TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[whywhy88]

I got the VI and got 4,5,5,4

I thought each pillar was only out of 4 lol?

 

[t2so]

I got the VI and got 4,5,5,4

Could've sworn it was out of 4 haha, you must've been really exceptional.

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Looks like the TCLA police officers are out in full force again
Also that would be a poor use of an abbreviation given that SVS could apply to spring or summer. No wonder you're so against them.

 

[Bbhu19]

Congrats to those who have gotten NRF VIs! Is anyone who got one wiling to share their arctic shores score? I was really proud of my cover letter but got 3,3,2,1 on the test so am not hopeful

4442

 

[maylawwww]

passed DLA TI benchmark after interview this morning! i thought it went OK, but the 'you passed the benchmark' was in the second paragraph so it freaked me out a little

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Smh my inbox is quiet asf. I’ve had no updates from firms at all lmfao. I’m just sat here like:

 

[J_12]

anyone heard back on an online test yet for Fieldfisher's pathway to practice?

 

[Ronaldo04]

Dear @Andrei Radu and @Abbie Whitlock, the Debevoise application contains both of these questions:

• Please explain why you have decided to pursue a career as a solicitor and what has attracted you to Debevoise? (Max 250 words)
• Please indicate if there are any preferred practice areas that interest you. (Max 250 words)

For the first question, I would like to use a specific practice area in which the firm excels in to show why I am attracted to the firm. I have another practice area that also interests me and I can write a paragraph on for one point in the second question, but how should I go about structuring the second question considering my main practice area of interest will be mentioned and explained for the first question?

 

[Future Trainee 1792]

Cappfinity, standard SJT, no VI. Was v straightforward. You’ll get a feedback report right after with top skills and an area for development.

Thank u!!

 

[anon78365222111]

but its out of /4?

I thought each pillar was only out of 4 lol?

Could've sworn it was out of 4 haha, you must've been really exceptional.

Lol didn’t realise a simple error would be so triggering. Got 3,4,4,3 literally was only replying to someone’s question keep that sarcasm elsewhere

 

[tcla02]

Congrats to those who have gotten NRF VIs! Is anyone who got one wiling to share their arctic shores score? I was really proud of my cover letter but got 3,3,2,1 on the test so am not hopeful

4,4,4,3

edit: forgot to say - they send out the VIs in batches so don’t lose hope!!!

 

[CupOfTea17]

anyone heard back on an online test yet for Fieldfisher's pathway to practice?

I'm yet to even receive an invite for the tests I think someone mentioned on this thread a few weeks ago saying they had received a holding email and that the firm would consider the applications in January. Possibly just taking a break over Christmas

 

[CupOfTea17]

'Describe an unusual situation you have found yourself in, challenging, humorous or otherwise. (150 words)

Could anyone help me! How would you go about answering this?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hello @Afraz Akhtar @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu
Any tips on how to approach a “why this office?” question for a regional location?

 

[noahsmiit01]

Hi guys, is Bakers VI automatic as part of the SJT test?

 

[FutureLawyer_]

Does anyone know when we hear back from ES? I’m sure at the end of the VI it said before the new year, but not sure if I’m imagining that

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Hello @Afraz Akhtar @Abbie Whitlock
Any tips on how to approach a “why this office?” question for a regional location?

Hello @FutureTraineeMaybe what an interesting question. I think regional offices usually have specific focuses/capabilities. For example, at Clyde & Co their Manchester office focused on healthcare and insurance. I’m not sure if that’s still the case so don’t quote me on that. It could be that this particular firm operates in the same way, so you would do well by angling your answer in regards to how interested you are in that particular focus/client base.

Hope this helps

 

[EfficientBag123]

Hi guys, is Bakers VI automatic as part of the SJT test?

No, you need to reach a bench mark in the online test.

 

[CupOfTea17]

Is Clyde and Co test invite automatic? and also how long do they give you to complete the tests?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

'Describe an unusual situation you have found yourself in, challenging, humorous or otherwise. (150 words)

Could anyone help me! How would you go about answering this?

@CupOfTea17 I think this is very much a personality style question. They want to learn something about you. Although you may want to approach this in a way that plugs your skill set, I would treat this as a way to keep me memorable as Grad Rec go through all their applications. So delve deeper into you as a person. You’re not just a future lawyer, you’ve had unusual experiences, funny experiences, challenges just like every body else. Be honest, and round it off with what you learned from that experience or what your takeaway was. For me, I tend to focus on the challenges I faced so that I can round off on how it’s shaped my perception to problem solving and resilience. That way, I made it memorable and still sold myself (a little).