TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Trophy]

Does anyone know if the Milbank Stage 1 test includes a VI component? Or is it a standard SJT?

No.

SJT + 2 written questions 20 minutes given to write each question.

Not sure why people are gate keeping giving advice about the milbank stage 1 test…

 

[yk1906]

No.

SJT + 2 written questions 20 minutes given to write each question.

Not sure why people are gate keeping giving advice about the milbank stage 1 test…

Someone said Milbank revealed the fact that there are 2 open questions during an OD, so it's not really an integrity breach to write about it

 

[ttso]

You have a strong profile, but unfortunately yes--luck seems to play an immensely large role even when it comes to top 1% candidates. I have multiple anecdotes of friends or acquaintances who ended up with 4+ VS's and TC offers at absolute top of the market firms (Kirkland, Latham, Davis Polk, W&C, All the MC, etc.) getting 10-20 rejections from 'less competitive' shops.

Application quality also seems hit or miss, had one friend who was a megafan of HSF; attended 3 Open Days/Events, came top in a HSF sponsored negotiations competition, spoke to grad rec, spent ages crafting the best possible app, got trainees and alumni to review (with great feedback), passed the SJT.

Rejected at the first review stage.

By contrast, that same person made an application to Milbank on a whim, barely submitting minutes before the deadline. Spent probably less than an hour on the application. Eventually got the TC there (and at 3 other super tier US/MC firms most would consider more competitive than HSF).

Same guy also got rejected from other US/MC firms, large national firms, SC firms, etc.

Persevere.

Edit: I will emphasise that this guy also gained a 1st from a target university, and so academics weren't an issue. Certain firms have soft 'auto-rejects' based on academics, no matter how strong the rest of your profile is, so that is certainly something to take note of as well.

Ah, I probably wasn't clear on the academics front - I averaged in the high 70s (achieved, not predicted) from a Russel Group Target university. Thank you for the response, very interesting to read!

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

View attachment 7492

4th one in the last couple years. Funny that cross border demands are driving firms to become truly transatlantic full service. The traditional MC and SC are no longer... I suspect another NQ pay war to be incoming as US money starts flowing into UK practices.... Wonder how S&M, Linklaters and the rest will cope without expanding global practices....

 

[Trophy]

Someone said Milbank revealed the fact that there are 2 open questions during an OD, so it's not really an integrity breach to write about it

Yeah that’s what I thought! It’s just weird as I myself was told it was just an SJT. And I’ve seen others been told that as well.

No one really gains an advantage by saying what the elements are. It’s different if you said what the questions were. Oh well hopefully future milbank stage 1 people can see these posts🙌

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

I don’t mean to seem rude but please can you stop giving us a running commentary. I see you post about 50 times on here a day and most are not actually related to vacation schemes. It makes useful information much harder to access if people are constantly having to read through pages and pages of posts related to you having a nap or building Lego.

aw??😭i kinda get ur point but i think the forum’s also meant to be for ppl to connect and this might js be her way of doing that🤷‍♀️it seems she‘s also made friends on here, which ig is also the point of community

 

[Bree]

Don't apologise! Happy to help!

It may vary from firm to firm but yes, SQE courses generally start in September.

An example of my ULaw timeline:
September 2024 - SQE 1&2 course started.
August 2025 - classes ended, some coursework still ongoing.
September 2025 - generally hand-ins complete. September 2025 cohort trainees start their TC.
October 2025 - SQE course officially ends.
March 2026 - March 2026 cohort trainees (if applicable) start their TC.

As most firms begin their TCs in September, I imagine this timeline will be the same/similar for most firms, though it would look different if the applicant needed to do the PGDL.

Thank you for this. I think with PGDL, it looks like 1.5 years of study then

 

[Harvey Specter]

Wtf is going on with all these law firms merging. Just seen that Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader are gna merge together. What do they even have in common with each other. Taylor Wessing and Winston & Strawn is also an odd mixup. 😂​

 

[Bree]

Wtf is going on with all these law firms merging. Just seen that Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader are gna merge together. What do they even have in common with each other. Taylor Wessing and Winston & Strawn is also an odd mixup. 😂​

They can merge but cannot send us update on our apps 😞

 

[Harvey Specter]

@uhfwejdj @Mike Ross 2025 I apologise, I genuinely didn't realise that it was inconveniencing people. I'll be more mindful from now on.

Ignore these haters they’re just miserable lmao. We love your commentary it helps lift the mood on here during this stressful app cycle. ​

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Latham Open Day PFO that I didn't even apply for...

"Thank you for applying for the open day with Latham & Watkins. We appreciate the time and effort you put into your application.

After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we will not be progressing with your application at this time. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide personal feedback. However, we would like to offer some general guidance to support you with future applications:"

could rlly use some attention 2 deets Latham🥱

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Wtf is going on with all these law firms merging. Just seen that Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader are gna merge together. What do they even have in common with each other. Taylor Wessing and Winston & Strawn is also an odd mixup. 😂​

The client demand of full service combined UK and US capacities. Odd mixup of practice areas but the common denominator is a lack of fleshed out practices in their relevant jurisdictions, unlike say that of FF or CC. Even HSF needed to expand if they were going to outpace with the market, and their entire business philosophy has been merge to conquere.

 

[Freyaoooooooo]

Received PFO from DLA today kind of expected but still stings

What stage was this after if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[pepsicola96]

May I ask your application for HSFK is spring or summer?

Spring! I applied on the deadline.

 

[DavidJC]

Wtf is going on with all these law firms merging. Just seen that Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader are gna merge together. What do they even have in common with each other. Taylor Wessing and Winston & Strawn is also an odd mixup. 😂​

Apparently TW and Winston & Strawn have some actual synergies in their practice areas and focus.

HL and Cadwalader is really surprising to me cos I don't feel like HL particularly needs to merge and Cadwalader doesn't really fit their core strategy (regulated industries, lobbying in US, business + govt everywhere else), and I read the point about HL wanting to establish a stronger NY presence. But again, it doesn't quite fit their core strategy imo since they're really strong in regulatory practices and Cadwalader is like a classic M&A/Finance kinda firm. Also not Cadwalader spending the entire year claiming they're not looking to merge while haemorrhaging partners (iirc they lost their entire structured finance team to Orrick) lmao

 

[AngelB]

Has anyone actually heard back post freshfields stage 2 for the VS? I’ve seen people say their friends have been invited to AC but I haven’t seen anyone personally say it 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

 

[Bread]

How does one actually prepare for VIs??

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

How does one actually prepare for VIs??

prep 2-3 points for basic motivational/competency qs + have experiences ready to discuss some stuff ab how ur resilient & all that. u could also j wing it like me sometimes methinks but not recommended

 

[pepsicola96]

Woooo!! Huge congratulations, you should feel super proud!! 🥳 🥳

I hope you take the time to celebrate this amazing achievement, and hopefully see you at the firm for the scheme!

Thank youuu! Definitely celebrating tonight!

If you don't mind me asking, I'm aware you went through the direct TC route, but do you have any idea what the conversion rate typically is for VS to TC at Reed Smith? Also generally any tips or advice for impressing on the scheme?

 

[ninarosee]

Anyone heard back post Kirkland VI?

I did the VI today so it's still early days for me. I’ve heard they have a quick turnaround so maybe we should expect to hear back within a week of completing the VI?