TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[alanshore]

Does Milbank stage 1 contain motivational/CA questions or is it just the WG style test?

 

[e.jy336]

It's Shortlister - iirc from last cycle, it's a critical reasoning / WG test

Does it include a written component too? I did a test for Milbank 2 years ago I think and it unexpectedly contained written timed questions

 

[TCchaser]

Does it include a written component too? I did a test for Milbank 2 years ago I think and it unexpectedly contained written timed questions

Yeah I remember that, I believe that was Stage 2

 

[TCchaser]

Does Milbank stage 1 contain motivational/CA questions or is it just the WG style test?

I think Stage 1 is just WG

 

[insomnia]

anyone know if Sidley's online assessment is sent automatically or is it selective?

 

[amitonalfo]

I've just completed ashurst stage 1 online assessment, but i haven't had any confirmation email that its completed and when i click on the link again it's still available to complete from the start with nothing recorded? does this mean i didnt complete it properly has anyone else had this?

 

[CommunityAssistant_MH]

doing a vac scheme now, was given a task by my supervisor and completed it but I got a bit of feedback I got the wrong part of a contract, I tried to amend it but ending up getting it wrong again? Everything else was alright, would this be fatal?

Hi there!

Honestly, I wouldn’t panic about this! Vac schemes are a learning experience and you’re not expected to get every task completely right, especially when it’s something you haven’t done before.

While getting it wrong again after the feedback isn’t ideal, I really wouldn’t jump from that to thinking it’s fatal. You’ve said the rest of the task was fine too, which is important.

It's important to take the feedback on board, make sure you understand where you went wrong and move on to the next task. If you’re ever unsure after getting feedback, there’s also nothing wrong with checking your understanding with your supervisor before having another go.

Try not to overanalyse every individual mistake, which is very easily done on a vac scheme! It is more likely your supervisor will be looking at how you perform and interact across the scheme as a whole, not expecting perfection on every individual task.

 

[wrpark]

Is Eversheds vac scheme rolling?

 

[sarg1234]

I've just completed ashurst stage 1 online assessment, but i haven't had any confirmation email that its completed and when i click on the link again it's still available to complete from the start with nothing recorded? does this mean i didnt complete it properly has anyone else had this?

You'll get it about 24 hours after submitting. Why the delay I don't know

 

[CommunityAssistant_MH]

Does anyone know if we need to expressly write the transferrable skills within each work experience details or just the job responsibilities for macfarlanes?

Hi there,

I’d definitely try to draw out the transferable skills rather than just listing your responsibilities. Remember that Grad Rec are reading a huge number of applications, and while there isn't one correct approach you want to make it as easy as possible for them to understand why an experience is relevant and what you actually gained from it. Think 'and why would this matter' for the application!

That doesn’t mean you need to force a skill into every sentence though. I’d probably focus on 1–2 meaningful skills from each experience and demonstrate them through what you actually did. So rather than just saying “this developed my communication skills”, explain what you did that required strong communication and (where it fits naturally) why that would be useful in the context of working at a firm like Macfarlanes.

Essentially, don’t make Grad Rec do the work of figuring out why an experience is relevant- make the connection clear for them, without overdoing it!

 

[CommunityAssistant_MH]

Hey!

I think either approach can work, so I wouldn't worry too much about there being one "correct" way to answer this.

Personally, I would be inclined to use a specific commercial news story as your starting point, particularly as it is asking for something that interests you and has caught your attention. You can then use the story to demonstrate that you understand the wider commercial implications and explain how similar developments could affect the firm's clients.

For example, rather than just discussing what happened to Company X, you could briefly explain the story (just enough to give context), identify the broader trend or issue it illustrates, and then consider which types of clients might be affected, how they could be affected and what challenges or opportunities this could create for them. You could then briefly mention how the firm might be able to support clients in navigating those issues, where relevant - for example, what work would be generated, which practice areas would be involved, how the firm is well equipped to assist with those issues/opportunities, etc.

The important thing is not to turn the answer into a detailed explanation of what the firm could do for the client, so if you do include that last element, I'd keep it very brief. The question is really testing whether you can take a piece of commercial news and think critically about its wider implications for businesses.

So I would focus less on whether you choose a trend or a specific company, and more on showing that you can go from: this happened -> this is why it matters commercially -> this is how it could affect clients.

I'd also make sure you choose something that you genuinely find interesting, as that will usually make the answer much easier to write!

Hey there,

I agree with what’s been said above!

One thing I’d add is to be quite deliberate about what you mean by “the firm’s clients”. Rather than saying something broad like “this will increase costs for the firm’s clients”, have a look at the types of clients the firm actually advises and think about whether the impact would differ between them.

For example, the same development could create a risk for one client but an opportunity for another. A regulatory change might increase compliance costs for an established business, while creating an opportunity for another. Equally, you might have lenders, investors and corporates all looking at the same development from very different perspectives.

Being able to show that distinction can make an answer much more commercially thoughtful because you’re not just identifying an “impact” for the sake of answering the question — you’re demonstrating that you understand businesses have different interests and priorities.

I’d also think about the knock-on effects rather than stopping at the most obvious consequence. Ask yourself: if X happens, what decisions might a client now have to make? Could it change where they invest, how they finance something, whether they proceed with a transaction, their appetite for risk, or their relationships with customers/suppliers?

While the word count can be tight on these questions, I would say the extra “so what happens next?” step is often where you can add a lot more depth without needing loads of technical knowledge and is where you can make your answer really stand out!

 

[CommunityAssistant_MH]

One of the main benefits you get from open days is to just become familiar with the environment. Aside from speaking to as many people as you can, I'd also relax and try to enjoy it. Law firms can be intimidating places, so take the opportunity to get comfortable and get a feel for the atmosphere. If all goes well and you get an interview there in the future, you'll be more confident.

Hi there,

Just to add, I’d also see the Open Day as your first real opportunity to form your own impression of the firm beyond what you can find online. You’ll hopefully meet trainees, associates and other people who are essentially ambassadors for the firm on the day, so make the most of having access to them!

In particular, I’d really value the conversations you have with trainees. Hopefully you’ll come across a few who take a genuine interest in speaking to you and are happy to share what their experience has actually been like. Those conversations can sometimes give you much more useful insight than anything you could find on the firm’s website – things like what surprised them when they joined, how much responsibility they actually get, what supervision is like or why they chose the firm themselves.

I’d also go in with a few things you genuinely want to find out rather than feeling like you need to ask “impressive” questions. Pay attention to what people say, ask follow-ups and let the conversation develop naturally. You may come away with insights that are really useful later when explaining why the firm appeals to you.

And definitely make a few notes afterwards while everything is still fresh! The small details and conversations you remember from the day can be really valuable if you end up applying or interviewing there later.

If you have any further questions do let me know!

 

[marshmallow]

s&c says they expect applications from penultimate year law students and final year non-law students, but graduates and post-graduates are also welcome to apply…. what about final year law students!? i feel like i’m missing smth

 

[TCchaser]

s&c says they expect applications from penultimate year law students and final year non-law students, but graduates and post-graduates are also welcome to apply…. what about final year law students!? i feel like i’m missing smth

I emailed them about this last cycle - they said final-year law students can also apply

Worth double-checking, though, in case they've changed it

 

[sagekensuke]

s&c says they expect applications from penultimate year law students and final year non-law students, but graduates and post-graduates are also welcome to apply…. what about final year law students!? i feel like i’m missing smth

Hey, please could you point me towards where it says graduates are welcome to apply. I wanted to apply there but iirc the website says students and those studying for a post-graduate degree

 

[jamsparkle]

does DPW not take applications from non-law students at all?

 

[Legal12345]

anyone else having trouble accessing the milbank test? it won't let me click on it and just says error under test status

 

[dyingforaTC]

Has anyone else NOT received the Dechert assessment? I applied over a week ago...

 

[alanshore]

HSFK app done after 2 weeks of mulling over app questions. Hogan Lovells done. Hopefully its not as bad as last cycle lol.

 

[NM23x]

HSFK email saying passed the assessment