TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[jaisrihere]

Is the UK Timezone just changed to GMT+0 today?

It changed yesterday (on the 26th). It always changes on Sundays.

 

[jaisrihere]

Reed Smith Open Day invite 🙂

 

[Amgrad]

It changed yesterday (on the 26th). It always changes on Sundays.

Funny, I thought I missed AAL events and here it's just changed. Every country daylight savings period is different, sometimes it's confusing

 

[Ronaldo04]

Been 2 weeks now since I submitted Freshfields app for DTC and I'm still waiting on the first test anyone else in the same boat?

same here

 

[qaz99]

Can anyone share what the White & Case online assessment involves, e.g., SJT, WG, verbal and numerical reasoning? Are there any VI questions as part of the assessment? This is for the White & Case WVS.​

SJT and critical reasoning. No VI

 

[Jennifer2003]

Bristows IP Workshop invite my first successful application!

Congratulations!! How soon after the video interview did they get back to you? Got to do mine tomorrow for the stem day!

 

[congrades]

does anyone know how much time we have to prepare for the a&o Shearman vi questions? thank you!!

 

[johnsmith]

Congratulations!! How soon after the video interview did they get back to you? Got to do mine tomorrow for the stem day!

I think it was a week

 

[applicant3000]

Hey do you think scores of 8, 5 and 4 (all out of 10) bad enough to assume I failed the Simmons SJT?

 

[Amgrad]

Shoosmiths Open Evening Insight Day Invite!

 

[Jennifer2003]

does anyone know how much time we have to prepare for the a&o Shearman vi questions? thank you!!

I remember applying to their winter vs and it was unlimited time to prepare before you started recording (which meant it took me 40 minutes to get the courage to press record haha)

 

[TheLegalEdit]

Does anyone have any tips for artic shores assessments for NRF?

 

[chiichii]

Shoosmiths Open Evening Insight Day Invite!

Congrats!! Is this the in-person one?

 

[chiichii]

Does anyone know whether Orrick has a strict academic requirement? (2:1 in all modules, specific a-level grade, etc)

 

[c.t.tc]

Hey do you think scores of 8, 5 and 4 (all out of 10) bad enough to assume I failed the Simmons SJT?

Not if you did really well in the other areas ( I'm assuming this is for the 'success areas' they have) - the benchmark is an overall score. I don't know the exact benchmark but I would assume having it be overall rather than per section is so that weaker areas can get evened out by really strong scores in other parts?

 

[Amgrad]

Congrats!! Is this the in-person one?

Yep, next month

 

[Amgrad]

Does Bird & Bird sponsor visa for applicants to attend their vacation schemes?

Nope, they don't have direct TC either.

 

[Harvey Specter]

Does anyone know whether Orrick has a strict academic requirement? (2:1 in all modules, specific a-level grade, etc)​

I attended an Orrick virtual event recently and in that the early careers guy said they look for a 2:1 (ideally a strong 2:1) and a minimum of ABB at A-level. He also mentioned they take mitigating and extenuating circumstances into account and use rare contextual recruitment. He said they are not after a 2:1 in every module though. Not sure how strict they are in practice re academics.​

 

[jaisrihere]

Not if you did really well in the other areas ( I'm assuming this is for the 'success areas' they have) - the benchmark is an overall score. I don't know the exact benchmark but I would assume having it be overall rather than per section is so that weaker areas can get evened out by really strong scores in other parts?

By overall, do you mean overall SJT score, or overall in a holistic sense (application answer, test and video interview).?

 

[c.t.tc]

By overall, do you mean overall SJT score, or overall in a holistic sense (application answer, test and video interview).?

It's the whole blended assessment (applied intellect, video interview and sjt) but I think the application form is separate