TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yk1906]

Does anyone know when we will hear back from Milbank?

Someone said post-deadline, so in January

 

[Rejections PFO]

What was ur arctic shores score if you don't mind me asking?

17/20 with full marks on understanding others and identifying patterns and rules and 3/4 on the other characteristics

 

[elle woods]

17/20 with full marks on understanding others and identifying patterns and rules and 3/4 on the other characteristics

wait I'm a little confused - how do you guys calculate your scores? My arctic shores report just showed "dimensions"

 

[elle woods]

Have you received an invite?

no they said they'll let us know next week in their email? I'm just wondering if anyone has any insight

 

[Rejections PFO]

wait I'm a little confused - how do you guys calculate your scores? My arctic shores report just showed "dimensions"

The dimensions are scored out of 4 (the 4 dots you see for that dimension).

 

[BobThebIlly]

Received my Latham feedback report and I wanna know if should expect a PFO 💀

Strengths: effective communication and analytical thinking

Weaknesses: professional development and personal responsibility

Man, I really hate SJTs

 

[elle woods]

The dimensions are scored out of 4 (the 4 dots you see for that dimension).

💀 oh

ok I definitely failed my arctic shores then AHAHAH
ChatGPT kept telling me it's not scored, it's just what side of the spectrum of behaviours or preferences you lie...

Ok holy moly I need to rethink my plans

 

[Winter]

Received my Latham feedback report and I wanna know if should expect a PFO 💀

Strengths: effective communication and analytical thinking

Weaknesses: professional development and personal responsibility

Man, I really hate SJTs

I got invited to the open day with those strengths. Don’t be too quick to write yourself off!! You got this.

 

[TortillaTC]

Have you received an invite?

To be fair, Skadden is one of the few firms that directly and openly communicate outcomes in advance and specific to the day, so I’m confident that no one will hear back before the 16th.

 

[Mara]

Received my Latham feedback report and I wanna know if should expect a PFO 💀

Strengths: effective communication and analytical thinking

Weaknesses: professional development and personal responsibility

Man, I really hate SJTs

My strengths were effective communication and attention to detail
my only weakness was personal responsibility (despite selecting answers that were about going beyond my comfort zone / taking more responsibility?)

I haven't heard back but I'm not overthinking it, if I were you I wouldn't stress. SJTs seem hit or miss. You never know until you get an email from the firm with a yes or no.

 

[DavidJC]

Is it true that Milbank has no app questions/cover letter this year? I haven't taken a look yet as I know they're non-rolling and deadline is 31 Dec so I'm prioritising other firms' apps atm

 

[Harvey Specter]

Is it true that Milbank has no app questions/cover letter this year? I haven't taken a look yet as I know they're non-rolling and deadline is 31 Dec so I'm prioritising other firms' apps atm

It’s just personal info, grades and work history. I can’t see any app q’s or space for a cover letter, so assuming the form is relatively simple. I’m going to submit mine in the next week or so.​

 

[Lawyergyal123!]

Anyone know if the Latham Vac scheme VI is the same as the open day ones!

 

[Elsie07777]

Should I be worried if Weil haven't even sent me a test after 3 weeks ?

Me too, did you apply for Spring or Summer?

Summer vacation scheme

 

[vweewcvew]

Is it worth applying for Dentons (TC) if I don't meet their GCSE requirements (seven GCSEs must be 6+). I don't really have any mitigating circumstances around this (except that it was during covid but I don't think that really works)?

My GCSEs are a weird mixture with Maths (8) and English (7) but I dont meet requirements still. A levels are AAA and Uni grades average solid 2:1 from a RS.

Do you think it's an automatic rejection or do they consider things holistically?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

In scenario-based questions, if I've never really been in a similar situation is it fine to just answer hypothetically? Or should I still try to link it to some broader experience? If the scenario is on stuff like dealing with an unethical request from a client, should I still try to link it to a generic client interaction example from my experiences...?

Hello!

It's totally fine to answer scenario-based questions hypothetically, especially if you haven't faced that exact situation before. Interviewers will care more about how you think, not whether you have experience in that exact scenario before.

That said, it can strengthen your answer if you can connect the hypothetical scenario to something you have experienced, even if it is only loosely related. It shows that you are grounding your judgment and decisions in real-world behaviour.

For example, if the question is about handling an unethical client request and you've never dealt with anything that extreme, you could still mention a time when you navigated a tricky client interaction, managed conflicting expectations, or upheld a policy. Then you can transition into how you'd apply those principles to the scenario they gave you.

A good structure could look like:

1. Explain your approach hypothetically (explaining your reasoning and the steps you'd take)
2. Add one short real-life reference (if you can!)
3. Finish with the overall outcome you'd aim for based on the situation

This gives the interviewer both the real-world experience and the reasoning / judgement they are looking for. If you can't incorporate a previous experience, that's absolutely fine - it's just useful to include if you can!

I hope that helps

 

[corplawperson23]

Withers final stage interview for vac scheme! If anyone has any insights it would really be appreciated

 

[Sharkfin]

Anyone know how Mayer Brown's rolling review works? I've recieved an inv for their online test but im wondering whether putting it off till the deadline day (15th) will hurt my chances as opposed to doing it tomorrow?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Received my Latham feedback report and I wanna know if should expect a PFO 💀

Strengths: effective communication and analytical thinking

Weaknesses: professional development and personal responsibility

Man, I really hate SJTs

exact same for me!

 

[elle woods]

flip a coin guys, will elle woods hear back from any law firm tomorrow (good or bad) 😍 lowkey tho, I've been thinking that applications are very much a gambling game, and the dopamine rush you get from getting a "jackpot" (offer/ next round/email) is very much the same 😂 is this even healthy LMAO