You can do it!!!! We believe in you! Ikr all my app with VIs put me on hold for weeks now while others have already received PFOs or ACs!
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Willkie rejection 
honestly not really sure where I'm going wrong with my applications at this point as I feel I've definitely gotten better at researching and writing them than before and I think they're also more tailored and specific compared to before. Sure I understand there's an element of luck involved but it's rough going without tangible results. My uni's careers service here also tells me that I write well and my answers are good so I'm not really sure what more I could change at this point
honestly not really sure where I'm going wrong with my applications at this point as I feel I've definitely gotten better at researching and writing them than before and I think they're also more tailored and specific compared to before. Sure I understand there's an element of luck involved but it's rough going without tangible results. My uni's careers service here also tells me that I write well and my answers are good so I'm not really sure what more I could change at this pointBEAST!
I got 92 for conclusions and 84 (lol) for assumptions. (We don't talk about arguments....🌚)
Hey! First of all, I just want to say that you really shouldn’t be disheartened by the rejections. I know it’s hard, and I don’t want to sound cliché by saying the LinkedIn favourite, “rejection is redirection,” but honestly, sometimes a rejection simply means going back to your application and reflecting on it with any feedback you’re able to get (when firms do provide it).Hi guys please can I have some honest ideas of what you think is going wrong here because I’m getting constant rejections. I’m on my second application cycle, this time taking a far more tailored approach and only applying to firms I’ve interacted with and been to open days at. All of my applications are proofread by people that have secured TCs and I’ve read lots of successful cover letters so I know I’m along the right lines. I have top grades, study at Cambridge, hold society positions, have work experience law and non-law - please help 😓 I think I’m being filtered out by these assessments but I’ve been practising them loads
It also sounds like you’re already doing a lot of the right things. Having people around you who have secured TCs and are willing to proofread and advise you is genuinely half the battle, so that’s a real positive. I’m also a non-law student, and when I was applying, I remember feeling particularly anxious about the assessments. Looking back, I think I sometimes made them more intimidating than they needed to be because of that non-law background.
In terms of practical steps, continuing to practise mock assessments where you can is definitely helpful, as is spending time with each firm’s recruitment materials and website so you feel properly prepared going in. Consistently asking for feedback is also really important, you can only improve with feedback. When you receive a rejection, it’s always worth emailing to ask if they can share anything specific you could work on.
Most importantly, try not to get too in your own head about the assessments. You clearly have a strong profile, and you’ve already achieved a lot. You’ve got this! Keep reminding yourself of that.
I made this post a while ago about firms without any online tests so hopefully this will help
Thank you!I made this post a while ago about firms without any online tests so hopefully this will help
Willkie VI invite! Very surprised though! Submitted 08/12 08.12 am
Still waiting for Weil, completed the tests on 24/11, wondering whether I got reserved again as I've seen people got PFOs and ACs 😢
Still waiting for Weil, completed the tests on 24/11, wondering whether I got reserved again as I've seen people got PFOs and ACs 😢
willkie pfo (surprising, cant quite spot a mistake in my application) and linklaters wg result: 37/40 or 97 percentile
Hi — thanks for being so open about this. I know how frustrating and demoralising it can feel, especially when on paper you’re doing everything “right”.Hi guys please can I have some honest ideas of what you think is going wrong here because I’m getting constant rejections. I’m on my second application cycle, this time taking a far more tailored approach and only applying to firms I’ve interacted with and been to open days at. All of my applications are proofread by people that have secured TCs and I’ve read lots of successful cover letters so I know I’m along the right lines. I have top grades, study at Cambridge, hold society positions, have work experience law and non-law - please help 😓 I think I’m being filtered out by these assessments but I’ve been practising them loads
I really relate to this. I studied at a top law university too (think UCL/LSE/KCL), where it often felt like everyone around me was securing TCs early — we even had multiple people in my cohort get Clifford Chance TCs. Despite strong grades, lots of feedback, and plenty of preparation, I struggled to consistently get past certain stages (particularly ACs). That experience taught me how little these outcomes can reflect ability.
A few important points to keep in mind:
- The process is extremely competitive, and many excellent candidates are filtered out.
- There’s a reason the average age of qualification is around 30 — this journey is rarely linear.
- Rejections at assessment stages are not a reflection of your intelligence or potential.
- Is it Watson Glaser, job sims, written exercises, or video interviews?
- If it’s Watson Glaser for example, and you’re repeatedly falling out despite lots of practice, it might be worth adjusting strategy rather than assuming it’s a weakness. Many top US firms don’t use WG at all and instead assess candidates through other methods that may better suit your strengths.
Few days ago I think, you can scrolled over as it says he got an email that passed the benchmark, don't know whether it's an instant AC or not as it was not sent to everyone 😌
My friend has
Edit: pls don’t ask me anymore than this because I don’t know anymore than this myself 😭
thank you elle woods future a&os trainee i missed u too😭
Whilst the Willkie PFO may be frustrating, that Linklaters WG score is unreal — 37/40 and 97th percentile is seriously impressive 😭🔥
That should definitely make you a serious contender for the AC!
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