TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Afuturetrainee]

Can someone who got the Akin test pls share how long it took to hear back post app? I really want to work in restructuring and having bombed the Weil Amberjack I'm getting stressed it's a pfo from akin as well lol

They take an average of 5 weeks to get back

 

[abc124]

They take an average of 5 weeks to get back

Oh wow okay that's a long time, but also really reassuring, thanks a lot!

 

[Harvey Specter]

Can someone who got the Akin test pls share how long it took to hear back post app? I really want to work in restructuring and having bombed the Weil Amberjack I'm getting stressed it's a pfo from akin as well lol

It took c3 weeks for me. I applied mid Dec and got the test on Monday. Idk if Xmas and NY meant it took longer than usual though. I’m also a fiend for restructuring so hoping Akin or Weil work out!​

 

[Bree]

Heya, checking again if anyone can help with HL Stage 2 insights!! Happy to help with other firms, thank you so much!!

 

[StressedByAMountainOfBooks]

Gibson Dunn PFO after Stage 1 - done the interview 30th Dec. Hope that helps people with there timeline!

 

[jamsparkle]

Freshfields Summer VS AC

 

[aria_d]

Heya, checking again if anyone can help with HL Stage 2 insights!! Happy to help with other firms, thank you so much!!

Hi, do you hvae Goodwin VI insights? Happy to share HL!

 

[Rejections PFO]

Hey guys, does anyone know how forgiving grad rec is about background noise in VIs? I have to do my Goodwin one and I do not live in a household where it is easy to get 10 minutes of silence (I have a 5 year old brother who loves doing temper tantrums every 5 seconds and a vocal new puppy). I am just worried that they'll either hear my bro stomping and screaming "FINE" or a dog barking and pfo me

 

[llblawstudent]

Freshfields Summer VS AC

Hey well done, when’d you apply?

 

[jamsparkle]

Hey well done, when’d you apply?

2nd october, completed stage 2 on 25th october

 

[abc124]

It took c3 weeks for me. I applied mid Dec and got the test on Monday. Idk if Xmas and NY meant it took longer than usual though. I’m also a fiend for restructuring so hoping Akin or Weil work out!​

Omg I love that, none of my friends like restructuring haha And also congrats!! I applied on the 22nd so hopefully it won't be a super long wait. Good luck with both Weil and Akin!!

 

[BealMcAlly]

Reed Smith sent some tips to candidates who were unsuccessful post stage 2 and it seems the best approach is to spend the majority of time explaining how you'd tackle the scenario, but add brief examples to highlight relevant skills/show your experiences to add credibility

I thought adding the brief example was optional and candidates who don't add it aren't marked down for it.

 

[abc124]

I thought adding the brief example was optional and candidates who don't add it aren't marked down for it.

Yep I thought so as well, and I never added examples, but idk that's what the feedback said. I don't think you'd necessarily be marked down but maybe it just comes across as a more well-rounded answer? And i kinda get the point that it adds credibility. I think the approach probably varies between recruiters, so I now aim to add just two short lines at the end of my answer just in case

 

[trainee4u]

Hey guys, does anyone know how forgiving grad rec is about background noise in VIs? I have to do my Goodwin one and I do not live in a household where it is easy to get 10 minutes of silence (I have a 5 year old brother who loves doing temper tantrums every 5 seconds and a vocal new puppy). I am just worried that they'll either hear my bro stomping and screaming "FINE" or a dog barking and pfo me

I did one on Christmas eve at about 10:30pm and my mum was talking in the background and I was on video waving a hand at her to shut up. Gonna fail that for sure.

 

[Rejections PFO]

I did one on Christmas eve at about 10:30pm and my mum was talking in the background and I was on video waving a hand at her to shut up. Gonna fail that for sure.

This is my biggest gripe with VIs becoming standard. Law firms take for granted how hard it can be when you're with your family to find a quiet space 😭

 

[Harvey Specter]

Hey guys, does anyone know how forgiving grad rec is about background noise in VIs? I have to do my Goodwin one and I do not live in a household where it is easy to get 10 minutes of silence (I have a 5 year old brother who loves doing temper tantrums every 5 seconds and a vocal new puppy). I am just worried that they'll either hear my bro stomping and screaming "FINE" or a dog barking and pfo me

I relate to this as someone with 3 young brothers who cannot be quiet for longer than 2-3 mins. In my Weil VI, I had to give grad rec the heads up that there’d probs be background noise. It didn’t help that my neighbours had decided to begin house renovations at the same time either. So there was a lot of banging and drilling sounds echoing in the background lmao. They said it was totally fine and seeing I haven’t received an auto PFO just yet they probs weren’t bothered. From their end it probs sounded like this:

​

 

[elle woods]

This is my biggest gripe with VIs becoming standard. Law firms take for granted how hard it can be when you're with your family to find a quiet space 😭

😂 one time I contemplated whether I should carry my laptop out to the fields so I could just do it in 10 mins and head back

but then I realised I wouldn't have good enough wifi...

 

[KuriTH]

Does anyone know what a strengths-based style of interview would entail? I have one for Freshfields tomorrow and ngl I’ve got no idea what to expect or how to prepare for this at all lmao.​

If it’s Freshfields, then I assume it’s the case-study-focused one?

Essentially, it’s mainly a scenario behavioural assessment with multiple-choice options. There is also one written task, and you have to record a few short videos mostly focused on explaining what you would do if you were the trainee in each scenario.

I completed mine end of nov/start dec. Haven't heard back. Expecting rejection

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

If it’s Freshfields, then I assume it’s the case-study-focused one?

Essentially, it’s mainly a scenario behavioural assessment with multiple-choice options. There is also one written task, and you have to record a few short videos mostly focused on explaining what you would do if you were the trainee in each scenario.

I completed mine end of nov/start dec. Haven't heard back. Expecting rejection

Hey is this for DTC or VS

 

[Meg_Thee_Applicant]

Bates Wells VS WG invite wooo!