TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TC seeker]

@vera.mekhonoshina Hi Vera! Will law firms have requirements for the grades of PGDL? will they mention that conditions if candidates have been offered a training contract?

 

[Tattyasha]

Anyone else having problems with NRF? It won’t let me enter Uni info at all

 

[BT0901]

Anyone else having problems with NRF? It won’t let me enter Uni info at all

I couldn't enter my secondary school information. Definitely one of the most useless application portals. Who even asks for a GPA in the UK.

 

[lawyersum]

I couldn't enter my secondary school information. Definitely one of the most useless application portals. Who even asks for a GPA in the UK.

I thought cv mail was bad then I experienced NRF's portal and was truly proven wrong lol

 

[Lawlife5]

Does any one know where I can find successful open day applications or if anyone is willing to provide a sample to see what I am meant to be saying as I am not sure how to approach these questions as I will just be repeating myself by saying I want to learn more about this and this after each point I say about the firm?

 

[applicant457]

I think it's the latter because I did the first OA on Wednesday and, jumpscare, I got the second OA on Thursday.

True, but it doesn't really make sense that they would make their recruitment team go through hundreds and hundreds more applications, VIs, and written answers. My guess is that they work fast and review applications as they come in so as soon as the first OA is done they can send the job sim. lmk what u think!

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Would it be useful to still apply to Dechert's WVS? Or is it too late?

 

[ZNadeem]

@Veronica @Ammanbaby1 I am interested in a particular firm's emerging market group. How do I link it to me? The only thing I can think of right now is that I come from Nigeria and I have experience with some of those companies (as in I have used their services) but I don't know if this is substantive enough.

Hi! That is definitely a good link! You just need to emphasise why/what about that background/experience has drawn you to the relevant area. In fact, many candidates won’t have a direct connection to such USPs, so it’s fine to focus on the aspects you can link to yourself to show genuine interest in a practice area.

For example: "Having grown up in Nigeria, I have firsthand experience with several companies operating in emerging markets and have observed the unique legal and commercial challenges they face. This background has inspired my interest in the firm’s Emerging Markets expertise, as I am keen to apply my understanding of these markets to support clients navigating cross-border opportunities."

 

[CharlesT47]

Would it be useful to still apply to Dechert's WVS? Or is it too late?

is it rolling?

 

[ZNadeem]

@vera.mekhonoshina Hi Vera! Will law firms have requirements for the grades of PGDL? will they mention that conditions if candidates have been offered a training contract?

Hi! Just some insight: I think most firms do list any grade requirements for the PGDL on their website, usually under the careers section or FAQs. If you can’t find the information there, it’s perfectly fine to email the graduate recruitment team to clarify.

 

[ZNadeem]

Does any one know where I can find successful open day applications or if anyone is willing to provide a sample to see what I am meant to be saying as I am not sure how to approach these questions as I will just be repeating myself by saying I want to learn more about this and this after each point I say about the firm?

Hi! Here are some tips that always worked for me:

I would suggest picking 2-3 USPs of the firm you would like to learn more about and can evidence an interest in through your experiences. Then follow the PEA structure for each point.

P — introduce the USP and that you would like to learn more about that aspect of the firm
E — why that USP resonates with you
A — why the open day will help you learn more about that

 

[c.t.tc]

Does anyone that made it to the online ac/written exercise for Ashurst direct tc (since I think this is the first time they’re using cappfinity) remember the strengths they got?

 

[Lawlife5]

Hi! Here are some tips that always worked for me:

I would suggest picking 2-3 USPs of the firm you would like to learn more about and can evidence an interest in through your experiences. Then follow the PEA structure for each point.

P — introduce the USP and that you would like to learn more about that aspect of the firm
E — why that USP resonates with you
A — why the open day will help you learn more about that

Hi @ZNadeem thank you so much! What confuses me is the last part? Would you be able to explain this further, thank you!

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

is it rolling?

Yep!

 

[broxia]

Hi guys, has anyone done an SJT with leaving the browser and then coming back onto it at a later time and still gotten through? Will they know if you didn't do the whole thing in one sitting?

 

[brtz]

Hi everyone, I'm considering applying to Hogan Lovells Lift OFF programme, and one of their application questions is about open days! I want to attend their open day(so i can engage with the firm).

However the earliest one i'm eligible for is on the 21st Oct, and the deadline for the LIft Off application is 31st oct!

Just wondering if I should wait till after 21st to submit my application (the application is on rolling basis btw)?

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Is my cv being 1 and a half pages acceptable for NRF and other firms or should I try and cut it to 1 page?

 

[a1024]

Hi, what is the stage after the online assessment for Latham VS? Is there another test with the video element or is there a direct AC?

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

@vera.mekhonoshina Hi Vera! Will law firms have requirements for the grades of PGDL? will they mention that conditions if candidates have been offered a training contract?

Hi @TC seeker,

Different firms will have different requirements as to the individual grades/ overall mark that you need to achieve during the PGDL, but they will make you aware of those requirements when you get a TC offer. Hope this helps!

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Hi @ZNadeem thank you so much! What confuses me is the last part? Would you be able to explain this further, thank you!

Hi @Lawlife5,

I might be able to help out with this.

From my understanding, you'd want to specify the exact things one might do at an open day that could help you learn more about that particular USP.

Some of the common things applicants do at an open day are:

1. Listening to panels, where trainees, partners, or associates from a particular practice area or group talk about their work at the firm
2. Having the option to ask a question during a structured Q&A
3. Informal networking with trainees, associates and partners, where you can ask any questions about the firm's culture, deals, etc
4. Hearing from the graduate recruitment team, who share their top tips and tricks for the application process
5. Completing fictional case studies, discussing client scenarios, and participating in mock negotiations

So, these are the types of things you might want to mention within that final point. Of course, this would be firm-specific, as no two open days are the same.

I hope this helps!