TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Thanks@2025]

Not to be suspicious of firms…. BUT are the questions about hobbies really about our hobbies/personality, or are they trying to see how they relate to the skills we’ll need as trainees?

Also, is there such a thing as a generic skill for those “What skills do you think are important as a trainee?” questions? I put commercial awareness as one, but I’m convincing myself Grad Rec will think that’s expected? But then so are communication, organisation and time management?

You can tell a deadline is looming when I start second-guessing my complete answers.

Hi! As for your first question, I have seen that firms are generally asking this from a genuine standpoint. They really like getting a glimpse into candidate's personality and interests, because they are also assessing whether a candidate is a positive addition to the office that colleagues will actually enjoy working with and being around. So it's really good to talk about diverse interests that you might have! Additionally, firms want to see how you can communicate about things that are of interest to you. They might assess whether you can engage a reader or listener through your words and delivery.

There are some skills that almost all firms look for, but it is usually a good idea to check their grad rec websites to see which they particularly emphasise. For example, while teamwork, adaptability, creativity, and resilience are all key skills, some firms might emphasise collaboration (UK firms for the most part) while others focus on resilience or proactivity (US firms, for example).

 

[TheHamlet4]

Hi, congratulations !! I would personally wait to include it as currently Graduate Recruitment will not be able to see our tangible responsibilities and impacts.

Hey, thanks for your response!

Would you still recommend the same for rolling apps? I am planning to Hogan Lovells, and the deadline is first week of October. I plan to follow what you said for apps that are no rolling and at later dates.

 

[Topdog0073]

anyone heard from A&O for winter vac scheme?

Did the video interview, haven't heard back after this

 

[sagekensuke]

Dechert test! Applied on the 8th iirc if it helps anyone

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo sui]

Hi! I had a question about how law firms are likely to view my grades, particularly firms that place a lot of emphasis on academics.

I graduated from a top-3 UK university with a First, despite fairly severe mitigating circumstances throughout my undergraduate degree. My first-year average was 65; I did receive one 2:2 that year, but it was not counted towards my average because the university used a best-of-four system. In second year, I averaged 65, with one First, two 63s and one 2:2. In third year, I averaged 69, with five Firsts. My overall undergraduate average was 67.

I then completed the PGDL and averaged 81%, with no mitigating circumstances during that course.

For firms that are particularly focused on academics, would you say my grades should generally be fine given that I graduated with a First and an overall average of 67, alongside the mitigating circumstances, clear upward trajectory and 81% PGDL result?

I also received an assessment centre invitation from Ropes & Gray, which I understand places quite a lot of weight on academics, so I’m not sure how concerned I should realistically be about this.

@Antoni Trochimowicz

 

[username10341034]

Dechert test! Applied on the 8th iirc if it helps anyone

Congrats! Is it just an SJT or does it include the written assessment? Trying to work out if it’s automatic or screened

 

[anon78365222111]

Congrats! Is it just an SJT or does it include the written assessment? Trying to work out if it’s automatic or screened

It’s definitely screened

 

[username10341034]

It’s definitely screened

Thanks

 

[1136PX0]

Congrats! Is it just an SJT or does it include the written assessment? Trying to work out if it’s automatic or screened

It involves a critical reasoning test and a written exercise

 

[sagekensuke]

Congrats! Is it just an SJT or does it include the written assessment? Trying to work out if it’s automatic or screened

It’s got a written assessment too. From just meeting the firm at a law fair, I think they said that they screen your grades and work experience before sending the test

 

[sarg1234]

What's happened the past few years? It seems there's a trend for law firms to be much stricter on modular consistency; I mean six years ago even HSF just said they prefer a 2:1 overall.

 

[1136PX0]

What's happened the past few years? It seems there's a trend for law firms to be much stricter on modular consistency; I mean six years ago even HSF just said they prefer a 2:1 overall.

Firms are inundated with applicants nowadays so it's an easy way for them to screen out large amounts

 

[anon78365222111]

What's happened the past few years? It seems there's a trend for law firms to be much stricter on modular consistency; I mean six years ago even HSF just said they prefer a 2:1 overall.

I think it depends tbh, hsfk have been very unique in their shift but it seems to be a heavy influence from the US law firm merger. I see firms putting emphasis on work experience a lot

 

[yasmars]

What's happened the past few years? It seems there's a trend for law firms to be much stricter on modular consistency; I mean six years ago even HSF just said they prefer a 2:1 overall.

I think firms are just inundated with applications so have to make requirements tighter where possible. I was invited to an HSF open day in 2023 and I defo didn’t meet the 63% in every module requirement, I think I had one or two modules off. I also didn’t meet the AAB requirement. I think also pinsent masons have increased their requirements to ABB now. It used to be BBB.

 

[TJ360]

Anyone applied to Orrick and heard anything back?

 

[Kakaboo]

Has anyone who applied to Jones Day last week heard back?

 

[user55998384]

@Antoni Trochimowicz hey!! for your work exp section (btw thank u sm for sending that) i noticed u gave an overivew of the company - should i be doing this evenif its a BB IB name/law firm name that would be recognisable?

 

[Arv_329]

Does anyone know how quickly after the first round interview Jones Day responds?

 

[TCchaser]

Does anyone know how quickly after the first round interview Jones Day responds?

Last cycle, I heard back the next day!

 

[mai.sana]

Hi! I had a question about how law firms are likely to view my grades, particularly firms that place a lot of emphasis on academics.

I graduated from a top-3 UK university with a First, despite fairly severe mitigating circumstances throughout my undergraduate degree. My first-year average was 65; I did receive one 2:2 that year, but it was not counted towards my average because the university used a best-of-four system. In second year, I averaged 65, with one First, two 63s and one 2:2. In third year, I averaged 69, with five Firsts. My overall undergraduate average was 67.

I then completed the PGDL and averaged 81%, with no mitigating circumstances during that course.

For firms that are particularly focused on academics, would you say my grades should generally be fine given that I graduated with a First and an overall average of 67, alongside the mitigating circumstances, clear upward trajectory and 81% PGDL result?

I also received an assessment centre invitation from Ropes & Gray, which I understand places quite a lot of weight on academics, so I’m not sure how concerned I should realistically be about this.

@Antoni Trochimowicz

Hi – that's a really good question. My overall answer is that it depends entirely on the firm, but it sounds like you have strong academics and are likely to do well!

Some firms are more interested in your composite score across your degree and are willing to grant you a little more leeway if you attended a top university, provided that you did not fail any modules. However, some firms assess candidates purely on grades (like Linklaters) and might automatically screen you out at the application stage. If you have made it to the VI stage/non-automated assessment stage with a firm that seems to have high grade requirements, I wouldn't worry – they've likely seen your grades and are happy with them!

I would emphasise that it is always important to alert firms to mitigating circumstances, as they are often willing to review applications on a case-by-case basis. I know of a trainee who failed one of his final-year exams while completing his vacation scheme but was still ultimately offered a training contract by a firm that has a strict 2:1 policy! Good grades matter, but a single 2:2 doesn't automatically remove you from the candidate pool at firms with a 2:1 minimum. I highly recommend attending networking events and speaking to graduate recruitment face-to-face to better understand their requirements, as firm websites sometimes list outdated grade requirements or don't explain how they evaluate mitigating circumstances.

Best of luck, and congratulations on the Ropes & Gray AC!