TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

It’s almost midnight lads I think we ought to get some sleep (Baker McKenzie has disrupted my sleep for 2 weeks now).

Nah these are the peak TCLA night life hours we’re only just getting started here lad lmao:​

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Can someone confirm if Covington, BCLP, and Winston are rolling/NR?

 

[T. Rainee]

Has anyone else experience this with the practice AmberJack sent alongside the test:

"Your webcam is already in use​

Something else is already using your webcam, please turn that off , see that the light goes off and then click here to try again."

Nothing else is using my camera, I've cleared cookies etc...

Ur FBI agent rn

 

[Donna Paulsen]

'Is there anything else that you would like us to consider when reviewing your application? What makes you stand out from the crowd? Don't feel obliged to answer this question!'

Are they tricking me... do I answer this... I cba

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

'Is there anything else that you would like us to consider when reviewing your application? What makes you stand out from the crowd? Don't feel obliged to answer this question!'

Are they tricking me... do I answer this... I cba

just say ur donna like tf. who do they think they're talking to

 

[Donna Paulsen]

just say ur donna like tf. who do they think they're talking to

Period!!!!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Vantage why have you jumbled up my work experience chronology what is wrong with you

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Vantage why have you jumbled up my work experience chronology what is wrong with you

Can someone explain why AllHires asks us to put our work experience in chronological order (most recent first), but Vantage asks for it to be done in reverse order (oldest first)???!! This shii has never made sense to me smh. I cba lmao.

 

[sooae]

Nah these are the peak TCLA night life hours we’re only just getting started here lad lmao:​

Haahah! Definitely joining this partay

 

[trainee4u]

not sure if this is a sign I apply to too many roles but like how many squares do you click here? I chose B234 C234 D34 and they were like "no fam" and gave me some bikes to click on as well.

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Okay amazing as I always complete them but if I knew law firms were reading them some of my earlier ones may not be as good so was a bit worried

@lawstudent2 don't worry, they're meant to be learning curves. It is not assessed and not considered in any application. I can't remember if we had one or two of them created when I was working at Clyde & Co, but the only time we actually checked to see if candidates had used our Forage programmes was to see if it was leading to higher quality candidates e.g. for the 20 AC candidates, what percentage sat our online programme etc. Data like this fed into ROI analysis, so it's meant to be an accurate snapshot and not a manipulated datapoint - which is why I doubt firms are actively looking for those that completed the internship.

As for reading into your performance, if we think about it, graduate recruitment are very busy during application rounds e.g. screening, mailbox management, events, admin, programme planning etc. I don't think any of them are going to take on the added burden of analysing your performance on an external programme that is not a part of their process, when they're actually paying external companies like Amberjack and Cappfinity, to do that separately for them anyway.

So, don't worry.

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

\hello guys, I need help urgently with an interview question. When a law firm asks about a recent commercial news story that interested you, is it ideal or beneficial in any way to use articles in the sector the firm specialises in? Or I could discuss news in a small niche practice in the firm?

Hey @lesh although the general expectation is that you can choose anything that interests you, the reason being that you're the one that has to talk about it, which you'll fail to do without that interest. I think it is beneficial to choose something that can still link to the firm in any way, whether that be their clients, sectors, practice areas, law firm politics etc. Niche or not, the list is endless, but you should be able to explain how this may impact the firm in some way or the other. It is best to do this so that you can leverage this as another opportunity to solidify your interest in them.

 

[Novaa]

Dropping off another message from Novaa’s fyp, Happy Tuesday (I’m really showing why I act how I do LOL)

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

@Afraz Akhtar How would you answer the question "What motivates you?" in strength-based interviews? It seems very broad to me and I don't have a clue what to include in the answer. Any insights would be highly appreciated

Hey @FutureTraineeMaybe I understand why this question may be a little confusing, it's actually one of the rare chances you get in an application to be personal but that is what they want to see here, something personal. They want to see what makes you tick, what gets you going as a person. For each of us, the answer will be different and could change as the years go on.

But think about it deeply, is it a particular ability like problem-solving, a book you read that inspired you, or perhaps a situation which carried a significant impact of your life. Once you have that in mind, you can build the answer out.

Once you've highlighted what your motivation is, it could be one or two, focus on why you have them. Then try and link this to certain experiences e.g. if challenges motivate you, focus in on certain challenges you've actually sought out and overcome like competitions. This isn't a call to use the STAR method, but instead a way to showcase how that motivation has driven your previous actions/experiences.

 

[Novaa]

Nah these are the peak TCLA night life hours we’re only just getting started here lad lmao:​

Like I just clocked in! Late for my shift, but better late than never!

Clocking out though, I need to sleep after W&C gave me resilience as an area of development in my feedback report. That’s all I’ve been this cycle

 

[livelaughlawve]

Interview related - Can anyone point me in the direction of a "model answer" for interviews for a "why this firm" question. I have been told in previous interviews that my reason for rejection is not being firm-specific enough. I think I have improved on this, but I really have nothing to compare it to...

 

[trainee4u]

Just got this from the for real guys

Thank you for applying for the 2026 RPC London Summer Scheme.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, we will be in touch soon with details of the next stage — our new online Early Talent Assessment. This assessment has been designed specifically for RPC, based on a detailed analysis of the skills and attributes needed to succeed as a Trainee Solicitor here.

I'm strongly doubting that this is a new assessment rather than some Amberjack with a quick find/replace and a big fat bill to For Real PC, but we'll see.

 

[ACHat8r]

Can someone confirm if Covington, BCLP, and Winston are rolling/NR?

Covington is non rolling and I think BCLP is rolling but could be wrong on that one

 

[spamelinazoid]

I have a genuine hatred for AmberJacks.

2 Assessments over 2 days and completely different results (7/9 for applied intellect on one day and 2/9 on another????? 4/9 for grit one day and 8/9 for another???? which one is it???)