TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[2ndCycle74]

For those who just did the Skadden WE - did you have more than 4 points? I struggled for time and am worried I didn't substantiate my answers with the evidence materials enough + only did the minimum (4) :'(

 

[alphabravocharlie]

When do we find out if our written exercise was sufficient for TI?

 

[abc124]

Also, has anyone heard from Willkie today?

 

[RJ Ruban]

Fingers crossed there is, I thought I did well in the vi 🫠

I saw their TikTok post and someone asked in the comments and they said still have offers coming out and it commented to 21 hours ago so I think there is a good chance there is 😭

 

[alphabravocharlie]

I wrote my WE in word and then copy and pasted into the email, I couldn't fix the format within the allocated time, how much will I be penalised for my table text not being aligned ?

 

[spongebob]

When do we find out if our written exercise was sufficient for TI?

Week commencing 12th January

 

[sooae]

What was it about, if I may ask? I'm genuinely curious what they made you guys review/draft 😃

To write a report identifying potential compliance issues and related legal considerations that may arise as a result.
Very time-pressured! I was already past the 30-minute mark and had only just started writing 😭

 

[yk1906]

To write a report identifying potential compliance issues and related legal considerations that may arise as a result.
Very time-pressured! I was already past the 30-minute mark and had only just started writing 😭

Oh wow that sounds pretty tough. I don't think they wanted you to write a perfect answer (perhaps it's impossible, considering the time pressure), but rather to see how your brain works(?). Good luck, and I hope you progress further!

 

[anjali20]

Also, has anyone heard from Willkie today?

nopeee

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Is it worth me applying to Reed Smith today or am I cooked? xoxo

Hello!

I'd say it is still worth applying, even this close to the deadline! The graduate recruitment team receive the majority of their vacation scheme applications in the last few days, and will review anything submitted before the deadline. The most important factor is that you submit a strong application that is tailored to the firm - if you are confident that you can do that, it's definitely worth it!

Best of luck!

 

[Madison Pinewall]

have any HSF spring AC offers come out yet?

 

[abc124]

nopeee

I hope we're not part of the small group who's only going to hear back in January :')

 

[NomenEstOmen]

Hey everyone, quick question. I submitted Stage 1 for Hogan Lovells last Wednesday and still haven’t heard back. Usually I’d be worried, but six of my classmates who submitted a few days before me also haven’t received an invite to Stage 2. Nevertheless, I wanted to ask whether anyone who completed Stage 1 after 9 December has already received an invitation to Stage 2. Thank you, and best of luck to all of you!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

HSFK PFO, buuuut Reed Smith WVS offer!!! Absolutely over the moon!

Woooo!! Huge congratulations, you should feel super proud!! 🥳 🥳

I hope you take the time to celebrate this amazing achievement, and hopefully see you at the firm for the scheme!

 

[ali-k]

have any HSF spring AC offers come out yet?

i think they send out AC invites in the new year, im basing this off of last year but some invites got sent out as late as feb, not sure tho

 

[panon4]

guys how are you passing SJTs? I desperately need help. I was rejected from Freshfields and Latham post stage 1 when I thought I aligned my answers with their values. I never stuck to do the middle of the sliding scale, always spoke to my supervisor first for the ranking questions etc. IDK wham I'm missing and I have Weil's SJT next Tuesday and I really want to pass it!

Any help would really be greatly appreciated

Hi @BobThebIlly, I understand your frustration with the situation judgment tests; they can seem extremely tricky on the surface, and I remember struggling with them when I first started applying too.

Here are a few tips for your upcoming Weil SJT:

• Continue leaning heavily on Weil's firm's values when answering questions. One tip is to have them written right in front of you so you can judge each question in perspective.
• The second is to avoid an automatic choice. While firms do want to see that you know when to escalate to a supervisor, for example, there will be situations where taking action and accountability may be better suited. An answer of always escalating could rank lower, especially at a firm like Weil, which prioritises efficiency when solving client issues.
• The final one is to watch this video by Idin Sabahipour, founder of LittleLaw, who does an excellent job of explaining how the SJT works and what firms look for.

Best of luck for Tuesday, we will be rooting for you!

 

[anjali20]

I hope we're not part of the small group who's only going to hear back in January :')

ahh seriously hope not! Someone I know who applied at the same exact minute as me heard back yesterday so I'm not sure how they're doing this hahaha

 

[panon4]

Really rogue question, but when you start the PGDL or SQE, how do people afford to live in London? I’m coming from Leeds and having to move down with my partner and for the life of us cannot see how we will manage it. Those who’ve done the SQE or going to, how do you make it work? Most firms I’m looking at give a 10-15k bursary but I’ve no idea how to make that work :/
- sorry if this is a really daft question, but I’ve tried to do some research and thought maybe this could be a good place to discuss since we will all (or majority) need to move down to London at some point?

Hi Jennifer! Not a rogue question at all, the cost of living in London is a really stressful topic for most/all of us SQE students. I am wrapping up my SQE year at BPP, so I understand the stress personally.

You're right that most firms only offer £12,000-£20,000 for the 12 months you'll be studying, which is hard to cover rent in Central, let alone pay for additional expenses. If you're a UK student, the easiest way is to take a post-graduate loan of up to £12,500, which has allowed most of my peers to pay their rent and use the remainder for personal expenses and additional SQE resources. This unfortunately isn't an option for international students.

Another practical tip is to houseshare or house hunt with 3-4 friends and start early. London renting is a painful process and as you get closer to September homes get pricier and fewer, so start early. Make sure that you check the travel costs to your SQE provider in advance as well to avoid a heft TFL or rail charge daily. If you have time before your SQE, firms are eager to hire paralegals who are currently future trainees and this has been a great work experience and way to make money before the course starts.

Towards the end of your SQE year, City firms will also begin offering interest-free loans, which they will deduct from your salary once you start. This can be a good stopgap before your TC starts and from personal experience very handy when the bursary starts to run dry!

I hoped this helps a little bit!

 

[Iwanobealawyer]

Baker McKenzie VI!!

Has anyone received a invitation or PFO from Baker McKenzie post SJT

 

[GT1205H]

i got 36/40 and 80 percentile so yes i assume it must have changed. i did get like 99 and 97 on assumptions and conclusions.

For everyone talking about the percentiles for Linklaters WG, in my report it says that the norm group is from 2024 so it shouldn’t changed. Bare in mind that they also have the subscales (RED) which means that even if your norm group is the same and score is the same, the percentile might differ depending on the subscales