TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter]

NGL sorry if this sounds brutal, but firms which pay lower obv won't attract calibre candidates (including stellar grades), unless you have undeniable mitigating circumstances that you can't hinder, eg, you went coma at Hospital ICU, etc. Also, if you aren't part of DEI, your chances are low. If I were you, I'd be realistic not apply to competitive firms like HSFK, though many firms mentioned they'll consider mediocre grades, oftentimes you'll be competing with highly skilled candidates. I don't mean it's impossible, but you must be super lucky if you ended up get it. In the end, you should utilise extra last minute time to build your profile esp if you're still a student, WYATB!

Idk lad I don’t fully agree with this. HSFK is strict with the 2:1 in every module rule, but they’re still gna take mit circs into account. Wdym if you’re not DEI your chances are low? Grad rec at HSFK and most other city firms don’t see our info about identity cos it’s all anonymous.

Mind you, whilst I’ve got a high 2:1 overall, I also have a few 2:2 modules with mit circs, yet I was progressed with Skadden and Willkie. I’m under the impression they’re equally if not more strict or competitive than HSFK. There’s gna be more to an app than just ‘mediocre grades.’

I understand the intention behind wanting to be realistic or upfront with advice, but there’s a way to do so without being overly brutal. This process is super competitive but equally nobody should ‘self-reject’ out of fear of not being seen as competitive enough for any firm imo, inc HSFK.​

 

[maylawwww]

What office?

london

 

[DavidJC]

Just throwing it out there again, but is anyone able to offer any insights into the Mayer Brown VI, please? I'm aware of how many questions, and prep/response time, just curious if the questions are mainly motivational/commercial/competency/situational/strengths-based, or if it's e.g. one of each

 

[Arv_329]

DLA has no grade requirement - whereas HSF wants 2.1 in all modules.

True, but the post recommended the user not to apply to competitive firms. It's merely an example that you can get into city law even with 2:2 modules.

 

[halogenz]

NGL sorry if this sounds brutal, but firms which pay lower obv won't attract calibre candidates (including stellar grades), unless you have undeniable mitigating circumstances that you can't hinder, eg, you went coma at Hospital ICU, etc. Also, if you aren't part of DEI, your chances are low. If I were you, I'd be realistic not apply to competitive firms like HSFK, though many firms mentioned they'll consider mediocre grades, oftentimes you'll be competing with highly skilled candidates. I don't mean it's impossible, but you must be super lucky if you ended up get it. In the end, you should utilise extra last minute time to build your profile esp if you're still a student, WYATB!

Disagree. I progressed to AC with HSF with two 2:2s in my first year and a high 2:1overall (from a strong russell group) with mitigating circumstances -- def possible! please don't get put off by fear mongering and don't self reject... give it a shot if you like the firm

 

[TS.Law]

Has anyone heard from Pinsent? I did my blended assessments in early Nov and never heard back from them...

 

[DoNotRedeem]

Well, if you don't get the point I mentioned, it's ok. Just speaking about my experience outside with an additional insight from ppl who get through this process, in more recent ofc, I've seen that is hard to say that's above the average. Sometimes the truth is harsh, that's why at the end of sentence, I said you have more time to build the exact profile each firm want, building it isn't instant. 😌

I’ve gotten 3 vac scheme offers this season from a very similar profile to OP without the scholarship or year of prior experience. His profile is better than mine is. Your “truth” is not” true” no matter how you want to spin it.

 

[sadlawyer01]

Weil PFO - with my amberjack results it's not surprising 😬 😬

hi when did you do the assessment?

 

[yk1906]

hi when did you do the assessment?

A couple of days ago… On Friday, actually

 

[Jaysen]

NGL sorry if this sounds brutal, but firms which pay lower obv won't attract calibre candidates (including stellar grades), unless you have undeniable mitigating circumstances that you can't hinder, eg, you went coma at Hospital ICU, etc. Also, if you aren't part of DEI, your chances are low. If I were you, I'd be realistic not apply to competitive firms like HSFK, though many firms mentioned they'll consider mediocre grades, oftentimes you'll be competing with highly skilled candidates. I don't mean it's impossible, but you must be super lucky if you ended up get it. In the end, you should utilise extra last minute time to build your profile esp if you're still a student, WYATB!

I know other members have since clarified that this isn't correct. I'd just be mindful of passing off a personal experience as a 'harsh truth'.

For example, you might know applicants who didn't make it through the law firm process in a similar situation. And it's easy to form reasons as to why those people were rejected that align with a view you have (e.g. you have to have X to get a training contract). But that doesn't mean it's true. And it's unhelpful because it spreads the wrong idea of what someone needs to get a training contract.

If you have genuine mitigating circumstances (and it's not a test of 'severity'), law firms like HSFK will take it seriously, and you do very much have a chance of securing a training contract at those firms with an overall 2:1.

 

[Unknowncabbage]

NGL sorry if this sounds brutal, but firms which pay lower obv won't attract calibre candidates (including stellar grades), unless you have undeniable mitigating circumstances that you can't hinder, eg, you went coma at Hospital ICU, etc. Also, if you aren't part of DEI, your chances are low. If I were you, I'd be realistic not apply to competitive firms like HSFK, though many firms mentioned they'll consider mediocre grades, oftentimes you'll be competing with highly skilled candidates. I don't mean it's impossible, but you must be super lucky if you ended up get it. In the end, you should utilise extra last minute time to build your profile esp if you're still a student, WYATB!

This has got to be some of the worst advice I have seen. I know people who have secured TCs from firms like Latham with a mid-low 2:1. "Also if you aren't part of DEI, your chances are low" might have been the most ridiculous statement you made in all of that rubbish you typed.

 

[llblawstudent]

A couple of days ago… On Friday, actually

What scores did you get if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[Sharkfin]

NGL sorry if this sounds brutal, but firms which pay lower obv won't attract calibre candidates (including stellar grades), unless you have undeniable mitigating circumstances that you can't hinder, eg, you went coma at Hospital ICU, etc. Also, if you aren't part of DEI, your chances are low. If I were you, I'd be realistic not apply to competitive firms like HSFK, though many firms mentioned they'll consider mediocre grades, oftentimes you'll be competing with highly skilled candidates. I don't mean it's impossible, but you must be super lucky if you ended up get it. In the end, you should utilise extra last minute time to build your profile esp if you're still a student, WYATB!

0/9 for applied intellect

 

[wooliewoo]

Any pfos today from HSF? I got the pass email on 3 December. Hopefully no news is good news?

I have a 2:1 overall with a couple of 2:2 modules as well (with mitigating circumstances) so I’m worried but I had a scholarship at university for my degree (top Russell group) and one year of legal experience (silver circle firm) so I don’t know what to expect and it’s my dream firm.

Also, please can someone suggest me a few firms that are happy with a 2:1 overall and good work experience, are not too strict with grades?

Hi! I have been kinda MIA on here recently (taking a break because I am so burnt out) but I wanted to respond to this because I completely get how you feel!

With competition getting steeper, it's reasonable to worry whether you are good enough. But I want to reassure you that you have a competitive profile, and many firms will take a holistic assessment of your application and will certainly consider the mitigating circumstances!

Furthermore, your year of legal experience is actually a huge bonus! I have heard that with competition being so high, firms are valuing real experience (which is a bit ironic as it's so hard to get in the first place lol) so the fact you have some is amazing, especially in a commercial setting (makes life easier for them when they come to train you)!

I definitely wouldn't count yourself out, although I understand that this process is so draining and disheartening. Good luck with your applications!

 

[DavidJC]

Honestly, at the end of the day, no one really knows why anyone gets rejected at any stage except for the specific person/people who make the final decision to reject at that stage i.e. Grad Rec/Partners depending on the stage (as far as I'm aware)

 

[nicoledm]

Has anyone done the AG VI or know how long do we have to prep for each question and how long to answer!

 

[lelezb1]

I just completed a VI and now I wanna jump off a bridge. I tried to throw in some giggles in between cause I was crying internally 😭

 

[wooliewoo]

Does anyone have any insights on Milbank's first stage assessment? Does it have any VI components, or is it purely SJT? Tysm

 

[Donuttime]

Has anyone done the AG VI or know how long do we have to prep for each question and how long to answer!

Hey when did you complete the WG please xx

 

[Harvey Specter]

The competitiveness here is by meant the grades recruitment too, you can't really compare each firm's difficulty level, unless they've publicly disclosed the acceptance rate, strict grades req, etc. I've seen that how the competition is getting fierce, firms hiked their salaries year by year to attract topdogs. Of course from view holistic approach, you can't really compare your GF with him if you only assumed from grades as the sole indicator, and if that means to your GF, DEI play part for her too to achieve gender equality, etc.

I got full rides (fellowship) and by no meant I'm not competitive, yes it was mediocre when I was a sophomore/penultimate bcs I had no work exp, that would be mediocre to apply for a grad job/selective internship. Sorry if my wording sounds too harsh as Ikr y'all in a state of vulnerable and distressed emotion. I've been through all that as I am a recent grad with a similar situation as yours now 😊🙄

Honestly lad it’s clear you’ve got a certain view on this subject and others have a diff view so we should all agree to disagree. Let’s not start riots on the forum and keep it civil. People aren’t in a ‘state of vulnerability and distress’ for expressing a view that differs to yours. It doesn’t cost much to be kind and empathetic.​