TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi!

for the W&C question, does it have to be a deal (in the transactional sense like m&a, debt finance etc)? or could it be a sovereign restructuring case? the latter isn't necessarily a deal so I'm not sure if that could work

Hello!

In this context, "deal" usually refers to transactional work, so things like M&A, private equity, project finance, or capital markets (e.g. IPOs). Those are typically the types of matters that firms highlight as "deals" on their website. Areas such as litigation and arbitration usually won't fall under "deals", since those are contention matters rather than transactions.

That said, a sovereign restructuring could still work if you frame it well. It might not be a "deal" in the strict sense, but it does involve complex negotiations, strategic considerations, and cross-border coordination - all of which align with White & Case's strengths. The key is showing that you understand the commercial and strategic elements of the matter, not just the legal side.

 

[Harvey Specter]

Goodwin Procter open day invite!

 

[johnsmith]

Is the White & Case online assessment just a Watson Glaser test?

CappFinity test - so SJT + Critical Thinking.
On this, with CappFinity, have people found the critical thinking part a bit samey? Or is that just me?

 

[Tattyasha]

Bird & Bird Trainee Solicitor Open Day pfo. Worded like a proper app rejection so that one hit a nerve 🙈 I’m hoping it was due to applying on the deadline

 

[ayiiii05]

Has anyone heard from Paul, Weiss?

 

[James Wakefield]

Bird & Bird Trainee Solicitor Open Day pfo. Worded like a proper app rejection so that one hit a nerve 🙈 I’m hoping it was due to applying on the deadline

Just to say I did their Vac Scheme after getting rejected for their open day, so it’s still worth applying!

Do their Forage scheme instead!

 

[johnsmith]

Bird & Bird Trainee Solicitor Open Day pfo. Worded like a proper app rejection so that one hit a nerve 🙈 I’m hoping it was due to applying on the deadline

I got a rejection but it wasn't clear if it was for the OD or the VS. I'm guessing both in my case, as it doesn't expressly say.

 

[Tattyasha]

Just to say I did their Vac Scheme after getting rejected for their open day, so it’s still worth applying!

Do their Forage scheme instead!

Thank you! I’ll definitely get on that

 

[Tattyasha]

I got a rejection but it wasn't clear if it was for the OD or the VS. I'm guessing both in my case, as it doesn't expressly say.

Oh that’s frustrating. Did you/could you apply for both on the same form? Wonder if it’s worth checking with GR

 

[l789]

Hi, I failed all the cappfinity tests last year, however my applications to firms without cappfinity were almost all successful.

Some of my top firms require cappfinity, and I am now wondering if I should purchase resources from job test prep which helps with cappfinity practice and any other paid resources.

I can’t seem to master cappfinity at all (but mastered the Watson Glaser by myself) and want to know, money aside, if the paid resources for cappfinity are useful and will help me in passing the tests. Even if it’s something as simple as understanding the rationale behind different choices and that leads me to choosing correct answers.

I’m desperate at this stage, especially considering more firms have changed their application process and heavily rely on this test than application answers (freshfields, Weil, white & case)

 

[johnsmith]

Oh that’s frustrating. Did you/could you apply for both on the same form? Wonder if it’s worth checking with GR

I applied to both separately - I checked Vantage, and the status is left as submitted, but I had the same after rejection from HSFK so they must not be using Vantage like that or it's not been updated yet.

 

[TortillaTC]

Goodwin Procter open day invite!

Congrats!! Which open day is this and when did you apply?

 

[lawninja00!]

CappFinity test - so SJT + Critical Thinking.
On this, with CappFinity, have people found the critical thinking part a bit samey? Or is that just me?

exact same questions for cappfinity critical thinking haha i got to pull out my notes/diagrams from last time

 

[mg42guy32]

Goodwin Procter open day invite!

Same might see you there!

 

[mg42guy32]

Congrats!! Which open day is this and when did you apply?

Though you didn’t ask me 4th Nov and I applied on the deadline so I assume they are sending them in batches after all

 

[Tattyasha]

I applied to both separately - I checked Vantage, and the status is left as submitted, but I had the same after rejection from HSFK so they must not be using Vantage like that or it's not been updated yet.

That’s an unfortunate quirk of Vantage - they never update from “submitted” so it’s impossible to tell from that page I’m afraid. It’s really unclear.
If you applied separately though then I wouldn’t give up hope. Sounds like they’ve just run through a batch of open day-ers so unless you get two pfos I’d take that as you’re still in the running for one!

 

[Harvey Specter]

Congrats!! Which open day is this and when did you apply?

Cheers matey! This is for the 4th Nov open day. I applied pretty close to the deadline. Most likely they are sending invites in batches, since they have a few other open days in Nov.​

 

[johnsmith]

That’s an unfortunate quirk of Vantage - they never update from “submitted” so it’s impossible to tell from that page I’m afraid. It’s really unclear.
If you applied separately though then I wouldn’t give up hope. Sounds like they’ve just run through a batch of open day-ers so unless you get two pfos I’d take that as you’re still in the running for one!

I'm not sure on that, I didn't receive a WG and applied early October, others have done, so I think this is just a rejection, which is all cool, another 29 applications to still hear back on!

 

[Amgrad]

Hi guys! Lots of people asked me about the Macfarlanes Simulate assessment, and while I will not breach the intregity guidelines issued, I can give you guys some general advice.
1. If you enjoy problem-solving, this is a great assessment for you! I personally found it quite challenging but quite exciting and rewarding, so you should just go in with your thinking caps on.
2. Be sure to have your commercial awareness READY, get used to using commercial and analytical jargon in your every day life, it WILL really help you.
3. This assessment is AI proof, so if you're trying, don't even. You should not anyway, but seriously don't.
4. This assessment is a great opportunity for you guys to re-evaluate whether commercial law is for you or not, more than the other assessments I've done. So do try to absorb as much as possible from it and come to your own conclusions.

That's basically it! Be proud that you made it to this stage (that's what I'm trying to do, I don't think my assessment went particularly well ) But it did motivate me to continue applying!

TYSM!! I just invited to Macfarlanes 2nd test, minutes ago!

My hard work is paid off as I did the first test on Saturday night while my friends asked me to hang out, sacrificing for a serenity for my test

 

[lawyersum]

ffs I've literally been trying to log in to Gowling's application system for four days, but I never get the authentication code in my inbox. So weird.