TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Amgrad]

Interview invite to SH? Congrats!! I thought they were non-rolling

Yep, I do like firms which shows a real commitment for DEI, not just a brag like white shoe or boutique firms. I always prioritise firms which rank highly on SMEI and Law360 index.

 

[Harold Gunderson]

Is the clyde and co VS not open to grads?

 

[_hashirm1]

Is the clyde and co VS not open to grads?

I think only their spring vacation scheme is.

 

[iwatchsuits]

Hey! I did ES's video interview last year and you're right it is strengths-based. The firm really focuses on your motivations in specific scenarios and what qualities you're naturally drawn to expressing. Expect mainly questions about an experience you have and how that shows your affinity for a specific strength. The firm also likes if you mention what energised you about the overall situation. Focus on preparing these competency examples instead of preparing the typical why law, why firm!

Thank you so so much for the insight! I love competency questions and definitely prefer them over the 'why law' types of questions so I'm not as nervous now haha. I emphasised the whole energising thing on my application so they seem to love that!

 

[iwatchsuits]

Has anyone done the ES VI yet? I'm planning to do mine tomorrow morning would love to know how it went

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Have people progressed with firms to interview before and then re-applied and got rejected at app stage? So annoying

yea and that initial app didn't even have application questions (only work exp and education), or an online test in conjunction with it! that's super annoying I dont even wanna guess why

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Has anyone done the ES VI yet? I'm planning to do mine tomorrow morning would love to know how it went

Following too!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Really rogue question, but when you start the PGDL or SQE, how do people afford to live in London? I’m coming from Leeds and having to move down with my partner and for the life of us cannot see how we will manage it. Those who’ve done the SQE or going to, how do you make it work? Most firms I’m looking at give a 10-15k bursary but I’ve no idea how to make that work :/
- sorry if this is a really daft question, but I’ve tried to do some research and thought maybe this could be a good place to discuss since we will all (or majority) need to move down to London at some point?

Hey!

Absolutely not a daft question at all - this was something that really stressed me out too, especially as I didn't grow up near London and knew many firms require the PDGL/SQE to be completed in person.

Honestly, it is a tricky situation! I'm quite fortunate that my course provider is fully online, so I've been able to stay in my university city while completing the SQE and will move to London when I start my TC. However, it definitely isn't a perfectly solution - I have to get the train at 6am on my office days, and it is relatively expensive to commute (thank you British rail!).

From speaking to others in my cohort, particularly those from outside London, a lot of people ended up house-sharing to keep costs down. That said, I completely understand that can be difficult when moving with a partner and you don't want to share with others, as I was also in the same position. Living further out and commuting in can help with rent, although travel costs can add up quite quickly!

When I did my placement year in London, I was on around a similar salary as those bursary's and lived an hour commute away. Combined with my partner's salary, we did make it work, so there are definitely ways to balance it - it just takes a lot of careful planning and compromises. I'd have a look at commuter towns around the City, as you might be able to find a good balance between renting costs and travel costs.

Some firms also do offer interest-free loans and other ways of supporting those who would struggle to afford to live in London on the bursary/maintenance alone - I would definitely encourage you to reach out in the future, as the worst thing they can say is no!

I hope that provides some insights, and at least reassures you that you're not alone in worrying about it!

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Also guys I'm lowkey embarrassed because I re-read my ES application and saw I made a stupid typo (repeating a word) in one of my questions. Feel so fortunate to receive a video interview but it is kind of funny because my pristine Simmons application (that admittedly I also did way more research for) was chucked in the bin LOL

I kinda bombed the last question so thought it would be PFO but made it to VI - you never know lmfao!

 

[elle woods]

@Harvey Specter why are you still up 😭 sleep and good luck in a few hours time!!

 

[Harvey Specter]

@Harvey Specter why are you still up 😭 sleep and good luck in a few hours time!!

It’s the thing happening tom that still has me up at this time of the night lmfao. I’m acc so cooked for Skadden bruh. Good luck to you also!

The question is, why are YOU still up? You’ve got to be up and ready for Skadden too. Best of luck to everyone doing the written exercise btw!​

 

[DavidJC]

Guys why do I feel like I'm going through like a mid life crisis - at some points I'm feeling devastated and tired with this process and other times (like now) I'm super excited for no reason to do this process... like hello what is going on 🤣

Sadly extremely relatable... but we carry on

Good luck tomorrow to you and everyone else on Skadden's WE!

 

[annalise.joyn]

hey everyone, I wanted to just get some life advice regarding next steps of my life. it's a bit of a weird space to do it but I think it will definitely relate to a lot of people here. I'm a non-law finalist and right now it feels like its go time for applications whether that's law or masters. in my heart of hearts I want to do a masters, but there's always been a piece of me that loves law and wants to try it out but law is not only competitive and time-consuming but also not something you can dip your toes in since its often times vac scheme- tc offer-law school which is like a 3 year process.

I know I don't have enough time to balance masters and law but I also do not want to risk potentially having regrets in the future. I've thought about doing just masters applications but again it's so hard because it just so happens that my potential course is only offered at the best unis in the uk/u.s. I also really like law but sometimes I find myself questioning if the applications, pfo's and 10 stages is even worth it. In an ideal world, I would get my dream masters but also have a tc offer which I would defer for post masters but we unfortunately do not live in such paradise. It's been scarier knowing in this one holiday I have 5 masters apps, diss work, coursework and potentially more law apps too.

I feel like I'm getting nowhere asking myself what it is that I want so I wanted to ask here to see if others have been through this, if anyone has any guidance and advice?

 

[RJ Ruban]

Guys why do I feel like I'm going through like a mid life crisis - at some points I'm feeling devastated and tired with this process and other times (like now) I'm super excited for no reason to do this process... like hello what is going on

Guys why do I feel like I'm going through like a mid life crisis - at some points I'm feeling devastated and tired with this process and other times (like now) I'm super excited for no reason to do this process... like hello what is going on 🤣

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRYH1m9H/ hope this TikTok helps haha

 

[elle woods]

It’s the thing happening tom that still has me up at this time of the night lmfao. I’m acc so cooked for Skadden bruh. Good luck to you also!

The question is, why are YOU still up? You’ve got to be up and ready for Skadden too. Best of luck to everyone doing the written exercise btw!​

ahha same same, but I'm not sure how best to prepare LOL I am cooked too but thank you!
Best of luck everyone!

 

[elle woods]

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRYH1m9H/ hope this TikTok helps haha

LMAO very motivational, thank you

 

[cookedlawstudent]

I'm in the same situation - my thoughts are that yes it's probably a PFO - HL usually just takes forever to reject you if you fail their tests

Ok so I am a little bit concerned as I did just submit the test this evening. I spent a LOT of time on their application and rlly would like to atleast make it to stage 2 with them so I hope I hear good news tomorrow

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Anyone heard from Arnold & Porter?

 

[elle woods]

Ok so I am a little bit concerned as I did just submit the test this evening. I spent a LOT of time on their application and rlly would like to atleast make it to stage 2 with them so I hope I hear good news tomorrow

oh girl then ur fine, give it some time! I did my test 1 in like Nov so i know im defo PFO haha

 

[iwatchsuits]

Guys why do I feel like I'm going through like a mid life crisis - at some points I'm feeling devastated and tired with this process and other times (like now) I'm super excited for no reason to do this process... like hello what is going on 🤣

Switching between exhausted, excited, apathetic and anxious every day is doing WONDERS for my nervous system🥰 it is truly not for the weak hahahaha