TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

On a somewhat related note (motion to introduce evidence): Has anyone seen/heard about examples of reasonable adjustments impacting negatively one's application? (might be difficult to tell, but maybe someone has personal anecdotes/is aware of HR practices)

I’ve had one bad experience this cycle requesting reasonable adjustments and that was with Hogan Lovells (yeah I’m name dropping). I’ll set out a brief summary of it below lmao.

I asked if I could do the stage 2 VI as a TI with extra time (standard request that I haven’t had any issues with before). At most I’ve been asked to provide more information to firms that’s it.

Grad rec aired me for like a week then responded saying that I needed to submit my uni support plan so they could determine whether I’d need the adjustments for the stage 2 test.

That sounds harmless initially, but they wanted to find evidence I specifically needed the VI as a TI (I’d not done any VI assessments at uni so that wouldn’t be something on any documents).

So I explained this and long story short they just reluctantly decided to do a TI. They didn’t give me any instructions or guidance so I had no idea how the TI would be structured or timed.

Mind you I had asked for extra time. I emailed and they said don’t worry everything has been accounted for including extra time. So I was like okay this seems calm let’s go for it!

So at the start of the TI I asked for confirmation. I was basically ignored and the grad rec person just started by saying she’d ask strengths based questions first then motivational ones after.

It’s safe to say I didn’t know what to do. So I just asked after each question can I take a moment to gather my thoughts, to which I either got half a response or just crickets lmao idek atp.

As I didn’t have any guidance or instructions, it’s safe to say my performance wasn’t the best. They sent me a PFO within 24-48 hours, which I felt like was their intention from the jump.

At their open day I felt the grad rec team weren’t that nice and the culture of the firm didn’t seem to be what they present it as. So in a way I’m glad that it didn’t work out but was a bit sad.

It’s made me reluctant to disclose adjustments. I know I have made jokes about Freshfields, but I’ll give credit where it’s due their grad rec team were so incredibly supportive re adjustments!

Ofc they took ages to get back to me, but they do receive loads of applications and many people will need adjustments. Once they did get around to me, they were 10/10 in my opinion.

Apologies for the long post I’ve tried to separate this into smaller paragraphs so hopefully it’s not too difficult to read it all??!! I just wanted to share my anecdotal experience with HL.​

 

[Deleted member 32644]

Just to bring some positivity back into this convo, let’s remember that there are many people who are neurodivergent and have successfully progressed through multiple application processes, and are now trainees, associates, and partners at law firms. It’s absolutely possible to be neurodivergent and succeed in this process (also speaking from experience). The key is finding firms that genuinely appreciate neurodiversity and create a supportive culture.

I also personally know someone who’s neurodivergent and is a future trainee at an MC firm, so it really is possible. There are firms out there that are supportive don’t lose hope!

 

[radssss]

I’ve had one bad experience this cycle requesting reasonable adjustments and that was with Hogan Lovells (yeah I’m name dropping). I’ll set out a brief summary of it below lmao.

I asked if I could do the stage 2 VI as a TI with extra time (standard request that I haven’t had any issues with before). At most I’ve been asked to provide more information to firms that’s it.

Grad rec aired me for like a week then responded saying that I needed to submit my uni support plan so they could determine whether I’d need the adjustments for the stage 2 test.

That sounds harmless initially, but they wanted to find evidence I specifically needed the VI as a TI (I’d not done any VI assessments at uni so that wouldn’t be something on any documents).

So I explained this and long story short they just reluctantly decided to do a TI. They didn’t give me any instructions or guidance so I had no idea how the TI would be structured or timed.

Mind you I had asked for extra time. I emailed and they said don’t worry everything has been accounted for including extra time. So I was like okay this seems calm let’s go for it!

So at the start of the TI I asked for confirmation. I was basically ignored and the grad rec person just started by saying she’d ask strengths based questions first then motivational ones after.

It’s safe to say I didn’t know what to do. So I just asked after each question can I take a moment to gather my thoughts, to which I either got half a response or just crickets lmao idek atp.

As I didn’t have any guidance or instructions, it’s safe to say my performance wasn’t the best. They sent me a PFO within 24-48 hours, which I felt like was their intention from the jump.

At their open day I felt the grad rec team weren’t that nice and the culture of the firm didn’t seem to be what they present it as. So in a way I’m glad that it didn’t work out but was a bit sad.

Apologies for the long post I’ve tried to separate this into smaller paragraphs so hopefully it’s not too difficult to read it all??!! I just wanted to share my anecdotal experience with HL.​

Yes, you should name drop and I’m proud of you for doing so!!! (I also understand why people don’t want to name drop and that’s completely okay!)
When firms behave like this, it directly affects a persons performance. It’s better you reject them than treat them this way because they’re not gonna be able to perform anyways.

Well, there’s loads of lovely and supportive firms too and I appreciate them and their culture.

This just makes me so sad and angry at the same time ://

 

[trainee4u]

for an interview question, if they ask what are your strengths and weaknesses, what is the best weakness to choose (i might be overthinking this but pls help)

Strengths: undead
Weaknesses: garlic

Seriously you could try:
lack of experience
presentation skills
public speaking
lack of confidence
don't know how to say no

 

[radssss]

This is where I’m at, like I can’t say for certain what the issue was. But I remember disclosing to one firm I had an AC with, and the vibe immediately felt off. I’m not sure whether it just wasn’t a culture fit, but the whole day didn’t feel right, and I was rejected the next morning LOL. I didn’t even ask for feedback, and I won’t be applying to that firm again (VS, TC or NQ lateral move).

I can’t say for certain that my reasonable adjustments request negatively affected my application, but the way it was approached and how I felt after disclosing definitely didn’t help. Aside from that firm (who shall remain unnamed) my experiences with other firms have mostly been positive.

But I still feel cautious about disclosing because of that situation sigh… Watching Chrissie Wolfe has deffo helped though!

You were SAVED from going to a firm with horrible culture!

 

[radssss]

Strengths: undead
Weaknesses: garlic

Seriously you could try:
lack of experience
presentation skills
public speaking
lack of confidence
don't know how to say no

I agree with these, except the one that says : don’t know how to say no. This is because I was advised by grad rec to not say things like I take too much on, I’m a perfectionist and so on because it looks like you’re trying to make a strength a weakness. Say anything u want Just make sure to talk about how you have improved and how you continue to improve. I spoke about networking in one interview and I got an offer for the scheme so I’m assuming it worked well. I talked about imposter syndrome and how I’ve improved by attending open days, part time jobs, etc.

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

guys for hl’s job sim, do they tell u if u pass? or is it js an ac invite as the next stage?

 

[radssss]

guys for hl’s job sim, do they tell u if u pass? or is it js an ac invite as the next stage?

I Think it’s an ac invite.

Also does anyone know if they read app before sending stage 2? I just want to manage expectations because I have a low 2:1 (with Mitigating circumstances) and my stage 2 went alright I think, I’m worried grades may be the reason I’m rejected (hopefully my year of legal experience can save me)

 

[Futuretraineeee]

My Current Application Cycle: Progress and Resources

Unsuccessful Applications

• Sidley Austin – Winter Vacation Scheme (VS), post-application
• Ashurst – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Linklaters – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Hogan Lovells – Lift Off Scheme, Stage 3 (Video Interview + Situational Judgement)
• Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Taylor Wessing – Spring Vacation Scheme, post-written exercise
• Latham & Watkins – Open Day, post-video interview + situational judgement
• Gibson Dunn – Summer Vacation Scheme, post-first-round interview (waiting on feedback)
• White & Case – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-video interview
• DLA Piper – Spring Vacation Scheme, post-written exercise
• Simmons & Simmons – AI Internship, post-video interview + situational judgement + online assessment
• Allen & Overy Shearman – Direct Training Contract (DTC), post-video interview
• Weil, Gotshal & Manges – Spring Vacation Scheme, post-video interview
• CMS – Vacation Scheme, post-video interview
• Gowling WLG – Direct Training Contract (DTC)

Vacation Schemes Achieved

• Burges Salmon – Winter Vacation Scheme
  (Outcome: no offer —was given feedback that did not elaborate in some of my answers)

Applications Still Pending

• McDermott Will & Schulte – Direct Training Contract (DTC)
• Freshfields – Direct Training Contract (DTC)
• Withers – Vacation Scheme (likely PFO; online exercise completed in December)
• Cooley – Vacation Scheme
• Milbank – Vacation Scheme
• Travers Smith – Direct Training Contract (DTC)
• Ropes & Gray – Vacation Scheme
• Covington & Burling – Vacation Scheme

Resources I’m Currently Using

• Watson’s Daily (https://www.watsonsdaily.com/)
  Excellent for building commercial awareness. I particularly value the original insights, which have helped me develop stronger critical thinking around business and market trends. All major commercial news is clearly summarised - which is great as FT is lowkey such a drain to go over.
• Mojo Interview (https://mojointerview.com)
  An interview and video-interview practice platform that assesses my answers and provides live, structured feedback. This has significantly improved my confidence and performance in video interviews and in the AC’s done - If i found this sooner, I deffo would've been 1000x more confident for AC's

4th Application cycle but we getting this dub this SZN!

Just out of interest when did you hear back from Latham? Also was it Summer or Spring VS?

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Has anyone heard from Sidley? Summer or spring?

 

[solicitor_2028]

Okay just finished a test for a paralegal role and opened my email to expect a confirmation of test only to realise it was a straight up PFO????

 

[Mvla]

How I think they'd react if I don't smile: omg evil horrible girl.... horrible to work with........ nasty terrible woman

How I think they'd react if I smile: FAKE!!! We have a FAKER. #StrikinglyFake and also a FREAK!!!

View attachment 7720

strikingly fake is sending meee

 

[Donna Paulsen]

strikingly fake is sending meee

RPC’s marketing team seeing their slogan become a meme:

 

[trainee4u]

"In the last 12 months I have learned to better lie on SJTs so that my sociopathy goes undetected by future employers. I am now STRIKINGLY FAKE."

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

I've applied to Sue, Grabbit and Runne, but I didn't like their AI bot so gave up.

Got mine with Saul Goodman & Associates too
And Pearson, Specter, Litt (Formerly Pearson Specter, FKA Pearson Darby Specter etc. etc,)

I turned down my offer from Weathersby Posner in San Francisco, then decided to become a lawyer at CNRI and district office at Starling City as I can't go far from my dad and boyfriend Oliver Queen.

 

[Lord Sumption]

I turned down my offer from Weathersby Posner in San Francisco, then decided to become a lawyer at CNRI and district office at Starling City as I can't go far from my dad and boyfriend Oliver Queen.

Which firm is that - Weathersby Posner? Can you send their application link, and when's the deadline?

 

[zara elles]

Could someone pls explain to me what a TI is

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Could someone pls explain to me what a TI is

Telephone interview

 

[wqueens8]

Does anyone know what the full application process is for Bristows? I've seen conflicting info online.

From the website I gather it's
1) Grad rec review all application forms personally and choose candidates for video interview.
2) VIs are reviewed by partners who then select candidates for first stage interview is with a partner and a senior associate, followed by a tour of the firm with one of the current trainees.
3) Partners then choose candidates for a second interview, normally with two partners who are members of our Trainee Committee. We’ll also ask you to do a written exercise

I suppose what I'm unclear about is, is the first stage interview and second interview (and written exercise and tour) on the same day, or separate days? The fact that "partners then choose candidates for a second interview" would suggest a gap between the two. If that's the case I would've imagined the first interview would be online, but I guess not if it's followed by a tour of the firm.

Does that mean essentially going down to London twice, for two separate assessment days?

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Just to bring some positivity back into this convo, let’s remember that there are many people who are neurodivergent and have successfully progressed through multiple application processes, and are now trainees, associates, and partners at law firms. It’s absolutely possible to be neurodivergent and succeed in this process (also speaking from experience). The key is finding firms that genuinely appreciate neurodiversity and create a supportive culture.

I also personally know someone who’s neurodivergent and is a future trainee at an MC firm, so it really is possible. There are firms out there that are supportive don’t lose hope!

I'd argue that certain types of Neurodivergence are a strength/bonus for law (of course, depending on what job you have within law, social adaptation etc).
The fact many businesses are run by neurodivergent people too, it helps that you have neurodivergent lawyers/advisors in communication and understanding.
* I'm neurodivergent and fully believe this by what I understand with the field.