TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[iwatchsuits]

Very kind of you for saying this! I needed to hear this, I'm pretty sure most of us here do.

I commute 3.5 hours everyday for my internship, and use that time to draft answers, get back home after 10 hour work at an immigration based and do the tests. I barely have any time to prepare for them tbh.

Working in person client leaves a little room to keep up-to-date with Commerical news. I miss my home, we live in a 6 hour time difference and it's hard catching up with people.

I'm literally spending all of my free hours and holidays on application prep, research and drafting answers, and I just hope all these struggles are worth it.

I'm sending you the love and admiration right back at you! I hope you find yourself a place at a firm you feel belonged. Goodluck with your university ✨

You're amazing! I hope you're able to have a restful Christmas❤️

 

[Shaky_Pete]

Law firms only want candidates who have great skills.

 

[SamiyaJ]

6,6,6,3 (creative force) in amberjack.. goodbye Mishcon hun can’t wait to have one to one with AI chat therapy bot again next year xx

 

[elle woods]

I dropped my phone on my forehead and it's left a big big bump... can I still do my VI like this 😭 why am I so stupid HELP
wish VIs came with natural in-built filters...

 

[shadowboxer909]

I dropped my phone on my forehead and it's left a big big bump... can I still do my VI like this 😭 why am I so stupid HELP
wish VIs came with natural in-built filters...

How does that even happen?

Someone must have been lying in bed while their phone is being held directly above their eyes...

Should be sleeping, not browsing thecorporatelawacademy 😂

 

[Rads]

Can we expect law firms to get back this week before Christmas?

 

[oliviabeijing]

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

I haven’t had invitation or PFO… so assuming it’s PFO?

 

[yk1906]

Trying to fit 5 apps before NYE... I forgot how hard it is to be productive when all my family is at home every day (I love them, though)!

 

[johnsmith]

Got up nice and early and got Mishcon done - my report hasn't rendered properly with any text but looks like 7/6/6/9 - high numerical but middling verbal though so unsure where I went wrong.

 

[wrpark]

Hey guys, I'm working on the Farrer & Co SVS application, and main issue I'm facing is that they have four 300-word questions, and I'm a bit worried that my answers will have too big of an overlap / sound repetitive. For example, they have one question on academic and formal work experiences that have equipped me for a career in commercial law, one question on non-academic and formal work, and then also "why this firm" and "why commercial law" questions -- which, at that point, all of my personal experience that made me want to work at Farrer & Co and in commercial law would've been covered in the earlier two questions. Anything to do with my degree or work experiences that gained me skills and interest in the field would've been mentioned, as well as open days or insight events as a part of the non-academic/work experiences question. Would really appreciate guidance on this!!

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

Is GD’s test automatic? I’d really appreciate if anyone had any tips??

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

Can’t get through to anyone on Early Careers to restart the VI where I lost my Internet connection. It’s quite stressful!

 

[Donuttime]

Apart from Weil, A&O, MB and now MISHCON what other firms do amberjack so I know who to avoid hahah

 

[summersun]

Hi does anyone have any insight into the VWV online assessment. It says it only takes five minutes and to answer honestly but somehow doubt that pure honesty is the best policy ... also five minutes seems so short!

 

[Amgrad]

Apart from Weil, A&O, MB and now MISHCON what other firms do amberjack so I know who to avoid hahah

For those which still open or will open: Stephenson Harwood, Reed Smith

 

[TortillaTC]

I got the Weil test last Tuesday so the deadline to complete should be tomorrow right? Candid sends reminders and in the most recent one, they said complete by today Monday, should I play it safe and not leave it to tomorrow?

 

[TCLA0322]

Trying to fit 5 apps before NYE... I forgot how hard it is to be productive when all my family is at home every day (I love them, though)!

Same. Still 5 to go before NYE, and I was sick for no reason today. Testing my resilience.

 

[alphabravocharlie]

Is the GD cap test just sjt and what strengths are they looking for ?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey guys, I'm working on the Farrer & Co SVS application, and main issue I'm facing is that they have four 300-word questions, and I'm a bit worried that my answers will have too big of an overlap / sound repetitive. For example, they have one question on academic and formal work experiences that have equipped me for a career in commercial law, one question on non-academic and formal work, and then also "why this firm" and "why commercial law" questions -- which, at that point, all of my personal experience that made me want to work at Farrer & Co and in commercial law would've been covered in the earlier two questions. Anything to do with my degree or work experiences that gained me skills and interest in the field would've been mentioned, as well as open days or insight events as a part of the non-academic/work experiences question. Would really appreciate guidance on this!!

Hello!

There definitely is some overlap across the questions, but the key thing to remember is that they are each testing different things! A way that I would think about it:

1. Academic & Formal Work Experience

For this question, I’d focus on the skills and competencies from your past experiences that would help you as a commercial lawyer - for example, legal analysis, drafting, research, dealing with clients, teamwork, time pressure, etc. You can definitely briefly mention what you did in these roles, but I would spend most of the word count on what the experience taught you and how it prepares you for working as a lawyer (either as a trainee, or once qualified).

2. Non-Academic & Informal Experience

This answer should focus less on law, and is more about soft skills and values. These are traits that can be developed, but are usually more intrinsic - things such as resilience, communication, leadership, initiative, organisation, etc. Open days and insight events can be mentioned, but only lightly - the stronger experiences will usually be volunteering, societies, sports, etc. You can then link these back to being a strong trainee at the firm.

3. Why Commercial Law

For this question, reflect on what you enjoyed about the commercial aspects or experiences that you have already discussed that made you interested in commercial law as a career. For example, this could be problem-solving for clients, working in teams, the pace and responsibility. Your answer should focus on your overall motivations, rather than your past experiences - however, you can (and often should!) make brief links to your past experiences just to highlight how these motivations came to be.

4. Why Farrer & Co

This is where you need to show research into the firm, and ensure that it is tailored and personalised. Discuss unique traits about the firm that motivate you to apply there - for Farrers, this might be their unique client base, interesting practice areas and work, their 6-seat TC model, or their overall training style. You can briefly link back to your experiences, but only to explain why they make Farrer & Co a good match for you, rather than to re-describe them.

It’s absolutely fine if the same experience appears in more than one answer - the graduate recruitment team will expect this! However, you just have to make sure that the focus of each answer is different, and that you don’t discuss your experiences word-for-word.

I hope that helps, and best of luck with the application!

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Hey guys, I'm working on the Farrer & Co SVS application, and main issue I'm facing is that they have four 300-word questions, and I'm a bit worried that my answers will have too big of an overlap / sound repetitive. For example, they have one question on academic and formal work experiences that have equipped me for a career in commercial law, one question on non-academic and formal work, and then also "why this firm" and "why commercial law" questions -- which, at that point, all of my personal experience that made me want to work at Farrer & Co and in commercial law would've been covered in the earlier two questions. Anything to do with my degree or work experiences that gained me skills and interest in the field would've been mentioned, as well as open days or insight events as a part of the non-academic/work experiences question. Would really appreciate guidance on this!!

Check their website under FAQs. They tell you EXACTLY what they want you to put in these answers