TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[johnsmith]

Weil pfo after sjt/vi am not surprised with my feedback report.

I'd forgotten it was an amberjack, and my scores were actually quite poor when I look back at it!

 

[Trophy]

Weil rejection just through, not surprised though as my uni grades just won't be good enough for them and the application style obviously relied on that heavily!

Weil pfo after sjt/vi am not surprised with my feedback report.

i'm soo sorry if this comes off as insensitive but please may i know when you both completed the test/vi?

 

[johnsmith]

i'm soo sorry if this comes off as insensitive but please may i know when you both completed the test/vi?

Edited my post to answer this. Keep forgetting to just use a standard format and to cover all the points people ask in my 1st post.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Willkie VI
I could cryyy
After so many rejections and it being my last year to apply as an international student any advice or insight at all would really mean so much to me. I’d be incredibly grateful. @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock

 

[BealMcAlly]

quick question how are people's links WG scores looking? I have got the best score I have ever got with them but i got fairly mid in the evaluating arguments section whereas i normally perform the highest in that section. for context the first time i ever took WG i got 1 percentile LMAO and i got 80 on my most recent.

Currently on hold at 70% which means nothing tbh just patiently waiting

I asked for my score back in early October and got 33/40 and placed in the 88th percentile but I recently heard that your percentile placement changes the more people do it so I'm not sure where I sit now.

I am also on hold. I don't think we will hear this end of Christmas. I applied for the Spring VS.

 

[Deleted member 43292]

I'd forgotten it was an amberjack, and my scores were actually quite poor when I look back at it!

Can I ask what counts as a good score with amberjack?

 

[lelezb1]

Willkie VI invite.
I am nervous as this is my dream firm and if anyone has ANY advice to share please do it

 

[Dannie]

weil pfo lets goooo

 

[Deleted member 43346]

Weil rejection just through, not surprised though as my uni grades just won't be good enough for them and the application style obviously relied on that heavily!

Completed SJT + VI 4th November.

Same here literally did the test yesterday as well

 

[johnsmith]

Can I ask what counts as a good score with amberjack?

I'm sure it's unique to every firm so honestly can't answer this for you sorry

 

[BealMcAlly]

I asked for my report yesterday and I got 34/40 and 80th percentile I’m also on hold

yeah so clearly percentile scores will update the more people do it, I'm probably much lower now, I did it end of September. I'm coooooked lol

 

[Deleted member 43346]

Guys which firms don’t have an online test/VI? getting desperate now

 

[Deleted member 43346]

wait that’s crazy

tbf the feedback report was shocking compared to my other applications even tho some of the questions were the exact same

 

[jojo23]

Willkie pfo

Still got a response quicker than simmons

 

[Lawschoolmavrick]

Are people like heavily practising for the WG? I've just been winging it after reading about how it works, there's no where near enough time to practice it extensively, apply and be prepared for my degree work!

Hi Madison,
The Watson Glaser is an important part of the application process, so it’s definitely worth setting aside some focused time for it. I completely understand the pressure of balancing everything else. There really never feels like enough time when you’re juggling application and degree work alongside other commitments.

When I was applying, I felt exactly the same way. I had society commitments, a job, family responsibilities, and my degree to manage as well. I remember speaking to other friends who were also applying, and some of them told me they were spending five hours a day over three weeks completing mock WG tests. I knew straight away that just wasn’t feasible or realistic for me given everything else I had going on.

What helped instead was being realistic and intentional with my time, even setting aside a concentrated hour or two every other day made a real difference and stopped it from feeling overwhelming. Sometimes the most important thing isn’t doing everything at once, but scheduling yourself properly and understanding why you’re putting time into something. If it’s a role you really want, giving the WG that bit of structured, manageable attention can be really worthwhile.

 

[BealMcAlly]

Guys which firms don’t have an online test/VI? getting desperate now

Smaller boutique firms usually don't.

Simkins, Wiggin(I think).

Travers Smith do online interviews with actual people.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi all! Is there any list on TCLA yet about firms that sponsor international candidates for vacation schemes? I do understand that Reed Smith does, are there any others that have expressly mentioned/with prior history of sponsoring or indicating to any candidate that they are sponsoring? Thanks!!


@Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

hi @yuktiverma96 I have quoted here two excellent recent posts from forum members who have researched the topic:

Confirmed! These firms would not sponsor visa for vac scheme at all cost (no direct TC route):

• Vinson & Elkins
• Akin
• Jones Day
• Ropes and Gray
• Latham & Watkins
• Katten
• Squire Patton Boggs
• Pinsent Masons
• Bird & Bird
• NRF
• CMS
• DLA Piper
• Covington
• Debevoise & Plimpton
• Simmons & Simmons

For international applicants outside of the UK, don't waste your time to apply as they don't offer Visa if you don't have right to work in the UK

These firms recruit solely from VS as well, but have very slight chance to get sponsored (case by case basis) and/or have DTC, but got cancelled in the last few years:

• HSF Kramer*
• Mishcon de Reya
• Gibson Dunn
• Osborne Clarke*
• Sullivan & Cromwell
• Orrick
• Kirkland & Ellis
• K&L Gates

Potentially sponsor visa for VS since don't have DTC/alternatively offer DTC if your profile during process stand out and from emerging markets:

• Cooley
• Milbank
• Weil
• Cleary
• Dechert
• Skadden
• Davis Polk (PGDL/Law Students only)

Clearly stated on the FAQs or events that they will sponsor VS for anybody without exception of nationality

• Taylor Wessing
• Macfarlanes
• Freshfields***
• Clifford Chance**
• Stephenson Harwood**
• White & Case**
• Paul, Weiss
• Sidley Austin
• Reed Smith
• Willkie

Notes:
* Sponsor Indian candidates for the scheme in India
** Sponsor Arabic speakers for their Dubai/Middle East Vacation Scheme
*** Sponsor Mandarin, Korean, and Indonesian speakers for their Hong Kong Scheme

Hi, just found this thread and from my experience almost all international firms will sponsor visas for TCs, but not necessarily a VS. Though VS application season is almost over, I have gathered the below information from asking grad rec over email and at events. Hope this helps any international applicants out there, both this year and next!

(Blanks are just information I don't have)

Firm	Sponsors visa for TC	Sponsors visa for VS	Virtual Interview and AC
Vinson & Elkins	Yes	No
Ropes & Gray	Yes	No (no Direct TC route)	No
Skadden	Yes	No	Yes (for TC process)
Gibson Dunn	Yes	Potentially	Yes
Goodwin	Yes	No	Potentially
Latham & Watkins	Yes	No	Potentially
BCLP	Yes	No	Yes
Sullivan & Cromwell	Yes	No
K&L Gates	Yes	Potentially	No (for AC)
Greenberg Traurig	Yes	-	No (for AC)
Cleary Gottlieb	Yes	No	No
Taylor Wessing	Yes	Yes (no Direct TC route)
Allen & Overy	Yes	No
White & Case	Yes	Yes
Hogan Lovells	Yes	Yes	Yes
BDB Pitmans	No
Linklaters	Yes	No	Yes
HSF	Yes	No	Potentially

 

[A_ede]

Hi guys please can I have some honest ideas of what you think is going wrong here because I’m getting constant rejections. I’m on my second application cycle, this time taking a far more tailored approach and only applying to firms I’ve interacted with and been to open days at. All of my applications are proofread by people that have secured TCs and I’ve read lots of successful cover letters so I know I’m along the right lines. I have top grades, study at Cambridge, hold society positions, have work experience law and non-law - please help I think I’m being filtered out by these assessments but I’ve been practising them loads

Hi,

Applications are incredibly tough, so don't be too disheartened. It can feel like the process is entirely negative, but with consistent work, there will be success! It just takes time

The main problem could be your approach to the WG and other psychometric assessments. I'm not sure which resources you've been using for the assessments, but I would have a look at online tips on forums like TCLA and YouTube as for me, these were much more valuable than continually practicing WG tests online that may or may not be actually similar to the official Pearson WG exams.

In general, I think your approach to applying to firms that you've interacted with is very positive. It helps you create a tailored application that is linked specifically to you. If you focus on linking this with what you've learnt about the firms and how this interests you, you are definitely on the right track.

I obtained a TC last year but there were so many rejections this time last year and I felt the exact same. I didn't hear back positively from a firm until at least February so don't give up!

 

[lolololol]

willkie pfo quite dejected this app szn is not going well at all

 

[BealMcAlly]

Are people like heavily practising for the WG? I've just been winging it after reading about how it works, there's no where near enough time to practice it extensively, apply and be prepared for my degree work!

I think the more you do them, the less nerve wracking they feel. I also found reading the question before each passage is key because it helps with reading faster and beating that dreaded clock with enough time to go back and forth and review your answers.