TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[RasAlGhul]

weird question but does anyone know if grad rec watches the part of amberjack recording when you’re just doing the sjt and other non-vi questions? i just realised i looked like an actual homeless person while doing those questions with all my weird expressions coming out…also today was not a good hair day if my frizzy hair girlies can relate!!!

Not a weird question at all and I promise you’re not the first (or last) person to panic about this.

Short answer is no, grad rec is not sitting there watching your facial expressions while you do the SJT.

The SJT and other non-VI questions are assessed based on your answers, not how you looked while selecting them. Even if your camera happened to be on in the background, recruiters aren’t replaying that footage or judging reactions, there would be absolutely no value in that for them.

I remember asking this question to grad rec and this is what they told me.

 

[JoiBoy]

Freshfields VS post-AC rejection

 

[nicoledm]

RS, Macfarlanes, Skadden PFO followed by a CMS AC. Interesting day i suppose

I’m just a girl standing in front of a boy asking what office for CMS?
Haha for real tho, congrats on the AC that’s the important thing you should focus on, it only takes one yes!

 

[JoiBoy]

has anyone heard back after the ff ac?

I have heard back, did get rejected through email despite them saying they will call regardless of the outcome 😒

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

Freshfields VS post-AC rejection

im so sorry to hear that💔rly well done for getting that far tho

 

[JoiBoy]

im so sorry to hear that💔rly well done for getting that far tho

Thank you! It was my first AC so taking it as a learning experience.

 

[elle woods]

Thank you! It was my first AC so taking it as a learning experience.

woah that's a tough AC to do as your first AC - well done on completing it!

 

[hawkins19]

Clyde and Co VI! I’m both excited at terrified, Clyde is one of my absolute dream firms. Thanks to everyone on this forum for your insights and support getting from 16 first stage rejections last cycle to being able to get through various stages this time. Would anyone have any insights into this VI specifically? I also have DLA TI tomorrow morning too and insights would be appreciated. Keep smashing it everyone!

Did this a couple of weeks ago. My main advice would be to WATCH THE VIDEOS on the platform properly before answering the questions!

 

[manifestingthetc]

Hey guys!, for those who have progressed to WE with Ashurst last cycle or this cycle, what qualities did you get for the online assessment ? would be v grateful, I was shown 2 strengths and one weakness

 

[TortillaTC]

Could you share your SJT scores across each of the four pillars and the verbal numerical sections of the test too? By passing, does it mean you got an AC invite from Weil, or that they emailed you to tell you you’d passed it? I’ve got my TI tomorrow so hoping I don’t flop it. 🙃​

there’s a TI for Weil??

 

[Shaky_Pete]

If you'd like some momentary light relief, I thoroughly recommend asking AI to rewrite one of your application form competency answers (describe a time when you overcame a problem is a good shout) in the style of a hillbilly ("I done had myself a heapin' helpin' of trouble, hotter than a billy goat in a pepper patch") or a sassy drag queen ("Honey, let me snatch your wig with this story! So picture me, high-heels, nails done, attitude set to the MAX...I slayed that problem with poise and sparkle") Etc.

 

[msclm]

Sidley tc offer 😭😭😭😭😭

 

[Aarav-TESTACCOUNT]

White and Case, Baker, Sidley and I was gonna do RPC but I might switch to Gibson Dunn. I know a lot of these are rolling... but I sorta think a month in advance should be enough for my application to be considered (correct me if I am wrong though)! To be honest I'm just scared I haven't done enough as I was aiming for 10 but some people have said do less, some do more! I have done 11 so far and 15 felt right haha

Hi Madison,

Applying around a month in advance is generally fine, even for rolling firms. Being earlier can help at the margins, but it isn’t the case that applications submitted slightly later are automatically discounted. Strong and well-thought applications are still read and progressed throughout the cycle.

For reference, I applied to White and Case a day before their deadline and despite timings, the quality of the application itself was enough to get me through to the AC stage.

On numbers, there really isn’t a magic figure. For most people, something in the 10–15 range is very normal, and 11 is already a solid spread. The fact that 15 felt right is probably a good sign that you’re thinking about your own capacity rather than forcing a number because others are doing more or less.

What matters far more now is whether you can keep the same level of quality across the rest of your applications, and whether your firm list makes sense for you. If that’s the case, you’re not under-applying, and you’re definitely not behind.

It’s easy to second guess at this stage, especially when you hear lots of conflicting advice, but from the outside this sounds like a sensible and well-balanced approach!

 

[Harvey Specter]

there’s a TI for Weil??

Nah it’s an adjustment for the VI. Idk if there is a separate TI but mine is just to replace the VI.​

 

[TortillaTC]

Nah it’s an adjustment for the VI.​

Ahh okay I see good luck!!

 

[elle woods]

Sidley tc offer 😭😭😭😭😭

congratulations!!! well donee

 

[e_turbo2]

Sidley tc offer 😭😭😭😭😭

BEST NEWS OF THE MONTH!! Congratsssss

 

[missfuturetraineemaybe]

Freshfields VS post-AC rejection

Hey,

I'm sorry to hear about this, rejections can be really frustrating But it is also an incredible achievement to have gotten to that stage in the process. I would recommend scheduling a call with graduate recruitment to receive feedback on how you performed during the AC. From my experience, this was always really helpful in highlighting the areas that I needed to focus on for my next one. I would also recommend putting together a bank of interview questions while it's still fresh in your mind as this will help you prepare for your next assessments and will likely to be useful for other firms too. You could also reach out to any successful candidates at Freshfields, e.g future trainees, to ask them how they approached their assessed tasks.

You are still such a strong candidate for getting to the AC and I trust that with all the lessons learned from this one, you'll be in an even stronger position for your next one!

 

[Aarav-TESTACCOUNT]

Skadden PFO. Caught me pretty off guard as it was my best application so far and sent it to get reviewed😭. I also have a decent amount of legal experience and hold a few positions of responsibility

Really sucks. That’s my 5th rejection out of the 8 firms I’ve applied to currently

I’m really sorry to hear that, especially when it was the application you felt strongest about.

However, a rejection from Skadden doesn’t mean your application wasn’t good. Their process is extremely competitive and can be quite unpredictable, with plenty of candidates with strong experience being rejected every year. It’s also surprisingly common for the application you’re most confident in not to be the one that progresses, simply because each firm is looking for something slightly different.

Five rejections out of eight feels heavy right now, but it’s still early and well within the range of what a lot of successful candidates experience at this stage. It took me 4 ACs and over 50 applications to finally land my TC.

One firm’s decision doesn’t define your cycle. Keep going with the same standard and the same intent, you’re still very much in this!

 

[manifestingthetc]

What would it mean if i haven't heard back from Eversheds today even if some received a VI invite and PFO? (help)