TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[W5690]

anyone got this after rejection post app from Arnold?>

We were genuinely impressed by your application and we would welcome the opportunity to consider an application from you in the future.

Trying to see if its a general rejection email.

@strollinthepark Hi! May I please ask when you submitted your application? Was it a VS application or a TC application? Thanks. I submitted a TC application on 1st March 2026 (deadline) and have not heard anything, so I assume it is a PFO.

 

[DennyCrane]

dentons PFO

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Does anyone have any tips on how to ace Cappfinity assessments (particularly critical reasoning and behavioural questions) because I haven't succeeded in anyone I have done so far. Can anyone also suggest free sites to practice this test? Thank you

 

[alanshore]

I'm assuming that if other people have received interview invitations for the CMS Insight programme and I haven't, it means I'm getting a PFO?

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

BBVA online test - assuming its automatic - has anyone else applied?

 

[174Tess9y3]

Waiting for my VS results - Don't think I could've worked harder and prepped more during the scheme, but there are things I wish I had done ( expanded on an interview answer, mentioned some little details during a case study, and talked more during a group project).

If I don't get the TC, does anyone have tips on how to bring yourself to do another cycle?

Also, do you think those things I mentioned are deal-breakers if everything else (e.g., tasks, culture fit, engagement) is great?

 

[HectorHemingway]

Does anyone know the structure of the Fladgate vacation scheme interview?

 

[choicefox212]

Waiting for my VS results - Don't think I could've worked harder and prepped more during the scheme, but there are things I wish I had done ( expanded on an interview answer, mentioned some little details during a case study, and talked more during a group project).

If I don't get the TC, does anyone have tips on how to bring yourself to do another cycle?

Push forward. I'm heading towards the end of my second cycle now with no offers, and yeah it's tough to start again - but you have to not see it as starting again. You go in with experience of the system, more knowledge of yourself, and more of an idea of what you really want.

I'm about to do interviews at two firms that rejected me last year. I wouldn't be surprised if the topic came up in those interviews. That gives you a much stronger case for 'why this firm' - you are so determined that you didn't let failure knock you. (I also heard this from a current trainee at a good firm, who said she was praised for her tenacity at reapplying!)

 

[summersun]

Waiting for my VS results - Don't think I could've worked harder and prepped more during the scheme, but there are things I wish I had done ( expanded on an interview answer, mentioned some little details during a case study, and talked more during a group project).

If I don't get the TC, does anyone have tips on how to bring yourself to do another cycle?

I did not convert my vacation scheme and while it was really hard when I got the news I tried to focus on what I learned from it and made sure I adressed the feedback so that, if asked, I could talk about why I did nto get the TC and what I did to improve.
This cycle has gone a lot better than the one I got my VS in and I think that the VS experience key to that because I understood the expectations of law firms and the work of trainees a lot better than before.
Ultimately you are not starting from scratch because you have relevant experience. Also plenty of people don't convert a vacation scheme but getting one still means the law firm thought you could do it and there is no reason why another would not !
In any case I really hope you get the TC !!!! But not converting does not mean you never will

 

[Futuretrainee002]

Waiting for my VS results - Don't think I could've worked harder and prepped more during the scheme, but there are things I wish I had done ( expanded on an interview answer, mentioned some little details during a case study, and talked more during a group project).

If I don't get the TC, does anyone have tips on how to bring yourself to do another cycle?

Also, do you think those things I mentioned are deal-breakers if everything else (e.g., tasks, culture fit, engagement) is great?

Hey,

I didn't manage to convert a vac scheme this year, and although it was disappointing, ultimately I think that you just have to treat it like any other law firm rejection just that now you have the added benefit of experiencing working at a law firm which you can draw upon in your future applications.

The feedback which the firm gave me also helped me to overcome the rejection, as even though there were certain things said which I did realise I could have done better, at the same time a lot of it was superficial and less so critiques on me and my capabilities but more ways that the firm was trying to choose between a group of already exceptional candidates.

And nothing that you mentioned seems to be a deal breaker, best of luck hopefully you get the offer!!

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo sui]

does anyone know which top law firms don’t use video or telephone interviews in their recruitment process?

 

[Isobel.liddle]

Hiya - not VS related at all. But I was wondering if anyone else here has applied to the L'Oréal Legal Summer Internship?

 

[WillKitchen]

does anyone know which top law firms don’t use video or telephone interviews in their recruitment process?

I think that Paul Hastings doesn’t. I seem to recall that all their interviews are in person. Sounds great!

 

[WillKitchen]

By the way, I'd take a phone interview over a VI any day! So long as there is a real human there to speak with. Makes all the difference.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

does anyone know which top law firms don’t use video or telephone interviews in their recruitment process?

Off memory I think none of these firms use video or telephone interviews as part of their process:

Ashurst
Cleary Gottlieb
Covington & Burling
Davis Polk
Debevoise
Dechert
Fried Frank
HSF Kramer
King & Spalding
Linklaters
Morrison Foerster
Orrick
Paul Weiss
Ropes & Gray
Slaughter and May

I’m sure there are some others too but these are the ones off my head that iirc don’t use VI/TI…​

 

[StudentWP]

does anyone know if everyone gets the DACB VI, and when should we expect to hear back?

 

[MZJxLadha]

Hiya - not VS related at all. But I was wondering if anyone else here has applied to the L'Oréal Legal Summer Internship?

I was going to but then realised final years can’t apply

 

[8law]

Hello, how would you prepare for in-tray exercises? Is there anywhere you can access practice ones or does anyone have any tips for this please

 

[Gracejonesd]

Hey anyone who has done the KN online assessment, did you get sent a cappfinity report, it said you will but I didn’t get anything?

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo sui]

Off memory I think none of these firms use video or telephone interviews as part of their process:

Ashurst
Cleary Gottlieb
Covington & Burling
Davis Polk
Debevoise
Dechert
Fried Frank
HSF Kramer
King & Spalding
Linklaters
Morrison Foerster
Orrick
Paul Weiss
Ropes & Gray
Slaughter and May

I’m sure there are some others too but these are the ones off my head that iirc don’t use VI/TI…​

Thank for the reply bro! would u know which ones are direct to ac after application? ( assuming a few of these have second/third stages such as WE)