TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Dannie]

Are the HL VI questions hard?

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Hi guys, I have a question Re application writing / specifically Reed Smith's application. I recently received a PFO post-app from RS and upon looking at the generic feedback sheet I think I've pin-pointed where I went wrong. For my 'Why RS' Q I covered three points: Innovation at the firm / training programmes available / interest specifically in Life Sciences at the firm and linking it back to my own experience in the industry.

In the generic feedback, RS said that honing in on one practice area / industry is a big no-no as it essentially comes across as narrow-minded (AKA what I did in my written app 😬). I always thought that to make an application personal and specific enough, honing in on a practice area can be a good way of doing this espesh when word counts can be tight.

Would love any input from people on how they are integrating their interests for specific practice areas while also coming across as not narrow-minded. Thank you

Hiya,
I think it depends on how you go about it. For example, when I wrote my RS app, I talked about my interest in their disputes team. But I also included that I am particularly drawn to this practice area because it allows me access to various sectors. I also found it's best to show your interest in what their USP is. So beyond access to various sectors, I wrote about their shipping practice within the disputes team (this was also the sector I talked about in the third question).

Also, try to find a balance between the practice area strength and other things. For example, I did abt 100 word on the work, ~70 words on the training programme, and ~50 words on DEI. This shows that that you have thought about what the firm can offer you as a whole and how they can help you thrive.

On a side note, I had attended on RS event where I think grad rec mentioned that their Life Science practice isn't running in London (it's more prominent in their US offices), so talking about that when you may not have the chance to sit in that area may not be the best

This is just my two cents based on how I've approached writing my app.

 

[Marble_Moth]

Hiya,
I think it depends on how you go about it. For example, when I wrote my RS app, I talked about my interest in their disputes team. But I also included that I am particularly drawn to this practice area because it allows me access to various sectors. I also found it's best to show your interest in what their USP is. So beyond access to various sectors, I wrote about their shipping practice within the disputes team (this was also the sector I talked about in the third question).

Also, try to find a balance between the practice area strength and other things. For example, I did abt 100 word on the work, ~70 words on the training programme, and ~50 words on DEI. This shows that that you have thought about what the firm can offer you as a whole and how they can help you thrive.

On a side note, I had attended on RS event where I think grad rec mentioned that their Life Science practice in currently being grown (it's more prominent in their US offices), so talking about that when you may not have the chance to sit in that area may not be the best

This is just my two cents based on how I've approached writing my app.

Thank you very much for your insight. Will defo take this into account for the future

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Did my RS VI on 20th November - is it likely to be a PFO now?

 

[_microwaved]

Anyone who applied to the Spring VS at TW whose online test invite mentioned that they will get back to us mid december - received a written exercise invite?

 

[Bread]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock and anyone else who may have insight,

What are some commercial topics likely to come up in an interview/AC?
Thanks x

 

[user55998384]

how likely is it if you attended the latham OD to get an AC seeing as you dont ahve to do the online test

 

[p2bv]

anyone heard from DLA for AC

 

[TortillaTC]

Does Milbank prefer prose or bullet points in their WE section? Also, is highlighting skills developed in each experience a good idea? Some firms expressly ask for it while others seem quite against.