TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[EfficientBag123]

I heard they send them out batches.

 

[Prudentia]

Genuine question as to how everyone stays sane in the midst of it all? Me and the refresh button have become alarmingly inseparable in recent times…..

I submit an application and move on. Stay busy. Focus on other applications/activities. I don’t get too invested in any firm upfront, because it’s so competitive. It also means if I do progress it’s a nice surprise.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I’m lowkey beginning to sound like a broken record but has anybody heard from these firms, especially around these dates:

Dechert Spring VS post app (applied 1 Dec)
Goodwin post app (after the first batch of VIs)
Akin post app (applied 13 Dec)
Weil post SJT and VI (test 14 Dec, VI 17 Dec)
Reed Smith post app (applied 19 Dec)
Milbank Summer Trad VS post SJT (test 17 Dec)​

 

[tjeya26]

For those who did the Taylor Wessing written exercise, how many days are you given to complete it?

 

[spamelinazoid]

Genuine question as to how everyone stays sane in the midst of it all? Me and the refresh button have become alarmingly inseparable in recent times…..

Im an older applicant (4 years out of law school and paralegaling in the City since) and this process is and always will be incredibly draining. Though from what Ive seen from work, the grind never stops. Once you qualify it only keeps going… my supervisor made partner this year and the “application” he described to become such was the thing of nightmares…

 

[sqe4676]

I’m lowkey beginning to sound like a broken record but has anybody heard from these firms, especially around these dates:

Dechert Spring VS post app (applied 1 Dec)
Goodwin post app (after the first batch of VIs)
Akin post app (applied 13 Dec)
Weil post SJT and VI (test 14 Dec, VI 17 Dec)
Reed Smith post app (applied 19 Dec)
Milbank Summer Trad VS post SJT (test 17 Dec)​

Hey, yes I heard from Weil and unfortunately got a PFO.

 

[EfficientBag123]

Has anyone been rejected by Latham post VI yet?

 

[Lord Sumption]

Yes apply. I applied an hour before applications closed and got the vac and tc. GR reads every single app!

The aura in this statement. Star

 

[summersun]

Hi
I just received Shepherd and Wedderburn tests invite. However the practice test does not work and I wanted to take the real tests tomorrow. Could anyone indicate which SHL practice test is the accurate one? It says general ability but there are the interactive and the MCQ ones on SHL website? Also would anyone be willing to share how many questions there are ? the email just mentions the time we have.

 

[silonthesofa]

For those who did the Taylor Wessing written exercise, how many days are you given to complete it?

You're not given a time window because it's proctored live, so you submit an availability form and they inform you of your allocated time slot.

 

[user55998384]

has anyone who did the OD for latham and applied for spring not heard back yet..... i soooo hope its not a PFO

 

[M85672]

Getting a bit worried that I haven't received Milbank's test yet lol

 

[SamiyaJ]

Erm just realised I didn’t receive Skadden written exercise on 16 Dec PFO indeed, don’t even need them to email me anymore lmao. But happy the firm manages expectations with clear deadlines

 

[user55998384]

what time is the bakers deadline tomorrow?

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

Anyone else who spent most of the day today leading up to new year on apps (I am the cause of my own suffering, could have avoided this if I had done these earlier) ?

 

[kukubird]

Anyone else who spent most of the day today leading up to new year on apps (I am the cause of my own suffering, could have avoided this if I had done these earlier) ?

Same it is such a drag but the end is near! Keep going

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

Has anyone finished the Debevoise App ? If yes, then how ? The app refuses to end there's like 7 questions for 10 TCs what even. But on a serious note how did you end up answering the commercial question specifically the which side would you represent part ?

 

[kukubird]

Has anyone finished the Debevoise App ? If yes, then how ? The app refuses to end there's like 7 questions for 10 TCs what even. But on a serious note how did you end up answering the commercial question specifically the which side would you represent part ?

I know it's genuinely never ending, I've answered that with a litigation case as I thought it would be easier to actually pick and substantiate a side.

 

[Prudentia]

Getting a bit worried that I haven't received Milbank's test yet lol

When did you submit the application?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

What’s the best approach for putting VS you didn’t manage to convert on your work experience section?

Do firms look at this sideways especially if it was a couple cycles ago

Hi!

Firms generally won't look at this sideways, and I would try not to worry about it too much - they know vacation scheme conversion rates are competitive and that non-conversion doesn't necessarily reflect performance. There are so many factors that go in to making TC decisions, including things such as business need and the overall competitiveness of that cycle - these are things out of your control, so firms aren't going to hold this against you!

It is absolutely fine to include the VS's you didn't convert (and I did for mine) - I would just make sure that you focus on what you did and learned rather than the outcome itself. If it was a couple of cycles ago, I would make sure to show how you have grown since then as they will be more interested in your overall development and reflection.

I hope that helps, and best of luck!