TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[avocadob]

Should we assume pfo for CMS if we didn't receive an invite yesterday for VI..?

 

[elizabethkate]

Does anyone know how firms tend to deal with requests to unsubmit an application

i went to firm open day after submitting and asked the hiring team what i can do and they said i could re submit with another email and they’d scrap the other one so there’s options and i still got through to AC so it’s not always bad as long as u talk to them and explain why your unsubmitting and trying again

 

[LaDiva]

Withers have confirmed the other day that they review applications on a rolling basis, yet 4 weeks post-app and still no response. Should I email them or is that frowned upon? I'm starting to think my application got lost in their system!!

 

[Bread]

Does anyone know if the amberjack verbal/numerical tests actually have a 'right' answer to them?
I thought I did pretty well in one of them as I made sure to analyse every detail and go over my calculations several times, but I always end up with a mid score for both. Any tips on how I could improve and reach the high level?

Ofc they have right answers they are math problems 😭
If your calculations don’t match the options, try to make sure you are reading the question and interpreting the data correctly

 

[Legallywhatever]

Hi everyone,

For the first time, graduate recruitment at Osborne Clarke is live in the forum to answer your questions. You can ask them anything here.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Jaysen

I know i've asked too many times now lol but has this been prerecorded and it is anywhere that we can watch it?

Edit: Nvm found it now!

 

[maylawwww]

Withers have confirmed the other day that they review applications on a rolling basis, yet 4 weeks post-app and still no response. Should I email them or is that frowned upon? I'm starting to think my application got lost in their system!!

Withers says on their website: "Applications close mid-January. We start to review applications approximately one month prior to the application deadline." So while they're rolling, they haven't started to review them yet!
Besides, 4 weeks is not insanely long to progress to the next stage. I have had rolling firms that progress me to the next stage a couple of months after the application, it just depends on how on it they are, I guess!

 

[a1024]

what time is the deadline for Dentons?

 

[ali-k]

why are BCLPs questions 500 words each? do they really want us to write close to 500 words? might sound a silly question just wondering if anyone has done their application if they did 500 for each

 

[user55998384]

Hi everyone - I have a Latham Q. I was successful for their open day which fast tracks to the vac scheme (don't need to do SJT or VI again but still need to write written app). BUT one of the Qs for the vac scheme is exactly the same as the one I wrote for the open day (a question on extracurriculars, interests, etc...). Is it alright for me to reuse the same Q? I forgot to ask this with gradrec!

hey , i was at the open day too and asked this - they said j copy and paste that answer as they obviously liked it!

 

[Dannie]

Guys is there no option to apply for a spring/summer vac at Sullivn & Cromwell if you're a 3rd yr law student

 

[johnsmith]

Does anyone know if the amberjack verbal/numerical tests actually have a 'right' answer to them?
I thought I did pretty well in one of them as I made sure to analyse every detail and go over my calculations several times, but I always end up with a mid score for both. Any tips on how I could improve and reach the high level?

Yes, the numerical ones definitely! I know I got one wrong on the A&O S, The same question came up again, and I got it right that time.

 

[WeGotThis!]

Has Reed Smith done any ACs for WVS?

 

[lelezb1]

Does anyone know if Davis Polk requires a completed pgdl from someone who completed their law degree outside the UK?

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Has Reed Smith done any ACs for WVS?

I believe, for their vac schemes, they hold ACs for both then ask people to choose which one they prefer when they get an offer. And I don't think they hold AC's before the deadline which is Dec 19th

 

[Maddy]

Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith Is it fair to assume that I’ve been rejected by Reed Smith, given that I completed the video interview in the first batch but haven’t been invited to an assessment centre for winter vacation scheme?

 

[nbjani]

Sorry to hear about RS and HL. If you don't mind me asking, how long did RS take to get back to you?

Quite a while - I think I did my tests like 4-6 weeks ago?

 

[Life_of_PFOs]

why are BCLPs questions 500 words each? do they really want us to write close to 500 words? might sound a silly question just wondering if anyone has done their application if they did 500 for each

Hi there, I applied to BCLP last year. I did 500 words for each question, and progressed to the first-stage interview. However, writing 400-450 words per question should be sufficient.

 

[shadowkiller]

Does anyone know if the Amberjack pillars have a benchmark? I got a 22 combined however I felt the VIs went well. Is there a chance?

 

[Donuttime]

Does anyone know if the Amberjack pillars have a benchmark? I got a 22 combined however I felt the VIs went well. Is there a chance?

Hey what firm was this for?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith Is it fair to assume that I’ve been rejected by Reed Smith, given that I completed the video interview in the first batch but haven’t been invited to an assessment centre for winter vacation scheme?

Hi!

I definitely wouldn't assume a rejection! As far as I'm aware, I don't believe many (if any!) assessment centre invites have been sent out yet, so I'd say that they are still making decisions post-VI. When I applied last cycle, there was around a month in between my online assessment and AC invite