TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Is 3.5 - 4 minutes an overkill/ too long for "why this firm" answer in an interview?

 

[lydia25]

sup, what do you do if a firm agreed to give feedback over post-ac (which took place a month ago), but since hasn’t followed through, and has ignored chasing emails in the past week, this firm only holds summer vac schemes so beyond onboarding new trainees who passed their SQE exams, is something else taking up GR’s time? I don’t want to be presumptive and appreciate that giving feedback takes a while, often they have other responsibilites like taking care of trainees, but equally this is their job and something that was explicitly stated in the email as something that would be provided, so I am equally confused

on a side note I love how supportive and positive everyone in this community has been through what we can all agree on is a very intense process

is this weil haha

i'm also a little annoyed bc I would genuinely have preferred them to outright say they're not offering feedback or that we shouldn't expect a response any time soon. obviously feedback is really helpful regardless of when you get it, but it could've been so much more helpful if I got it before I did other interviews!

there are a few grad rec teams that I've found really unhelpful or even sometimes rude after rejection - and I specifically mean at final interview stages bc I completely get why they wouldn't care earlier. I fear this might be another, but it makes me feel a little better. I don't think it is particularly nice to leave people in the dark, especially when they've invested so much in an application process, so we haven't really lost out on too much!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Can’t the orange guy wait until after ACs are done before he wreaks havoc and starts WW3…​

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Can’t the orange guy wait until after ACs are done before he wreaks havoc and starts WW3…​

 

[theconfusedlawyer]

Anyone know how long you get to prepare for the Stephenson Harwood VI questions?

 

[pamelagb1]

got invited to a winston and strawn interview monday morning?? lit just the weekend to prep

Hi! Did you get the Microsoft Teams invite? I haven't yet, so I don't know whether it's because they haven't sent them or if there was an issue with mine. I've emailed grad rec but they won't answer until probably tomorrow

 

[nicoledm]

Hi! Did you get the Microsoft Teams invite? I haven't yet, so I don't know whether it's because they haven't sent them or if there was an issue with mine. I've emailed grad rec but they won't answer until probably tomorrow

I got the teams invite around an hour after the interview invite !

 

[wqueens8]

Maybe I'm being cynical but is "insights" just a codeword for interview questions?

yes and no lol

a lot of people are just asking to get the questions, especially with video interviews. but also for some firms the process is very vague, certain timings re: video interviews, assessment day tasks, etc are not clear and people will be asking about that. also just general vibes, it can be nice to know how others found it i.e "don't stress yourself out too much, if you've prepped you will be fine, no curveball questions" something like that.

 

[tcfinalboss]

Hi! Did you get the Microsoft Teams invite? I haven't yet, so I don't know whether it's because they haven't sent them or if there was an issue with mine. I've emailed grad rec but they won't answer until probably tomorrow

Hey when did you hear back from them post-WG?

 

[mg42guy32]

I’ve applied to a range of firms this year but I will say I avoided the US and magic circle firms, even though I would love to apply. I just feel like my application won’t stand out against people with very high 2:1s and 1sts. I did progress with a few firms this year, but if I need to reapply next app cycle, do I have a chance with say firms like Ashurst, travers smith, AG etc?

Hey I have an abundance of 2:2s (5+ off the top of my head, with half of them non MC) and two 3rds (non mitigating as well) but got ACs at Latham, DLA, and Simmons this year (also failed them all haha) but don’t let grades stop you (I did achieve 67% overall however but I don’t think that counteracts it)

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Those who have done the CRS VI, how much time do you get to prepare your answers?
And how did you find it overall lol (should I be scared x)

 

[M_m]

Those who have done the CRS VI, how much time do you get to prepare your answers?
And how did you find it overall lol (should I be scared x)

You get 30 seconds to prepare, and 90 seconds to answer. The questions are quite basic and a mix of motivational, competency and commercial awareness (this was for the London office). There are no curveballs, so no need to be scared . But 90 seconds definitely does fly. Best of luck!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

You get 30 seconds to prepare, and 90 seconds to answer. The questions are quite basic and a mix of motivational, competency and commercial awareness (this was for the London office). There are no curveballs, so no need to be scared . But 90 seconds definitely does fly. Best of luck!

Ah brilliant, thank you so much!

 

[CupOfTea17]

Anyone know if Browne Jacobson written questions have a word count - they are long!

Hey, I am just about to start the written stage of the test. Can I ask how many questions there were? I am hoping to do them all today but wondering if there are more than a couple I may need to make time tomorrow.

 

[SueD]

Anyone who did Bristows WE, how long did it take you?

One hour.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Hey, I am just about to start the written stage of the test. Can I ask how many questions there were? I am hoping to do them all today but wondering if there are more than a couple I may need to make time tomorrow.

There’s 3

 

[AryanAgg]

I have been experiencing errors while filling the form for Browne Jacobson, anyone else who experienced the same?

 

[asplawyer100]

Has anyone done / has the Irwin Mitchell AC tomorrow in London?

Is this for the business stream or individual

 

[Sophia L]

Anyone know how long you get to prepare for the Stephenson Harwood VI questions?

I think you get unlimited time to prep for each questions from what I remember from last year

 

[summersun]

Hi was PMC just a cover letter for VS or are there additional questions? Preparing for DTC app and can't go further if don't submit the cover letter but would rather prepare everything in advance.