TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Rosie_Kitten]

Would anyone be able to share the video interview questions for Mills & Reeve online test?

No, as in, it's not allowed and if discovered would land you / the person sharing in trouble (in essence, void the application). And if not discovered, would give other people an unfair advantage. You do, however, get unlimited preparation time before answering the questions. Simply re-read about Mills & Reeve before, and you will probably be fine.

I will add, there isn't a curveball, and you can take time to work out what to say before recording

 

[Donna Paulsen]

@iwatchsuits typically, with these sort of applications, they decide if you're a strong enough candidate for the DTC route or if they would like to see what you're like in practice before pushing you forwards with the TC. Equally, for those that maybe don't have strong enough experience, and may otherwise be rejected for a DTC, they may be considered for the VS. Think of it as a safety net.

As for the question itself, I would focus on the training contract just like you would any other application. Personally, I don't think there is a great deal you could say about why a VS other than seeing the firm and getting a TC, but you could say a great deal more about actually working there, which is what you would get with a TC. This way, you can go into great deal about the firm and its offering, and what you would get out of the programme.

Thank you, Afraz! This helps a lot

 

[thepfocollector]

Anyone heard from Baker or Latham (both for spring)

 

[User2640]

Anyone applied to WFW on Christmas (25 Dec) or later heard back 😭

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Pinsent (Regions) ❌

Hi sorry about that. Was this post AC or post online assessment?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hi @Afraz Akhtar
I understand this isn't really your expertise area but I was wondering if it’s okay to request a quieter room for preparing for presentations. I get quite anxious preparing in crowded spaces, and a different room would really help me concentrate better. I don’t have a formal diagnosis, but I wanted to ask if this is usually accommodated at law firms. Or will this be viewed negatively?

 

[anon78365222111]

Bakers has been so anxiety-inducing this week ! I'm expecting a PFO because of my VI performance but given the ACs for Spring are this week and next, I'd just like my PFO for closure. 🥲

I think everyone has crazy anxiety rn because of them. No one ever expected such a delay given that they have an AC this week 😭

 

[EfficientBag123]

Bakers has been so anxiety-inducing this week ! I'm expecting a PFO because of my VI performance but given the ACs for Spring are this week and next, I'd just like my PFO for closure. 🥲

It turns out no one has actually heard anything. Can only assume there’s some admin issues we don’t know about or everyone on this forum has been rejected. I think the former is the most likely. We just need to sit tight.

 

[Indigo71]

I think everyone has crazy anxiety rn because of them. No one ever expected such a delay given that they have an AC this week 😭

I really thought we would hear back yesterday!

 

[R2D2]

Just checked cv mail account and it says status "AC" for Baker. Still no communications from their side.

 

[anon78365222111]

Just checked cv mail account and it says status "AC" for Baker. Still no communications from their side.

I think all of ours says that I think that just means application complete maybe or we all just cooked

 

[alphabravocharlie]

I have an AC next week, I was told I would be given more details in the new year but have not received anything yet, should I email grad rec?

 

[SemperParatus]

Any news from Weil?

 

[EfficientBag123]

I think all of ours says that I think that just means application complete maybe or we all just cooked

Application cooked?

 

[User22022002]

Did Milbank Stage 1 early December, heard nothing since… why won’t they send a PFO already?? I doubt I’ll get Stage 2 now

entirely up to you, but I would email as the stage two invites (in my experience, got sent out relatively soon after). I did my stage two, but then they said I hadn't (wasnt in the system), so I had to do another one. Their system is so unconvincing because it never sent submission receipts to my email. its been a faff but hopefully we'll pull through!

 

[Harvey Specter]

Any news from Weil?

They said during my VI we’d hear back early Jan so if that’s still the case, we should hear by Friday (otherwise it’ll no longer be early Jan).

They might have gotten loads of last minute apps though and esp cos of Xmas and NY, there might be some more delays in hearing back.​

 

[jamieclarke]

No, as in, it's not allowed and if discovered would land you / the person sharing in trouble (in essence, void the application). And if not discovered, would give other people an unfair advantage. You do, however, get unlimited preparation time before answering the questions. Simply re-read about Mills & Reeve before, and you will probably be fine.

I will add, there isn't a curveball, and you can take time to work out what to say before recording

It is the first stage of the application. The VI has untimed prep. It is akin to sharing what the written application questions are. So this post is false.

 

[SemperParatus]

They said during my VI we’d hear back early Jan so if that’s still the case, we should hear by Friday (otherwise it’ll no longer be early Jan).

They might have gotten loads of last minute apps though and esp cos of Xmas and NY, there might be some more delays in hearing back.​

I applied soo early in the cycle, got my VI invite on 03/11. But i was very confused to see that someone with a higher SJT score than me got a PFO, but I still haven’t heard anything yet …

 

[anon78365222111]

I applied soo early in the cycle, got my VI invite on 03/11. But i was very confused to see that someone with a higher SJT score than me got a PFO, but I still haven’t heard anything yet …

Must’ve smashed the VI, there were people who applied after me too and got PFO I’m assuming they’re shortlisting

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Kirkland VS AC. Any insights?

Congratulations. Please when did you apply