TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[jacksollaf]

Good evening everyone,

Wanted to ask you all, or whoever would like to assist, for some advice. Basically, I'm a final year law student in London, and I did not manage to secure a TC yet (did a vac scheme but couldn't convert). I obviously applied this year for vac schemes and direct TCs but I feel less hopeful about securing a TC.

Accordingly, I am really wondering whether I should pursue the LLM SQE myself next year ; or whether I should go to a national/local firm in the GCC (where my father is a partner) and just work two years there to convert that into QWE and then in Sep 2029 (so with two years of experience) do my LLM SQE and pass the SQE... Is the wait better, in terms of chances of transferring back to the UK, or would me leaving the UK be sort of an impossible way to return for grad recs in London?

I ask this because applications this year are for 2028, so if I do my LLM, I would technically be unemployed from June 2027 until Jan/March/Sep 2028 (although I could work in the local firm in the meantime)...

Also, assuming I choose the working two years abroad option, after returning and doing my LLM SQE (technically at this point I would become a solicitor), how would I even enter the UK legal market? would they want another training contract, or as an associate? would it be more difficult than me currently trying to secure a TC or slightly more relaxed? Would I need to work a few extra years abroad so I gain even more experience, so say PQ1+ or it would work without? because I really want to work in London but it's just so competitive...

Idk who to @ but I guess whoever could help that would be truly appreciated. Many thanks.

 

[BillSikes]

What does Freshfields stage 1 test consist of?

 

[qaz99]

congrats!! when did you apply?

18 Oct!

 

[TCLAUser1]

For those who did Mishcon test is it worse than HL test and FF test. I am thinking of applying for Mishcon but don't know what to expect from it like whether its worth putting my mental health through it to get that pfo. I did the HL test and that was the worst from allof the tests this cycle. I can provide advice for other firms in return.

Honestly it wasn't that bad in terms of difficulty as you can spend as much time as you like on the answers, and the chat AI bot will respond directly to what you've said. But it did take me hours and you have to be locked in for the whole time to check your expression, grammar, spelling etc. so that part was really not enjoyable. I also don't know what or how they're assessing it so I have no gauge as to how I did

 

[DavidJC]

Hey that is super interesting. Have you found yourself passing past the SJTs if you were more polarising with your answers? It's a real weakness for me right now-- Haven't managed to pass a single SJT yet which is quite demoralising. I personally try be closer to the centre, but it seems that might be the reason why I'm being rejected?

In my experience (I've tested this approach a few times with non-law grad schemes that I wasn't very interested in) and from some research and online discussions, it looks like you do better if you're decisive/polarising in your answers as it shows that you're not trying to "please" by sitting in the middle, that you're self-aware, and that you have the specific strengths they may be looking for. The broad headline skills you get at the end with a feedback report with the usual words like Communication/Teamwork/Drive/Resilience can give you an idea of these strengths, and there's usually some minor indication of what they're expecting you to respond with. I've previously been told that I'm naturally collaborative but don't take any personal responsibility, and if I try to match my answers more towards personal responsibility, it says that I'm poor at collaboration (I think this is clearly undesirable in literally any job/profession).

The best general advice remains to consider what a trainee solicitor, with all their skills and limitations, should be doing in the situation.

It's tricky to try and understand if this is necessarily where you're falling short because virtually all firms both law and non-law will send an SJT automatically before reading your application. Unless you're explicitly receiving poor feedback reports or being told that you didn't meet their benchmark score, I would probably revisit the application. It's also a process of luck, unfortunately.

Fact of the matter is, online assessments will not be fair if you're completely honest as Grad Rec advises you to be. They're called assessments rather than personality questionnaires for a reason. It's just an extra step that you need to know how to tackle in the same way people talk about personalising your application answers with your own experiences, highlighting what you did, learned, and gained from the experience and how it's linked to the firm/role etc.

I know I wrote a lot, but hopefully that helps!

 

[juan234]

Do people tend to wear ties to open days?

 

[LawAspirer]

Did anybody hear back from Weil post SJT?
I did my SJT a while back and got 24/36, think I did OK on VIs.

 

[Bread]

Has anyone ever progressed with a 4 in one of the amberjack pillars

 

[TCLAUser1]

Does anyone know what the Clifford Chance WG pass mark is for TC?

 

[LawAspirer]

Does Mishcon send you a confirmation email after the chat interview?

 

[Unknowncabbage]

In no more than 200 words, tell us how the skills and attributes you have developed to date will help you excel as a Clifford Chance lawyer. would appreciate if anyone has any guidance/tips as to how they answered this/allocated their word count.

 

[yk1906]

What's the next stage after Gibson Dunn's first SJT?

 

[Jennifer2003]

Bird and Bird VI! If anybody is able to share any insights regarding the video interview at all it would be so greatly appreciated! I've done the simmons and simmons VI if anybody would like to swap insights haha

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

In no more than 200 words, tell us how the skills and attributes you have developed to date will help you excel as a Clifford Chance lawyer. would appreciate if anyone has any guidance/tips as to how they answered this/allocated their word count.

Hey!

As you only have 200 words, I would be really selective and tie everything back to what Clifford Chance values. A structure could be:

1. Start with 1-2 core strengths (e.g. commercial awareness, teamwork, problem-solving) and briefly show how you have developed these - for example, through your work experience, academics, university societies, etc. These are the skills that you have learned and can demonstrate with evidence.
2. Link each strength directly to the role of a Clifford Chance trainee. For example, how your analytical skills help you break down complex matters, or how working with diverse teams has prepared you for Clifford Chance's collaborative, global environment. I would have a look at their website and see what values and attributes they highlight as most important to them, and try to tie these in where you can.
3. Add 1-2 personal attributes (e.g. resilience, adaptability, attention to detail) and again connect them to the demands of a fast-paced, high-performing firm like Clifford Chance. Compared to the core strengths, these are character traits that you naturally have or have developed over time.
4. Finish your answer with a forward-looking sentence about how these skills will enable you to contribute and grow at the firm.

A rough word count split could be:

• 30-40 words on background/skills gained
• 120-130 words linking those skills to Clifford Chance
• 20-30 words on your future contribution to the firm

I would just make sure that everything is specific, concise, and clearly relevant to Clifford Chance's culture and expectations.

I hope that helps, and best of luck with your application!

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Hey!

As you only have 200 words, I would be really selective and tie everything back to what Clifford Chance values. A structure could be:

1. Start with 1-2 core strengths (e.g. commercial awareness, teamwork, problem-solving) and briefly show how you have developed these - for example, through your work experience, academics, university societies, etc. These are the skills that you have learned and can demonstrate with evidence.
2. Link each strength directly to the role of a Clifford Chance trainee. For example, how your analytical skills help you break down complex matters, or how working with diverse teams has prepared you for Clifford Chance's collaborative, global environment. I would have a look at their website and see what values and attributes they highlight as most important to them, and try to tie these in where you can.
3. Add 1-2 personal attributes (e.g. resilience, adaptability, attention to detail) and again connect them to the demands of a fast-paced, high-performing firm like Clifford Chance. Compared to the core strengths, these are character traits that you naturally have or have developed over time.
4. Finish your answer with a forward-looking sentence about how these skills will enable you to contribute and grow at the firm.

A rough word count split could be:

• 30-40 words on background/skills gained
• 120-130 words linking those skills to Clifford Chance
• 20-30 words on your future contribution to the firm

I would just make sure that everything is specific, concise, and clearly relevant to Clifford Chance's culture and expectations.

I hope that helps, and best of luck with your application!

Thank you so much Abbie, I really appreciate that detailed response

 

[The Boy]

Simmons & Simmons AC invite!! Any advice or insights would be appreciated!!

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Simmons & Simmons AC invite!! Any advice or insights would be appreciated!!

Hi ,Congratulations. Please when did you apply?

 

[Someoneinlaw]

I did Simmons VI on the 13th of November. Please if anyone also did their VI around this time and have gotten AC invite , kindly let me know!

 

[The Boy]

Hi ,Congratulations. Please when did you apply?

Exactly two weeks ago.

 

[llblawstudent]

For slaughters how are people structuring their CV? I’m thinking education, legal wex, non legal wex, extra curriculars, positions of responsibility and achievements? Would you include a sector on legal events like open days?