TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[asplawyer100]

Has anyone heard from Dentons post application for the spring vacation scheme (either London or Milton Keynes)?

 

[WeGotThis!]

How long does it take Milbank to get back to candidates after the first stage for the 2nd stage assessment?

 

[johnsmith]

I got to AC stage for their Paralegal Academy back in May so take this with a pinch of salt as it's been awhile and the programme is different so the questions may be different too, but it was a mixture of motivational questions, future-facing questions, and firm-specific scenario/strengths-based (look at their values), if I remember correctly. I think I answered at least 4 questions, might've been 6 (excluding the prep/warm-up questions), hopefully helps a little!

Great thanks! Website does say 6 questions so that tallys.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock
When researching about a firm for an AC, what's the sort of things we should cover? I feel like making a long list of random facts isn't helpful, but at the same time, I don't want to miss covering anything important. Is there a criteria we can follow when researching firms for AC?

Thank you

Hi!

Great question - it can definitely feel overwhelming, and I remember having no idea where to start! You're making the right move by focusing on certain areas rather than trying to gather information on absolutely every area of the firm. There isn't necessarily a strict criteria you should follow when researching, but a good way to structure your research is to look for information that helps you understand these areas:

1. What makes the firm distinctive

• What differentiates them from competitors, e.g. particular practice strengths, international strategy, culture, innovation focus, legal tech, etc.
• Their values and how they put them into practice - this could be CSR initiatives, diversity programmes, or maybe they have a particular focus on pro bono work.
• Any standout features that are marketed as core (+ distinctive) elements of the firm - as examples, this could be Travers Smith's room-sharing system, or Reed Smith's Professional SQE year

2. Training contract and development

• Make a note of things such as the structure of the TC - for example, the number of seats, how seat allocation works, any compulsory seats, formal training sessions, etc
• Any specific development opportunities that they advertise - i.e. client contact, responsibility levels, secondments (client or international), mentoring schemes within the firm, or any standout support systems.
• It's also worth noting what the firm looks for in trainees, which you can usually find on their website. This gives an example of how the firm supports growth as well

3. Their work, clients and sector involvement

• Research their main practice areas and some of their recent deals or cases, ideally ones that you find particularly interesting or that align with your career interests
• Have a clear understanding of any sectors that they work and operate in (e.g. tech, finance, energy, life sciences, transport) and any current market trends that are affecting those areas. This is where I would direct a lot of your commercial awareness preparation, as they are likely to ask any commercial questions on these areas
• The type of clients they work for - i.e. do they work for large corporates, financial institutions, start-ups? Then make a note of what this means for the nature of their work

4. Awards, rankings and market reputation

• It's always handy to know their standout rankings on websites such as Legal 500 and Chambers - particularly for any seats that you are interested in
• Research and see if they have any awards for other areas, such as innovation, trainee development, DEI, sustainability, etc
• Their position in the market - for example, leading in disputes, a strong M&A practice, or known for cross-border matters, etc

5. Your own reflections

• Most importantly, have a think and reflect on why these points matter to you - what about the firm excites you or aligns with your interests?
• Be prepared to discuss how the firm matches your working style or long-term career goals, and how you would be a good fit based on your research
• I'd also note any specific examples that you could reference in interviews or AC discussions that you can link to your research on the firm

Researching these sorts of areas helps turn firm research into something genuinely useful for interviews and ACs, and avoids you making an unnecessarily long 'fact sheet' on the firm. It's mainly about connecting what you learn from your research to why you want to work there!

I hope that helps!

 

[bh.sa]

How long does it take Milbank to get back to candidates after the first stage for the 2nd stage assessment?

I heard back in 8 days

 

[cookedlawstudent]

For anyone who has been invited to the Freshfields AC, I would really appreciate insight into when you applied, whether you included extracurriculars within the work experience section, and how you found the stage 2 assessment. Feel free to either PM or reply here!

 

[tom-sawyer]

Do we have to complete the NRF OA before the deadline on the 7th too?

 

[flower1]

Hello @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock
I was wondering in terms of pure concepts - what should we know about regarding banking and finance? I know for M&A for example - to know about public/private, deal structure etc but I'm struggling with regard to banking and finance. And also, where to find out about this?

Thank you

 

[whywhy88]

Is 1 and a half pages alright for the cover letter for NRF? I am conscious that they didn't give any guidance on word count/how many sides of A4 and I don't want them to reject me cause its too long, but I genuinely don't know what I would cut to get it to 1 page 😂

 

[lolololol]

gosh my vi for latham went so so bad instant pfo there

 

[elle woods]

gosh my vi for latham went so so bad instant pfo there

😭omg was it very difficult I'm terrified
granted i didn't even pass the first test when I applied for the open day so maybe my worries are unfounded...lol

 

[lolololol]

😭omg was it very difficult I'm terrified
granted i didn't even pass the first test when I applied for the open day so maybe my worries are unfounded...lol

i found the time constraints challenging 1 min prep for 3 min answers with multiple components!

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

Sorry to hear that, If you don’t mind sharing, were there any particular aspects of the interview or preparation you’d recommend focusing on for next time? Any tips would be really helpful.

hey !! wait dm me

 

[warrencourt4ever]

Anyone heard from Bates Wells? I only applied the day before the deadline but am curious if people who applied earlier heard back as I know they said it was rolling.

 

[elle woods]

i found the time constraints challenging 1 min prep for 3 min answers with multiple components!

three minutes? what am I supposed to yap about for a whole 3 mins lol... that does seem difficult! even 2 minutes is sometimes too much I find haha

 

[shays]

also anyone heard from Gowling?

 

[elle woods]

Just to get a feel for things - if anyone has any previous experience: usually how many rejections can one expect for VS/TC applications per cycle? I think I need to reset my expectations lol

Edit: by rejections, I mean pre-AC rejections

 

[tcla02]

what time is the NRF deadline tmrw?

 

[anonymous.15]

Does anybody ever have a block for writing applications? I think I've been doing it for so long and now I can't write a word.

me rn gave up going back home xx

 

[WeGotThis!]

also anyone heard from Gowling?

It mentioned in their application acknowledgement email that we'll hear from them after 12th December.