TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[AngelBaird]

Would be curious to know if anyone has heard from freshfields post second stage test?

 

[chiichii]

Hello!

It's totally understandable to feel disappointment in this situation - it's always frustrating to miss out on something you were really looking forward to, especially with a firm you're genuinely interested in.

I would try not to see it as a setback. The fact that you were offered a place on a competitive open day already shows you're doing all the right things with your applications - it's a sign that the firm recognises your potential! I'd take this as an encouraging sign as you continue to write applications for open days and vacation schemes, as they really are a competitive process!

If you haven't already, you could drop the graduate recruitment team a quick email to thank them for the opportunity and explain that you can no longer attend this event but remain really interested in the firm. A proactive and polite follow-up might leave a really good impression!

I know it feels super disappointing in the short-term, but try to see the positives for your long-term growth and celebrate your successes so far

Thanks Abbie, that's really nice to hear

If you don't mind, could you share some tips or advice on how can I demonstrate my genuine interest to the firm when writing my application? The reason i wanted to attend their open day is because i find them the easiest way to show my interest to the firm. Now that I can't attend it, do you have any recommendations on how can I leverage this in my application answer? I also attended some of their virtual events like practice area masterclass and ask trainee event, not to say they're not useful, but i feel like attending an open day would be better and make it easy to link everything together, hence a stronger answer. Would really appreciate your two cents and maybe some ideas or guidance.

 

[NickH]

Hi all. Needed some help. I just discovered my deadline for Hogan Lovells test is today and it says it is a 40 min job simulation test. Does anybody know what kind of video interview questions they'll ask? I don't think it would be in real time given that it is 7.30pm already and the deadline it says is 11.59. Feeling so anxious and don't know how i can prepare in 4 hrs

 

[lolololol]

does anyone have any insight or how to prepare for the mishcon test?

 

[Mara]

I wonder with the scores whether it’s possible to score high in every category?

For Amberjack it is possible I've realised. I did one around a week ago and got 9/9 grit, 9/9 applied intellect, 8/9 creative force, 8/9 digital mindset but maybe this one was just easier than others I've done

 

[johnsmith]

For Amberjack it is possible I've realised. I did one around a week ago and got 9/9 grit, 9/9 applied intellect, 8/9 creative force, 8/9 digital mindset but maybe this one was just easier than others I've done

It definitely can be gamed, having watched some content on it, but some of the phrasing is very similar to contend with it, I think! Kind of shame it can be gamed though, as I think the answers people give end up being inauthentic.

Amazing result though - well done!

 

[mg42guy32]

Is the Weil question motivational or competency-based?

 

[lawstudent2]

Is Kirkland summer vac scheme rolling, also is there any point applying for DLA piper and white & case as I see they are progressing people now?

 

[Dannie]

Hey guys has anyone done the Links WG/Capp test? Is the Capp one hugely different to that of other firms this year and generally, how hard is the WG? is it timed? Would really appreciate some help as I'm lost <3

 

[vweewcvew]

Is Kirkland summer vac scheme rolling, also is there any point applying for DLA piper and white & case as I see they are progressing people now?

At DLA's discovery day, they said the deadline is not rolling. But I went to Leeds so I'm not sure on London (given the earlier deadline)???

 

[Legal Beagle]

Anyone heard back from Covington?

 

[AspirationalDream]

Burges Salmon Winter AC

Hi guys, my first post on this forum, but I have received an invite to their AC. I can say the countless hours of sacrifice researching the firm and online test practice during the summer were worth it. I have never done an assessment centre before, nor have I ever reached this stage in my life. Regardless of what happens, I'm just happy I made it to that stage.

Does anyone have any general tips and advice for a newbie?

I honestly don't want to go into the AC, and have the mindset that everyone is my competition. I want to enjoy this day. How can I truly just be my authentic self, without putting the assessors off?

This is my second cycle, and I feel really confident I can do well.

P.S. for those interested in the firm, I know they have the spring and summer vac schemes open, so make sure you apply!.

Please constantly practice the Watson-Glaser test and Situational Judgment Scenarios, use ChatGPT, to help with Watson Watson-Glaser / Situational Judgment Test. I sucked at these, now I look a them with indifference (being neurodivergent), without having to spend a fortune.

 

[I_hate_pickingusernames]

Is the Eversheds Sutherland Vac Scheme not open to final year students? It reads: We welcome applications from penultimate year law under-graduates, final year non-law graduates as well as candidates who've already graduated or taken different career paths.

Is this them excluding final year law students but letting everyone else have at it?

 

[Bread]

How can I truly just be my authentic self, without putting the assessors off?

If the assessors are put off by your authentic self, chances are you won’t want to work there anyway. Just prepare for the exercises and be yourself! Good luck.

 

[AspirationalDream]

If the assessors are put off by your authentic self, chances are you won’t want to work there anyway. Just prepare for the exercises and be yourself! Good luck.

Thank you! Fair point also 😅

 

[bh.sa]

How strict is Sullivan & Cromwell with grades? I got a mid 2:1 in first year, but it's not a high 2:1. Chambers Students says they're looking for a high 2:1 but that info isn't on their website. Would I be ok in applying?

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Is Kirkland summer vac scheme rolling, also is there any point applying for DLA piper and white & case as I see they are progressing people now?

Kirkland isn’t rolling

 

[Lawlawland]

Met the CC GR team today and they expressed they're pretty stringent with grades. When someone brought in the concept of mitigating circumstances, the GR member said, they would consider the mitigating circumstances the University would have considered while grading and not often beyond that.

They also said the internal threshold for WGT is super high and undisclosed (but the member asked me to meet a 90 percentile to be on a safer side).

Now I'm contemplating my decision to apply here, given my struggle with WGT, despite having good grades.

 

[AspirationalDream]

Met the CC GR team today and they expressed they're pretty stringent with grades. When someone brought in the concept of mitigating circumstances, the GR member said, they would consider the mitigating circumstances the University would have considered while grading and not often beyond that.

They also said the internal threshold for WGT is super high (the member asked me to meet a 90 percentile to be on a safer side).

Now I'm contemplating my decision to apply here, given my struggle with WGT, despite having good grades.

Genuinely, its all practice, practice, practice its also about timing aswell. Many people spend too long on the test realistically you should spend around 25 mins not over half an hour. My advice would be to ask chatgpt to give you watson glazer practice and promt it to train you. You have so much online resources to be great at the watson glazer, i found that the more you do it your brain process information differently and you start making your own deductions assumptions and conclusions in your daily life.

It took me months to become truly confident, without spending so much money on prep courses. You got this, if you know your good for it, go for it!!!!

 

[Lawlawland]

Genuinely, its all practice, practice, practice its also about timing aswell. Many people spend too long on the test realistically you should spend around 25 mins not over half an hour. My advice would be to ask chatgpt to give you watson glazer practice and promt it to train you. You have so much online resources to be great at the watson glazer, i found that the more you do it your brain process information differently and you start making your own deductions assumptions and conclusions in your daily life.

It took me months to become truly confident, without spending so much money on prep courses. You got this, if you know your good for it, go for it!!!!

This is really reassuring, thank you for this!
I'm hoping to spend some time regularly on this and be prepared in a month when major application deadlines kick in!