TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[q]

Invitation to Ashurst's online written exercise received 15 January.

 

[ilikelaw]

oh my god i strongly dislike video interviews , the timer is always so off putting

 

[nonlawstudent98]

This is genuinely the time to literally LOCK in and run it up turbo!

You're so, so close to the finish line, fresh out of a VS, commercial awareness in top shape and more competitive in terms of a/another VS under your belt.

Use the VS as a learning curve and key points of discussions in your interviews and ACs. I mean, congrats on even having more interview and ACs coming up!

Onwards and upwards. ROOTING FOR YOU!!!!!!!!

Firstly, I am so sorry 😢 I understand the feeling of being abandoned by your dream firm...it's quite the disappointment and betrayal. Let yourself feel what you need to, cry, shout, scream, do whatever you need to overcome the emotions. Treat yourself to a well-deserved break or pamper day. I tend to snack and watch my favourite comfort cartoons haha.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself to rebound immediately. Pushing through without acknowledging your feelings can lead to burnout in the long run. I just want to say that the firm really lost out on a star! Getting to the vac scheme is an AMAZING accomplishment, and I have no doubt you really deserved that TC. It's just such a pity it's so competitive these days. But this experience will make you stronger, more resilient, and offer you an advantage going forward!

The fact you have ACs coming up is testimony in itself to how amazing you are, so don't you go doubting yourself! I am a big believer that if we've tried our best, and things still don't work out, then that means life has something better in store for us. You never know, you may end up loving it at another place after these ACs! I understand feeling demotivated, but to put it in dating terminology lol: don't let one bad fish (moment or result) stop you or ruin your chances with other fish out there 🎣!

I am your biggest fangirl ever (iykyk) and I really wish success for you! I know it's really difficult right now, but I trust you will be able to push through and come out the other side an absolute legend. I cannot wait for the day you become a trainee at a firm you like (the same or if not more), you better save me a coffee chat!!! ( lol haha jk)

🫂🫂🫂 offering you lots of hugs and comfort! take care of yourself and power forward with confidence 💗

Hey!! As someone who’s been in this situation, I know it can feel like the world is ending (I cried so much we had to have a family meeting LOL).

But I just want you to know that you are amazing, and the fact that you made it through such a competitive process is a testament in itself. So many decisions go into these things, and without being part of grad recruitment, we’ll never know how close it really was.

What you do know is that you’re just one step away from that TC. If you’ve had (or will have) a feedback call, really leverage that opportunity, understand where you performed well and where there may be areas for development. Reach out to your trainee buddy too and see what advice they have.

Take a break if you need to, reflect on the feedback, and then go into your next applications using this VS as supporting evidence of your existing skills and show how you’ve taken steps to grow even further.

You’ve got this, and I can’t wait to see you announcing that you’ve got a TC!!

Thank you so much everyone - you’ve genuinely helped me to feel a bit better 🫶🏼

 

[Misha4002]

They changed the AC dates. 1 Ac has been held the next is next week. I don’t know if there are more dates to be released but people have been invited. If you’re still waiting maybe you’ll be selected if those at the 2 ACs being held do not meet the benchmark. As of now you’ve not be rejected but you’ve also not been progressed.

I’m sure someone will post on here if they hear back with a VS offer or a rejection.

Ooo okay thanks for letting me know!!

 

[nonlawstudent98]

If anyone has any insights into Skadden interview or Mills & Reeve AC I’d be very very grateful and happy to trade insights! Or, if anyone wants to prep together then let me know!

 

[sinirs]

Are the Latham and Links AC offers we have seen on this thread since January for a mix of summer/spring vs or mostly spring vs rn ? Would appreciate any insight, thanks!

 

[username10341034]

I did the Mishcon de Reya SJT and my score is 7669. I am so confused by the Amberjack system as it’s my first time doing it - can’t seem to see much online either. Does anyone know what the benchmark for passing is? I haven’t heard back from MDR so I am concerned. Thanks!

 

[Misha4002]

Are the Latham and Links AC offers we have seen on this thread since January for a mix of summer/spring vs or mostly spring vs rn ? Would appreciate any insight, thanks!

I went to a Latham AC recently - most people were there for spring but there were 1 or 2 people being assessed for summer

 

[hawkins19]

have all mishcon SJTs so far been for spring?

 

[Eudora]

I went to a Latham AC recently - most people were there for spring but there were 1 or 2 people being assessed for summer

I have a friend who attended an AC last week and she said there were 8 people in total, 4 assessed for Spring and 4 for Summer.

 

[sqe4676]

Withers Strengths post SJT: Explainer and Incisive

Weakness: Initiative

Not sure if this is a good sign or bad one seeing as initative is really important??

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

The Bank of England VI traumatised me so much - I hate VI so much I actually want to curl into a ball.

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

On another note, does someone have any insights into Reed Smith's AC from last year?

 

[BubbleTeaFan]

anyone ever feel like they bombed a video interview only to get an ac invite later?
please let me know bc i feel like i did horribly and just killed my chances 😵‍💫
(and yes this was the bank of england VI)

 

[Legallywhatever]

oh my god i strongly dislike video interviews , the timer is always so off putting

No one actually prepared me for how strange they are... first time i ever did one i was SO thrown off by it??

 

[lelezb1]

Did people progress with 26/36 in an OA (amberjack) for bakers? (i got 4/9, 7/9, 6/9, 9/9 with high applied verbal)

 

[cb6056]

Will the Forsters VI will be SJT/competency based? Or do we think it will be case study based, why law/why Forsters? Prepping for all, ofc, but just wondered!

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

anyone ever feel like they bombed a video interview only to get an ac invite later?
please let me know bc i feel like i did horribly and just killed my chances 😵‍💫
(and yes this was the bank of england VI)

I thought I bombed my Reed Smith one and got an AC invite so honestly dont lose hope until a PFO is in your inbox!

 

[EfficientBag123]

Did people progress with 26/36 in an OA (amberjack) for bakers? (i got 4/9, 7/9, 6/9, 9/9 with high applied verbal)

I got substantially lower than that and I progressed. Great job.

I got 6674 and high applied verbal.

 

[Novaa]

oh my god i strongly dislike video interviews , the timer is always so off putting

The concept of rewording a “Why You?” question in such a way that’s it’s now 3 lines long and has marketing words woven in so well that it makes you overthink the whole question! Oh and whilst you’ve been making eye contact with your camera lens you’ve just noticed that the clock has suddenly jumped from 1:07 to 0:22