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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

hey1238390u

Active Member
Jan 23, 2026
10
8
Has anyone heard back from Burges Salmon post AC? They told us to expect a response by today, but I haven't heard anything yet.

hope you don’t mind me reaching out. I’ve got a Burges Salmon assessment centre coming up and saw your post about the Winter AC.
we’ve been told the assessment centre will consist of:
  • a scenario discussion
  • a group exercise
  • a written exercise
  • and an interview with a lawyer
I’d really appreciate any advice you’re happy to share on what to expect and how best to prepare — even just what each part felt like on the day, what you think assessors were looking for, and anything you wish you’d known beforehand. Thanks so much! Please dm me with ant advice id be incredibly grateful
 

lelezb1

Esteemed Member
Premium Member
Jan 6, 2025
87
130
I am so done with the entire process. I have a VI to complete in two days but I don’t find any motivation to prepare. I am grateful for making it till this stage but sometimes all I want to do in my free time is sleep not prepare for VIs or write apps 😭
sorry for the rant guys ..
 

Abbie Whitlock

Administrator
Staff member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 11, 2025
874
955
is there any disadvantage to doing one of the later AC dates for a summer scheme? I was offered one next month and had to request to be moved to the one in March (which the firm agreed to) as I had my final exams during the same dates as the initial AC I was offered. Is there less chance of receiving an offer later on if people have already secured offers by then?
Hey!

I'd say generally there's no disadvantage to attending a later AC - it is highly unlikely that a firm would allocate all of its offers at the first few ACs, as they're well aware that there will be very strong candidates attending the later ones too.

Firms usually plan their recruitment process across all dates, rather than treating early ACs as "first come, first served", so what matters most is how you perform on the day rather than when you attend. It might even be that they wait until all of the ACs are completed before making any final decisions.

Best of luck with the AC - I'm sure you'll smash it! :)
 
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Abbie Whitlock

Administrator
Staff member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 11, 2025
874
955
Hi! How does everyone do their work experience sections? I have been doing paragraphs but I have now started to doubt myself and think probably short sentence like a CV could be better?
Hey!

I'd say that either way is generally fine, but some firms do prefer prose over shorter, bullet-point style entries. This is because short paragraphs allow you to explain what you actually learned and how it is relevant in more detail, rather than just listing tasks and skills.

However, being concise is key. I would aim for tight paragraphs (e.g. a few sentences each) that focus on your main responsibilities, insights, and any transferable skills gained. It is definitely quality over quantity, so I would make sure that each experience clearly adds something to your application :)
 

Novaa

Legendary Member
Dec 2, 2022
400
1,443
For Mishcon, I got high applied verbal and numerical, but only 23/36 in the pillars 😭
I got 24 and honestly think they may have capped it, and are expecting us to have areas of development.

Like reading the report, it gives off that they aren’t expecting us to be perfect. (Well, that’s what I’m telling myself to help me sleep at night 💀)

Happy Mia Goth GIF by VVS FILMS
 
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Rosie_Kitten

Legendary Member
  • Dec 26, 2025
    227
    450
    I got 24 and honestly think they may have capped it, and are expecting us to have areas of development.

    Like reading the report, it gives off that they aren’t expecting us to be perfect. (Well, that’s what I’m telling myself to help me sleep at night 💀)

    Happy Mia Goth GIF by VVS FILMS
    I didnt do it, but did your SJT have a lot of slider questions? Because by default (unless one value is totally undesirable), it will be making one higher and one lower no matter which direction you move it.
     

    Novaa

    Legendary Member
    Dec 2, 2022
    400
    1,443
    I didnt do it, but did your SJT have a lot of slider questions? Because by default (unless one value is totally undesirable), it will be making one higher and one lower no matter which direction you move it.
    Nope, it was just the select your most and least options in a scenario questions, and looking at the options, some of them seemed to address different qualities as opposed to there being an outright right and wrong answer.

    So I do think it’s expected that we won’t score high across all traits, right?
     

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