TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[SNA99]

VI for Eversheds!! Would be grateful for any tips people might have as I know it's stengths based

 

[Hakbar_04]

gosh I just did my Hogan Lovells test and found the video questions so hard and unnatural. I spoke about the topic of the third question in my second question so it felt a bit too repetitive too, though I did shift focus. I am usually a good speaker but it feels too artificial

Completely understand how you feel and, for those of us who aren't proficient at producing talking-to-camera videos on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts, it makes sense: this isn't a skill you'd have had experience with before! The best advice I can give is honestly that practice makes perfect! And the good thing is you can practice by yourself by just filming your answers to different questions in your own time on your laptop/phone. It'll feel odd and cringey at first, but with time it'll become second nature.

 

[asplawyer100]

Anyone got an Dentons VI tips?

Hi, when did you do the Dentons high potential assessment?

 

[Aimee :)]

Anyone else here able to get top-notch work experiences outside all these vac schemes? I managed to basically get in everywhere else like in house in bigtech/fintechs etc but I haven't been able to get a single vac scheme... wondering if that's something that's maybe off putting to law firms?

I think it's great and really useful that you've managed to get work experience outside of standard vac schemes and I don't think it is off putting to law firms at all!

I managed to get a few in-house experiences during my second year of university (after I had received rejections from every single vac scheme application I made that cycle) but when it came to applying in third year, I was genuinely asked during a vac scheme interview why I hadn't applied for a DTC considering I already had plenty of experience. My experience wasn't just legal either, it varied from finance to public affairs, and I really utilised my many years of hospitality work!

I must have applied to 50+ vacation schemes over three years and secured 3 schemes total, but I was invited to the final stages for 4 DTC's before I was finally offered a TC, all because I was able to use my work experience outside of vac schemes to my advantage. I promise that all experience is good experience!

My advice would be to focus on the transferable skills, how and why that experience has pushed you to apply for X firm, and be honest/realistic about the differences between the experience you have and the experience you want to continue gaining.

I hope this is helpful, and best of luck!

 

[TheLegalEdit]

Hi guys, for the people that have applied to Reed Smith, how quickly did you get the test invite? Also any tips on how to do well on the Amberjack (I’ve seen that’s what Reed Smith use) would be greatly appreciated

 

[umkcl]

Anyone else here able to get top-notch work experiences outside all these vac schemes? I managed to basically get in everywhere else like in house in bigtech/fintechs etc but I haven't been able to get a single vac scheme... wondering if that's something that's maybe off putting to law firms?

I completely understand this feeling as I went through the same concerns, but it ended up not being an obstacle. I had experience in big tech companies and smaller law firms outside the UK, and ended up getting a direct training contract with a City law firm without even doing a vacation scheme. Don't let a non-traditional path discourage you, it's all about how well you can translate the skills you learned in the application. Highlight the tasks and skills that align with the law firm's work. Personally, I really emphasised what I had learned while working at big tech and how it taught me about the corporate world as a whole. They appreciate people coming from different backgrounds, so this can actually be an advantage! Make sure you can explain why you are looking to work in a law firm as opposed to in-house now, highlight the ups and downs of working in-house, and why that experience led you to the conclusion that a law firm is more suitable for you.

 

[futuretraineeihope]

Hi, when did you do the Dentons high potential assessment?

Hi. I did it 06/12

 

[Archie]

Is 3 strengths to leverage and one opportunity for development ok as a DLA WG report?

Thanks!

Yes, absolutely!

These reports are designed to highlight an 'opportunity for improvement' to help you build the skills needed in law and strengthen you as a candidate and future lawyer (because, hey, none of us are perfect)!

Be super proud of the strengths the report highlighted, and reflect on times in your life you've demonstrated these strengths and how you could leverage them again at a law firm. You can then use these examples in future applications and/or interviews throughout your legal career.

I would suggest seeing the 'opportunity for development' as something also to reflect on, consider when you have demonstrated this in your life and how you can go about leaning into that more. That way you become an even more well-rounded candidate/lawyer.

So much in any career is responding to constructive feedback, and seeing it as an opportunity to continually improve. They're not weaknesses, you're just stronger in the other areas!

Remember, though, these reports will always highlight strengths and and opportunity for improvement. As far as I'm aware, they will never tell you there's no opportunities to improve!

 

[Aimee :)]

I appreciate the sentiment within your message. But my thought process isn't based on a single person's success. It's a view which I've developed across multiple application cycles (after seeing who makes it, and who doesn't).

I'd say that around 40-45% of my LLB cohort landed a role in commercial law prior to (or immediately after) graduating from university. In stark contrast, I've also seen some very bright people return to their home countries because they were unable to land a TC. And, these people didn't return home because they were incapable of becoming a commercial solicitor – they were effectively forced to return because they couldn't impress graduate recruitment.

This application cycle, I've written some of my best applications ever. I have only applied to firms which specialise (or have strengths) in the areas of law I am passionate about. I've had my applications reviewed by future/current trainees at the firms I've applied to. Their feedback has been very positive. These applications have been tailored, specific to the firm, and have demonstrated my knowledge/interest/experiences. Yet, for the vast majority of applications I've made, I haven't even been invited to a second stage.

The simple fact is that, while my grades are decent, my experiences aren't that impressive. You had a vac scheme before you secured a TC at a top US firm. My experience is limited to open days and the subjects I studied at university. I promise you, no matter how hard I try to spin the experiences I have, I won't be as successful as you without a great deal of luck.

I absolutely don't want to diminish what you are feeling, and as you have said you have already tried to spin your experiences, but I truly think that any experience you have can be used in an impressive way. I found that the work experience/CV sections meant a lot for my applications, so While I didn’t need to write about how working at McDonald’s made me want to be a solicitor in my main application, it was hugely beneficial in the work experience section to highlight transferable skills and basically tell firms that if I can handle all the downsides that come with a job like that, I can handle a law firm.

My second piece of advice is to call/email anywhere with a legal team and see if they have the capacity to offer you work experience. Most of my experience was outside traditional law roles and I really struggled to secure vac schemes, but I managed to get experience in a company’s in-house legal team. It’s probably one of the most valuable things on my CV now.

I know how disheartening the process can be. All it takes is one firm to say yes, and that will happen if you keep going!

 

[elle woods]

😮 so many new faces

 

[boots pharmacy]

Just checking again if Gibson has replied to anyone post-first stage interview, and how long it typically takes for their reply.

Is this for the Spring/Summer VS?

 

[elle woods]

Just checking again if Gibson has replied to anyone post-first stage interview, and how long it typically takes for their reply.

I've heard varying things - my friend apparently is "on hold" and then my other friend has already gotten an offer lol

And here i am, still not having applied HAHA

 

[umkcl]

I appreciate the sentiment within your message. But my thought process isn't based on a single person's success. It's a view which I've developed across multiple application cycles (after seeing who makes it, and who doesn't).

I'd say that around 40-45% of my LLB cohort landed a role in commercial law prior to (or immediately after) graduating from university. In stark contrast, I've also seen some very bright people return to their home countries because they were unable to land a TC. And, these people didn't return home because they were incapable of becoming a commercial solicitor – they were effectively forced to return because they couldn't impress graduate recruitment.

This application cycle, I've written some of my best applications ever. I have only applied to firms which specialise (or have strengths) in the areas of law I am passionate about. I've had my applications reviewed by future/current trainees at the firms I've applied to. Their feedback has been very positive. These applications have been tailored, specific to the firm, and have demonstrated my knowledge/interest/experiences. Yet, for the vast majority of applications I've made, I haven't even been invited to a second stage.

The simple fact is that, while my grades are decent, my experiences aren't that impressive. You had a vac scheme before you secured a TC at a top US firm. My experience is limited to open days and the subjects I studied at university. I promise you, no matter how hard I try to spin the experiences I have, I won't be as successful as you without a great deal of luck.

If I can chime in, I just want to broaden the perspective a little, because what you’re describing is honestly very common.

It’s completely normal not to have anything secured before graduating, even though it can feel like you're falling behind when you see people around you succeeding. However, I personally know many people who only secured training contracts after graduating. I’m one of them. I came to the UK for an LLM with absolutely no UK law firm experience and still managed to secure a TC after completing my degree.

After my first two rejections, I realised I was becoming really stressed and couldn’t keep up with both my studies and constant applications. Everyone around me was applying to countless firms, but that approach just wasn’t working for me. When I was almost done with my degree, I took a step back, waited until I had less academic pressure (though I was definitely stressed about my visa timeline), and focused properly on the quality of my application rather than the volume. That’s when things finally clicked.

In my final-stage interview, the other candidates were a mix of final-year students, people who had paralegalled for a few years, consultants, and career-changers. It really reinforced for me that there isn’t one “right” timeline. If you don’t secure a vac scheme, there are still plenty of other ways to build relevant experience that firms value.

There are genuinely many paths to becoming a solicitor. It doesn’t have to look like the fresh-out-of-uni route we often imagine. The average age of qualification is around 30 for a reason. Taking longer, working elsewhere, or doing things in a different order doesn’t mean you’ve failed;it just means your path looks different.

 

[CharlesT47]

Anyone have insight into Kirkland VI? What kinds of Qs can we expect? Please pm me I do have insight into Weil

 

[manifestingthetc]

I've heard varying things - my friend apparently is "on hold" and then my other friend has already gotten an offer lol

I was also placed on hold but i havent heard back in a while 🥲

 

[Archie]

Hi guys, for the people that have applied to Reed Smith, how quickly did you get the test invite? Also any tips on how to do well on the Amberjack (I’ve seen that’s what Reed Smith use) would be greatly appreciated

Hello!

I didn't apply to Reed Smith myself so I can't say how quickly you will get the test invite. However, I did complete a few Amberjack assessments previously and my biggest piece of advice, which you will hear recruiters say again and again, is to answer the questions authentically!

I know this sounds counter-intuitive because tests often require strategy, but whenever I completed an Amberjack assessment trying to second-guess the meaning behind the questions or went in with a pre-conceived strategy, I came out with a worse score.

I would suggest going into the test in the mindset of your 'professional self'. How would 'professional' you respond. That way, you know you did the very best that you could and that you were nothing other than yourself!

These tests often have a maths/grammar component, so having a calculator to hand and being in an environment where you won't be distracted will help you focus!

You've got this!!

 

[umkcl]

Also, does anybody know how firms that use vantage title emails with updates? Is it obvious from the subject what the result is? Im thinking HL and HSFK particularly!

In my experience with HL, the email subject line does make it clear when you’ve progressed to the next stage. For the final stage, they typically contact you by phone rather than email.

 

[Trophy]

😮 so many new faces

Yep and lots of broad paragraphs! Thought it was only myself that noticed aha

 

[TheLegalEdit]

Thank you so much! Great advice, I struggle with maths so these tests do worry me do you know if there are any practices tests I can do online?

 

[umkcl]

Does HL second test have VI?

In my experience, for a direct TC, I did not have to do a VI. However, I've heard from VS applicants that a VI is part of the second stage.