TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[alyssaavian]

Hi!

Does anyone have any recommendations for websites used to practice SJTs or Watson Glasers where you're able to get some feedback on it to see where potential strengths and weaknesses are? I realised the online tests were one of my weaknesses during the last application cycle and am looking to improve.

Thanks

 

[FM302989]

Hi!

Does anyone have any recommendations for websites used to practice SJTs or Watson Glasers where you're able to get some feedback on it to see where potential strengths and weaknesses are? I realised the online tests were one of my weaknesses during the last application cycle and am looking to improve.

Thanks

Assessment Day

Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal | AssessmentDay

Free Watson Glaser Critical Thinking tests to practice online. Discover tips and advice for critical thinking tests.

www.assessmentday.co.uk

 

[WeGotThis!]

Are there any specific resources that you use for practicing Video Interviews? In my last cycle I usually got rejected after the VI, since I do better in in-person interviews

 

[Moo&mak]

the way i would do it would be to have a line at the start saying 'in july 2025, i completed X experience. my role/responsibility/what i did.....'

then, i usually structure it around the firm's competency framework (if they have one.) logically, if that is what they look for in their trainees, they should be scanning for that at every level in your application. explicitly showing the ties from your experiences to their competency framework to me seems to be the logical way forward.

i aim to try and tick off each of the competencies/sub section of their competencies with STAR examples in each experience. so take Links as an example, they have their Agile mindset. I would try and find examples throughout all of my experiences that show each of the following: Empathy - interpersonal skills, respect, working with others. Divergent thinking - critical thinking, intellect, technical capability....and so on.

then, after this i would usually include a link to how this skill/competency is relevant to a commercial solicitor at the firm.

however, this is my approach to it... also, probs best if someone more qualified confirms this lol!

This is really helpful. Thank you.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hiya everyone!

I’ve been putting together a new thread to track open days, first-year schemes, and insight days.

We hope this will be helpful as you prepare for the new application cycle, especially for those who can’t apply for a vacation scheme but still want to meet graduate recruitment teams and get to know firms better. This can be particularly valuable for firms with healthy direct training contract intakes. The tracker will be updated as we receive more information from firms themselves, so keep checking back for new opportunities. You can find it here. Good luck with your cycle!

 

[trainee4u]

Apologies, rather boring, but, just to check some grammar…
(It’s 11:30pm, my brain isn’t fully functioning, and ChatGPT is flip-flopping over what it ‘thinks’)

Which is correct (or preferable) in British English?

1. The firm’s team advise clients on market-leading developments.
OR
2. The firm’s team advises clients on market-leading developments.

https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/03/23/my-team-is-winning-or-are-they/

the plural form, i.e. advise

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

Does anyone have tips for the NRF arctic shores test?

 

[robertg22]

Hey guys! Looking for confirmation of whether my profile would be strong enough for Direct TC applications.
The last 2 I submitted (July 2025, officially still penultimate admittedly) came out with first-stage rejections as I am left to wonder whether that was due to luck, poor profile or poor essays.

AAB (with extenuating), Warwick Uni, final year, on track for a 1st, BA Phil Pol and Law
Legal Consultant at a non-uk (civil court) law firm for a year
ESL Tutor for 2 years
Pro Bono Immigration Law org Intern 1 month
Law Careers Research Assistant 1 month
Mediation Clinic Assistant 1 month
Risk and Compliance intern at a bank 1 month
I understand it's not vacation schemes, but I feel like given the mentions of the Virtual Vac Schemes it should have ticked all the boxes for why I am interested in Commercial Contentious Law? Is my international student status affecting it? Was it my penultimate year non-law status? My essays have been triple verified my academic advisors at my uni and I can't really find anything else to suggest I am a bad candidate?

Sorry if this is a rant, law applications are a tough and confusing space! Thanks in advance, love!

 

[Sharan]

Hi guys! As someone applying for the vacation schemes, how many firms r you guys applying to? Does quality matter over quantity? Or is there a way to achieve both?

 

[dannyp123]

Hey guys, is anyone else having issues with the Video Interview Coach as well. Whenever I submit an interview it fails.

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Hi guys! As someone applying for the vacation schemes, how many firms r you guys applying to? Does quality matter over quantity? Or is there a way to achieve both?

Hi! It really depends on how much time you personally have. Some people only make 5 applications and secure a VS/TC. Other people make 60 applications and unfortunately don’t get a VS/TC.

You kinda have to aim for a mix of high-quality and quantity.

I’ve spent 3 weeks writing one application in the past, which was super specific and tailored to the firm. But, I didn’t get progressed to the next stage. It felt like a huge waste of my time, which I could have spent on other applications (that might have led me to secure a TC).

There’s a huge amount of luck in the VS/TC process.

I would say, if you’re 90-95% happy with your application, then it’s better to submit it and move onto the next one, rather than spend precious time changing a few sentences about.

 

[trainee4u]

Hi! It really depends on how much time you personally have. Some people only make 5 applications and secure a VS/TC. Other people make 60 applications and unfortunately don’t get a VS/TC.

You kinda have to aim for a mix of high-quality and quantity.

I’ve spent 3 weeks writing one application in the past, which was super specific and tailored to the firm. But, I didn’t get progressed to the next stage. It felt like a huge waste of my time, which I could have spent on other applications (that might have led me to secure a TC).

There’s a huge amount of luck in the VS/TC process.

I would say, if you’re 90-95% happy with your application, then it’s better to submit it and move onto the next one, rather than spend precious time changing a few sentences about.

I think that this is true, but also if you are the type of candidate that top firms want, e.g., first from Oxford, underrepresented group, then doing five great applications makes sense, because you've got the right blend of being an attractive candidate on paper for any firm and a great application. Whereas if you're not so clearly great on paper, then you might need to do more applications.

 

[Meg_Thee_Applicant]

Hey guys, for those applying for the Aspiring Solicitors commercial awareness comp, do you have a strategy in choosing companies to follow? I've tried to go with companies I have a genuine interest in but does anyone have any other tips? thanks!!

 

[Sharan]

I think that this is true, but also if you are the type of candidate that top firms want, e.g., first from Oxford, underrepresented group, then doing five great applications makes sense, because you've got the right blend of being an attractive candidate on paper for any firm and a great application. Whereas if you're not so clearly great on paper, then you might need to do more applications.

That is so true, because I go to SOAS, University of London, and not being in that pool of Russell group university students does pose a disadvantage. I have a good amount of experience and skill development under my belt, so how does 12 applications sound like for somebody like me? I’ve been spending my summer perfecting application technique, assessment performance, interview practice etc. Also, I’ve been enrolled in many things online and in-person which has heavily improved my personal and professional development. Is 12 firm choices sounding good or…..? I’m open to any input!

 

[Sharan]

Hey guys, for those applying for the Aspiring Solicitors commercial awareness comp, do you have a strategy in choosing companies to follow? I've tried to go with companies I have a genuine interest in but does anyone have any other tips? thanks!!

Heyyy, basically I am not sure if you attended this, but because I am part of the Aspire programme, I participated in this webinar which gave us more tips for the competition. All you really need to keep in mind is that you should pick companies that you have an interest in. One winner before said that he knew many people picked certain companies because of their outstanding features like stock shares etc, but he picked something he genuinely knew and was interested in (Greggs!). That being said, pick what may appeal to you, or at least something you are quite familiar with!

 

[Meg_Thee_Applicant]

Heyyy, basically I am not sure if you attended this, but because I am part of the Aspire programme, I participated in this webinar which gave us more tips for the competition. All you really need to keep in mind is that you should pick companies that you have an interest in. One winner before said that he knew many people picked certain companies because of their outstanding features like stock shares etc, but he picked something he genuinely knew and was interested in (Greggs!). That being said, pick what may appeal to you, or at least something you are quite familiar with!

heyyy thanks so much thats so useful!!! <3 do u have any other tips from the webinar you wouldnt mind sharing please? x

 

[Blueberry26]

What approach would people suggest taking with this question from macfarlanes: If someone were to read your story so far, what would make them think, ‘This person belongs at Macfarlanes’?

 

[jojo23]

What approach would people suggest taking with this question from macfarlanes: If someone were to read your story so far, what would make them think, ‘This person belongs at Macfarlanes’?

Drop the hardest lore about yourself as if your life were a cinematic masterpiece.

 

[jojo23]

As a grad, would it be better to apply for the cms dtc over the vac scheme (i know they call it something different)?

 

[Jessica Pearson]

As a grad, would it be better to apply for the cms dtc over the vac scheme (i know they call it something different)?

I thought they only offer DTCs for grads?