TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TCLAAAA]

Trying to fit 5 apps before NYE... I forgot how hard it is to be productive when all my family is at home every day (I love them, though)!

Same. Still 5 to go before NYE, and I was sick for no reason today. Testing my resilience.

 

[cooked2000]

Is the GD cap test just sjt and what strengths are they looking for ?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey guys, I'm working on the Farrer & Co SVS application, and main issue I'm facing is that they have four 300-word questions, and I'm a bit worried that my answers will have too big of an overlap / sound repetitive. For example, they have one question on academic and formal work experiences that have equipped me for a career in commercial law, one question on non-academic and formal work, and then also "why this firm" and "why commercial law" questions -- which, at that point, all of my personal experience that made me want to work at Farrer & Co and in commercial law would've been covered in the earlier two questions. Anything to do with my degree or work experiences that gained me skills and interest in the field would've been mentioned, as well as open days or insight events as a part of the non-academic/work experiences question. Would really appreciate guidance on this!!

Hello!

There definitely is some overlap across the questions, but the key thing to remember is that they are each testing different things! A way that I would think about it:

1. Academic & Formal Work Experience

For this question, I’d focus on the skills and competencies from your past experiences that would help you as a commercial lawyer - for example, legal analysis, drafting, research, dealing with clients, teamwork, time pressure, etc. You can definitely briefly mention what you did in these roles, but I would spend most of the word count on what the experience taught you and how it prepares you for working as a lawyer (either as a trainee, or once qualified).

2. Non-Academic & Informal Experience

This answer should focus less on law, and is more about soft skills and values. These are traits that can be developed, but are usually more intrinsic - things such as resilience, communication, leadership, initiative, organisation, etc. Open days and insight events can be mentioned, but only lightly - the stronger experiences will usually be volunteering, societies, sports, etc. You can then link these back to being a strong trainee at the firm.

3. Why Commercial Law

For this question, reflect on what you enjoyed about the commercial aspects or experiences that you have already discussed that made you interested in commercial law as a career. For example, this could be problem-solving for clients, working in teams, the pace and responsibility. Your answer should focus on your overall motivations, rather than your past experiences - however, you can (and often should!) make brief links to your past experiences just to highlight how these motivations came to be.

4. Why Farrer & Co

This is where you need to show research into the firm, and ensure that it is tailored and personalised. Discuss unique traits about the firm that motivate you to apply there - for Farrers, this might be their unique client base, interesting practice areas and work, their 6-seat TC model, or their overall training style. You can briefly link back to your experiences, but only to explain why they make Farrer & Co a good match for you, rather than to re-describe them.

It’s absolutely fine if the same experience appears in more than one answer - the graduate recruitment team will expect this! However, you just have to make sure that the focus of each answer is different, and that you don’t discuss your experiences word-for-word.

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

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Hey guys, I'm working on the Farrer & Co SVS application, and main issue I'm facing is that they have four 300-word questions, and I'm a bit worried that my answers will have too big of an overlap / sound repetitive. For example, they have one question on academic and formal work experiences that have equipped me for a career in commercial law, one question on non-academic and formal work, and then also "why this firm" and "why commercial law" questions -- which, at that point, all of my personal experience that made me want to work at Farrer & Co and in commercial law would've been covered in the earlier two questions. Anything to do with my degree or work experiences that gained me skills and interest in the field would've been mentioned, as well as open days or insight events as a part of the non-academic/work experiences question. Would really appreciate guidance on this!!

Check their website under FAQs. They tell you EXACTLY what they want you to put in these answers

 

[tclauser77898]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock i was wondering what your thoughts are on applying direct tc for firms that also do a vac, like Farrer for example, or firms who’s vacs have closed but DTC is still open?
(I’ve done a vac scheme + paralegal before)
Thank you so much!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Ashurst Update - jump scare email
Almost thought I was gonna get another rejection at work

 

[Bree]

Checking again if anyone who has taken HL Test 1 between Wednesday to Friday last week has gotten to Stage 2?

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Checking again if anyone who has taken HL Test 1 between Wednesday to Friday last week has gotten to Stage 2?

Afaik, got stage 2 within 3 working days. I know some that completed stage one middle of last week that are waiting to hear back, and haven't heard of anyone getting stage 2 after Tuesday last week. Maybe they're on holiday?

 

[yk1906]

Weil PFO - with my amberjack results it's not surprising

 

[Bree]

Afaik, got stage 2 within 3 working days. I know some that completed stage one middle of last week that are waiting to hear back, and haven't heard of anyone getting stage 2 after Tuesday last week. Maybe they're on holiday?

I really hope so, HL is like my dream firm :'( I took it on Wednesday as well

 

[nicoledm]

Hill Dickinson amberjack assessment and video interview invite! Any insights would be greatly appreciated !

 

[nicoledm]

Can’t get through to anyone on Early Careers to restart the VI where I lost my Internet connection. It’s quite stressful!

Don't know if you have already tried it, but on the invite for VI there was a number to call if you have reasonable adjustment requests, I would personally give them a call!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

For Weil, is it SJT first and then VI or is the VI incorporated in the SJT like Macfarlanes?

And can we take a break before doing the VI?​

It’s SJT first and then you’ll move onto the video interview section. You can take a break between the two components. Best of luck rkid!​

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

I really hope so, HL is like my dream firm :'( I took it on Wednesday as well

You're not out of the running until they've PFOd you! Keeping fingers crossed!

 

[legaleagle11]

Ashurst Update - jump scare email
Almost thought I was gonna get another rejection at work

what did the update say?

 

[uraijom]

bird & bird pfo! didn't do wg so was expecting it anyways

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

Also just got a b&b pfo, disappointed because I think it was a strong application that should have at least gotten me the wg but oh well.

 

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

Weil PFO, with an Amberjack of 6566!

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

Just completed the VI for CMS, it went by very quickly with only 1 minute answering time. I personally prefer 2 minutes to answer as it gives more time to link back to company values, but tried my best so will see what happens!