TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[dannyp123]

Most of the grad teams don't like seeing them in any of the applications; hence, it is always better to avoid them.

I'm sorry, but for example here an em dash would be quite useful:

'Most of the grad teams don't like seeing them in any of the applications — hence, it is always better to avoid them.'

Firms really reject applications based on AI when it is very obvious (i.e., extremely generic and overly flowery, convoluted language).

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Is it fine not to use the full time given in video interviews or is it a bad look lmao

Hello!

As others have mentioned, it's completely fine to finish a video interview answer before the allotted time, as long as your response is clear and well-structured. If you've fully addressed the question and concluded confidently, wrapping up a little early is absolutely fine.

If you do notice that you are consistently finishing quite a bit early, it might be worth checking whether you can add a bit more depth or expand on your examples. Make sure that you've covered all the aspects of the question and explained your reasoning clearly.

If you've done that, leaving some time at the end isn't an issue - quality always matters more than duration!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

W&C wvs offer 😅 I did my interview last Wednesday

Amazing!!! Huge congratulations, you should be super proud! Your hard work is clearly paying off, and you should definitely take some time to celebrate properly 🎊 😊

 

[dannyp123]

Does anyone know when you receive the AI Chatbox Test from Mishcon de Reya after sending your application?

 

[WillKitchen]

Does anyone know when you receive the AI Chatbox Test from Mishcon de Reya after sending your application?

Mine was a few weeks afterwards. I really enjoyed the chat interview - it took a long time, but it was a breath of fresh air after so many pie charts, graphs and video recordings at other firms!

 

[WillKitchen]

Me, a literature graduate, slamming the table because I can't use emdashes and "honed" anymore after AI because it'll be ruled out as one (I've always loved using them😭)

Agreed. I've published four books, and I use dashes all the time!

Thanks to law firm applications, I have started to use semicolons more often.

 

[abc124]

I'm slightly confused, in the Mayer Brown practice test it says we've got unlimited prep time for the VI questions but the invitation email says the vi questions 'are the only part of the assessment where there is a set preparation time'. Is the email some outdated template? Amberjack usually doesn't have limits on prep time

 

[lawstudent2]

I'm slightly confused, in the Mayer Brown practice test it says we've got unlimited prep time for the VI questions but the invitation email says the vi questions 'are the only part of the assessment where there is a set preparation time'. Is the email some outdated template? Amberjack usually doesn't have limits on prep time

There are four VI questions, two have unlimited prep time, two have limited prep time

 

[sophiajan.e]

Scary! Do they give you the materials beforehand to read atleast? Or are you expected to read materials & come up with an answer all in 1 minute?

Yesss you get the reading materials first, however once you have read them over, you start the question and there’s another paragraph with 3 questions to read through in 1 min😭😭 it’s just the short timing that makes it hard!!

 

[JasmineVill]

should i assume pfo for macfarlanes after not hearing from them for over a month?

Is this after the second simulate assessment?

 

[sadboi]

Oh god the FF stage 2 exercise was hard....

 

[Vasil2004]

Anyone still waiting on Cleary post WG?

 

[yasmars]

Oh god the FF stage 2 exercise was hard....

What was hard about it specifically?

 

[RJ Ruban]

Milbank stage 2 invite!! Completed stage 1 earlier today... Is stage 2 automatic? And is it timed? Thnxx

I’ve completed Milbank a week ago but haven’t heard anything back. Im guessing I didn’t get to the next stage haha - they reviewed your written questions pretty fast tbf!

 

[FutureTrainee100]

Does anyone have insight on Weil’s VI process? I can help with Jones Day’s AC, Gibson Dunn’s first-stage interview and AC, Dechert’s written exercise and AC, and White & Case’s VI and AC. VIs are the area I struggle with most, so any guidance on Weil’s approach would be hugely appreciated!!!

 

[cookedlawstudent]

I just sent off an application to Freshfields' SVC but I searched through the forum and found that people have already been invited to the 2nd assessment. Be completely honest with me here, am I cooked?

I also was about to start an application for Hogan Lovells but I noticed they said they required an AAB at least for A levels, and I definitely do not have that lol. I do however attend a RG uni which is especially good for Law, and I had to take a foundation year before I could enter the Law School in order to compensate for my poor A levels. I got a 2:1 in my first year and I have solid experience, should I still apply?

 

[FutureTrainee100]

I just sent off an application to Freshfields' SVC but I searched through the forum and found that people have already been invited to the 2nd assessment. Be completely honest with me here, am I cooked?

I also was about to start an application for Hogan Lovells but I noticed they said they required an AAB at least for A levels, and I definitely do not have that lol. I do however attend a RG uni which is especially good for Law, and I had to take a foundation year before I could enter the Law School in order to compensate for my poor A levels. I got a 2:1 in my first year and I have solid experience, should I still apply?

YESS, I attended their first-year scheme and was their campus ambassador. From my understanding they are a bit more flexible on A-levels (especially if you have mitigating circumstances), but I would email to confirm if you are still unsure ))

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

When re-applying to a firm, is it okay to answer the Q "Have you previously applied for any positions at X LLP?" by also flagging how you've improved since the last cycle? @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Abbie Whitlock

 

[cookedlawstudent]

YESS, I attended their first-year scheme and was their campus ambassador. From my understanding they are a bit more flexible on A-levels (especially if you have mitigating circumstances), but I would email to confirm if you are still unsure ))

The thing is, I don't have any mitigating circumstances for my A levels. I was just burnt out and didn't perform well because of it. It's just that when I started the application it said that I had to have AAB at a level, but I am projected to get a 2:1.

Also, am I still cooked for Freshfields?

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Any insight on Weil VI will be much appreciated please 🙏🏾 thanks