TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TCGrad1642]

Does anyone know what the pillars are for the Macfarlanes assessment

 

[Life_of_PFOs]

Did you get first stage interview or later on?

Hi there, I passed the first-stage interview. I completed the assessment centre, but failed to get a vacation scheme offer.

 

[yk1906]

I added my grade breakdown, conversion details (international student) and also the full transcripts of all my degrees, as they said they would expect it to be clear and I didn't want to risk it.

The additional documents space is exactly for that purpose.

Hey! I was wondering, as a fellow international, whether you know (from ODs or whatsoever) if firms prefer us to convert our grades into % or just leave them as they are? My grades are easily convertible to % scale, and I’m honestly afraid to put my actual grades when they explicitly ask for %, because then it’ll read like I have a very low %

 

[yk1906]

I am soooo thrilled for December with all those deadlines coming up Hoping for at least one AC/interview for all of us here

 

[flower1]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu
In a video interview, what are we supposed to mention for this - Why me? Why should the firm take me as their trainee solicitor? I'm struggling to identify what points the firm expects us to make and how to differentiate answers to make them unique.

Thank you

 

[letsdothis]

Jones Day AC!! Any insights are appreciated especially for the group exercise

 

[confusedbird]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu
In a video interview, what are we supposed to mention for this - Why me? Why should the firm take me as their trainee solicitor? I'm struggling to identify what points the firm expects us to make and how to differentiate answers to make them unique.

Thank you

Hi,

I'm not them but I thought I'll share my thoughts on this because this is something that I struggle with as well.

I approach these questions in a few steps -

1. Reflect on my experiences and see what I learnt from them/what skills I developed.
2. Relate these to the tasks of a trainee
3. Look at what traits the firm values

The first two steps usually give me a few options to go with and the last one helps me narrow it down and relate it back to the firm.

I hope this helps a bit!

 

[James Wakefield]

How long did people wait before getting Bird & Bird WG?

 

[WiddyJ]

Jones Day AC!! Any insights are appreciated especially for the group exercise

Congrats! Is this for spring or summer?

 

[M_m]

For the Taylor Wessing cover letter, the application form says it should include details on my skills and why I have applied for the scheme. Do we still need to outline “why commercial law” then or just stick to “why the firm” and “why me” and elaborate on that instead.

 

[TA04]

Is a simmons 6,5,7 test score good?

 

[wooliewoo]

How long did people wait before getting Bird & Bird WG?

I applied on the 15th, received WG on the 18th, sat it on the 24th and progressed to VI on the 25th.

 

[pepsicola96]

BCLP Interview for Spring! Has anyone done an AC yet for spring? I was told they were starting ACs quite early so I'm hoping I didn't leave it too late when applying, wondering how many ACs will be left. Any advice for the interview would be really appreciated too!

 

[flower1]

Hi,

I'm not them but I thought I'll share my thoughts on this because this is something that I struggle with as well.

I approach these questions in a few steps -

1. Reflect on my experiences and see what I learnt from them/what skills I developed.
2. Relate these to the tasks of a trainee
3. Look at what traits the firm values

The first two steps usually give me a few options to go with and the last one helps me narrow it down and relate it back to the firm.

I hope this helps a bit!

Thank you, that's really helpful

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

BCLP Interview for Spring! Has anyone done an AC yet for spring? I was told they were starting ACs quite early so I'm hoping I didn't leave it too late when applying, wondering how many ACs will be left. Any advice for the interview would be really appreciated too!

Congratulations! Can i ask when you applied?

 

[e_turbo2]

BCLP Interview for Spring! Has anyone done an AC yet for spring? I was told they were starting ACs quite early so I'm hoping I didn't leave it too late when applying, wondering how many ACs will be left. Any advice for the interview would be really appreciated too!

Hey, congrats! The interview is strengths based so I'll advise you to brush up on how to answer these and also on your motivational Qs as it starts off with that. The ACs have not begun yet and they have only recently started giving out the invites for them. So basically, you're good! All the best

 

[Jennifer2003]

How long did people wait before getting Bird & Bird WG?

I applied for the spring programme and got the WG the same day, but some other people I know got theirs the day or two afterward! if this is for summer I'm not sure what the timeline would be like

 

[pepsicola96]

Congratulations! Can i ask when you applied?

Thank you! I applied on the 21st, so pretty quick turnaround. Test sent immediately, but I completed it on Monday (24th), and got an email invite today.

 

[pepsicola96]

Hey, congrats! The interview is strengths based so I'll advise you to brush up on how to answer these and also on your motivational Qs as it starts off with that. The ACs have not begun yet and they have only recently started giving out the invites for them. So basically, you're good! All the best

Thank you!!

 

[mg42guy32]

Completed DLA WG 25th and haven't received a feedback report or a pass email yet. Should I take this as a fail?