TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[InterestInPublicLaw]

For Mishcon's chat based assessment and the SJT, are they to be done after the 28/11 deadline (not together with the initial application)? I'm going to submit it on 27/11 or 28/11 so just wanted to make sure that I dont miss the deadline.

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Has someone gotten past the app stage for Skadden in previous years? Please DM! Can give info about Weil/DLA.

 

[letsdothis]

Congrats! Is this for spring or summer?

Thanks! It’s for spring 😊

 

[DavidJC]

Hi, does anyone have tips for Arctic Shores assessment, especially the Gowling one? I see there are some discussions but couldn't really see how to navigate it and get a good score. It's my first Arctic Shores assessment and any insights will be appreciated!

Not done the Gowling one, just the NRF one and a couple other non-law ones in the past.

I would try and make sure you're in a really calm and relaxed environment (difficult with a test, I know!) and really get focussed, especially for the middle two games. These tests are geared towards directly testing your soft skills and the NRF one, from what I understood about the test, in order of games, tested your pattern recognition/problem-solving, attention to detail/focus/ability to perform under pressure (both games in the middle test this in similar but different ways), and emotional intelligence on the basis of recognition of facial cues (I honestly think this one is quite bs but you can find ways of "practising" by looking up facial expressions for different emotions).

Hope this helps, I've never used any practice tests for these so can't recommend any of those, I'm afraid.

 

[Amgrad]

Not done the Gowling one, just the NRF one and a couple other non-law ones in the past.

I would try and make sure you're in a really calm and relaxed environment (difficult with a test, I know!) and really get focussed, especially for the middle two games. These tests are geared towards directly testing your soft skills and the NRF one, from what I understood about the test, in order of games, tested your pattern recognition/problem-solving, attention to detail/focus/ability to perform under pressure (both games in the middle test this in similar but different ways), and emotional intelligence on the basis of recognition of facial cues (I honestly think this one is quite bs but you can find ways of "practising" by looking up facial expressions for different emotions).

Hope this helps, I've never used any practice tests for these so can't recommend any of those, I'm afraid.

Thank you, but it's a bit late, the deadline was 2 hours before you were writing your post :')

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

@Andrei Radu Hi Andrei! With respect to the UK budget - how do you think the government borrowing that the Budget intends to decrease interacts with cuts in interest rates? What impact does this have on private lending do you think?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

is there a point for applying to BCLP spring now or should I do summer?

Hello!

I don’t necessarily think that it is too late - even if invites to later rounds have been sent out, it is likely that they will review all applications that have been submitted before the deadline (and there is plenty of chance to still be progressed).

The most important factor is whether you can submit a strong and tailored application - therefore, if you believe you can do that for the spring deadline, I would encourage you to apply if that scheme is more suitable.

However, if you feel you may benefit from some additional time to refine your application (and aren’t too fussed on the particular scheme), I would aim to submit early for the summer scheme.

Best of luck!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu , I was wondering what you thought about this question

Q4 - What skills/qualities are most important for the next generation of lawyers and describe a time where you've demonstrated these. (Max 200 words)

Do you think it's one time for each skill? Or just one example for all the skills? Also, would you have any advice for the 'next generation' part of the q?

Thank you!

Hello!

For Q4, you don’t necessarily need a separate example of each skill. With only 200 words, it might be more effective to identify 2-3 key skills / qualities and then use one strong example that demonstrates all of them in action. This allows the graduate recruitment team to see how your skills interact in a real situation, rather than a list of disconnected mini-stories.

For the “next generation of lawyers” part, it helps you frame your answers around qualities that reflect how the legal industry is evolving. Things such as adaptability, commercial awareness, tech-literacy, cross-team collaboration, or the ability to learn quickly tend to resonate as firms are thinking about the future of the profession, not just what lawyers needed 10 years ago.

A good structure to follow could be:

1. Briefly identify the skills you think matter for future lawyers
2. Explain why they matter in the modern legal landscape (with reference to changes in the legal market / profession)
3. Give one concise example of when you have demonstrated those skills

This keeps it clear, focused, and (hopefully!) within the word limit. I hope that helps!

 

[a1024]

what time is the deadline for taylor wessing?

 

[Kirsty Wilkins]

Hi Kirsty,

I submitted my application form recently and the GCSE section asked for the school name and the dates I attended. There was no space to include my GCSE subjects and/or results. Will this have an impact on my application?​

Hi @Harvey Specter

If you would like to message me privately with the name your application was submitted in I'll take a look at that for you as all the applications I've been reading have GCSE grades inputted, so I just want to ensure there's not something wrong in the system for one or two people. However no, missing GCSE results will not have an impact on your application.

Thanks,

Kirsty

 

[CharlesT47]

Hi @Harvey Specter

If you would like to message me privately with the name your application was submitted in I'll take a look at that for you as all the applications I've been reading have GCSE grades inputted, so I just want to ensure there's not something wrong in the system for one or two people. However no, missing GCSE results will not have an impact on your application.

Thanks,

Kirsty

Hi Kirsty,

I've had the same issue as Harvey Specter here. I've just looked at my form and there was no option for me to input my GCSE grades. There was only an option to list which school I went to for GCSEs. Could I PM you as well?

Best,
Charles

 

[msclm]

Invited to the travers smith recruitment day (post partner interview)! 😀

 

[user55998384]

Invited to the travers smith recruitment day (post partner interview)! 😀

congrats !!! is this for DTC?

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Invited to the travers smith recruitment day (post partner interview)! 😀

Congrats! do you mean AC? Also, when did you apply?

Invited to the travers smith recruitment day (post partner interview)! 😀

 

[msclm]

congrats !!! is this for DTC?

Yep

 

[msclm]

Congrats! do you mean AC? Also, when did you apply?

Yeah I think it’s their version of the AC, but they call it recruitment day lol

 

[zonnonomo]

hopped on two games of valorant before attempting an arctic shore and scored 20/20 ✍️

 

[DavidJC]

Can anyone please share how long FF stage 2 took them to complete?

 

[Amgrad]

hopped on two games of valorant before attempting an arctic shore and scored 20/20 ✍️

I did it after losing streak in a MOBA game, definitely my mental and stressed went down after that. I did awfully half yours.

 

[Kirsty Wilkins]

Hi Kirsty,

I've had the same issue as Harvey Specter here. I've just looked at my form and there was no option for me to input my GCSE grades. There was only an option to list which school I went to for GCSEs. Could I PM you as well?

Best,
Charles

Hi @CharlesT47

Thanks for letting me know, and yes, absolutely.

Thanks,

Kirsty