TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TheLegalEdit]

I know it's hard but try not to dwell.

I have done VIs before and truly absolutely bombed it (in my eyes), and still progressed. It is different for every firm, some are mainly looking at hoe you communicate, some have tick box lists for what you say in your answers, most are a little of everything. Also for firms like Reed Smith where the VI is done in conjunction with the SJT, then there's usually a mixed weighting there. So if you do well in the test, that may offset a poor VI too.

Thank you for your kind words! You’re right, hopefully something positive comes out of it!

 

[jamieclarke]

would also like info on this! The receipt email says apps will be reviewed after the deadline and the website says that apps are reviewed before VIs, but the website also places the VI stage before the application form deadline?? I really hope that it's just a mistake on their part (they also say "entry reqirements so clearly they dont have the strongest attention to detail), especially cause VI invite isnt automatic

Grad rec are useless. Water is wet etc. VI wont need doing before deadline as it is not automatic.

 

[radssss]

Relieved?? My head is going a mile a minute😭

I rather hear back with a pfo than keep thinking about the damn applications everyday and getting stressed😭😭😭

 

[Bread]

Grad rec are useless. Water is wet etc. VI wont need doing before deadline as it is not automatic.

Ok but why word it like that..

 

[Jennifer2003]

I have an AC coming up with bird and bird and was wondering if anybody has a recommendations for commercial awareness podcasts/podcasts that would help me keep on top of it? Currently battling my diss and don’t have the time to get really deep into reading articles but listening to a podcast would help, I’ve just no idea what to pick! I tried the FT news briefing but couldn’t understand what half of it meant or how it could apply to law! Any advice would be appreciated

 

[thepfocollector]

would also like info on this! The receipt email says apps will be reviewed after the deadline and the website says that apps are reviewed before VIs, but the website also places the VI stage before the application form deadline?? I really hope that it's just a mistake on their part (they also say "entry reqirements so clearly they dont have the strongest attention to detail), especially cause VI invite isnt automatic

during the open day grad recruitment said that they review applications after the deadline for about week and then invite around 1/3 to a video interview

 

[EfficientBag123]

I rather hear back with a pfo than keep thinking about the damn applications everyday and getting stressed😭😭😭

It’s when you start replaying your video interview in your head and you don’t know how it went so then you’re stressed.

 

[calebnash]

I’ve received Milbank stage 1 but I’m not sure if it’s worth doing as ACs are already going out so spots will be filled quickly. Any advice?

 

[Jack Falahee]

Anyone applied to these firms, would love some insights:

Browne Jacobson
Boodle Hatfield
Glaisyers ETL
Capsticks
VWV
Joelson
Gide Loyrette Nouel
Howes Percival
Lockton?

Can't search more other than their websites, it's not on legal cheek firm's most list directory

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

I have an AC coming up with bird and bird and was wondering if anybody has a recommendations for commercial awareness podcasts/podcasts that would help me keep on top of it? Currently battling my diss and don’t have the time to get really deep into reading articles but listening to a podcast would help, I’ve just no idea what to pick! I tried the FT news briefing but couldn’t understand what half of it meant or how it could apply to law! Any advice would be appreciated

Ill try to explain (without directly spoonfeeding - as I guess this sort of thinking is necessary for the job). This is an example of what I would do (I'm new to this so probably there are better methods). It's also my personal understanding of commercial awareness, I'm not totally sure what firms look for yet.

Consider the impact of any news. It can be almost any news - it doesnt need to be direct financial news (e.g. a relevent example right now is Venezuela despite it not being finance/economics news).

Then consider the secondary impacts. Consider how these primary, secondary, tertiary impacts might effect certain industries (especially the industries your firm represents) and then how those industries impact others, and the general economy. How will the general economy then impact decisions companies will make r.e. investment etc.

In terms of FT news briefing - maybe there is a podcast discussing it to understand it better? I guess reading lots of briefings and learning to understand, and considering the impacts of the news will train your brain to recognise them in the long term.

Edit: if you have Spotify you can adjust the FT news briefing speed and make it slower to maybe understand better as well?

 

[radssss]

It’s when you start replaying your video interview in your head and you don’t know how it went so then you’re stressed.

Agree 100%

 

[EfficientBag123]

Agree 100%

To calm us both down, I bombed a video interview and online test last year for a DA. It was so bad that when I got the feedback report I deleted the email cos I thought I did that bad. Long behold, i got to the AC. VIs are strange and so unpredictable.

 

[halogenz]

Hi can anyone who did OCs tests please pm me - this is my first time doing the SHL deductive reasoning test - i was wondering if it's timed?

 

[Prudentia]

I’ve received Milbank stage 1 but I’m not sure if it’s worth doing as ACs are already going out so spots will be filled quickly. Any advice?

They’re not going to pass over a good candidate just because they applied later. If you don’t do it, you’re only making grad recruitment’s job easier because that’s one less application they have to review.

 

[radssss]

To calm us both down, I bombed a video interview and online test last year for a DA. It was so bad that when I got the feedback report I deleted the email cos I thought I did that bad. Long behold, i got to the AC. VIs are strange and so unpredictable.

You’re so kind, thank you for this!
I’m waiting to hear back after 3 vis rn - Goodwin kennedys and eversheds but I don’t know how they went (I worry because of my accent more than the material of my answer)😭your message really made me feel better tho

Best of luck and I hope we get the tcs we want❤️

 

[llblawstudent]

To calm us both down, I bombed a video interview and online test last year for a DA. It was so bad that when I got the feedback report I deleted the email cos I thought I did that bad. Long behold, i got to the AC. VIs are strange and so unpredictable.

What’s a DA if u don’t mind me asking

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

I’ve received Milbank stage 1 but I’m not sure if it’s worth doing as ACs are already going out so spots will be filled quickly. Any advice?

What do you have to lose? Why not? It's surely good practice anyways no?

 

[xMontmorency]

I have my Milbank ac in 3 days. What recent news events or trends in markets do you think I should be aware of going into this? I've been successful at ACs and interviews at international firms but this is my first US firm AC. So any advice would be super appreciated!!

If you're interested in leveraged finance, highly recommend you read one of these.

 

[EfficientBag123]

You’re so kind, thank you for this!
I’m waiting to hear back after 3 vis rn - Goodwin kennedys and eversheds but I don’t know how they went (I worry because of my accent more than the material of my answer)😭your message really made me feel better tho

Best of luck and I hope we get the tcs we want❤️

I feel you brother (or sister!), I’m waiting on Simmons (Bristol office), Latham and bakers. I’m also second year non-law so my stress is way less well-founded than yours 😂😂. You’re gonna smash it and I promise you you did better than you think you did.

Keep pushing, you’re closer than you think.

 

[xMontmorency]

I have an AC coming up with bird and bird and was wondering if anybody has a recommendations for commercial awareness podcasts/podcasts that would help me keep on top of it? Currently battling my diss and don’t have the time to get really deep into reading articles but listening to a podcast would help, I’ve just no idea what to pick! I tried the FT news briefing but couldn’t understand what half of it meant or how it could apply to law! Any advice would be appreciated

Search up a law firm on spotify. They all have podcasts. Scroll their recent releases until you find one either on an area of law that interests you, you understand based on the title, or which fits the specialisms of the firm you're interviewing at.

For instance, Bird & Bird have some recent podcasts on energy market regulation, safeguarding in sports and AI.