TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Afuturetrainee]

Any tips on Akin's online assessment? Thank you!

Congratulations! When did u submit your app if I may ask

 

[pepsicola96]

Do you think grad rec are still working today or are they back only next week? or even later??

Definitely some are! I got an email this morning from one firm (unrelated to applications but still from grad rec). I think a lot of the time they'll be working from home, but still working.

 

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

Just finished mine and I second this….(VI is direct and easy on purpose, use it to redeem yourself guys that math was brutal)

It is untimed. Why didn't you take more time on the maths? I actually thought it was basic.

 

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

i was shirtless by mistake during an amberjack (during the sjt portion but webcam on & full frontal) 😭 do i skip the whole test & vi or perhaps will it not flag... i can't believe i'm asking this

Say you were feverish or having hives!

 

[bh.sa]

Did anyone go to the Paul Hastings insight day? Do you mind sharing your notes/ can you share what the PHirst steps scheme even is? Is it just one week long experience where you get to see one of their core practice areas? Then you have to separately apply fr a TC?

I did! They said that the PHirst steps scheme is basically just WEX, and targeted more towards people who don't have much legal WEX. You don't get an automatic TC interview, you'd still have to apply separately

 

[fbtrainee]

Has anyone heard back for BCLP Spring VS post test? I applied mid November and haven't heard back

 

[Bbhu19]

This probs depends on what your overall degree average is. I’ve got a similar profile to this and I’d spoken to their grad rec guy who said based on my circumstances I shouldn’t simply self-reject, so he encouraged me to apply. It’s non-rolling (closes on 1st Jan 23:59). There’s 6 app questions, each has a 250-300 word limit, so quite long lmao.​

Can I ask if your at a Russel group or oxbridge?

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

one thing that keeps happening to me is that i either get leadership as my strength and teamwork as my weakness or teamwork as my strength and leadership as my weakness but you want to get both as your strength so actively try and balance the qualities out when you’re doing the test, idk how tho cause i’m struggling with it myself😭 this might not be a problem you’ve been having, it’s just something i’m personally struggling with and that’s where i messed up in the GD test (got leadership as my strength and teamwork as my weakness😭)

IF ANYONE HAS TIPS ON HOW TO GET LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK BOTH AS YOUR STRENGTHS PLEASE LMK do you actively try and get your answers to be 50/50???

This is super helpful thank you! I feel like I’m in the same boat. I’m targeting American firms which love to talk about taking responsibility and leading but it’s hard to strike that balance in responses sometimes between being collaborative but still taking ownership. Thanks so much again for the tips!

 

[Bbhu19]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu,

I have an upcoming AC with PWC, and this would be my first AC ! As PWC isn't a conventional law firm, how would you suggest preparing for it?

In addition, would anyone have tips on the Reed Smith VI?

Thank you again and happy holidays!

Is this ok the 22nd of Jan?

 

[zonnonomo]

Say you were feverish or having hives!

lord commander with all due respect if they EVER ask me "why were your nips out" no one's hearing from me again

 

[johnsmith]

Manchester

They set out at the London AC that they're working through the regional offices in the new year

 

[lalalailovelife]

Probably very late but is baker mckenzie rolling?

 

[lillypad321]

'Anything' as in no confirmation?

They've likely received a bulk of their applications on deadline day and the GR team is only three people so it may be a while. Also it's 3 days before Christmas, so you may not hear back till after Christmas.

I wouldn't worry, they are likely slammed.

Ah thank you, I've seen loads of people get on to stage 2 so I was getting worried!

 

[Bread]

Could anyone please tell me what type of test Osborne Clarke uses🙏🙏

 

[BealMcAlly]

Ah thank you, I've seen loads of people get on to stage 2 so I was getting worried!

No worries. also if it provides any relief, I completed my chat based interview November 17th and I didn't hear back about stage 2 just over a month later.

You will hear back 🤞🏻

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

Just want to contribute to the ongoing disagreement. Mitigating circumstances can often be real evidence as to a candidates overall potential, and can evidence that they are capable of more than they achieved. Academics are an incredibly poor metric of success in the legal world. Law firms use academic results as a filter because it can broadly be representative, increasingly those that have stricter academic requirements use it because they need to find a way to cope with the number of applicants. 2:1 across the board is harsh yes, but GR are very aware that a single 2:2 in your first year is very different to graduating with a high 2:1.

To say that low(er) paying firms attract a different standard of candidate would be categorically untrue. The legal industry generally is very competitive, and high quality candidates can be found everywhere thanks to everyones very different aspirations. Furthermore, a fellow applicant telling you whether your application is competitive or not comes with a hefty grain of salt. No one, aside from GR and those experienced in legal recruiting, can actually tell you if you truly are a competitive applicant or not because it is weighed against the pool of other applicants. Not meeting a strict grade requirement (stricter than is industry standard) categorically does not extinguish you from success at other firms.

Owing someones lack of success to their "lack of DEI or mitigating circumstances" is a great way to pigeon hole yourself into hating the system and not focusing on how you can improve your own standing as an applicant. Especially if your advice is "don't apply because you don't have XYZ". It reduces fellow applicants down to try and make yourself feel better. If you yourself don't feel confident in your application because you have a conceited and "world is against me" mentality does not mean you should push that onto other people. We have no idea the circumstances, challenges and adversity faced by anyone else and pushing a negative mentality doesn't help anyone.

preach

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Could anyone please tell me what type of test Osborne Clarke uses🙏🙏

SHL

 

[zonnonomo]

hsfk spring pfo at last!

 

[radssss]

Kennedys Video Interview invite!

I would be very grateful for any tips/what to expect from someone who has progressed w them earlier

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

ikr it took me like an hour & 45

ONLY AN HR AND 45....