TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Trophy]

Hello!!

First of all, huge congratulations on your TC offer - what an amazing achievement! 🥳 🥳

You haven't got that wrong - I have been working in the graduate recruitment team! However, this is due to Reed Smith's Professional SQE structure, where future trainees spend a few days a week in a business services team alongside their SQE studies.

I don't think working in the graduate recruitment team is necessarily a normal thing for future trainees to do - however, it's always worth asking if it is something that you're interested in. Paralegalling is more likely to be the main option for that year, but there's no harm in enquiring about roles in a business services team. Ultimately, it will depend on the firm's needs at the time

woahhh that is such a cool initiative!! lemme go put my RS application in aha

 

[Amgrad]

Thanks! 7th September

Crazy, it took them 3 months and one week, I'll be getting that in new year maybe 😢 when will your AC?

 

[johnsmith]

A tad concerned about this, so if anyone could let me know, thanks!

Yes it shows like that!

 

[Amgrad]

For Taylor wessing online tests, how quickly do you find out if you haven’t met their benchmark?

I think someone here got it in hours or days I forget it. You can search on this thread, though.

 

[Trophy]

I have just got Gibson test it is automatic but i wondered if it was JUST an sjt? any vi or surprises? would be grateful for your help

 

[safari3]

Seems we won't be hearing from Mishcon until after Christmas or the New Year atp

 

[johnsmith]

Macfarlanes PFO (Finally! did their second assessment Sep 8th!) BUT just before that, Fieldfisher AC invite!

Same! I felt I really nailed the VI as well and the job sim, but so far the ones I felt have gone the worst have gone the best.

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

I have just got Gibson test it is automatic but i wondered if it was JUST an sjt? any vi or surprises? would be grateful for your help

hey - can i ask when you submitted your app to gibson dunn + did you receive the test via email

 

[lawstudent2]

For the people getting ACs for any firm, out of interest are they for after xmas/in the new year?
I feel like I've seen a fair few sent out so am wondering if they are being nice and giving lots of notice or are making you do them during the christmas period

Obv don't need to share specific dates, I am just curious tbh

 

[Amgrad]

Same! I felt I really nailed the VI as well and the job sim, but so far the ones I felt have gone the worst have gone the best.

Mine was awful, I messed up second question, but yet no response since 23/10 I guess next week or after AC.

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

im quite worried ab my gibson dunn app that i submitted dec 17 but havent received the automatic sjt for??? i emailed grad rec and have not heard back from them so what the hell

unsure of how to proceed w this bc i'm worried my app wont be considered until they come across my email/respond and it's a rolling deadline

@Abbie Whitlock

 

[Vakil]

Same! I felt I really nailed the VI as well and the job sim, but so far the ones I felt have gone the worst have gone the best.

I am sure you nailed it. I felt strong too (although at the time it was my first ever experience with the Cappfinity assessment). If they made us wait this long, it probably means we were close. Likely only a few scores away from progressing.

 

[Vakil]

I have just got Gibson test it is automatic but i wondered if it was JUST an sjt? any vi or surprises? would be grateful for your help

I took it ages ago! I believe it was no VI, just SJT and proofreading? Others can correct me.

 

[Amgrad]

I am sure you nailed it. I felt strong too (although at the time it was my first ever experience with the Cappfinity assessment). If they made us wait this long, it probably means we were close. Likely only a few scores away from progressing.

Phew, will take a look and place it at very bottom on my list as they allow us to reapply. I'll be preparing more case study VI with tight time to respond lol.

Do you think the question for DTC would be the same in this cycle?

 

[alphabravocharlie]

how rolling is Gibson, still worth applying ?

 

[BatmanBeyond]

Same, I do not understand what they want 😢😢😢😢😢

HSF PFO after passing the benchmark, lol, when it rains it pours doesn't it?

 

[sal44]

Same, I do not understand what they want 😢😢😢😢😢

I’m so sorry, was this for the spring scheme?

 

[Trophy]

hey - can i ask when you submitted your app to gibson dunn + did you receive the test via email

submitted 14 hours ago haha yes i go the test via email 50 mins ago.

 

[Trophy]

how rolling is Gibson, still worth applying ?

They seem slow to me. They gave an interview to someone who applied 15th September yesterday... so i applied last night

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi guys! I'm currently writing my application for DWF's vac scheme; one of the questions is as follows:

"What are your motivations for wanting to pursue a career as a Solicitor at DWF?"

Am I right to interpret this question as essentially meaning "why DWF", as opposed to "why a career as a solicitor in general, and then why DWF"?

If anyone has any advice, I'd be hugely grateful!

Hello!

You're right that the emphasis is very much on why DWF, but I would still try to strike a balance between the two. For example, a good approach could be:

1. Briefly explain why you want to be a solicitor (with reference to skills you have, elements of the role you enjoy, the type of work, client focus, problem-solving, etc.)
2. Spend the majority of your answer on why those motivations specifically align with DWF - for example, its sectors, client base, culture, international reach, and the kind of work that trainees have the opportunity to complete.

It might help to think of it as "why I want to be a solicitor in this environment / at this firm". As long as your motivations for becoming a solicitor clearly feeds into why DWF is the right fit, you'll be addressing the whole question