TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[addy2004]

For a WE, how many words roughly are we expected to write? I know WE's assess clear & concise language, but also reasoning and analysis. Does anyone have any tips on how much to write for a WE that is 1 hour 30mins? Thank you

 

[llblawstudent]

Does anyone have any advice on how to structure general interview questions? I tend to answer the question and say “I believe…” and then give another reason or two. But recently I’ve been wondering if it’s more confident to say “there are two main reasons how…” but the danger is Ofc you don’t end up having two reasons haha

 

[rohing99]

yes.
I think they don't actually have a VS but I'm only really following this thread so posted here.

ah okay thank you, makes sense. Yeah they don't have a vac. Was this london office? I am also awaiting an outcome following the VI...

 

[Dannie]

Guys if i did the cleary WG 1 month ago and haven't heard back is that a PFO...

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

baker mckenzie pfo came mid exam ☹️☹️

now time for a mad rush of applications before the 31st, gonna try submit applications for:

morgan lewis
r&g
orrick
stephenson harwood

are Orrick still open?

 

[abc124]

Has anyone still not heard from Willkie? I don’t entirely understand what’s happened.

I still haven't heard post app for spring...

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

Im still waiting🤣

I waited 5 weeks after stage 1 and got a rejection. I assume if you met the benchmark you'd get progress fairly soon after 1 week<

 

[tc2026]

did anyone apply for Kennedys PEC programme? (ldn)

has anyone heard back from kennedys post VI?

 

[elle woods]

Does anyone have any advice on how to structure general interview questions? I tend to answer the question and say “I believe…” and then give another reason or two. But recently I’ve been wondering if it’s more confident to say “there are two main reasons how…” but the danger is Ofc you don’t end up having two reasons haha

based on your reasoning, you should say "there are two main reasons" only when you actually have 2 points to give lmao

I did this at an AC last year where I was like, yes I have learned 3 things. And then I finish my second point and say "thirdly.." and lo and behold, i had no third point. We sat in silence until the interviewers were just like, let's move on 😂 never again.

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

I waited 5 weeks after stage 1 and got a rejection. I assume if you met the benchmark you'd get progress fairly soon after 1 week<

What about stage 2? I've waited since the 6th Post stage 2 - should I assume PFO?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

I know this is weird but are you really expected to look into the camera when completing a VI? Most times I’m looking at myself and the timer. Is not looking directly at the camera enough of a reason to not progress?

@Donuttime I don't think there's necessarily a need to look directly in the camera, so long as it looks like you're looking straight forward. On my monitor, if I look at the screen - from the camera POV it looks as though I'm looking down, so I've had to look directly into the camera for this reason. If that's the case for you, I think it's best to use the camera just so the end-viewer can feel like you're talking directly to them.

 

[Misha4002]

Does anyone have any advice on how to structure general interview questions? I tend to answer the question and say “I believe…” and then give another reason or two. But recently I’ve been wondering if it’s more confident to say “there are two main reasons how…” but the danger is Ofc you don’t end up having two reasons haha

I always just say 'there are a few reasons why x ....' and then i'll say 'first, second' etc until i run out of points 😭

 

[BeanaGoalGetter]

Does anyone know if Osborne Clarke's online verbal and deductive reasoning test timed?

 

[TCLAuser2002]

NRF and Akin I'm waiting for you Bakers too but I know they won't get back to me

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hiya
Does anybody have any tips for the BCLP test? Does it have a WG or is it purely SJT?

 

[emma_annom]

These Baker McKenzie PFO's - are they for Spring or Summer? I applied for Spring and radio silence since I did the VI

Same here for the Spring Scheme... I'm guessing PFO but it's strange they haven't sent the email yet

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Hiya
Does anybody have any tips for the BCLP test? Does it have a WG or is it purely SJT?

pure SJT

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

I am currently on my fourth rejection post assessment centre (US Law firms). I have no issue making it past first round interviews but this is now my fourth rejection post AC - and I have nothing to show for myself.

Where do I go from here. Is it time to call it quits on a career in law, I always felt I acted upon my feedback and that’s why I’ve always had no issue making it to the second stage of interviews, but i never make it past the second round, it seems like this is a me problem.

Even if I applied for less competitive firms, I’ve now failed 4 interviews/ACs. Am I even cut out for this.

Same
Idek if it's the best career path for me anymore.
Left me so demotivated for the rest of the cycle

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Same
Idek if it's the best career path for me anymore.
Left me so demotivated for the rest of the cycle

Even as someone who has just been rejected post VS I still feel like all it takes is one chance. I honestly believe that getting a TC is more about persistence and resilience than how good you are. If you are consistently getting ACs you are more than good enough - you just need your lucky break!

 

[lawstudent2]

Has anyone heard from Mischon summer post that weird chat test or Mayer brown summer post SJT
I've seen some stuff go out but wasn't sure if they were all spring or not