TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[startupgeek]

anyone got insights into sidley's VI? i have the full insights into milbank's stage 1 this year!

i can also exchange with willkie/ weil/ goodwin/ cms/ white & case insights from last year!

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hello, is anyone aware whether on an application form when a firm asks if you have any internal contacts, you need to list people who you have worked on a matter with? I am an in-house Paralegal and have worked on a litigation matter (where we are joint parties) with a couple of people from said firm. I am unsure whether to list this?

Hi, I would potentially get a second opinion on this, would likely be best if you emailed a Graduate Recruitment.

However, to me, I would say no, you wouldn't _need_ to list those. They aren't necessarily 'contacts' as in people you are close with and are in semi-direct communication with. If a firm, I believe A&O has this (and I'm sure others), has a internal-referral section in the application, then potentially a person you worked closely with from that firm _could_ qualify for that.

Nonetheless, my instinct would be no, you don't have to list this.

Hope this helps!

 

[BealMcAlly]

The most tiring thing are constant tests, it is such a drag especially tests before they even review. Like I’m investing an hour or 90 mins in something that won’t be seen if they don’t like my application or grades

I low key wish they would outright tell you if your academics are a blocker so you can avoid reapplying in the future. Would also be great if they just published their benchmark for these tests, say Amberjack. I would love it if they outright said our benchmark is a minimum of 25 for Amberjack, that way I can manage my expectations once I get the automated result.

I'm starting to question grading more and more, even with mitigating circumstances. It feels as though that doesn't matter in the end because they will almost always opt for someone with a first or 2:1s across the board.

 

[Saul_specter]

Anyone heard from an and o shesrman for WVS?

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

hey @Antoni Trochimowicz how would you structure this

q:Aside from your work experience and academic studies, which other experiences have helped you develop skills relevant to a career as a commercial lawyer?

do you think after each exp i should have a sentence highlighted the skills and how this can be applied as a lawyer and then should i be linking it to the firm too?

Hi!

Firstly, I don't think you need to link it back to the firm. You should just link it back to general aspects of the career, which will naturally also be applicable to the firm.

After each experience, I do think the ending of the paragraph should link it back to _how_ this is useful for the career. You could do this by discussing common trainee tasks or other routine things that occur.