TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Donuttime]

completed the Gibson Dunn test on 7th Dec and havent heard back since then, assuming its a PFO

 

[adh3]

Not that anybody asked, but I wanted to say that I've given up on this application cycle. Hopefully, by sharing my situation, I can provide some sort of comfort to others who are finding this experience difficult.

This time around, I submitted 10 applications. I'm still waiting for a response from Simmons; the rest have been PFOs. The furthest I progressed in any of them was getting to the second stage for Hogan Lovells.

I have a relatively strong academic background. However, I don't have much work/extracurricular experience and, therefore, I lack good examples for many competencies which firms seek. One consequence of this was that my answers for VI questions about problem solving and "overcoming challenges" were relatively weak. Additionally, I couldn't think of an answer to some application questions which, ultimately, meant that I chose not to apply to many firms I really wanted to (an example which immediately springs to mind is Cooley and their question about "a situation where you have demonstrated initiative").

As somebody who has already graduated, I've come to realise that my next step has to be self-funding the SQE. This isn't ideal. My family doesn't have a lot of money. And, in stark contrast to being a future trainee with an SQE grant (and a sponsored prep course), I've had to accept that I'll be working with some degree of finance-related detriment to my studies. Yet, I recognise how fortunate I am to have my family supporting me through this next step and I can't even begin to imagine how difficult this would be for somebody who isn't receiving any additional support.

At the moment, my ethos is (somewhat ironically) taking initiative. I graduated over a year ago now. I can't keep on applying to firms, hoping that they'll provide me with an opportunity to progress to the next stage of my life. I need to do that myself.

So, yeah, all the best to everybody still striving for a TC this cycle. And, particularly for those of you who are feeling dejected, don't let rejections (or the successes of others) undermine your sense of self-worth.

 

[BobThebIlly]

Turn that FOMO into MoFo, their deadline is now 12th of Jan! It is a tedious application tho 😭

I thought final yrs cant apply?

 

[ilikelaw]

Turn that FOMO into MoFo, their deadline is now 12th of Jan! It is a tedious application tho 😭

how tedious are we talking 😭

 

[yasmars]

completed the Gibson Dunn test on 7th Dec and havent heard back since then, assuming its a PFO

I wouldn’t give up yet! Gibson Dunn are known for taking a long time to revert to candidates. It’s not a no until it is!

 

[iiippp123445]

Baker Mckenzie! 🏆🏆

Did you receive an invite?

 

[nordicnomad]

Is there a VI after Milbank's 2nd stage critical thinking test?

 

[Prudentia]

Is there a VI after Milbank's 2nd stage critical thinking test?

No, it’s PFO or AC.

 

[sadlawyer01]

Baker Mckenzie! 🏆🏆

is it an invite to take the test? the VI? details please!

 

[BatmanBeyond]

MoFo deadline is so cryptic...

Hasn't the deadline already passed ?

 

[Winter]

Not that anybody asked, but I wanted to say that I've given up on this application cycle. Hopefully, by sharing my situation, I can provide some sort of comfort to others who are finding this experience difficult.

This time around, I submitted 10 applications. I'm still waiting for a response from Simmons; the rest have been PFOs. The furthest I progressed in any of them was getting to the second stage for Hogan Lovells.

I have a relatively strong academic background. However, I don't have much work/extracurricular experience and, therefore, I lack good examples for many competencies which firms seek. One consequence of this was that my answers for VI questions about problem solving and "overcoming challenges" were relatively weak. Additionally, I couldn't think of an answer to some application questions which, ultimately, meant that I chose not to apply to many firms I really wanted to (an example which immediately springs to mind is Cooley and their question about "a situation where you have demonstrated initiative").

As somebody who has already graduated, I've come to realise that my next step has to be self-funding the SQE. This isn't ideal. My family doesn't have a lot of money. And, in stark contrast to being a future trainee with an SQE grant (and a sponsored prep course), I've had to accept that I'll be working with some degree of finance-related detriment to my studies. Yet, I recognise how fortunate I am to have my family supporting me through this next step and I can't even begin to imagine how difficult this would be for somebody who isn't receiving any additional support.

At the moment, my ethos is (somewhat ironically) taking initiative. I graduated over a year ago now. I can't keep on applying to firms, hoping that they'll provide me with an opportunity to progress to the next stage of my life. I need to do that myself.

So, yeah, all the best to everybody still striving for a TC this cycle. And, particularly for those of you who are feeling dejected, don't let rejections (or the successes of others) undermine your sense of self-worth.

Hey, sorry to hear this is your experience but if it helps, have a look at this article:

From Tesco to TC: Every little helps when it comes to landing a legal role - Legal Cheek

Former ULaw student and now Pinsent Masons trainee Katie Toolan reflects on her journey into law, her training experience so far, and the key lessons she’s learned along the way

www.legalcheek.com

Also, remember that firms don’t only want examples from legal work experience. They value things you’ve done at university, volunteering, part-time jobs, and even side projects or side hustles. It might be worth taking a bit of time to prepare answers to common competency questions: things like "a time you worked in a team" or "a time you showed initiative". Write these out in a table and remind yourself regularly of the skills and experiences you already have. By the time you get another VI, it should feel a lot more manageable!

 

[boots pharmacy]

sorry can i ask when you heard back?

No worries. About a week ago.

 

[Dannie]

inbox has never been more dry

 

[itsfearless15]

Those who have received a Milbank AC, how do you remember finding the Stage 2 critical thinking assessment?

 

[Novaa]

inbox has never been more dry

Feeling like an extra in Dune 😍

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hi @Afraz Akhtar
Hope you're doing well! Do you know where I can find a list of strength-based questions applicable for law interviews?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Not that anybody asked, but I wanted to say that I've given up on this application cycle. Hopefully, by sharing my situation, I can provide some sort of comfort to others who are finding this experience difficult.

This time around, I submitted 10 applications. I'm still waiting for a response from Simmons; the rest have been PFOs. The furthest I progressed in any of them was getting to the second stage for Hogan Lovells.

I have a relatively strong academic background. However, I don't have much work/extracurricular experience and, therefore, I lack good examples for many competencies which firms seek. One consequence of this was that my answers for VI questions about problem solving and "overcoming challenges" were relatively weak. Additionally, I couldn't think of an answer to some application questions which, ultimately, meant that I chose not to apply to many firms I really wanted to (an example which immediately springs to mind is Cooley and their question about "a situation where you have demonstrated initiative").

As somebody who has already graduated, I've come to realise that my next step has to be self-funding the SQE. This isn't ideal. My family doesn't have a lot of money. And, in stark contrast to being a future trainee with an SQE grant (and a sponsored prep course), I've had to accept that I'll be working with some degree of finance-related detriment to my studies. Yet, I recognise how fortunate I am to have my family supporting me through this next step and I can't even begin to imagine how difficult this would be for somebody who isn't receiving any additional support.

At the moment, my ethos is (somewhat ironically) taking initiative. I graduated over a year ago now. I can't keep on applying to firms, hoping that they'll provide me with an opportunity to progress to the next stage of my life. I need to do that myself.

So, yeah, all the best to everybody still striving for a TC this cycle. And, particularly for those of you who are feeling dejected, don't let rejections (or the successes of others) undermine your sense of self-worth.

Hey @adh3 sorry to hear this, but I’m glad that you’ve decided to put yourself first and have already figured out your next steps. I think it’s important to know when to take a step back, and I know you’ll thank yourself for it in the long run.

I don’t really have much to advise you on, but your post really reminds me of what I felt like I was going through in 2022/23. I’d graduated a few years prior, and was unable to secure anything - felt like there was nothing outstanding in my profile and racked myself silly trying to figure out whether it was my grades, university, lack of experience. I took a step back too, self funded my LPC (can still see that interest piling on thank you UK) but I enjoyed it. I figured, if nobody was going to give me a chance, I’ll go and take my own - started looking at experiences that didn’t require a written application such as competitions or walking into high street firms and asking to meet with the director with a paper copy of my CV in my hand. Anything really to bulk my CV up.

With a blink of the eye, suddenly my CV built up - awards, internships, leading companies/household names. A big change from how I felt about myself in 2022 and suddenly everything felt more attainable, and the quality of my applications changed - because I believed in myself more.

I don’t know if you’re on the same journey, but regardless, there’s always some beauty in taking a step back and figuring out your next steps.

P.S. I’ll be creating a thread on alternatives to work experience/internships to bulk up a CV soon!

 

[amayad2004]

hi does anyone have any exemplar written exercises? I am trying to understand how to structure them

 

[hanz123]

inbox has never been more dry

 

[jamsparkle]

I have a relatively strong academic background. However, I don't have much work/extracurricular experience and, therefore, I lack good examples for many competencies which firms seek. One consequence of this was that my answers for VI questions about problem solving and "overcoming challenges" were relatively weak. Additionally, I couldn't think of an answer to some application questions which, ultimately, meant that I chose not to apply to many firms I really wanted to (an example which immediately springs to mind is Cooley and their question about "a situation where you have demonstrated initiative").

As somebody who has already graduated, I've come to realise that my next step has to be self-funding the SQE. This isn't ideal. My family doesn't have a lot of money. And, in stark contrast to being a future trainee with an SQE grant (and a sponsored prep course), I've had to accept that I'll be working with some degree of finance-related detriment to my studies. Yet, I recognise how fortunate I am to have my family supporting me through this next step and I can't even begin to imagine how difficult this would be for somebody who isn't receiving any additional support.

At the moment, my ethos is (somewhat ironically) taking initiative. I graduated over a year ago now. I can't keep on applying to firms, hoping that they'll provide me with an opportunity to progress to the next stage of my life. I need to do that myself.

I see people talk about self-funding the SQE after unsuccessful rounds, but does the SQE actually make someone a more attractive candidate for these types of firms? You've mentioned Cooley, Simmons, and Hogan Lovells, but at these sorts of places I'd wager that the saved cost of not having to sponsor you through their exams (if you self-fund the qualifications) is unlikely to move the needle between you and another candidate. Even if it demonstrates resilience/perseverance/etc, I don't think it adds anything to an application that is unique to the SQE and can't be shown through other means (that you don't have to pay for)

With solid academics (as you say), maybe your time would be better spent working on the lack of work experience that you've identified as your issue - whatever it is that is stopping you from advancing through initial application stages, I don't see how the SQE is going to meaningfully change your profile/help your application? Obviously I get that it's frustrating to feel like you've hit a brick wall/that you're not making any progress but if you feel that you're lacking quality experience surely it'd be a better use of your time to try and address this first before rushing into another qualification especially if finances are an issue?