TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Donna Paulsen]

They said at an event I went to that it was! I triple checked my own notes to be sure before I did my app too

Ugh I wish I knew this before wasting probably 20 percent of my word count writing out Charles Russell Speechlys

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Ugh I wish I knew this before wasting probably 20 percent of my word count writing out Charles Russell Speechlys

Imagine for my HSFK app I wrote out Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer each time cos I was rly unsure if HSFK or HSF Kramer would be okay…

 

[safari3]

Someone I know secured a TC with Morgan Lewis with ABB at A-level. They went to a non-RG uni. I think Greenberg’s requirement is ABB so you meet it. Either way go for it if you can write a strong app to both firms! I also have similar A-levels.​

Thanks for this insight! Would you also know how strict both of these firms are with uni grades i.e. 21s across all models / high 2:1 etc?

 

[M_m]

They said at an event I went to that it was! I triple checked my own notes to be sure before I did my app too

Thank you so much! Extremely dumb question, but would the possessive form be CRS' or CRS's?

 

[c.t.tc]

Thank you so much! Extremely dumb question, but would the possessive form be CRS' or CRS's?

That’s actually quite confusing I’m not sure - I would guess maybe CRS’?

 

[Deleted member 43346]

It shouldn’t matter too much for most firms with the exception of maybe Slaughters, Cleary, Davis Polk and SullCrom who want high 2:1s.

I have a few 2:2 modules but mostly strong 2:1 and 1st’s and have gotten past app stage with Akin, Willkie, Skadden, Weil and Gibson Dunn.

I went to a northern RG (not Durham or Warwick) and so far I’ve had decent results. I think firms look at things holistically tbf.

What counts as a high 2:1? Would it be 65+ or 68+

 

[Deleted member 43346]

Thank you so much! Extremely dumb question, but would the possessive form be CRS' or CRS's?

CRS’

 

[Donna Paulsen]

What counts as a high 2:1? Would it be 65+ or 68+

I'd say 65-66 is a mid 2:1, 67 and above is a high 2:1. It can be pretty subjective though, some consider anything above 65 a high 2:1.

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

honestly i'm quite worried. i haven't been progressed at all to an AC this cycle and i'm unsure why. my applications haven't been super early or last minute. i'm worried about gibson dunn (applied 12 dec) which i know is rolling. idk i'm just looking for some comfort. i've only applied to summer schemes (unless that wasnt an option at all). PFO from skadden/latham/clifford chance (expecting DLA as well but i applied on the deadline).

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Thanks for this insight! Would you also know how strict both of these firms are with uni grades i.e. 21s across all models / high 2:1 etc?

I’m not sure tbh. Usually a firm will state if they’re after consistent 2:1 or high 2:1. Like HSFK and Linklaters say 2:1 for every module. ​

What counts as a high 2:1? Would it be 65+ or 68+

Diff firms seem to have diff interpretations but I think the general consensus is a ‘good’ or ‘strong’ 2:1 is 65-66 and a ‘high’ 2:1 is 67-69.​

 

[A worried paralegal]

Has anyone here received an AC or Rejection for DLA Piper Manchester?

 

[Dannie]

honestly i'm quite worried. i haven't been progressed at all to an AC this cycle and i'm unsure why. my applications haven't been super early or last minute. i'm worried about gibson dunn (applied 12 dec) which i know is rolling. idk i'm just looking for some comfort. i've only applied to summer schemes (unless that wasnt an option at all). PFO from skadden/latham/clifford chance (expecting DLA as well but i applied on the deadline).

dw same here! I think we will hear in the coming 2 weeks, but i get you, its frustrating!

 

[EfficientBag123]

Land Law exam on 21 Jan followed by AC/Interviews on 23,25, and 27 welp

Worse problems to have

 

[EfficientBag123]

Just did the Baker McKenzie SJT, got a 3 on the "digital mindset". Am I cooked

I've literally studied modules (and done practical exams) in coding and building AI models - not quite sure how I managed to get 3 there. (Also got "excelled" in "Applied Verbal Intellect", and 7,7,6 in the other 3 sections)

I got the exact same number of points as you. Got 4766 and excelled. I got VI. You’re sweet.

 

[floral.tcla]

How it feels when you don’t have an AC:

How it feels when you have an AC:

 

[radssss]

Does Osborne Clarke have two tests?
I have just submitted my application and got the shl link but that email says:

We would not recommend that you complete the two tests back to back so please bear this in mind when deciding when to sit them.

Does that one link contain both tests?

 

[EfficientBag123]

Land Law exam on 21 Jan followed by AC/Interviews on 23,25, and 27 welp

God sounds like a nightmare. I can take a couple of those ACs off your hands if you want.

 

[flamingocelot]

It shouldn’t matter too much for most firms with the exception of maybe Slaughters, Cleary, Davis Polk and SullCrom who want high 2:1s.

I have a few 2:2 modules but mostly strong 2:1 and 1st’s and have gotten past app stage with Akin, Willkie, Skadden, Weil and Gibson Dunn.

I went to a northern RG (not Durham or Warwick) and so far I’ve had decent results. I think firms look at things holistically tbf.

Peak because I just noticed one of my top choices, Farrer and co, specifically wants a high 2:1... I went to their insight day, so hoping that gives me some brownie points

 

[fbtrainee]

Does Osborne Clarke have two tests?
I have just submitted my application and got the shl link but that email says:

We would not recommend that you complete the two tests back to back so please bear this in mind when deciding when to sit them.

Does that one link contain both tests?

do you know if we need to do the test before the deadline?

 

[TCLAuser2002]

seems like the 9,7,9,7 for Weil gone to waste! rip