TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[panon4]

guys how are you passing SJTs? I desperately need help. I was rejected from Freshfields and Latham post stage 1 when I thought I aligned my answers with their values. I never stuck to do the middle of the sliding scale, always spoke to my supervisor first for the ranking questions etc. IDK wham I'm missing and I have Weil's SJT next Tuesday and I really want to pass it!

Any help would really be greatly appreciated

Hi @BobThebIlly, I understand your frustration with the situation judgment tests; they can seem extremely tricky on the surface, and I remember struggling with them when I first started applying too.

Here are a few tips for your upcoming Weil SJT:

• Continue leaning heavily on Weil's firm's values when answering questions. One tip is to have them written right in front of you so you can judge each question in perspective.
• The second is to avoid an automatic choice. While firms do want to see that you know when to escalate to a supervisor, for example, there will be situations where taking action and accountability may be better suited. An answer of always escalating could rank lower, especially at a firm like Weil, which prioritises efficiency when solving client issues.
• The final one is to watch this video by Idin Sabahipour, founder of LittleLaw, who does an excellent job of explaining how the SJT works and what firms look for.

Best of luck for Tuesday, we will be rooting for you!

 

[anjali20]

I hope we're not part of the small group who's only going to hear back in January :')

ahh seriously hope not! Someone I know who applied at the same exact minute as me heard back yesterday so I'm not sure how they're doing this hahaha

 

[panon4]

Really rogue question, but when you start the PGDL or SQE, how do people afford to live in London? I’m coming from Leeds and having to move down with my partner and for the life of us cannot see how we will manage it. Those who’ve done the SQE or going to, how do you make it work? Most firms I’m looking at give a 10-15k bursary but I’ve no idea how to make that work :/
- sorry if this is a really daft question, but I’ve tried to do some research and thought maybe this could be a good place to discuss since we will all (or majority) need to move down to London at some point?

Hi Jennifer! Not a rogue question at all, the cost of living in London is a really stressful topic for most/all of us SQE students. I am wrapping up my SQE year at BPP, so I understand the stress personally.

You're right that most firms only offer £12,000-£20,000 for the 12 months you'll be studying, which is hard to cover rent in Central, let alone pay for additional expenses. If you're a UK student, the easiest way is to take a post-graduate loan of up to £12,500, which has allowed most of my peers to pay their rent and use the remainder for personal expenses and additional SQE resources. This unfortunately isn't an option for international students.

Another practical tip is to houseshare or house hunt with 3-4 friends and start early. London renting is a painful process and as you get closer to September homes get pricier and fewer, so start early. Make sure that you check the travel costs to your SQE provider in advance as well to avoid a heft TFL or rail charge daily. If you have time before your SQE, firms are eager to hire paralegals who are currently future trainees and this has been a great work experience and way to make money before the course starts.

Towards the end of your SQE year, City firms will also begin offering interest-free loans, which they will deduct from your salary once you start. This can be a good stopgap before your TC starts and from personal experience very handy when the bursary starts to run dry!

I hoped this helps a little bit!

 

[Iwanobealawyer]

Baker McKenzie VI!!

Has anyone received a invitation or PFO from Baker McKenzie post SJT

 

[GT1205H]

i got 36/40 and 80 percentile so yes i assume it must have changed. i did get like 99 and 97 on assumptions and conclusions.

For everyone talking about the percentiles for Linklaters WG, in my report it says that the norm group is from 2024 so it shouldn’t changed. Bare in mind that they also have the subscales (RED) which means that even if your norm group is the same and score is the same, the percentile might differ depending on the subscales

 

[abc124]

ahh seriously hope not! Someone I know who applied at the same exact minute as me heard back yesterday so I'm not sure how they're doing this hahaha

Yeah same! People who applied after me have heard back, I've been waiting since 2/12 lol

 

[roo4]

fieldfisher interview invite

Congrats!!!! Can I ask when you applied?

 

[panon4]

I'm quite stuck with these Akin questions:

What motivates you to pursue a career as a commercial solicitor, and why do you see Akin as the right place to begin that journey?
What are you looking for in your legal career, and how do you see a firm like Akin helping you achieve those goals?

I feel like motivations and career goals overlap - say I'm motivated by complex reasoning. Naturally my career goal may also be to build on that interest and become even better at it? And then I also feel like there's not that many diverse Akin-specific points you can make to support your answers - if I mention Akin's culture in q1 then I shouldn't say the same thing in q2...And I can't really mention wanting to develop my professional interests in the career goals question because that's already covered in another question on which practice area at Akin interests you most.

Idk if that makes sense I think I may be going mad lol

Hi @abc124, the confusion is justified given how closely the two questions are worded. @Abbie Whitlock answered this question brilliantly a few weeks ago, I would recommend looking at that!

Hey!

They do seem similar at first glance, but you can separate them by focusing on motivation vs long-term aspirations.

1. "What motivates you to pursue a career as a commercial solicitor, and why do you see Akin as the right place to begin that journey?"

Here, you want to explain:

• Why commercial law? (e.g. interest in global markets, problem-solving, transactional work, client exposure, fast-paced environments, etc.)
• Your motivation (what sparked your interest and what keeps you driven)
• Why Akin specifically: link your interests to things that Akin is known for, such as: (1) standout practice areas, (2) lean team structure and responsibility early on, (3) international exposure, (4) culture / values you have researched, (5) training approach, (6) pro bono, and (7) recent deals that you have read about.
• Make sure to link the why Akin to your past experiences - essentially answering why you want to pursue commercial law, and why Akin is the space that you particularly want to pursue it.

2. "What are you looking for in your legal career, and how can Akin help you get there?"

This is more forward-looking. I'd focus on:

• What you want from your development as a lawyer during your training contract (e.g. early responsibility, strong training, international work, high-value transactions, supportive culture, client exposure, etc.)
• The kind of lawyer you hope to become (which could potentially link to your motivations to becoming a lawyer)
• How Akin enables that progression: tie specific firm features to your goals (e.g. pro bono opportunities, global platform, small intake, etc.)

I hope that helps!

 

[panon4]

Does anybody have a list of firms offering DTCs already? I am trying to manage my workload in that sense now

Hi @LawAspirer! TCLA has put together this helpful calendar of all direct training contract deadlines.

Best of luck with your applications!

 

[Amgrad]

Got email from Fieldfisher that my application is on hold until 26 January 2026. Don't know what it means, I applied for DTC

 

[ExcitingEasting]

Has anyone done Clyde & Co VI? If so, how did they find it?

 

[panon4]

Do you have to physically stay in London while studying for the SQE? Can you not do it online if you are an international student?

Hi @Bree! That's a good question, and unfortunately, the answer is that it depends on each firm.

Each firm sets its own policy for the SQE and all trainees have to follow that, international and domestic alike. Many City firms, such as the Magic Circle, Silver Circle, and US firms like Latham, Goodwin, White & Case etc. require trainees to be at BPP or University of Law in Central London.

Attendance is tracked quite strictly, so firms expect that you will attend 10 weeks of in-person at these campuses for the SQE1, four weeks for the SQE2, and potentially more for additional training. Since firms also use this time to help the incoming trainee class to interact within their cohort and with other firms, there is very rarely an option to go online instead.

However, several firms, such as Davis Polk, Baker McKenzie, etc, provide access to BARBRI or similar online test providers for the SQE.

Hope this help!

 

[ojharrison]

Thank you so much! This makes sense. @ojharrison I had another question, sorry for so many. Do these generally start in September? What does the timeline look like?

Don't apologise! Happy to help!

It may vary from firm to firm but yes, SQE courses generally start in September.

An example of my ULaw timeline:
September 2024 - SQE 1&2 course started.
August 2025 - classes ended, some coursework still ongoing.
September 2025 - generally hand-ins complete. September 2025 cohort trainees start their TC.
October 2025 - SQE course officially ends.
March 2026 - March 2026 cohort trainees (if applicable) start their TC.

As most firms begin their TCs in September, I imagine this timeline will be the same/similar for most firms, though it would look different if the applicant needed to do the PGDL.

 

[radssss]

I’ve been put on waitlist for Fieldfisher (applied on deadline day).
I did the TI last year and got rejected :/

 

[panon4]

Hi Forum! I'm Pranjal Pande, a Future Trainee Solicitor at Norton Rose Fulbright in London. I am currently completing my SQE at BPP University, with just two months remaining. Happy to answer any questions about applications, the SQE, and anything in between!

 

[Heartofglass]

Clifford Chance PFO after VI. What's even worse is that they did not have the decency to insert my name into the email. It literally started with: "Dear [Candidate name]"

 

[radssss]

Clifford Chance PFO after VI. What's even worse is that they did not have the decency to insert my name into the email. It literally started with: "Dear [Candidate name]"

Oh same with Fieldfisher waitlist email. Madness

 

[AMullin]

Has anyone heard from Reed Smith since the last batch they sent out on Tuesday? I'm still trying to take no news as good news lol.

For reference, I did my VI on 25th Nov. If anyone did their VI after me and has gotten a response please react to this message.🤲

Hey!

I did my VI last Thursday and got the PFO on Tuesday, I’m guessing because I did so badly on the SJT it was an automatic fail.

I would definitely take your no news as good news!

 

[Amgrad]

Clifford Chance PFO after VI. What's even worse is that they did not have the decency to insert my name into the email. It literally started with: "Dear [Candidate name]"

Same as Fieldfisher waitlisted email, Dear %Applicant Name%, Application for %vacancy title%,

The HR team are lazy to tailor the CRM response, poor ERP systems. Very unprofessional lol

 

[user55998384]

I’ve been put on waitlist for Fieldfisher (applied on deadline day).
I did the TI last year and got rejected :/

hey so sorry to hear - is this for the pathway to practice?