TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[LegalLigase]

Freshfields Summer VS PFO after stage 1. Congrats to those who progressed!

Would anyone who passed this stage be willing to share what strengths showed up in their assessment report? I'm trying to understand the selection criteria better.

My main questions are:

1. Does Freshfields expect candidates to excel across all ideal competencies, or do they accept strong candidates who still have clear development areas?
2. Could this be related to rolling basis? I submitted on Nov 3, did the stage 1 online assessment on Nov 6, and received PFO today morning.

My context:

• Russell Group, penultimate year non-law, 70% first year
• Got these 3 strengths: Teamwork, Delivering Outcomes, and Challenging Self
• Development areas: Embracing Transformation & Thriving Under Pressure
• Not very confident with the performance on the mini WG in the online assessment

Here's a sample of how I described one work experience:
• Led team of [X] media officers, assigning/reviewing content to ensure quality output across platforms, improving workflow efficiency
• Delivered workshop for [Y] participants, boosting organisation visibility
• Grew online reach to [Z] monthly views with [A] interactions

Given this profile, does anyone have insight into what might be the main hurdle? Any advice on how to improve would be hugely appreciated.

 

[Jennifer2003]

How long after WG did people get the VI for bird and bird? I applied for their spring programme!

 

[jamsparkle]

A&O Shearman Summer VS PFO

Could anyone give me any clue about the PFO message below? Does it mean that I struggled in those areas or it was just a general message that they sent to everyone for PFO? Also any advice on how to reflect and prepare better for the next time would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

“Nonetheless, we encourage you to reflect on the following aspects:

1. Your academic history and achievements.

2. Your work experiences and how they align with your career goals.

3. Your motivation for pursuing a career in this area.

In addition, we recommend visiting our Law Career Guide on our website. It offers valuable resources and insights that can be instrumental in enhancing your future applications.”

I got the same but I literally just forgot to do the test so I'm pretty sure it's generic

 

[emily3827]

do we think theres still any hope to hear from Dechert post WE or are people assuming PFOs

 

[DavidJC]

I have a final stage interview for Perkins Coie's LBA programme (having completed the VS), but now that they've merged with Ashurst, does anyone know how the process might change? Will Perkins change their process completely, or will I still be able to interview as normal?

If @Abbie Whitlock or @Andrei Radu have anything to share I would really appreciate it.

Based on the announcement website, they will continue as is until Q3 next year (think June-Sept) when the partners vote etc on whether to complete the merger. If anything, it's about continuity after the recruitment process, would be a question for Grad Rec I think as to whether they will still take on all the LBAs and Ashurst trainees moving forward but they probably haven't got all the answers right now either

 

[l789]

if anyone gets/has gotten the full schedule for the Cooley open day on Thursday could you please let me know - I'm unnecessarily stressed that my confirmation email never went through lol

Email them asap, there should be an email address for each individual in grad rec, google, and if not, then just phone them up and just ask the receptionist for the email addresses of grad rec ( get two of the email addresses) and then send an email and cc the other grad rec assistant in.

I had a very identical issue with them, but for a vac scheme which almost cost me an interview slot (fault with the system on their end)

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Hi, I have a question. How should I answer Skadden’s prompt: “If you could choose a career other than law, what would you choose?” Do I need to pick something that links back to “why law” or “why the firm,” or can it just be any example?

Last year I wrote that I wanted to be a stand-up comedian because that was my genuine answer, but I didn’t even pass to the WE stage. I’m guessing GR rejected it straight away.😅

Grad Rec said it's a question they use to get to know you better. It doesn't have to be a career linked to law at all. I don't think it plays a key role in who gets progressed or not. Just make sure your why Skadden answer is good.

 

[bh.sa]

I have a final stage interview for Perkins Coie's LBA programme (having completed the VS), but now that they've merged with Ashurst, does anyone know how the process might change? Will Perkins change their process completely, or will I still be able to interview as normal?

If @Abbie Whitlock or @Andrei Radu have anything to share I would really appreciate it.

Hi, congrats on your interview! Quick question - did you apply last year for the programme and you're doing your interview this year? I'm interested in applying for the LBA programme, but can't find any details about application dates?

 

[lawyersum]

Mishcon chat interview has absolutely destroyed me wtf was that

 

[l789]

Grad Rec said it's a question they use to get to know you better. It doesn't have to be a career linked to law at all. I don't think it plays a key role in who gets progressed or not. Just make sure your why Skadden answer is good.

What are all the questions skadden ask - I understand they changed the questions only last year?

 

[safari3]

Can you take the two Taylor Wessing tests separately or does it have to be all in one go?

 

[Bread]

Mishcon chat interview has absolutely destroyed me wtf was that

Ikr, pretty ridiculous to make candidates sit for two hours and do that only to scrap them with ambjerjack/cappfinity later

 

[Bread]

Re Mishcon chat interview, do we get a feedback report? For some reason I think i understood that we do

 

[seriouscandidate_]

Mishcon chat interview has absolutely destroyed me wtf was that

I need to do mine either today or tomorrow. I hate VIs, dreading it...

 

[LaDiva]

Can you take the two Taylor Wessing tests separately or does it have to be all in one go?

It's two separate sections, independent of each other, so you could take them at different times.

 

[qaz99]

Simmons AC!

 

[Jennifer2003]

Simmons AC!

Congratulations!!! An amazing achievement. Would you mind sharing your scores from the sjt, and for which office this is for? Again well done!!

 

[qaz99]

Congratulations!!! An amazing achievement. Would you mind sharing your scores from the sjt, and for which office this is for? Again well done!!

Sure, it's for the London office. My scores were kinda average: 6, 6, 6 (I think)

 

[LawAspirer]

do we think theres still any hope to hear from Dechert post WE or are people assuming PFOs

Really have no clue. Doesn't seem like many people were advanced to interview (atleast from what I see).
I'm not assuming PFO but also don't know what to think

 

[LawAspirer]

What can I expect from Mischon chat interview? is it written and then VI? Or what is the spiel? Very confused!!