TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone knows how bad is it if you get cut off at the last bit of a VI recording because of the time limit? 🫣 if it happens in one question only would it still be a rejection?

Hello!

It happens to a lot of people, so I would try not to worry too much - the assessors know that there's a time limit and they're mainly looking at the substance of what you managed to get across.

If it was just one question and you covered the key points, it's very unlikely to be an automatic rejection.

Try not to stress (easier said than done, I know!) - you've probably done better than you think!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello, in an application - do you write the numbers out fully. E.g. two or 2. Also, does work experience include paid employment - for Clifford Chance TC application

Thank you

Hey!

For applications, I would say it's usually best to write numbers one to nine in words and use digits from 10 onwards, but consistency matters most - so just stick to one style throughout.

Yes, work experience definitely includes paid employment - Clifford Chance will be interested in all of your experiences that show transferable skills, not just legal roles. You can always link the transferable skills to how they would be useful in the role of a trainee

 

[Pola123]

Hi, as anyone taken the stage 2 assessments for Latham yet? The one with the video interviews?

 

[chiichii]

Does anyone know when the deadline is for PWC legal vacation scheme?

I'd assume it runs on rolling basis

 

[johnsmith]

just got 1/4, 1/4, 1/4, 1/4 for NRF's Arctic Shores Test pfo coming soon 😭

How did you get hold of actual numbers? I seemed to just get some weird dot report

 

[SamiyaJ]

How did you get hold of actual numbers? I seemed to just get some weird dot report

The report doesn’t give numbers but the dots can be interpreted e.g. first dot is 1, second dot is 2 etc

 

[johnsmith]

The report doesn’t give numbers but the dots can be interpreted e.g. first dot is 1, second dot is 2 etc

Thanks! Worked it out now. Not really sure how you get these outcomes from reaction based games…

 

[SamiyaJ]

Thanks! Worked it out now. Not really sure how you get these outcomes from reaction based games…

Ikr! Next they’ll be asking us to submit a dance video to see we are responsive to the beat..

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

how do you approach the anything else to add question on apps like Dechert and hogan - is it meant to be a way to add a why commercial law why that firm answer or is it actually for other information

Hey!

Those questions are really more of a "catch-all" section. It's mainly there if you have something relevant that hasn't had a natural place elsewhere in the form - for example, extenuating circumstances, unusual experiences, or a particular achievement that doesn't fit neatly in any of the other questions or sections.

If you feel you've already covered your motivations properly in earlier answers, I wouldn't repeat them here. However, if there is a genuine gap (e.g. something that rounds out your story or strengthens your application) this is a good place to add it briefly.

If nothing comes to mind, it's perfectly fine to leave it blank rather than force something in

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

given that some firms like freshfields only ask for work experience now, what is the best way to do the section to ensure it is hitting the points they need?

Hey!

With firms that are moving to a work-experience-only format, the key element is to make sure you aren't just listing roles. It's about showing what you learned and how it links back to the skills they're looking for in a trainee. A simple structure that might be helpful is:

1. Context - briefly outline the role / experience
2. Action - what you actually did. I would highlight your main responsibilities and / or challenges
3. Skills / Insights - discuss the transferable skills that you developed (e.g. teamwork, research, client contact, problem solving)
4. Relevance - the key part is to tie this to how it prepares you for a career in commercial law and why it matters at a firm such as Freshfields

By handling the section this way, even if the experience isn't strictly legal, you're still demonstrating your suitability and motivation in a way that they are looking for.

I hope that helps!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi,

Does anyone know what the Osborne Clarke vac scheme Qs are for this cycle?

Hey!

Q1: What skills have you been developing over the last 12-24 months that you believe are instrumental to ensuring your success as a solicitor? How have you been developing these skills? Why do you believe that these skills will set you up for a successful career at Osborne Clarke? Your examples can be taken from any activities or experiences you have participated in and don't have to be focussed solely on the legal sector (Max 500 words)

Q2: What work has Osborne Clarke done recently that is of particular interest to you? Why are you interested and inspired by this work? (Max 300 words)

There is also an optional question that states:

Have you been a part of any professional services support programmes in the last 5 years? Please outline those that you have participated in below - this could include (but is not limited to) mentoring programmes, work experience opportunities, scholarships and diversity access schemes with other organisations (Max 200 words)

I hope that helps! Let us know if we can assist at all

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Jones Day spring scheme VI ! Any insights massively appreciated

Hi!

Congratulations on getting the VI! For Jones Day (and law firm video interviews in general), I'd say that a few things really help:

• Know the firm's USP: Jones Day has the non-rotational training contract model, but it's also worth understanding what makes the firm unique so that you can tailor your answer to your own experiences and motivations.
• Stay structured: use STAR (situation, task, action, result) for competency answers so that you stay clear and focused. For other answers, I would ensure that you roughly know your answers for the common questions (e.g. 'Why Law', 'Why X Firm', 'Why Me') before doing the VI.
• Commercial awareness: be prepared to link your answers back to the wider business / commercial context, not just the legal angle, particularly if that seems like what the question is asking you to do.
• Practice: the camera can feel a bit awkward at first, so rehearsing aloud can help you come across as confident and natural. I'd try and make sure you look at the camera and act as if you were in the room with the interviewer (which can feel a bit silly!).

Most importantly, try not to panic if you stumble - the graduate recruitment team won't penalise you for a stumble or two, and they're looking for how you think, not perfection.

Best of luck - you've got this!

 

[johnsmith]

Hello, does anyone have any insights on what Mishcon are looking for in the activities section? Do they mean personal hobbies or say societies/volunteering?

 

[aspringlawyer25]

Anyone heard back from Akin post app?

 

[ISK]

Hi can anyone share which games were played for NRF? Many thanks

 

[vacschemes]

I've noticed that a lot of firms have changed their grade requirements quite drastically over the past year or so. For example, firms like Linklaters and W&C used to have a great reputation for being holistic with grades and only required an overall 2:1, but they’ve now changed their policy to require 2:1s in every module. Does anyone know why they’ve done this?

I was thinking it might be related to the SQE and its low success rates. Maybe firms are trying to mitigate risk by recruiting mostly first-class or high 2:1 grads, as there are concerns about hiring people who may not pass an already challenging exam. I’m not entirely sure how accurate this is and would appreciate insight anyone has.

 

[johnsmith]

I've noticed that a lot of firms have changed their grade requirements quite drastically over the past year or so. For example, firms like Linklaters and W&C used to have a great reputation for being holistic with grades and only required an overall 2:1, but they’ve now changed their policy to require 2:1s in every module. Does anyone know why they’ve done this?

I was thinking it might be related to the SQE and its low success rates. Maybe firms are trying to mitigate risk by recruiting mostly first-class or high 2:1 grads, as there are concerns about hiring people who may not pass an already challenging exam. I’m not entirely sure how accurate this is and would appreciate insight anyone has.

Think the SQE part seems rational. I also wondered if the increase in AI usage means it's harder to filter based on the quality of responses to their questions, hence the greater reliance on the SJTs and grades to filter.

It might also have been that they were largely filtering based on that anyway; they just weren't overtly stating it.

 

[lawstudent2]

For the Latham & Watkins second SJT has anyone been assigned it twice?
There are two tests waiting to be completed on my profile but they have the same description and the same questions so I am not sure if it was a mistake or not

 

[James Wakefield]

Has anyone who applied to Latham in the last week got that second test? I haven’t!

 

[Legallywhatever]

Hey!

Q1: What skills have you been developing over the last 12-24 months that you believe are instrumental to ensuring your success as a solicitor? How have you been developing these skills? Why do you believe that these skills will set you up for a successful career at Osborne Clarke? Your examples can be taken from any activities or experiences you have participated in and don't have to be focussed solely on the legal sector (Max 500 words)

Q2: What work has Osborne Clarke done recently that is of particular interest to you? Why are you interested and inspired by this work? (Max 300 words)

There is also an optional question that states:

Have you been a part of any professional services support programmes in the last 5 years? Please outline those that you have participated in below - this could include (but is not limited to) mentoring programmes, work experience opportunities, scholarships and diversity access schemes with other organisations (Max 200 words)

I hope that helps! Let us know if we can assist at all

Thank you, abbie!!

In terms of the optional question, what should I be trying to showcase through my answer?