TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi guys,

I'm struggling with the "what recent work at x has interested you" questions. I know I should pick a deal/case and explain why it specifically caught my interest, but I'm struggling to find information on a lot of these cases on firms websites. They generally just provide an overview of the deal, without much extra information as to complexities etc. that could enable me to provide more thoughtful analysis. Any tips?

Hello!

I totally get where you're coming from - firm websites are often quite surface-level when it comes to deal details. A few tips that might help:

• Use multiple sources - Look up the deal on sites like Legal Cheek, The Lawyer, or Financial Times to get more commercial context. There may also be press releases from clients which can reveal why the deal was significant.
• Focus on the 'why', not just the 'what' - even if you only have a short summary, you can still reflect on why that kind of work interests you. For example, if it's a cross-border M&A deal, maybe you're drawn to the international coordination or the strategic rationale behind it.
• Look for themes - firms often highlight similar types of work. If you can connect that trends to your interests or something that you've studies, that can make your answer sound more insightful even without deep technical detail.
• Listen to firm podcasts or read their insights - many firms will publish news articles or insights that hint at the complexities behind their deals. It might be worth having a read of the section of the website.

You definitely don't need insider-level knowledge - they're mainly looking for curiosity and commercial awareness, and an interest in the commercial law world. I would pick a deal in a sector or topic that interests you, and try to find some more information using the methods above. You can tie this back to your own skillset, previous experience, or future career aspirations. This will make your answer personal and tailored, and show that you have done research into the firm.

I hope that helps!

 

[GiveMeTC2026]

It was automatic until the last cycle, but given that they have changed their recruitment process this year, I'm not sure if it's still automatic.

It's automatic. I did it last week and I apllied the week before.

 

[TortillaTC]

Anyone knows if Dechert is rolling or not?

 

[msclm]

Anyone knows if Dechert is rolling or not?

Since lots of people have already done the written exercise/have just gotten invites to the WE, I would say yes

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Hi guys, I got 4/4 2/4 3/4 3/4 for my arctic shores test, got stressed and kinda messed it up. Will that cause an autoreject from NRF? Am I below the benchmark, and does anyone know what the benchmark is?

I would like to know this aswell. I got 2/4, 2/4, 4/4, 4/4. For the emotions game I messed up so bad.

 

[DavidJC]

Just finished the HSF Kramer test and I'm not really sure what to think with the feedback report saying I'm good at 1/6 traits, moderate at 4/6 traits, and needs more improvement on 1/6 traits as I've normally heard that SJTs are usually skewed in favour of "stronger" personalities. But the nature of the test also tells me that it wouldn't be possible to get better than three strong traits and three weak traits anyway

 

[BillSikes]

I am one year graduated and have left my paralegal role to complete a gap year. Do I put this on my work experience to explain the employment gap?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Does anybody have tips for the first stage of the commercial awareness competition?

 

[Andrei Radu]

I just got my WG score from Links in the 83rd percentile. Does anyone know if that is high enough to make it to AC?

That is a really good score and it will most certainly not be holding you back - normally, firms do not have cut off points lower than the 50th percentile. Nonetheless, this does not guarantee progression the AC either, as Linklaters decides based on a holistic assessment - a friend of mine once scored above the 90th and still did not progress.

 

[Andrei Radu]

I am one year graduated and have left my paralegal role to complete a gap year. Do I put this on my work experience to explain the employment gap?

I would not put a gap year as a separate entry in the work experience section. If I wanted to explain why I had chosen to leave the role and what I planned to do in the gap year, I would write about that in a few short sentences at the end of the paralegal work experience description.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Anyone knows if Dechert is rolling or not?

I have not found any information on the website about their policy for this application cycle, but historically they have reviewed applications on a rolling basis.

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Since lots of people have already done the written exercise/have just gotten invites to the WE, I would say yes

It's not rolling

 

[Andrei Radu]

Did anyone get an email about Weil insight day, as I got rejected but they were “impressed by my application and I should apply to their second open day” is that a generic response?

While I do not know this is the case, I think it is quite likely this is not a generic response sent to every rejected candidate. Firstly, the wording significantly differs from the language used in most generic rejection emails, and is very similar to the language used by some firms who send these kinds of emails to candidates who were close to making the cut.

Secondly, firms do not generally encourage candidates to reapply in the same cycle - normally, they actually have a strict policy against it when it comes to VS/TC applications. This is because a new application increases the recruiters' already high workloads, so firms really want to avoid encouraging people to reapply if it is very likely they will be rejected again. As such, if the firm actively encourages you to apply to the same opportunity this cycle, I would take that as an indication that they have marked you as a strong candidate.

 

[BillSikes]

I would not put a gap year as a separate entry in the work experience section. If I wanted to explain why I had chosen to leave the role and what I planned to do in the gap year, I would write about that in a few short sentences at the end of the paralegal work experience description.

Do you think I should do this?

 

[e_turbo2]

@Andrei Radu Hi, do you know if BCLP has a rolling deadline? Thanks

 

[Andrei Radu]

Do you think I should do this?

I think it depends on the reason why you have chosen to take a gap year. If it is something that will add to a recruiter's understanding of you as a candidate, I would add it. If the reason you took the gap year is simply that you needed a bit of a break from everything, I do not think it needs to be added if you clarify in the rest of the description that the firm was pleased with your performance as a paralegal (so that the recruiter reading the application knows your contract was not terminated by the employer).

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Andrei Radu Hi, do you know if BCLP has a rolling deadline? Thanks

I found no information about their policy for this cycle, but according to this article back in 2023 they used to recruit on a rolling basis. TCLA is currently working on compiling the most comprehensive and up to date list of rolling/non-rolling firms for the current cycle - including by reaching out to law firms which do not specify this online. Consider checking it out here periodically, as we will constantly be updating it with new information when we receive it.

 

[TheLegalEdit]

That is a really good score and it will most certainly not be holding you back - normally, firms do not have cut off points lower than the 50th percentile. Nonetheless, this does not guarantee progression the AC either, as Linklaters decides based on a holistic assessment - a friend of mine once scored above the 90th and still did not progress.

Yes definitely it is holistic! I noticed this time around we had 250 words maximum for our work experience so I tried to maximise the space there. I’m just a bit worried about my Capp Test but there’s no point to worry now - what’s done is done

 

[Bbhu19]

While I do not know this is the case, I think it is quite likely this is not a generic response sent to every rejected candidate. Firstly, the wording significantly differs from the language used in most generic rejection emails, and is very similar to the language used by some firms who send these kinds of emails to candidates who were close to making the cut.

Secondly, firms do not generally encourage candidates to reapply in the same cycle - normally, they actually have a strict policy against it when it comes to VS/TC applications. This is because a new application increases the recruiters' already high workloads, so firms really want to avoid encouraging people to reapply if it is very likely they will be rejected again. As such, if the firm actively encourages you to apply to the same opportunity this cycle, I would take that as an indication that they have marked you as a strong candidate.

Thank you for the highly detailed response Andrei, it’s been helpful, I wasn’t sure at first but I’ll definitely give applying another go.👍👌

 

[zara elles]

Just finished the HSF Kramer test and I'm not really sure what to think with the feedback report saying I'm good at 1/6 traits, moderate at 4/6 traits, and needs more improvement on 1/6 traits as I've normally heard that SJTs are usually skewed in favour of "stronger" personalities. But the nature of the test also tells me that it wouldn't be possible to get better than three strong traits and three weak traits anyway

Hey, I got 2 strong, 2 moderate and 2 weak - not sure if the results are just based on the personality section or the SJT too but I guess only time will tell! Not had any email saying whether I've met the benchmark yet (hopefully this is a good thing!). I agree, it seems like it wouldnt have been possible to do great in all traits unless you balanced out the repeated questions with slightly different answers?