TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[EfficientBag123]

Same! I don’t know whether to tell myself it’s a PFO given they’re handing out ACs for summer vac scheme

Ive only heard of summer ACs being handed out so far. But im not sure as to why they would do Summer vac schem before spring, seems counterintuitive.

 

[EfficientBag123]

girlfriend got latham AC!

Congratulations to her! Spring or summer?

 

[abc124]

Same! I don’t know whether to tell myself it’s a PFO given they’re handing out ACs for summer vac scheme

Same, I haven't seen any spring ACs, what's going on 😭 maybe spring is full with the people who got fast-tracked 😭

 

[EfficientBag123]

Same, I haven't seen any spring ACs, what's going on 😭 maybe spring is full with the people who got fast-tracked 😭

They all had an early AC. But they do get a choice. But its like 30% of the early AC who get the vac scheme or something.

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

do firms take into account your written application during your VI?

@sadlawyer01 from my experience in graduate recruitment, this is my understanding of how the process usually goes:

During VI Stage
VIs are typically screened by external assessors who work with the test providers such as Cappfinity or Amberjack - and they’re then marked and sent back to the firm in question. So during your VI the written application isn’t considered as they may not have access, and it simply isn’t required to mark your exercise.

Following VI Stage
It really depends on how the firm is approaching shortlisting.

1. If they’ve manually screened your applications before inviting to a VI then they probably won’t refer back to it, unless they’re stuck on selecting candidates based off a very competitive VI outcome and then need to look back at the application form to decide which one they’re going to invite to the next stage.

2. If however, they haven’t manually screened the applications and simply invited everyone that fulfilled the criteria to the VI stage, then they will definitely look at the applications before deciding who to invite to the next stage.

 

[abc124]

They all had an early AC. But they do get a choice. But its like 30% of the early AC who get the vac scheme or something.

maybe they all chose spring so they're not prioritising spring acs...probably unlikely but not impossible

 

[EfficientBag123]

maybe they all chose spring so they're not prioritising spring acs...probably unlikely but not impossible

I reckon there’s less competition for spring vac schemes anyway because people are revising for exams and stuff. So naturally there are less ACs and therefore do them last. Either way, I don’t like the wait 😂😂.

 

[abc124]

I reckon there’s less competition for spring vac schemes anyway because people are revising for exams and stuff. So naturally there are less ACs and therefore do them last. Either way, I don’t like the wait 😂😂.

Tbf I'll take less competition haha but yeah the wait is awful 😭 hopefully we'll hear back in jan!

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Do law firms deduct points in VI if you discuss a point that is not relevant to the question even if your first point is really strong. Say your first point is really strong then your second point is not related to the question. Hope that makes sense.

Hey @Suii typically each VI question is assessed on its own merit, and has a cap of points or grading e.g. out of 10. You cannot go higher than that set metric.

Now, each question is directed at a different skill or capability, and your scores from your previous question do not influence your scores on any following questions.

Once all scores are compiled, an average is generated and you’re positioned in a leaderboard and this is what the firm will see when deciding who to shortlist for the next stage.

The firm may personally decide that they prioritise high scores in one particular question above others, however that is open to their discretion.

 

[Ronaldo04]

Hey @Ronaldo04

This question is a great way of seeing what you’ve done outside the world of law which you can relate to your career - so we need to focus on aligning any key takeaways or skill development on what it means to be a solicitor in this field.

For 300 words, I would break this down into two paragraphs (one of interests and activities - having an activity lead off an interest; and another for any positions of responsibility)

When deciding which to use, think about what you can articulate that you’ve done in those situations e.g. if you were part of a society, can you articulate how this contributed to your teamwork capabilities.

Once you’ve decided on which examples to choose, make sure that you’ve then linked each answer back to the role in particular e.g. most legal work is treated as a project, so you’ll play a particular role within a wider team, and would need to manage expectations, communicate with others, delegate, etc.

Thank you!

 

[Bread]

Hey @Suii typically each VI question is assessed on its own merit, and has a cap of points or grading e.g. out of 10. You cannot go higher than that set metric.

Now, each question is directed at a different skill or capability, and your scores from your previous question do not influence your scores on any following questions.

Once all scores are compiled, an average is generated and you’re positioned in a leaderboard and this is what the firm will see when deciding who to shortlist for the next stage.

The firm may personally decide that they prioritise high scores in one particular question above others, however that is open to their discretion.

Hello! Could you please provide some insight into how VI questions might be scored? Would love to know more about this😬

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

Genuine question as to how everyone stays sane in the midst of it all? Me and the refresh button have become alarmingly inseparable in recent times…..

 

[t2025]

please can someone confirm if the Baker SVS deadline is tomorrow at midnight!?

 

[BobThebIlly]

Guys I’m really stressed right now. I’ve just finished Gowling’s video interview and I actually felt good about my answers. But when it came to recording, I didn’t realise there was a delay while it fully loaded, so around 10–20 seconds of a couple of my responses got cut off. I’m visually impaired, which made it harder to tell when recording had properly started. Grad recruitment seem really kind, but I’m worried this might have affected my performance and I don’t know what to do.

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Guys I’m really stressed right now. I’ve just finished Gowling’s video interview and I actually felt good about my answers. But when it came to recording, I didn’t realise there was a delay while it fully loaded, so around 10–20 seconds of a couple of my responses got cut off. I’m visually impaired, which made it harder to tell when recording had properly started. Grad recruitment seem really kind, but I’m worried this might have affected my performance and I don’t know what to do.

@BobThebIlly sorry to hear this, I can imagine how annoying it is.

If the delay wasn’t your fault and was more of a technical issue than anything else, I would urge you to get in touch with graduate recruitment who should be able to allow you a second chance to complete the test.

If however the delay wasn’t technical, and was more to do with your visual impairment as you suggest, I would still reach out to graduate recruitment but explain your situation so that together you can find a workaround with the test.

Hopefully they’re able to accommodate your request!

 

[nooreb]

When did you apply and hear back btw?

Applied on the 27th, heard back an hour ago today!

 

[Novaa]

Guys I’m really stressed right now. I’ve just finished Gowling’s video interview and I actually felt good about my answers. But when it came to recording, I didn’t realise there was a delay while it fully loaded, so around 10–20 seconds of a couple of my responses got cut off. I’m visually impaired, which made it harder to tell when recording had properly started. Grad recruitment seem really kind, but I’m worried this might have affected my performance and I don’t know what to do.

Hey, I’m sure it will be okay.

I’m assuming you informed the firms of any reasonable adjustments. I would possibly follow up to just confirm you received the adjustment and then just flag the issue with it not flagging when the recording had actually started.

I dont think they would dock you points for this. Especially as this seems to be an accessibility issue rather than you taking too long / not planning your response.

 

[BobThebIlly]

Hey, I’m sure it will be okay.

I’m assuming you informed the firms of any reasonable adjustments. I would possibly follow up to just confirm you received the adjustment and then just flag the issue with it not flagging when the recording had actually started.

I dont think they would dock you points for this. Especially as this seems to be an accessibility issue rather than you taking too long / not planning your response.

thank you! it was only the last question when i noticed that it had a loading screen lol. I was wondering why my 90 sec answer was only 60 secs for q2 (((

 

[Winter]

girlfriend got latham AC!

Latham & Watkins Summer Vac Scheme AC. Applied day before the deadline. ACs seem to be held throughout all of Jan - didn't see anything available for Feb onwards.

Omg Congrats!! Did you/they complete the Open Day?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Genuine question as to how everyone stays sane in the midst of it all? Me and the refresh button have become alarmingly inseparable in recent times…..

@Ijustwanttobealawyer this is a feeling most on here, and many in the legal industry will understand - so know that you’re not alone.

Many will have their own ways of dealing with this feeling and it would probably be useful for everyone to pitch in, but for me, it personally worked to simply understand the fact that it wasn’t a race - and I would eventually get to where I needed to be, whether that’s this year, or the next, or the year after.

All of a sudden, I stopped taking the rejections personally, and instead started framing my mindset in a “their loss” kind of way. Of course, I know none of the firms cared, but the delusion within me required at least a little ego.

I’m not going to lie, it was hard to reframe my anxiety, but with that little power trip (made easier with a killer playlist, and daydreaming) I started focusing on the positives, and kept telling myself okay - well I don’t have any TC which means all options for any firm are still within my grasp, so I’m not pigeonholed by one particular firm so I could realistically aim higher.

Aside from that little ego boost (which was essential btw because of how much confidence is knocked during this entire journey) what was most important, was learning to take a break. Whether that be a few days, or a few weeks, it was critical to making sure that mentally I stayed happy. So, I didn’t say no to any socials or I didn’t lock myself way trying to do more and more applications. I simply took a break, recharged, and came back when I felt ready.

You’ll find your own way to deal with this, it really is a journey you’ll look back on and laugh about one day.