TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[A2026]

Hi everyone, haven’t been posting on here as often so here it goes.
I got the Summer vacation scheme scheme at Norton Rose Fulbright and the AI internship at Simmons and Simmons. This is my second cycle with over 70 rejections in total. I am so so so thankful for everyone in this forum and the whole TCLA community for all the support and information, hopefully I can convert this to a TC and any advice to help with that I will be eternally grateful! Thank you all!!

 

[AryanAgg]

Hi everyone, haven’t been posting on here as often so here it goes.
I got the Summer vacation scheme scheme at Norton Rose Fulbright and the AI internship at Simmons and Simmons. This is my second cycle with over 70 rejections in total. I am so so so thankful for everyone in this forum and the whole TCLA community for all the support and information, hopefully I can convert this to a TC and any advice to help with that I will be eternally grateful! Thank you all!!

Congratulations!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock
I hope you're well!
I have an AC coming up and there's a presentation where I have to speak to a client and choose an option out of five and say why it's the best one.
What do you think would be the best way to structure this?

 

[haribolover]

Hi everyone, haven’t been posting on here as often so here it goes.
I got the Summer vacation scheme scheme at Norton Rose Fulbright and the AI internship at Simmons and Simmons. This is my second cycle with over 70 rejections in total. I am so so so thankful for everyone in this forum and the whole TCLA community for all the support and information, hopefully I can convert this to a TC and any advice to help with that I will be eternally grateful! Thank you all!!

Well done!!

 

[AryanAgg]

I've heard that linklaters takes a Watson glaser test on the assessment day as well, this is confirmed correct?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi all, just wanted to check what kind of topics come at group exercises? I have my first group exercise tomorrow and am freaking out!

Edit - just to add to this, are there any current commercial awareness topics I should be aware of especially in context to pe ma, credit, funds or finance/ any similar areas

@Abbie Whitlock

Hey!

It is completely normal to freak out beforehand, but honestly it is usually 10x better once you are actually in the assessment! Group exercises tend to feel much more nerve-wracking in the build up, but once you get stuck in, it is far more manageable.

In terms of topics, they are usually broad commercial scenarios that test a few areas, rather than niche legal areas. For example, it could involve: advising a company on expansion, choosing between different investment options, or allocating funding across various projects. Sometimes it is framed around a transaction, such as an acquisition or restructuring, but the focus is on how you analyse information and work as a team.

They will be assessing how you communicate and listen, whether you build on others' points, your commercial judgment, time management and structure, and whether you help the group reach a decision.

For a few commercial topics to be aware of, I would make sure that you understand:

1. Interest rate environment and how that affects borrowing and deal activity
2. Refinancing risk and distressed opportunities (i.e. companies that have debt maturing in a high-rate environment may struggle to refinance)
3. Regulatory scrutiny in certain sectors (i.e. antitrust, national security, or sector-specific regulations)

I hope that assists, and best of luck - I'm sure you'll smash it!

 

[radssss]

Hey!

It is completely normal to freak out beforehand, but honestly it is usually 10x better once you are actually in the assessment! Group exercises tend to feel much more nerve-wracking in the build up, but once you get stuck in, it is far more manageable.

In terms of topics, they are usually broad commercial scenarios that test a few areas, rather than niche legal areas. For example, it could involve: advising a company on expansion, choosing between different investment options, or allocating funding across various projects. Sometimes it is framed around a transaction, such as an acquisition or restructuring, but the focus is on how you analyse information and work as a team.

They will be assessing how you communicate and listen, whether you build on others' points, your commercial judgment, time management and structure, and whether you help the group reach a decision.

For a few commercial topics to be aware of, I would make sure that you understand:

1. Interest rate environment and how that affects borrowing and deal activity
2. Refinancing risk and distressed opportunities (i.e. companies that have debt maturing in a high-rate environment may struggle to refinance)
3. Regulatory scrutiny in certain sectors (i.e. antitrust, national security, or sector-specific regulations)

I hope that assists, and best of luck - I'm sure you'll smash it!

Thank you so much Abbie, you’re always so helpful

 

[elle.brokovitch]

Does anyone know whether firms give VS offers (post AC) by phone and PFOs post AC by email? Or if both are usually by phone

I'm not sure about PFO via email but I have only ever received offers via phone; I actually was panicking once because a firm had called me and i'd missed it, I asked my parents whether they thought that they'd call to reject; they said "not unless they are exceptionally polite". It was an offer! So i'd generally take a phone call as a good sign!! From the AC's I've attended, I do believe all of them said they do provide feedback calls if there is a PFO to explain why-so maybe that is the call element! I hope this helps and best of luck

 

[bangarangbass39]

Terrible Browne Jacob amberjack. 5/5/6 - each out of 10 so a measly 16/30 :/ . Tried to approach it too similarly to previous amberjacks. It's scored differently yet almost identical questions are asked.

High Verbal and Numerical intellect.

The questions were a drag. Took me a week to complete because they are really long and require strong responses to score well I imagine.

 

[Lawyergyal123!]

I just received the watson glaser report for linklaters and im not sure of my chances, sorry for talking about dtc application in vacation scheme thread.

did you request this or did they just send it ?

 

[AryanAgg]

did you request this or did they just send it ?

I requested it.

 

[Lissa06]

I requested it.

Do you just email their general trainee.recruitment email and give them your name/date of test? I would like to do it but it has been a month

 

[AryanAgg]

Do you just email their general trainee.recruitment email and give them your name/date of test? I would like to do it but it has been a month

They already have the data, just need to say you completed the test and would like to know about your performance.

 

[Lissa06]

They already have the data, just need to say you completed the test and would like to know about your performance.

Understood, thank you so much!

 

[Z48]

are you aware if they recruit on a rolling basis?

I don’t think they do, I applied on the deadline last year, heard back around 3 weeks after

 

[Lawyers786]

Hi did anyone heard back from Addleshaw Goddard (Leeds office) for a AC post voice interview or knows of anyone who has?? Please help

 

[Lollipopx]

Has anyone received Hill Dickinson AC invite for regionals not London?

 

[anonymous.15]

Guys does anyone know how strict clifford chance is in terms of grades.. like do they need 2.1 in every module?

 

[ManifestingTC2026]

Hi did anyone heard back from Addleshaw Goddard (Leeds office) for a AC post voice interview or knows of anyone who has?? Please help

Hi i also applied to Leeds office on 30th Oct and never even heard after the Critical thinking test, did you hear back after the test for a voice interview?

 

[aliiiisonxooox]

The wait post AC is not nice

I hope I get to hear this week.. they said 7 days from Tuesday so.. I hope Friday so I can relax before the weekend