TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[lividowl03]

I don't particularly agree - I had conflicting VS last year, where one had a TC option and the other did not. I chose the one without the TC, and the other PFOed me from their TC app with what seemed like extra zeal.

Ultimately there are plenty of other quality candidates and it's risky to be too open about what you're up to.

Yeah I'm not even sure where I stand. But ultimately I'd never blame candidates for putting themselves first. Ultimately the detriment of you being honest to a firm is that they just hire one of the many other people banging at their doors for a TC and forget all about you. The detriment to the candidate is having no TC, and doing a whole other cycle that may or may not be successful.

I do see the argument some people make about 'taking a spot' from another student, but then I'm not sure how fair that is, unless it's a scheme where everyone on it can convert.

 

[maylawwww]

Could I please ask when you got the invite?

5:30 on weds 28th

 

[Donna Paulsen]

That's why I love the ones that offer multiple retakes.

I had a civil service video interview that had 2 minutes thinking time, and then a whole 6 minutes to record a 2 minute response - unlimited retakes. It was amazing!!

 

[jagath]

bit cheeky but would anyone be willing to review my SPARK application? would be v grateful

 

[Legalfreak212]

Any insights into how much commercial awareness you need to have for Reed smith AC???

 

[summersun]

I had a civil service video interview that had 2 minutes thinking time, and then a whole 6 minutes to record a 2 minute response - unlimited retakes. It was amazing!!

That would be such a nice way to do it !

 

[cb6056]

Is there an automatic test after Browne Jacobson app?

 

[ladyhaleinthehouse]

anyone who has received neither OA nor PFO from Bakers? Maybe I submitted too late. Should I assume pfo?

I still haven't heard back yet, if this is for Spring. I saw a few posts that they do it small batches and they said they do ACs from Jan-Feb so may still be getting assessed.

 

[Cece176]

Has anyone heard back from Katten?

 

[biglawslave]

Did anyone apply for the Simmons & Simmons Evolve Placement and have you heard back yet following the amberjack?

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

Has anyone heard back from Katten?

I heard that last year Katten started to get back to people at the end of February.

 

[Novaa]

Did anyone apply for the Simmons & Simmons Evolve Placement and have you heard back yet following the amberjack?

I haven’t applied but your DP is sending meee

 

[aria_d]

hey if anyone did the w&c first year insight scheme last year i would be really grateful to know what the process is - it says on the website that after the application you have to do an "immersiveskills-based assessment" - i would be really grateful to know what this entails and whether there is a VI

Hey! I did the scheme last year and back then it was just the application form but they have completely reworked the system this year, so I think it's the application form and a SJT. They explicitly stated that the VI is only for VS and DTC so I don't think they will have one for the first year scheme

 

[user55998384]

Hey! I did the scheme last year and back then it was just the application form but they have completely reworked the system this year, so I think it's the application form and a SJT. They explicitly stated that the VI is only for VS and DTC so I don't think they will have one for the first year scheme

thank u sm!! thats super helpful

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

@Abbie Whitlock This might be a super stupid question but I wanted to ask about how you approach talking about a deal to an interviewer. I have found a deal that I am super interested in ahead of my AC next week but it's a deal in another office and not the firm's London office. Is the expectation typically to speak about deals done in the office you're applying to? Thank you!!

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

This was for spring, right? So summer invites still not sent yet

it’s spring yes

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Congrats! May I ask is this for Spring or Summer? Maybe it was mentioned but I couldn’t find it rn. Thanks!

Spring

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

for interview questions, how long should you aim for answers to be? 2-3 mins?

Hey!

I'd say that for most interview answers, you should aim for around 1-2 minutes (i.e. straightforward ones). 2-3 minutes is fine for competency or "why firm / why law" questions, but only if you make sure that your answer is structured and isn't rambling.

Interviewers can always prompt you if they want to find out more!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey guys, just looking for some insight. So I knew I wanted to do VS this cycle, but wasn’t aware how soon applications closed (that’s on me tbf just had no one from uni tell me ahaha) so it means that I’ve only done 5 applications for VS this cycle. There’s not any more London firms (where I want to work) that interest me. Is it worth also doing so DTC applications as some that I’m interested in close later? So far I’ve had a rejection from Willkie after application (wasn’t my best application tbh) and waiting to hear back after SJT from MDR. Waiting for answers from the rest of my apps.

Hey!

I'd say it is definitely worth doing DTC applications for firms that you are genuinely interested in! I know plenty of people in my DTC cohort that had never completed a vacation scheme or worked in law, and whilst it'll differ between firms, there usually isn't an expectation that you have legal work experience. What matters most is that you are able to write a strong application that is tailored to the firm, and that you perform well in the assessments themselves

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock This might be a super stupid question but I wanted to ask about how you approach talking about a deal to an interviewer. I have found a deal that I am super interested in ahead of my AC next week but it's a deal in another office and not the firm's London office. Is the expectation typically to speak about deals done in the office you're applying to? Thank you!!

Hello!

Not a stupid question at all! The short answer is that it is absolutely fine to talk about a deal from another office - the interviewers will mainly be testing:

• Whether you understand what the firm actually does
• Whether you can explain why the deal interested you, and
• Whether you can link it back to the practice area or skills relevant to the London office

If you wanted to be clear in your answer, you could briefly acknowledge that the deal is from another office and explain how the same practice area or client work is relevant to London (e.g. cross-border nature, collaboration between offices, similar clients / sectors).

What matters more is that you can talk about the deal commercially and with genuine interest - a well-understood and well-explained deal from another office would land better than a London deal that you only half understand.

Best of luck with the AC!!