TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[sadlawyer01]

do firms take into account your written application during your VI?

 

[iwatchsuits]

OC's test was designed to cook aspiring solicitors full of energy and dreams.

Was definitely the hardest one I have sat so far! That stupid interactive test needs to be put in the bin

 

[jojo23]

That’d be extra work for grad rec and they prefer to keep things rly ambiguous. They probs read these forums and see our daily crash-outs over whether they’re rolling or non-rolling and be like:

Gives them more time to make shitty, poorly timed tiktoks

 

[iwatchsuits]

Does Milbank provide a report for the Stage 1 SJT?

 

[Novaa]

Gives them more time to make shitty, poorly timed tiktoks

Me watching them pause for 2 seconds at the start of their “Assessment Centre tips” video while waiting for my Stage 1 link

 

[BealMcAlly]

do firms take into account your written application during your VI?

I know that Reed Smith screen applications and then move on from it when they review SJT and VIs.

At one online event they basically said you can refer to your application for your VI but expand slightly for motivational questions.

I would assume most firms don't watch your VI with your application open, they have so many to review. The only time they maybe do that is if partners are reviewing the VIs. For example, Bristows' VI is not reviewed by GR but by partners. I think that makes is more stressful imo 😅🫢 but I guess if you make it past that they like you already.

 

[iwatchsuits]

Me watching them pause for 2 seconds at the start of their “Assessment Centre tips” video while waiting for my Stage 1 link

'Day in the life of a trainee!😁'

Yeah ok whatever

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

Does anyone have any insights into the Baker McKenzie vi? I have insights into the Mishcon Bright Apply interview, Reed Smith vi, Freshfields DTC second stage, Jones Day AC and Slaughter and May AC.

 

[AGB2060]

???? Help why is Kirkland so fast to reply

Edit: not that I'm complaining

Like post-VI for AC? Congrats!! May I ask when you did it (the VI)

 

[elle woods]

Like post-VI for AC? Congrats!! May I ask when you did it (the VI)

24th! Hence why I was so surprised since it hasn't even been a week

 

[AGB2060]

24th! Hence why I was so surprised since it hasn't even been a week

Ooo congrats! Likely rejection for me then, did it nearly a week before. Onto the next😛

 

[elle woods]

Ooo congrats! Likely rejection for me then, did it nearly a week before. Onto the next😛

noo don't think that - I think K&E do ACs on an ad hoc basis...it sounds like it anyways. I heard that last year they were doing ACs into Feb. So maybe they're inviting in batches. Or putting people on hold. From what I know, it seems like they have only invited people to 1 AC, meaning it's probably only been 12 people. There will defo be more ACs!!

ehm my uni also may or may not have sent a letter to firms asking them to stop taking students during term time since a lot of us were missing sessions to go to open days lol. This is a stretch but... so maybe they're doing us first to ensure it doesn't clash with term time. No clue if that's truly the case though.

 

[jojo23]

noo don't think that - I think K&E do ACs on an ad hoc basis...it sounds like it anyways. I heard that last year they were doing ACs into Feb. So maybe they're inviting in batches. Or putting people on hold. From what I know, it seems like they have only invited people to 1 AC, meaning it's probably only been 12 people. There will defo be more ACs!!

ehm my uni also may or may not have sent a letter to firms asking them to stop taking students during term time since a lot of us were missing sessions to go to open days lol. This is a stretch but... so maybe they're doing us first to ensure it doesn't clash with term time. No clue if that's truly the case though.

your uni basically said:

(im sorry i'll go to bed now)

 

[elle woods]

your uni basically said:

(im sorry i'll go to bed now)

jojo-ified dora the explorer??

 

[jojo23]

jojo-ified dora the explorer??

i mean...

 

[iwatchsuits]

Milbank stage 1 test completed! (don't judge, I'm a night owl)
Wasn't as bad as I thought 😁 🤞 now back to the Covington application...

 

[Harvey Specter]

Milbank stage 1 test completed! (don't judge, I'm a night owl)
Wasn't as bad as I thought 😁 🤞

I’m not a morning person or a night owl so I have to eeny meeny miny moe between both options every day just so I can get stuff done like:​

 

[iwatchsuits]

I’m not a morning person or a night owl so I have to eeny meeny miny moe between both options every day just so I can get stuff done like:​

What about the afternoon? 😝

 

[zonnonomo]

noo don't think that - I think K&E do ACs on an ad hoc basis...it sounds like it anyways. I heard that last year they were doing ACs into Feb. So maybe they're inviting in batches. Or putting people on hold. From what I know, it seems like they have only invited people to 1 AC, meaning it's probably only been 12 people. There will defo be more ACs!!

ehm my uni also may or may not have sent a letter to firms asking them to stop taking students during term time since a lot of us were missing sessions to go to open days lol. This is a stretch but... so maybe they're doing us first to ensure it doesn't clash with term time. No clue if that's truly the case though.

elle !!!! congratulations ❤️❤️ so stoked about your ac, will be rooting for u

 

[elle woods]

elle !!!! congratulations ❤️❤️ so stoked about your ac, will be rooting for u

Thank you so much zonnonomooo 🫶