TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[spamelinazoid]

We never will known how firms individually review and grade amberjacks.

Ive seen candidates pass to AC with a lower amberjack score than me when i’ve been pfo’d before.

 

[maylawwww]

POV: waiting for WFW and HFW after I've seen other ppl get ACs

 

[spamelinazoid]

Yes but the April vac scheme ACs will likely come after the Feb ACs…

 

[J.SZ]

Weil AC!! This is the first time I have progressed this far!! Applied on the deadline and did the test on the 14th. High numerical and verbal and scores of 7667

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

my fat fingers clicking laugh react to these ac/ interview updates that in my heart of hearts i'm heart eyeing

The amount of times I have pressed a laughing face on someones PFO update by accident…

 

[zonnonomo]

The amount of times I have pressed a laughing face on someones PFO update by accident…

only slightly worse than angry emoting to congratulations messages

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Not me putting my phone on do not disturb so that grad rec know Im not bothered by them.

Also me every 5 seconds:

 

[spamelinazoid]

Source, makes logical sense? Why would they interview people for 2 different vac schemes at the same time? Especially when the second vac schemes is in 4 months?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

@Afraz Akhtar

I hope you are well!

I had a quick question regarding an AC. In a motivational/competency interview, when asked “Why you?”, what would you recommend as the most effective way to structure this answer? My current thinking is to select a personal trait that strongly aligns with the firm’s values, support it with relevant past experiences, and then clearly link it back to how I would add value to the firm. I would really appreciate your thoughts on whether this is the right approach or if there is a better way to frame it. Thank you

Hey @ScottieSuits I think this is an amazing approach. However, make sure you can answer it naturally. You don't want to come across scripted, and I think sometimes a rigid structure can do that. The interviewer wants to see the real you, your personality, your way of communicating etc. So, by all means hit those points but be able to do so naturally.

Additionally, you should also take this time to present a summary of your strongest skill-set, not just one. In the past, I've always gone for three and leveraged an experience of mine to actually substantiate the claim. I haven't specifically needed to link this back to the firm, but have made the effort to link it back to the career choice.

 

[nbjani]

Well done all of you!

Thanks! Couldn’t have done it without tcla. Although of course I’m now panicking because I found out via phone and haven’t received n email conf yet 🫠

 

[AMullin]

POV: waiting for WFW and HFW after I've seen other ppl get ACs
View attachment 7677

I’ve not heard anything from HFW since application submission, but I’ve also not read about anyone else hearing back either?

 

[TCGrad1642]

Just realised that I used AI in an application in which I supposedly assured that I had not in the declaration. Yet somehow haven’t had a PFO yet many many others have. Any advice here? Thanksss

 

[SBD total 1000lbs (and an applicant)]

have HSF just called off recruiting this year u reckon, bugging out cause forsters rejected me and i liked them

 

[flamingocelot]

How much do you think law firms care about grades? I understand they don’t want 2:2s but my university basically never gives out firsts and I just got a mid 2:1 on an essay I was really proud of so I’m just feeling super demotivated . I go to a top 10 Russell group that’s a top target for employers so I’m hoping individual grades don’t matter that much

 

[spamelinazoid]

I never stated it as fact hun.

Critical thinking comes in handy in situations like these. Sort of makes total sense that they would invite the first batch of strong candidates who got their apps in early to ACs. But that’s just my reading of it.

 

[TortillaTC]

They did NOT speak like this is a fact, but it is common sense that stronger applicants would be selected for Winter and those that didn’t make the cut might be moved to Spring… why so hostile?

Also for anyone still waiting to hear back from Reed Smith: I’m personally preparing myself for a PFO cause I know that my VIs weren’t that impressive, that’s all. Don’t let the forum dishearten you, you can assess your own performance best. We’ll all hear back at one point so no need to worry about it now.

 

[KuriTH]

Hey, was this after the VI or test?

No reply yet from NRF. Is this a good thing?

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

How much do you think law firms care about grades? I understand they don’t want 2:2s but my university basically never gives out firsts and I just got a mid 2:1 on an essay I was really proud of so I’m just feeling super demotivated . I go to a top 10 Russell group that’s a top target for employers so I’m hoping individual grades don’t matter that much

Don’t stress! Usually as long as you graduate with a 2:1 overall, it’s no biggie. I know that some firms are stricter with their requirements but most of them are chill as long as you have a 2:1 overall. I have a few 2:2s in some of my modules and I have progressed to next stages with no issue