TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[MusaMoses]

This might be a stupid question but how do you strike the balance between well detailed and oversharing when detailing mitigating circumstances?

Always tell them everything. Context is key. I would worry about being too personal but that section is there for that reason.

 

[GV]

Does anyone have insight/tip/advice on how to pass the Ashurst online assessment?

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Has anyone faced this issue with Ashurst VS application? Can someone please let me know how to switch to the desktop version? Thank you!

View attachment 7243

The same thing happened to me when I was using my iPad. Try logging in on a laptop or computer system.

 

[aspiringsolicitor2027]

I would say that the aspects of your application that you cannot drastically change, i.e., grades and work experiences, should not be focused on too much, apart from briefly considering whether you can articulate your work experience entries better. What you should instead focus on is really smashing the application questions. Granted, you may have applied to certain firms before, and those firms may not change their application questions from cycle to cycle. But for firms which you've never applied to before, push the boat out with research and specificity, and mention little nuggets of information that don't necessarily fit into a 'section' of the application form, such as an interesting course you took, a webinar you attended, an article you read, or something about your background such as languages, ethnicity, any countries you grew up in. For the firms which you applied to before and want to try again, I would say to really critically look at your initial application and improve it as much as possible. Think, is each line adding value either about the firm or about me as an applicant? Also, really sell your experiences and align what you have achieved with how the firm operates and its values.

I have received a lot of advice over the years from grad rec, this forum, lawyers, students, and the above always seems to be my main takeaway. Plus, you're already in a massively advantageous position as you have a VS on your CV, which kind of shows firms you have the 99% potential to be a lawyer, you just need a firm which will see your remaining 1%.

I completely get this, Thanks soo much for the help!!

 

[lawstudent2]

are firms likely to use the same application questions for their summer and spring vac schemes that they used for their winter vac scheme?

 

[berocca567]

Does anyone have last years' Linklaters or Paul Weiss VS questions?

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Hiya everyone!

I’ve been putting together a new thread to track open days, first-year schemes, and insight days.

We hope this will be helpful as you prepare for the new application cycle, especially for those who can’t apply for a vacation scheme but still want to meet graduate recruitment teams and get to know firms better. This can be particularly valuable for firms with healthy direct training contract intakes. The tracker will be updated as we receive more information from firms themselves, so keep checking back for new opportunities. You can find it here. Good luck with your cycle!

You’re an actual star⭐️, I wonder if you know 🫣😅. Very useful, thank youuuuu

 

[Jessica Pearson]

are firms likely to use the same application questions for their summer and spring vac schemes that they used for their winter vac scheme?

Yeah it's usually the same

 

[studenttolawyer]

Does anyone have last years' Linklaters or Paul Weiss VS questions?

I don’t think Linklaters ever ask questions. Their application is a series of tests.

 

[noahsmiit01]

Hi guys, to those who have applied to A&O Winter Vac Scheme,do they send Watson Glaser/VI automatically or only to those who have progressed towards the next stage? I might be wrong, but they seem to remove motivation questions in their application, and now seem to have a similar application structure to Linklaters, which is annoying.

 

[thelawstudent]

Does anyone have last years' Linklaters or Paul Weiss VS questions?

Linklaters recruitment is

Stage 1 - online app form ( no long questions), watson glaser, cappfinity graduate recruitmental portal test.

Stage 2 - AC

 

[thelawstudent]

Hi guys, to those who have applied to A&O Winter Vac Scheme,do they send Watson Glaser/VI automatically or only to those who have progressed towards the next stage? I might be wrong, but they seem to remove motivation questions in their application, and now seem to have a similar application structure to Linklaters, which is annoying.

Sent automatically by amberjack.
No watson glaser, its an SJT and VI all in one

 

[tcla02]

can law finalists do the sidley spring vac scheme?

 

[Amz2006]

hi i’m a final year law student at a russel group university who was 0.1 off a 2:1 this year and is hoping to graduate with a 2:1 since my second year grade is a 2:2 does this affect my applications massively? I have A*AB for my A-Levels and have other legal experience

 

[Gr33n]

Nobody talks about this process and what it does to your mental health…

 

[melonpan]

Hi, I'm new to this forum

I'm an international student from Canada (Ontario) about to enter my second year in LLB at a RG uni.

I unfortunately ended my first year with a 2:2 and I'm not sure if my circumstances would be considered extenuating (Taking care of a sick family member during exam seasons as it's when I go home). I completed my high school qualifications in Canada and did both the IB diploma and Ontario Secondary School Diploma at the same time. I'm not sure if I should be applying with both of these qualifications or choose one. I'm aware that IB is more globally recognized, but I only achieved 555 in HL and 533 SL with an A in my EE. On the other hand, my Top 6 grades for OSSD averaged at 83.8%. I can't find a standard equivalency chart for either qualification; would choosing one over the other make my applications stronger? If I add both qualifications does it diminish the quality of my applications?

Additionally, if A level studies take 2 years, would I input my Grade 11 and 12 courses for post 16 studies and add my Grade 9 and 10 courses for 14-16 studies? I’ve asked the Canadian network at my university about it but have gotten mixed answers, with some saying they only put Grade 12 courses for post 16 and Grade 11 courses for 14-16.

My grades dropped in Grade 11 and 12 (from high 90s in 9/10 to mid 80s with around 60s in 2 STEM subjects in 11/12) due to mental health and circumstances mentioned earlier— how should I address this while still having strong applications? Can I omit any bad courses in high school or is this too risky?

Sorry my post is kind of lengthy, but advice is appreciated !

 

[adrian_nlh]

Nobody talks about this process and what it does to your mental health…

I don't know if we're allowed to talk about this here, but I know so many people who have ended up in a very bad place due to this process.

That's why I think it's so important to have this forum and have this supportive environment, because we all understand what's going on and what we're going through. I genuinely do not think I would have the mental and emotional capacity to continue trying otherwise.

 

[lawyersum]

I don't know if we're allowed to talk about this here, but I know so many people who have ended up in a very bad place due to this process.

That's why I think it's so important to have this forum and have this supportive environment, because we all understand what's going on and what we're going through. I genuinely do not think I would have the mental and emotional capacity to continue trying otherwise.

From personal experience, there was unfortunately a point last cycle when my mental health was at its lowest, and I had very distressing thoughts and a mini-breakdown. I come from a background where me securing a TC would ensure indirect financial security for my family, as they wouldn't have to worry about me as much. Regardless of financial security, I've explored other career paths, but none have appealed to me as much as commercial law. I go into a very dark spiral sometimes and even tell myself not to get happy if a get a TC, as I'll have to pass the SQE, which as you all know is a beast of its own. This forum is incredibly incredibly important for opening up about the struggles. I apologise if I've put a dampener on the mood here, but I do think it is important to realise that behind each profile picture there is a person dealing with their own set of expectations and experiences. Personally, if you are religious, I find that helps to put things in perspective - accepting that there is a plan for us and even if we can't see it now, the journey that we're on is best for us and our development. If not, another helpful thing to keep in mind is that currently the State Pension Age is a whopping 67 years old, so there's plenty of time

Stay safe everyone this cycle and my inbox is always open if you want to talk.

 

[EG3]

I don't know if we're allowed to talk about this here, but I know so many people who have ended up in a very bad place due to this process.

That's why I think it's so important to have this forum and have this supportive environment, because we all understand what's going on and what we're going through. I genuinely do not think I would have the mental and emotional capacity to continue trying otherwise.

Maybe they could make a separate forum for ranting about the emotional side of it - keeps it separate from application questions and people can anonymously chat about their problems with people who get it

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

Anyone heard from Fieldfisher post DAS/TC AC?