TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[FutureTrainee100]

Just got my Freshfields results and I don’t know what to make of them… My strengths were championing our clients, thriving as a team, and challenging ourselves. My weaknesses were thriving under pressure and delivering extraordinary outcomes. Am I done for?

 

[aspringlawyer25]

I think they record you throughout the whole time

Oh boy

 

[User2640]

I was wondering has anyone attended panel discussion and networking event organised by law firms that are targeted at people in a specific industry (rather than aspiring solicitors)? I'm a non-law student and have registered for one coming up. I'm hoping to gain more insights into the practice area I'm interested in. I assume there won't be any student attending, and I was wondering what conversation topics/questions I could ask when speaking with someone during the networking session? Since I'm just a student and the attendees will be much more senior than me, I don't think it's appropriate to ask anything related to applications. What type of questions could I ask to better understand the firm, its culture etc.? Any example questions or general tips in such events would be very much appreciated! Really worried about being awkward during the event @Abbie Whitlock

 

[Academic Weapon]

have you heard back yet?

I still haven’t heard, have you?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Describe how you think the innovative developments taking place in the legal industry will change the role of a commercial lawyer at Dentons. Please outline your research and reference the sources you used to inform your opinion. (250)
@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu how would you recommend structuring this answer?

Hey!

I'd recommend structuring it in three clear sections so that it stays focused but fits within the 250-word limit.

1. Introduction (1-2 sentences)

I'd start by briefly stating that the legal industry is undergoing rapid innovation and that this is reshaping the role of commercial lawyers - particularly in a global, tech-forward firm such as Dentons

2. Main Body (three main points)

This should be the core of your answer, and I would pick 2-3 innovations that you can discuss meaningfully. For each one, it might help to further break it down into a mini-structure like:

(1) What the development is - I'd briefly outline what the development or software is (without going into too much detail), such as AI-driven contract review systems or knowledge platforms

(2) Evidence and research - this is where you can make reference to specific initiatives at Dentons, and any industry reports or news stories

(3) Impact on a Dentons commercial lawyer - discuss how this changes the role of a trainee / associate at the firm, such as a shift towards higher-value advisory work, need for tech fluency, more strategic client engagement, changes to billing systems, etc.

3. Conclusion (1-2 sentences)

Finish your answer with a forward-looking line that explains how these innovations will elevate the role of a lawyer, rather than replace them - making commercial lawyers at Dentons more strategic, efficient, and client-centred.

This structure can help keep your answer concise and well-referenced while directly addressing the question.

Best of luck with your application!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

if im emailing a firm that I have a WVS interview with to ask if they can move my interview for consideration for the spring scheme, as I already have another WVS, do you think its better to email and move the interview or wait to see if I get an offer, and then ask to defer the offer?

Hey!

I'd recommend emailing them now rather than waiting. Firms will usually prefer the transparency, and it's much easier for them to move you into a different pool of candidates rather than trying to reorganise when they've given out offers (as at that point, they may need to ask people to swap to the other scheme if there are set numbers for each).

If you politely explain that you have have another WVS and would like to be considered for the spring scheme instead, they're normally understanding - I did this last cycle and asked to be considered for the spring scheme instead, and still ended up receiving an offer.

I would just send a polite and appreciative email, as I'm sure it is unlikely to be a problem

 

[BobThebIlly]

Just got my Freshfields results and I don’t know what to make of them… My strengths were championing our clients, thriving as a team, and challenging ourselves. My weaknesses were thriving under pressure and delivering extraordinary outcomes. Am I done for?

I am also worried bc of my report too 😭

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I was wondering has anyone attended panel discussion and networking event organised by law firms that are targeted at people in a specific industry (rather than aspiring solicitors)? I'm a non-law student and have registered for one coming up. I'm hoping to gain more insights into the practice area I'm interested in. I assume there won't be any student attending, and I was wondering what conversation topics/questions I could ask when speaking with someone during the networking session? Since I'm just a student and the attendees will be much more senior than me, I don't think it's appropriate to ask anything related to applications. What type of questions could I ask to better understand the firm, its culture etc.? Any example questions or general tips in such events would be very much appreciated! Really worried about being awkward during the event @Abbie Whitlock

Hey!

I totally understand how you feel - whilst I've never been to an industry-specific event, I felt a similar way (and often still do!) before most networking events at firms so I can share what has helped me! People don't expect you to know everything - they just appreciate genuine interest in the area.

The easiest way to handle conversations is to focus on their experience, not on applications. I would start with something simple such as "I'm a student interested in this field, and I was wondering if you'd be happy to share what the work actually looks like day to day". This way, you give them some context on your background but it allows them to tell you about their career as well.

One of the key things to remember about networking events (both generally and industry-specific) is that the majority of people at them will genuinely enjoy their career, and will be more than happy to chat to you about it! Some starting points for conversations could be:

1. Ask what's changing in the industry and how it affects their clients
2. Ask what parts of the work they find most interesting or surprising
3. Ask how different teams work together on matters in that sector
4. Ask what they wish they'd known earlier about the practice area

These questions feel natural, don't put anyone on the spot, and give you a really good sense of the firm's culture and the type of work they do. Above all, have a think about what genuinely interests you about the industry and what you'd like to know more about - frame your questions around those things!

I would also try not to stress about being awkward (easier said than done, I know!). At these events, people are used to explaining what they do and they go to these events to talk to people who are interested in the area too - a bit of curiosity can go a long way!

I hope that helps, and best of luck with the event - I'm sure it'll go great!

 

[Academic Weapon]

Has anyone heard from Addleshaw Goddard (AG) post WG?

 

[aspringlawyer25]

Anyone heard back from Osborne Clarke post that bloody SHL test?

 

[Lawlawland]

Highly shy to put this out, but I would highly appreciate if anyone who was successful with Slaughter and May's application stage could DM me and go through the CV and CL.

I would like to reciprocate the favour for firms I've been successful with.

 

[c.t.tc]

For the Mishcon chat interview can you have your notes open at the same time as typing the answers?

Not really - they said at the open day that they get notified if you switch screens

 

[c.t.tc]

Anyone heard back from Osborne Clarke post that bloody SHL test?

They said they would only get back to people a few weeks after the deadline in their confirmation email

 

[c.t.tc]

Anyone heard back from Osborne Clarke post that bloody SHL test?

Tbh I’ve completely forgotten about them though with how horrific that test was - genuinely the worst one ive ever had to do

 

[yasmars]

Tbh I’ve completely forgotten about them though with how horrific that test was - genuinely the worst one ive ever had to do

Was it as bad as TW?

 

[elizabethkate]

Also can someone confirm if there is time in between the chat and VI answers? e.g can I do the chats in PJs and have enough time to wear a shirt for the vI section?

yeah you pick how fast you go i wore PJs through chat then shirt for video

 

[elizabethkate]

For the Mishcon chat interview can you have your notes open at the same time as typing the answers?

idk everyone else’s experience but i had the webcam on the whole time recording me and when i clicked my camera went black so i couldn’t click but i had some hand written notes

 

[Prudentia]

Does anyone know what the Clifford Chance WG pass mark is for TC?

They don’t have a set pass mark. You’re ranked based on how well your cohort does. That’s why they advise scoring as high as you possibly can.

 

[emily3827]

Hey!

I'd recommend emailing them now rather than waiting. Firms will usually prefer the transparency, and it's much easier for them to move you into a different pool of candidates rather than trying to reorganise when they've given out offers (as at that point, they may need to ask people to swap to the other scheme if there are set numbers for each).

If you politely explain that you have have another WVS and would like to be considered for the spring scheme instead, they're normally understanding - I did this last cycle and asked to be considered for the spring scheme instead, and still ended up receiving an offer.

I would just send a polite and appreciative email, as I'm sure it is unlikely to be a problem

perfect, thank you so much !!

 

[Prudentia]

I'd say I hope they all move to something more like Amberjack if they really wanna keep online assessments. The options are more sensible and not as much of a false dichotomy as they are in Cappfinity imo but as long as VSs/TCs remain this competitive, they're gonna use whatever they can to filter people out.

It's such a shame as well because promising candidates get tripped up by these false dichotomies esp in Cappfinity tests. Take the slider questions where you get examples like "I'm practical and down-to-earth vs I'm thoughtful and reflective" (I've learned the hard way that you get better scores if you hard commit to one side rather than sit in the middle). In this example, I'd say being thoughtful and reflective can lead to you becoming practical and down-to-earth. The Cappfinity reports don't give useful, quantifiable, or seemingly substantiated feedback (as compared to e.g. Amberjack's pillars) either.

These companies must really have some excellent salespeople considering they earn millions in revenue by essentially scamming major employers within the the market for "screening high volumes of applications". Ironically, after being tripped up by a lack of clarity on the ranking questions (it didn't state if 1 was best/most likely or worst/least likely) in a non-law test once, I've been asking the firms that use Cappfinity if they've looked into this before I even make an application, and a couple of firms did say that they spotted that and made sure to adjust the wording on their tests lmao.

Really does feel like we're all being made to jump through fiery hoops and walk across trapezes on our hands to even get to an AC these days. I do hope, at the very least, that law firms move away from Cappfinity.

I don’t think the purpose of these tests (Cappfinity, Watson Glaser, etc) is to find the best candidates (regardless of what the marketing says). I think they’re purely meant to knock as many candidates out as possible to reduce the number of applications needing human review. Law firms can’t manually review thousands of applications, so an easy way to massively reduce that number is to introduce an online test they know will trip a lot of people up.