TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Andrei Radu]

Do people actually reapply to firms where they were rejected after completing a vacation scheme? I'm just curious 🤔

I do not know how often this happens, but I definitely know some examples of people who have ended up receiving a TC after an unsuccessful VS - a firm that comes to mind where I know this happened is White & Case. Nonetheless, I know there are also some firms that do not allow replications following rejections at that stage, or who only allow them provided you can show a substantial improvement of your candidate profile. As such, if you are considering reapplying, I think you should try to directly contact the relevant firm to ask about their policy.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I just checked back on my application and there was a section for undergraduate modules after putting in the summarised year averages. I wonder if they’ve changed it since?

Hey!

Yes, I remember there being a section to include individual module grades when I applied last year. It might just be that they've changed it for this year!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Anyone know what I might expect from the final partner interview for Sidley? Any and all help appreciated!

Hi - I found this older TCLA post (from the 2017 cycle) and this thread from 2018 where some candidates described their experiences interviewing at Sidley. There are also some more in depth and recent descriptions of interview experiences at Sidley (from 2024 and from 2022) which you can find on the premium database here - nonetheless, you must have a premium TCLA subscription to access them.

 

[johnsmith]

Hey!

Yes, I remember there being a section to include individual module grades when I applied last year. It might just be that they've changed it for this year!

Sorry I meant I applied in September and that section was there 😄

 

[c.t.tc]

If anyone else has applied to Osborne Clarke with a law conversion were you able to put your module grades in (for the post-graduate bit)?

 

[BT0901]

So drained after the Freshfields assessment:/

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

In the work experience section, if a firm is asking for open days - would it be alright to list firms that are very different from them? Or should I just exclude it?

 

[Andrei Radu]

In the work experience section, if a firm is asking for open days - would it be alright to list firms that are very different from them? Or should I just exclude it?

Yes - this will definitely be fine and I would argue it is actually advisable to do so. Firms are well aware of how competitive the commercial law job market is, so they expect any candidate with a serious interest in this career to be applying to a multitude of firms. Moreover, having attended open days at other firms shows that you have taken the time to properly research the field and find out what firms are out there and what differentiates them. This will make any claims you make to be interested in their firm appear more informed - arguably you can only really know you are interested in their particular offering if you also know what other offerings were available. Finally, firms also know that many open days are selective and sometimes involve a highly competitive process, so showing you attended several will suggest you are a competitive candidate.

 

[aspringlawyer25]

So drained after the Freshfields assessment:/

when did you apply and receive the assessment?

 

[Spector.Ross]

I just took the W&C test and I did get the Cappfinity 'Your answers have been recorded' outro but the W&C portal shows 'In progress' and the 'Take test' button didn't disappear, is this normal?

Hi, could i ask if the test was more like a situational judgment test or a watson glaser?

 

[BT0901]

when did you apply and receive the assessment?

applied on the first day and got the invitation this week

 

[TA04]

Can anyone see their work experience section after submitting their Clifford Chance application when looking back on it? I can't see mine for some reason

 

[berocca567]

What does the HL second test consist of please?

 

[tk.42_]

Does anyone have any insights into NRF VI please?

 

[futureharveyspecter]

So drained after the Freshfields assessment:/

is there only a WG/ SJT element or VI too?

 

[SamiyaJ]

Wishing everyone a positive week ahead, smash all these applications and next stage shenanigans! 🫶🏾✨📚

 

[i-want-a-tc]

is there only a WG/ SJT element or VI too?

VI will show up in second stage assessment, not in the first one

 

[berocca567]

Freshfields - is the 'second stage' automatic, or is that one you get progressed to? thr website doesnt mention multipel stages so how does everyone know there are 2?

 

[oliviabeijing]

Applying to Denton's vac scheme, any tips for answering this question: What do you understand to be the day-to-day responsibilities of a commercial lawyer? What attracts you to this reality and which aspects do you anticipate to be most challenging for you to navigate? I find I always struggle to make my answer to these questions unique/ stand out?

 

[johnsmith]

is there only a WG/ SJT element or VI too?

Just the former - no VI at initial stage.

@berocca567, their prep hub includes the VI section. The email with the initial assessment also says stage 1, so the logical conclusion is that there is another stage with further testing, which likely includes VI.