TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Legal12345]

Just wanted to see people’s opinion on my situation. I achieved quite poorly in my A Levels and got BBB but am still at a top RG uni and have quite a bit of legal work experience (MC open days, week in a national law firm). Because of my A Levels I have only applied to firms that either have no A Level requirement or are BBB and below. However, I have not been progressed with any firms to interview/AC yet so I was wondering if it was worth applying to firms that maybe have an ABB requirement as well to try and boost my chances? Although I don’t have mitigating circumstances, I did go to a non-selective state school and with RARE contextual recruitment my results are ABB.

 

[wqueens8]

Just wanted to see people’s opinion on my situation. I achieved quite poorly in my A Levels and got BBB but am still at a top RG uni and have quite a bit of legal work experience (MC open days, week in a national law firm). Because of my A Levels I have only applied to firms that either have no A Level requirement or are BBB and below. However, I have not been progressed with any firms to interview/AC yet so I was wondering if it was worth applying to firms that maybe have an ABB requirement as well to try and boost my chances? Although I don’t have mitigating circumstances, I did go to a non-selective state school and with RARE contextual recruitment my results are ABB.

I have ABC at a-level and have progressed with firms both AAB and ABB. I do have mitigating circumstances, but to be honest they are quite weak circumstances and I'm not sure how much they're being considered. Definitely worth applying if you really like the firm, and depending on how they word their requirements.

If they say they strictly require AAB, unless you have mitigating circumstances, then it is probably not worth it. If they "We typically look for AAB/ABB at a-level, but we review every application holistically" or something like that then then definitely go for it.

 

[anon78365222111]

Does anyone know when Sidley will reply to everyone

 

[EfficientBag123]

Could anyone please confirm if Simmons Bristol VS has no app questions apart from those covering work exp/extra curriculars?

I've been scouring the form for the last 20 minutes looking for any sign of any application questions but I'm coming up dry and feeling a bit suspicious.

The Simmons Bristol application has no app questions. I was suspicious too.

 

[Saul_specter]

Did ppl just get the email from slaughters?

 

[applicant457]

guys so has nobody heard back from hsfk summer post-test?

 

[meredithgrey]

Is W&C test automatic? How long after being sent do you have to complete it? Not sure whether to submit my app before xmas/new year or not?

 

[EfficientBag123]

Tbh guys no one will be hearing anything till Monday at the earliest as it’s Xmas eve today, Xmas tomorrow, Boxing Day, then the weekend. We all need to just enjoy our breaks with our loved ones and stop stressing for these next few days.

 

[johnsmith]

Could anyone please confirm if Simmons Bristol VS has no app questions apart from those covering work exp/extra curriculars?

I've been scouring the form for the last 20 minutes looking for any sign of any application questions but I'm coming up dry and feeling a bit suspicious.

Yes! They put much greater emphasis on your VI responses which is why they have unlimited prep time assume it's because AI has made everyone sound an expert!

 

[DavidJC]

Is W&C test automatic? How long after being sent do you have to complete it? Not sure whether to submit my app before xmas/new year or not?

Test is automatic, I submitted my application last night and received an email for the test stating I have 4 calendar days to finish it but since I'm spending Christmas alone this year I might just do it tomorrow

 

[Jennifer2003]

For Reed smith can you do the sjt part and then do the VI another day? Or does it all need to be done in one?

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

Can you re-apply to Cleary if you did an AC with them back in the time?

 

[lawrlah]

Anyone know the questions for Simmons & Simmons S&S VI ??

 

[AMullin]

For Reed smith can you do the sjt part and then do the VI another day? Or does it all need to be done in one?

Yes you can do this

 

[ABC234]

Just got a Dechert written exercise invite! Could anyone please share some insight into it? can't find anything online.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Just got a Dechert written exercise invite! Could anyone please share some insight into it? can't find anything online.

when did you apply?

 

[ABC234]

when did you apply?

9th of December

 

[TCLAuser2002]

9th of December

do you think it is worth applying now?

 

[ABC234]

do you think it is worth applying now?

Yeah, why not. They're clearly still considering applications so might as well

 

[M85672]

I think that it's okay to feel how you're feeling, and I also think that the fact that you're here asking for advice shows that you really want this, a career in law, in which case, it's really important to not give up. It's not the end of the world if you can't land a TC now, and you clearly have a strong enough profile to maybe land a paralegal role or something else so that you can continue applications in the meantime.

I think, with VIs, it may be worth considering whether you're over-preparing and sounding too rehearsed, if as you say, all your various 1-to-1s have yielded encouraging feedback. Others have already provided, imo, much better advice on tackling VIs than I can add on here.

The truth is that I think anyone going through all the rejections feels that the odds are really stacked against them, but at the end of the day, it really does take only one, and you've clearly got what it takes as you've been invited to ACs before. Sometimes there's no real rhyme or reason as to why you have or haven't been progressed each cycle, only the final decision-makers at each stage will actually know. I refer to this post by Afraz a couple of days ago to hopefully keep you going. (https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2025-26.9717/post-231386)

As for your last point, I don't disagree tbh, but this is the unfortunate reality we all live in now. We're not exactly in a position, as applicants, to compel change in the process, but do also consider the firms' perspectives as competition and the sheer volume of applications keep increasing year-on-year. It's a very trying/testy process and all we can really do is give it our best at each moment and stage, and hope that the decision-makers see our potential and offer us a TC.

Please take some time to take care of yourself over the next couple of days and bounce back, it's Christmas after all! Beyond that, I'm wishing you all the best and hoping for your success this cycle!

Thank you and to everyone for the advice, much appreciated