TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[eggwoman78]

has anyone heard back from BCLP for summer vc

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Hi @Afraz Akhtar
When answering strength-based questions such as "how would you react to a last-minute deadline" - should i add an example?

Hi @FutureTraineeMaybe good question! I don't think you necessarily need examples for these sort of questions, as opposed to competency questions which will specify "Tell me about a time...". However, I do think if you can manage to squeeze an example in here and there, it could bring some qualification to your answer - but only if you can find a way to do this naturally, by referencing how you've been able to build that ability. It doesn't need to be the STAR method, it can be as simple as "Having worked in a fast-paced investment firm, I've had my fair share of last-minute deadlines *cue the fake laugh*. As stressful as it may have been, I would say I've developed a mindset to deal with these sort of situations. So, in this instance I would...."

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

what exactly do firms mean by 'cultural fit'? does it mean personality or just whether you are someone people can get on with? surely just the latter right, because law firms need and can benefit from both introverts and extroverts?

Hey @floral.tcla although its a buzz-word that gets flown around a lot, if you're a good cultural fit, it simply means that you are someone that the hiring team can see as working at the firm and someone that would be easy to get along with - which I think is always being assessed regardless. This is particularly quite important for any company, as their environment could require a specific type of candidate e.g. fast-paced/time-dedicated - and having a candidate who seems a little less organised or wants a perfect work-life balance, probably won't be seen as a good fit.

 

[radssss]

just submitted TLT phewww thought I wasnt gonna get it in before the deadline!

Have they stopped offering tcs in the london office?

 

[zonnonomo]

Have they stopped offering tcs in the london office?

not on offer for this year

 

[dannyp123]

just submitted TLT phewww thought I wasnt gonna get it in before the deadline!

Hey sorry but did you also not have a work experience section for the TLT application. Im just a bit surprised since this is the only stage before AC and they seem to be relying only on application questions and grades with no work experience

 

[halogenz]

I just wrote an entire application for TLT just to realise they are not recruiting for London this year. Meanwhile, I have to prep for CMS and Bird & Bird's ACs . If anyone reading this takes pity on me and has experience with those ACs pls pm me!! I have insights on the VI and other stages of a lot of firms that I'd be happy to share (Mishcon, Mayer Brown, White & Case, HSFK, Osborne Clarke, Simmons, Reed Smith, Gowling & more)

 

[radssss]

Hey sorry but did you also not have a work experience section for the TLT application. Im just a bit surprised since this is the only stage before AC and they seem to be relying only on application questions and grades with no work experience

Hi, if you look at their application questions, it requires you to use all your work experience briefly as examples

 

[radssss]

I just wrote an entire application for TLT just to realise they are not recruiting for London this year. Meanwhile, I have to prep for CMS and Bird & Bird's ACs . If anyone reading this takes pity on me and has experience with those ACs pls pm me!! I have insights on the VI and other stages of a lot of firms that I'd be happy to share (Mishcon, Mayer Brown, White & Case, HSFK, Osborne Clarke, Simmons, Reed Smith, Gowling & more)

Same buddy! I also wrote it so just submitted it anyways because it’s so hard to get a tc anyways sorry I cannot be of help as I’ve not done acs at these places but best of luck, I hope you make it

 

[dannyp123]

Hi, if you look at their application questions, it requires you to use all your work experience briefly as examples

Yes of course, but its a shame because you really cant put the full context of most of these experiences in. Regardless at least not much left for me to do and I can submit before the deadline!

 

[James Wakefield]

Welp thought I’d cracked amberjack with 36 for Mayer Brown, down to 20 for Reed Smith.

I hope these law firms see this forum and see these tests are just rubbish!

Slightly reassured that Reed Smith say they watch every VI, an important fact for those who didn’t know! I guess it’s because it isn’t automatic- so they’ve got less to watch than MB or Weil

 

[M_m]

Hi @Afraz Akhtar, how would you suggest structuring answers for scenario-based questions in an interview? Particularly if it’s a VI and there’s 2 mins to answer.

 

[lolololol]

So I am in the midst of writing it. The cover letter is part of the application website but I don't think it is part of the form. When you're filling it out there are three questions that the form says are specifically the assessed part of the app and also don't have a word limit. Hence why I think the cover letter is part of creating a website account and not actually part of the application form (feels silly to do a cover letter when you have a written form of unlimited word count). Also the cover letter isn't mandatory which I think would be strange if it was part of the form.

thanks for this! could you share the questions and word count if you don’t mind?

 

[hopingforamiracle]

About to do the fixed Mishcon AI interiew. I've seen mixed reviews and I'm honestly not sure what to expect gang. is it like a one-on-one tailored interview, based off the application data. And then to end it..there is a motivational VI q or multiple at the end that is not like amberjack, but 1 minute to think, 1 minute to answer?

 

[lolololol]

There isn't a cover letter. Just Cv and three questions with unlimited word count

thank you, could you share the questions pls if you don’t mind

 

[M_m]

Welp thought I’d cracked amberjack with 36 for Mayer Brown, down to 20 for Reed Smith.

I hope these law firms see this forum and see these tests are just rubbish!

Slightly reassured that Reed Smith say they watch every VI, an important fact for those who didn’t know! I guess it’s because it isn’t automatic- so they’ve got less to watch than MB or Weil

What general type of questions did they ask for the VI? I’m freaking out about the amberjack test myself and trying to figure out how best to structure my prep.

 

[dannyp123]

About to do the fixed Mishcon AI interiew. I've seen mixed reviews and I'm honestly not sure what to expect gang. is it like a one-on-one tailored interview, based off the application data. And then to end it..there is a motivational VI q or multiple at the end that is not like amberjack, but 1 minute to think, 1 minute to answer?

Its a motivational VI at the end and its only one (also unfortunately one minute to think one minute to answer). As for the rest they kind of have set questions which they lead with and then the personalisation comes from the follow up questions the AI asks you based off what you said. Im pretty sure it does not have your application data when asking the initial questions. There is an opportunity to practice using the AI chat and play around with how it works before you do it so that you understand how it works. Best of luck with it!

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Its a motivational VI at the end and its only one (also unfortunately one minute to think one minute to answer). As for the rest they kind of have set questions which they lead with and then the personalisation comes from the follow up questions the AI asks you based off what you said. Im pretty sure it does not have your application data when asking the initial questions. There is an opportunity to practice using the AI chat and play around with how it works before you do it so that you understand how it works. Best of luck with it!

Is the entire test timed? I'm planning on doing the test tomorrow and I'm struggling to get my head around it

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Anyone familiar with Squire Patton Boggs? I know it's not as high profile as other firms but I've heard their training is really good.

 

[ilikelaw]

Welp thought I’d cracked amberjack with 36 for Mayer Brown, down to 20 for Reed Smith.

I hope these law firms see this forum and see these tests are just rubbish!

Slightly reassured that Reed Smith say they watch every VI, an important fact for those who didn’t know! I guess it’s because it isn’t automatic- so they’ve got less to watch than MB or Weil

isn’t the maximum 36?! that’s crazy