TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[applicant3000]

Hey do you think scores of 8, 5 and 4 (all out of 10) bad enough to assume I failed the Simmons SJT?

 

[Amgrad]

Shoosmiths Open Evening Insight Day Invite!

 

[Jennifer2003]

does anyone know how much time we have to prepare for the a&o Shearman vi questions? thank you!!

I remember applying to their winter vs and it was unlimited time to prepare before you started recording (which meant it took me 40 minutes to get the courage to press record haha)

 

[TheLegalEdit]

Does anyone have any tips for artic shores assessments for NRF?

 

[cheeseontoast]

Shoosmiths Open Evening Insight Day Invite!

Congrats!! Is this the in-person one?

 

[cheeseontoast]

Does anyone know whether Orrick has a strict academic requirement? (2:1 in all modules, specific a-level grade, etc)

 

[c.t.tc]

Hey do you think scores of 8, 5 and 4 (all out of 10) bad enough to assume I failed the Simmons SJT?

Not if you did really well in the other areas ( I'm assuming this is for the 'success areas' they have) - the benchmark is an overall score. I don't know the exact benchmark but I would assume having it be overall rather than per section is so that weaker areas can get evened out by really strong scores in other parts?

 

[Amgrad]

Congrats!! Is this the in-person one?

Yep, next month

 

[Amgrad]

Does Bird & Bird sponsor visa for applicants to attend their vacation schemes?

Nope, they don't have direct TC either. I've made a list for international students: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2025-26.9717/post-219702

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Does anyone know whether Orrick has a strict academic requirement? (2:1 in all modules, specific a-level grade, etc)​

I attended an Orrick virtual event recently and in that the early careers guy said they look for a 2:1 (ideally a strong 2:1) and a minimum of ABB at A-level. He also mentioned they take mitigating and extenuating circumstances into account and use rare contextual recruitment. He said they are not after a 2:1 in every module though. Not sure how strict they are in practice re academics.​

 

[Lawlawland]

Not if you did really well in the other areas ( I'm assuming this is for the 'success areas' they have) - the benchmark is an overall score. I don't know the exact benchmark but I would assume having it be overall rather than per section is so that weaker areas can get evened out by really strong scores in other parts?

By overall, do you mean overall SJT score, or overall in a holistic sense (application answer, test and video interview).?

 

[c.t.tc]

By overall, do you mean overall SJT score, or overall in a holistic sense (application answer, test and video interview).?

It's the whole blended assessment (applied intellect, video interview and sjt) but I think the application form is separate

 

[cheeseontoast]

Yep, next month

When did you apply for it if i may ask? I've been looking to apply for their in-person insight day but i couldn't find one besides than the virtual insight evenings

 

[sooae]

Has anyone heard back from GD for Spring/Summer?

 

[TCchaser]

does anyone know how much time we have to prepare for the a&o Shearman vi questions? thank you!!

Unlimited prep time, 2 mins to answer

 

[NorthernerInLondon]

Could anyone who has done Freshfields 2nd assessment please help? How long were you given to prep for the video questions and how long did you have to answer? Thank you!

In the practice version you get 1 minute to prep, 2 minutes to answer. I would imagine that this will be the same in the 2nd assessment, though I am yet to attempt it so can not say for certain.

 

[Kjaerlighet]

Fellow aspiring lawyers,

did any of you hear back from Linklaters / Links after completing their in-person AC for Winter Vac Scheme (WVS) 2025?

 

[johnsmith]

Could anyone who has done Freshfields 2nd assessment please help? How long were you given to prep for the video questions and how long did you have to answer? Thank you!

Think it was 2 mins for both but the above post mentions 1 + 2 in the prep hub so perhaps my memory of yesterday is hazy

 

[s123]

any advice on how to prepare for Dechert we? would be so appreciated !!

Yeah if anyone knows would be so helpful!

 

[c.t.tc]

Did B&B send out any more VIs today?