TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[hxnnahrobinson]

See I have this but I’m so bored of banks and blah blah blah. I want something spicy

It’s interesting if you consider the influence on M&A activity

 

[ttlaw12344]

I applied for the summer mischon and haven’t received anything post chat bot. Does this mean I’ve got a PFO?

pretty sure everyone will get the SJT as someone on the thread earlier said their discarded application got one

 

[V5⛷️]

Hi all. Any thoughts on recycling a small set of personal / professional experiences across different stages of the application process? Not sure if I should be preparing separate content for written forms, VIs and ACs

 

[plsgivemetc]

Do you have any tips for the test?

one thing that keeps happening to me is that i either get leadership as my strength and teamwork as my weakness or teamwork as my strength and leadership as my weakness but you want to get both as your strength so actively try and balance the qualities out when you’re doing the test, idk how tho cause i’m struggling with it myself😭 this might not be a problem you’ve been having, it’s just something i’m personally struggling with and that’s where i messed up in the GD test (got leadership as my strength and teamwork as my weakness😭)

IF ANYONE HAS TIPS ON HOW TO GET LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK BOTH AS YOUR STRENGTHS PLEASE LMK do you actively try and get your answers to be 50/50???

 

[Chelsea101]

Does anyone have any tips for amberjack SJTs? Can never seem to pass them

 

[plsgivemetc]

Do you have any tips for the test?

btw i think the reason it took me so long is because it had a proofreading test and i’ve never done one of those before, they basically just give you three short agreements and ask you to spot grammatical or spelling errors in certain lines/paragraphs so maybe brush over your understanding of colons, semi-colons and where commas should go

 

[elle woods]

Do you think grad rec are still working today or are they back only next week? or even later??

 

[TS.Law]

Which office did you apply for? London ACs were earlier in December.

Manchester

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Any tips on Akin's online assessment? Thank you!

Congratulations! When did u submit your app if I may ask

 

[pepsicola96]

Do you think grad rec are still working today or are they back only next week? or even later??

Definitely some are! I got an email this morning from one firm (unrelated to applications but still from grad rec). I think a lot of the time they'll be working from home, but still working.

 

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

Just finished mine and I second this….(VI is direct and easy on purpose, use it to redeem yourself guys that math was brutal)

It is untimed. Why didn't you take more time on the maths? I actually thought it was basic.

 

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

i was shirtless by mistake during an amberjack (during the sjt portion but webcam on & full frontal) 😭 do i skip the whole test & vi or perhaps will it not flag... i can't believe i'm asking this

Say you were feverish or having hives!

 

[bh.sa]

Did anyone go to the Paul Hastings insight day? Do you mind sharing your notes/ can you share what the PHirst steps scheme even is? Is it just one week long experience where you get to see one of their core practice areas? Then you have to separately apply fr a TC?

I did! They said that the PHirst steps scheme is basically just WEX, and targeted more towards people who don't have much legal WEX. You don't get an automatic TC interview, you'd still have to apply separately

 

[Bbhu19]

This probs depends on what your overall degree average is. I’ve got a similar profile to this and I’d spoken to their grad rec guy who said based on my circumstances I shouldn’t simply self-reject, so he encouraged me to apply. It’s non-rolling (closes on 1st Jan 23:59). There’s 6 app questions, each has a 250-300 word limit, so quite long lmao.​

Can I ask if your at a Russel group or oxbridge?

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

one thing that keeps happening to me is that i either get leadership as my strength and teamwork as my weakness or teamwork as my strength and leadership as my weakness but you want to get both as your strength so actively try and balance the qualities out when you’re doing the test, idk how tho cause i’m struggling with it myself😭 this might not be a problem you’ve been having, it’s just something i’m personally struggling with and that’s where i messed up in the GD test (got leadership as my strength and teamwork as my weakness😭)

IF ANYONE HAS TIPS ON HOW TO GET LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK BOTH AS YOUR STRENGTHS PLEASE LMK do you actively try and get your answers to be 50/50???

This is super helpful thank you! I feel like I’m in the same boat. I’m targeting American firms which love to talk about taking responsibility and leading but it’s hard to strike that balance in responses sometimes between being collaborative but still taking ownership. Thanks so much again for the tips!

 

[Bbhu19]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu,

I have an upcoming AC with PWC, and this would be my first AC ! As PWC isn't a conventional law firm, how would you suggest preparing for it?

In addition, would anyone have tips on the Reed Smith VI?

Thank you again and happy holidays!

Is this ok the 22nd of Jan?

 

[zonnonomo]

Say you were feverish or having hives!

lord commander with all due respect if they EVER ask me "why were your nips out" no one's hearing from me again

 

[johnsmith]

Manchester

They set out at the London AC that they're working through the regional offices in the new year

 

[lalalailovelife]

Probably very late but is baker mckenzie rolling?

 

[lillypad321]

'Anything' as in no confirmation?

They've likely received a bulk of their applications on deadline day and the GR team is only three people so it may be a while. Also it's 3 days before Christmas, so you may not hear back till after Christmas.

I wouldn't worry, they are likely slammed.

Ah thank you, I've seen loads of people get on to stage 2 so I was getting worried!