TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[manifestingthetc]

Just got HSF PFO, i feel deflated honestly

I WANT A BIG CRY

 

[BealMcAlly]

I did their First Year Scheme, Open Days, and Inside the Headlines events, and yea heard the same thing - I do have 2:1s but they're just not high 2:1s...

I'm assuming when it comes down to cutting numbers, everything is taken into account, and my low grades would be something that could hold me back...

I'm actually not sure, I was really surprised to make it onto AOS AC too, but maybe they value different things? Let me copy and paste the generic PFO email HSF Kramer sent:

"The key areas we focus on when assessing applications include:

Academic qualifications - We expect candidates to have had a strong record of academic achievement through each year at university. We feel it is important that we set these high academic criteria, as a good predictor of success in our professional exams and performance as a trainee. Please note that we do take into consideration any mitigating circumstances that may have affected your academic performance.

Skills and achievements, extra-curricular activities, scholarships, prizes, positions of responsibility and work experience. These are important and provide us with evidence of skills such as taking responsibility, motivation and drive, and planning and organisation. These questions also enable us to assess your ability to write clearly and concisely and your attention to detail."

It sounds like they were at the splitting hairs stage and it has nothing to do with your academics. If you have 2:1s and above and engaged with them so much, it must have been between a handful of applicants getting through to the next stage.

Take the wins and I guess wait for CC to get back to you now

 

[abc124]

Weil SJT+VI: High verbal and numerical, grit 4/9, Creative Force 6/9, Digital Mindset 6/9, Applied Intellect 1/9 (WHAT ). VI was okay-ish but I wasn't really enthusiastic and kept repeating myself...

Can smell the PFO

I GOT THE EXACT SAME SCORES the 1/9 in applied intellect is honestly mad, they rejected me within two days Hopefully you won’t share my fate tho

 

[yk1906]

I wouldn’t stress it too much I’ve heard they’re holistic. Also it always confuses me that you can get high verbal but low applied intellect. This is what happened to me also

Thanks! I honestly get polarising results with every SJT I take

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Mentally prepping, are these HSFK PFOs for summer or spring?

 

[yk1906]

I GOT THE EXACT SAME SCORES the 1/9 in applied intellect is honestly mad, they rejected me within two days Hopefully you won’t share my fate tho

Maaaaaan, the VI was also not my best I wouldn't be too sad about a PFO since I've only applied last-minute for the sake of it

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

Does anyone know if it's worth still applying to Gibson Dunn given the fact they're already giving out interviews?

 

[Deleted member 43346]

Tbf the HSF SJT annoyed me so much anyway it was the worst of any of the SJTs I’ve, feels like it just pushes you into a box and they don’t know who you really are anyway

 

[user55998384]

I did their First Year Scheme, Open Days, and Inside the Headlines events, and yea heard the same thing - I do have 2:1s but they're just not high 2:1s...

I'm assuming when it comes down to cutting numbers, everything is taken into account, and my low grades would be something that could hold me back...

I'm actually not sure, I was really surprised to make it onto AOS AC too, but maybe they value different things? Let me copy and paste the generic PFO email HSF Kramer sent:

"The key areas we focus on when assessing applications include:

Academic qualifications - We expect candidates to have had a strong record of academic achievement through each year at university. We feel it is important that we set these high academic criteria, as a good predictor of success in our professional exams and performance as a trainee. Please note that we do take into consideration any mitigating circumstances that may have affected your academic performance.

Skills and achievements, extra-curricular activities, scholarships, prizes, positions of responsibility and work experience. These are important and provide us with evidence of skills such as taking responsibility, motivation and drive, and planning and organisation. These questions also enable us to assess your ability to write clearly and concisely and your attention to detail."

ahhh im so sorry to hear ab that - they always emphasis the amount of interaction helps so that is a shame given the 1st year shceme - was it for spring/summer?

 

[user55998384]

for the HSFK PFOs - when did you guys pass the benchmark (preparing for mine)

 

[Deleted member 43292]

I WANT A BIG CRY

 

[abc124]

Maaaaaan, the VI was also not my best I wouldn't be too sad about a PFO since I've only applied last-minute for the sake of it

Don't count yourself out, I'm rooting for you!! My grades are not amazing so honestly the 1/9 was probably the final straw in my case lol

 

[BealMcAlly]

Thanks! I honestly get polarising results with every SJT I take

Just jumping on here because I am assuming this is about the Amberjack - I have practised loads after getting a WHOPPING 0 for Creative Force last year for RS's DTC. It left me completely mortified because it's all about adaptability, which I use a lot in my day job - and verbal reasoning measures different strengths to applied intellect.

You may already know this but applied intellect measures your EQ, social awareness, and your intelligence of course compared to verbal reasoning which measures if you can pick up on information based on what you read.

I assume most of you are practising but if not, and I know it's not cheap, buy the practice tests. I found them so helpful. Also, just a caveat about digital mindset, apparently that's the least important pillar according to the aptitude-test-prep breakdown.

 

[Deleted member 43292]

Mentally prepping, are these HSFK PFOs for summer or spring?

ahhh im so sorry to hear ab that - they always emphasis the amount of interaction helps so that is a shame given the 1st year shceme - was it for spring/summer?

Spring!
And yea, they were my second most interacted with firm... maybe the strategy is NOT to interact with them...

 

[Trophy]

@Abbie Whitlock

I need some clarity answering this question for Farrer&Co

"In what ways have your academic studies, qualifications, and work experience equipped you for a legal career?"

What exactly are they asking for here?

not applied there before I would say it is focusing on the skills you've learnt. for example academic studies is there a module you did that made you interested in a specific area of law furthering your interest? do you hold a scuba diving qualification (random I know) but from this qualification you could say it pushed you out of your comfort zone and taking risks which can be key in deals in transactional seats.

work experience is kinda easy just what have you learnt from work which relates to law, is it speaking with customers, helping people, researching, networking. Have you done maybe a legal adviser role at university this is a god example to use...

I hope this made some sort of sense haha

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Gibson Dunn Zoom Interview.

I imagine this is the stage most people get. It's exciting though haha.

Congrats! Do you have any tips for the SJT and proofreading exercise?

 

[yk1906]

Don't count yourself out, I'm rooting for you!! My grades are not amazing so honestly the 1/9 was probably the final straw in my case lol

hahaha thanks, I just never got a 1/9 so was a bit shocked

 

[Dannie]

Spring!
And yea, they were my second most interacted with firm... maybe the strategy is NOT to interact with them...since it didn't seem to work with CC and HSF Kramer, but apparently I go to one Open Day with AOS and here I am now

elle where is your profile pic

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Spring!
And yea, they were my second most interacted with firm... maybe the strategy is NOT to interact with them...since it didn't seem to work with CC and HSF Kramer, but apparently I go to one Open Day with AOS and here I am now

Some firms value you more than others. Didn't even bother talking about my open day with HSFK.... Goes to show no one really knows anything. Good to hear about your AOS conversion, you should be very proud of yourself. Is the BBQ stand outside the front door of AOS still there? Used to do great pork belly if you're into that.

 

[yk1906]

Just jumping on here because I am assuming this is about the Amberjack - I have practised loads after getting a WHOPPING 0 for Creative Force last year for RS's DTC. It left me completely mortified because it's all about adaptability, which I use a lot in my day job - and verbal reasoning measures different strengths to applied intellect.

You may already know this but applied intellect measures your EQ, social awareness, and your intelligence of course compared to verbal reasoning which measures if you can pick up on information based on what you read.

I assume most of you are practising but if not, and I know it's not cheap, buy the practice tests. I found them so helpful. Also, just a caveat about digital mindset, apparently that's the least important pillar according to the aptitude-test-prep breakdown.

Thanks for the insight!