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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

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How do firms actually make offer decisions after an Assessment Centre?
I’m curious how decisions are typically made once candidates reach the AC stage.
Do firms still take a genuinely holistic view at that point (e.g. academic record, prior experience, overall trajectory), or is the decision largely driven by AC performance itself?
More specifically:
  • Are candidates scored numerically across exercises (case study, interview, group task, etc.) with certain exercises weighted more heavily?
  • If so, do different exercises carry different weight (e.g. case study vs competency interview)?
  • Or is there still a degree of discretion and qualitative discussion when deciding who receives offers?
Interested to hear perspectives from trainees, associates, or anyone involved in the recruitment process.
 
thoughts on likelihood of being progressed to Milbank stage 2?

I completed the stage 1 test a week ago and haven't heard anything. wondering if it's worth holding out hope or coming to terms with a PFO especially since AC invites have gone out
At AC they said they have a lot of flexibility in the process and will hold extra ACs for strong applicants, not really any lower chance of being progressed if you apply late.
 
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