received it on the 26th!

 

[Jennifer2003]

For the Cooley in person event on November 20th, one of the questions is “what motivates you towards a career at Cooley” (300 words). I was wondering if anyone has any advice for how much to write about a specific sector/practice area, and how much to write about culture/values/pro-bono and if there’s anything else that is commonly advised to include in a “why this firm” answer!

 

[Legallywhatever]

For Burges Salmon WVS Q, they’re saying ‘can you share a specific instance during your research, a conversation, or an event that convinced you that Burges Salmon was the right firm for you’.

Do we literally only need to write about one instance?

 

[jfb]

Hi I have a few questions about a Video Interview I have.
(1) any tips generally as I am usually so much worse at pre-recorded interviews than live phone or teams ones.
(2) when speaking about a deal, how recent does it need to be -- there is a deal in particular that id love to talk about but it was in December 2024 -- is this too long ago?
(3) how many deals/clients should we prepare for a 20 minute interview? I have a few interesting ones in mind but they could be used for a variety of different questions and I am unsure if I need to know multiple in depth or if I can use the same one as it Is unlikely there will be multiple commercial questions.