TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[iklawapps]

OMG I did this - thought I absolutely fumbled the bag in my interview because I was already nervous and was being asked very broad technical/ case study/ commercial awareness questions alongside back to back questions while I'm answering BUT it turned out fine in the end.
I'd say - try and distract yourself from the AC experience and don't assume an outcome until you hear back. I hope it works out in your favour!

Thank you < 3 I really do appreciate that, and I'm so glad it worked out okay for you!! I really hope it is okay in the end, and if it is I'll be hitting the chat with a big old I was wrong message :' )

 

[AS24]

Hey @AS24 I'm well thank you, hope you are too!

Why is it that you can't write the same things again, if you passed the application two times before? Have they specifically advised against this? I understand if you're told to change the wording, but as for examples or experiences, I would imagine that these would relatively stay the same - and that you would just word it differently. In which case, I would advise that you choose your strongest achievement - one that has allowed you to go into detail about what you've learned, overcome, exceeded at etc.

If however, you feel like its better to change it completely, then your example of succeeding in your paralegal job isn't necessarily counterproductive, so long as you can explain why that makes you proud? You mentioned you don't have much experience in this sector, so focus on the challenges, how you overcame them, what you did and what you've learned about yourself, and lastly why this makes you proud.

If you can't qualify it that much, then I would suggest sticking to an achievement that actually makes you proud - even if you've mentioned it before. Such achievements don't tend change year-on-year, so I wouldn't imagine anyone penalising you for that.

Hello @Afraz Akhtar,

I have been told to change my answer because GR tend to read past applications, but I am not sure.
I feel that my first successful application was pure luck. I only started to seriously apply last year, this year I want to be successful, but still struggling to understand a very tricky industry such as the legal one.

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Just completed the White & Case online assessment and received my feedback. Does anyone know how the report is weighted? I scored highly on personal responsibility, adaptability and credibility, but collaboration was an area of development. Does anyone also know if White & Case have started sending out AC invites for the vac schemes?

I'm not an expert, but my understanding is that with many firms, the strengths and weaknesses given on feedback reports are generally relative to you. It's impossible to quantify based on the reports unless they quantify it with numbers. Person A's weakest area might be stronger than Person B's strongest area. Or Person A's strengths are average and below Person C's weaknesses. Probably, they are weighted based on qualities the firm finds most important, but the weighting is useless without quantification. I may be wrong about this, though, but I wouldn't worry too much. What it does mean is if you don't get accepted to the next stage, you know which area tripped you up if you apply again in the next cycle. Although typing that, I guess with SJTs by design, it'll be very rare to score very high or very low across the board?

Speaking of reports... it took BCLP over a day for the automated feedback report.... but it's different to usual reports, I guess? Because, along with the SJT, it had a verbal reasoning and critical reasoning test. If it says critical reasoning was a strength, was that related to the Critical Reasoning test or based on the SJT still? And when it comes to efficiency as a strength, is that related to the SJT, or is it related to time management in completing the tests? And is it a positive that verbal reasoning wasn't a weakness (i.e. the test results for that weren't weak)? At this point, I don't know, and I guess I'm overthinking it. I've done the test now, I need to remind myself it's now out of my control and I can only wait for an outcome.

 

[Deleted member 43292]

Has anyone withdrawn from the process in the middle of the application process (aka before AC) before? Would love to discuss thoughts!

 

[Saanvi.r]

chat are we gonna hear back from skadden tomorrow or anytime in the week?

 

[Deleted member 43292]

guys lowkey this sounds ungrateful but I don't want to hear back from all the firms all at once it's too much cognitive load on top of exams, academic reading, committee roles, and just daily life haha

I know most firms will be replying this month right? I just hope it's more gradual than a straight dump of emails tomorrow or smth

 

[Prudentia]

I'm not an expert, but my understanding is that with many firms, the strengths and weaknesses given on feedback reports are generally relative to you. It's impossible to quantify based on the reports unless they quantify it with numbers. Person A's weakest area might be stronger than Person B's strongest area. Or Person A's strengths are average and below Person C's weaknesses. Probably, they are weighted based on qualities the firm finds most important, but the weighting is useless without quantification. I may be wrong about this, though, but I wouldn't worry too much. What it does mean is if you don't get accepted to the next stage, you know which area tripped you up if you apply again in the next cycle. Although typing that, I guess with SJTs by design, it'll be very rare to score very high or very low across the board?

Speaking of reports... it took BCLP over a day for the automated feedback report.... but it's different to usual reports, I guess? Because, along with the SJT, it had a verbal reasoning and critical reasoning test. If it says critical reasoning was a strength, was that related to the Critical Reasoning test or based on the SJT still? And when it comes to efficiency as a strength, is that related to the SJT, or is it related to time management in completing the tests? And is it a positive that verbal reasoning wasn't a weakness (i.e. the test results for that weren't weak)? At this point, I don't know, and I guess I'm overthinking it. I've done the test now, I need to remind myself it's now out of my control and I can only wait for an outcome.

Thank you so much for explaining this. I guess it makes sense, as they make it clear the feedback report isn't the outcome. Similar to you, there's no point worrying about the outcome until I hear back. What's done is done. Wishing you all the best with BCLP!

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

guys lowkey this sounds ungrateful but I don't want to hear back from all the firms all at once it's too much cognitive load on top of exams, academic reading, committee roles, and just daily life haha

I know most firms will be replying this month right? I just hope it's more gradual than a straight dump of emails tomorrow or smth

I think we can only count on the non-rolling firms to reply after the deadlines... beyond that, good luck to us
Knowing my luck, there will be 5 days of an empty inbox, and then 3 assigned tests & 5 rejections & 2 video interviews in the same hour.

 

[boots pharmacy]

You guys are funnyyyy would be gassed if I end up in a trainee cohort with any of you!

 

[msclm]

Has anyone withdrawn from the process in the middle of the application process (aka before AC) before? Would love to discuss thoughts!

hi! i withdrew from a few firms after i accepted my tc. very short email being like "i accpeted a tc at __, as such i will be withdrawing from your application process"

every response was very nice ... i guess its one less application they need to look at lol

 

[c.t.tc]

guys lowkey this sounds ungrateful but I don't want to hear back from all the firms all at once it's too much cognitive load on top of exams, academic reading, committee roles, and just daily life haha

I know most firms will be replying this month right? I just hope it's more gradual than a straight dump of emails tomorrow or smth

Unfortunately I think that’s how it’ll probably be it’s the classic million year wait and then all responses in the same 5 minutes…

 

[boots pharmacy]

Seconded on the kitten ^

 

[msclm]

ooh thank you!! hey you're that sidley guy! hi again and congratulations again!!

the issue is I don't have a TC haha so it might seem rude for me to just withdraw without a valid reason maybe? I am anticipating PFOs from them anyways, so that's why I've been convincing myself to put this off since it's probably better for them to reject me than me to reject them lol but I'm still constantly pondering about this issue

yes im the sidley guy lmao - and thank you!

i guess it would depend on your reason for not wanting to continue in the process? IMO its different to withdraw before you've been progressed past application stage than before? i feel like if you havent been progressed at all yet, i cant imagine GR would care at all

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

ooh thank you!! hey you're that sidley guy! hi again and congratulations again!!

the issue is I don't have a TC haha so it might seem rude for me to just withdraw without a valid reason maybe? I am anticipating PFOs from them anyways, so that's why I've been convincing myself to put this off since it's probably better for them to reject me than me to reject them lol but I'm still constantly pondering about this issue

The mind of recruiters is transcendent to our understanding. You aren't rejected until you are rejected. If you're expecting rejection from them, it's a free lottery ticket. Nothing to lose, everything to gain. Unless you really don't want to work at that firm, which is understandable

 

[boots pharmacy]

If a firm hasn't got back to you by now about it, how likely is an AC within the last week of Jan? I'm travelling from the 19th-28th Jan and I'm terrified I'll have to cancel the family holiday and drop everything for a last minute AC.

Anyone have insight to how much notice they give?

Firms typically give at least 2 weeks notice. Most firms also offer multiple AC slots throughout a 1-2 week window. You should be fine 99% of the time.

 

[TCLAAAA]

Filled my V&E app yesterday, but somehow their system did not save- just refill again that's the taste of last min app submission.

 

[maxro]

chat are we gonna hear back from skadden tomorrow or anytime in the week?

My guess is yes, I'm scared

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Filled my V&E app yesterday, but somehow their system did not save- just refill again that's the taste of last min app submission.

I started to save responses for long answer questions on apps that I work on over multiple days, just to be safe. Sucks to fill out grades, etc., on some systems, but provides that ease at least...

 

[lolololol]

for an interview what would some good topical issues be for recent commercial developments / news stories to discuss?

 

[Prudentia]

ooh thank you!! hey you're that sidley guy! hi again and congratulations again!!

the issue is I don't have a TC haha so it might seem rude for me to just withdraw without a valid reason maybe? I am anticipating PFOs from them anyways, so that's why I've been convincing myself to put this off since it's probably better for them to reject me than me to reject them lol but I'm still constantly pondering about this issue

You can withdraw from a recruitment process at any point. They’re really not going to care. It’s expected that candidates will drop out anyway.