TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Novaa]

If a firm hasn't got back to you by now about it, how likely is an AC within the last week of Jan? I'm travelling from the 19th-28th Jan and I'm terrified I'll have to cancel the family holiday and drop everything for a last minute AC.

Anyone have insight to how much notice they give?

Would they not be able to offer a remote AC held virtually? Some firms allow this option I think. I’ve seen it in the FAQs section of grad rec websites.​

Just on the back of what Harvey’s saying, I know two people who have had virtual ACs because they were out of the country. So it can be done ‍

It’s usually not being available for the VS which may cause issues.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

One for the full time work crew.

How do you explain your role when filling out work experience sections? I work in projects, and I find my descriptions often lean heavily toward project-focused language when I’m explaining all the different things I do rather than clearly highlighting transferable skills.

Like, do you focus on a certain amount of skills, then build your entry around that, or go for everything?

I find explaining my part-time jobs easier because it was mainly serving customers, folding t-shirts, and working in a team for like 4 hours. So fewer responsibilities, which means more clear skills.

I usually have one paragraph to set the context of the job role and then two paragraphs focusing on main responsibilities and skills gained. If I’ve got space I’ll add in a link to trainee solicitor role sentence or two for good measure. Firms seem to have different preferences. It also depends on the nature of the job role itself I think.

At one of Willkie’s app workshops when Gemma was there she said she preferred less skills focus and more of a focus on what we did. Goodwin, Reed Smith and Skadden mentioned we should discuss skills gained but that might’ve been that particular GR person’s individual preferences so it varies depending on each firm ultimately.​

 

[DavidJC]

Only took like a month but finally Goodwin post-app PFO, back to studying for exams (yes at this hour )

 

[anonymous.15]

MY 3RD YEAR OF DEALING W THESE APPS I SWEAR I THINK I DIED IN 2019 AND ALL OF THIS IS SOME PARALLEL UNIVERSE

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

MY 3RD YEAR OF DEALING W THESE APPS I SWEAR I THINK I DIED IN 2019 AND ALL OF THIS IS SOME PARALLEL UNIVERSE

Maybe it is a parallel universe and we’re all stuck until we get TCs and then reach the other side…​

 

[anonymous.15]

Maybe it is a parallel universe and we’re all stuck until we get TCs and then reach the other side…​

SOOO REAL MAYBE WE WANT IT SO BAD BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE IT IN SOME OTHER UNIVERSE (IM DELUSIONAL)

 

[ADhillon01]

Just finished Reed Smith amberjack + VI

Got excel applied verbal intellect and excel applied numerical intellect

And 7,6,7,6 for the pillars

Please explain how I have a double numerical + verbal applied intellect excel but a 6 for the “Applied Intellect” pillar

Anyways time for a holiday vamos

 

[ADhillon01]

I do know that, but at face value I find it funny

 

[nordicnomad]

For those who received Milbank ACs, when did you receive it post-stage 2?

 

[hanz123]

woke up to two partners viewing my LinkedIn profile from two different firms I’ve applied to doesn’t mean anything but kindly give me that TC (I don’t bite )

 

[Bree]

woke up to two partners viewing my LinkedIn profile from two different firms I’ve applied to doesn’t mean anything but kindly give me that TC (I don’t bite )

What law firms omg? I didnt know they looked at your LinkedIn?

 

[hanz123]

What law firms omg? I didnt know they looked at your LinkedIn?

I don’t think it matters that much tbf I was just having a little giggle #delusion

 

[lawyer48205]

For anyone that did the Clyde & Co online assessment and passed to VI, could you kindly share how long the test took you? I think I took way longer than 45 min …

 

[Novaa]

I dreamt an application response…. OH GRAD REC FREE ME FROM THIS EXPERIENCE!

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Just got the Mishcon SJT invite as well and I BOMBED the VI part of the Chatbot thing.

I wonder if they have realised it wasn't a great assessment and invited everyone to do the SJT as well...?

Hi there! Congrats on getting to the SJT stage - if you don't mind, could you share your experience of the chatbot interview and what it generally consisted of? thanks!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

I dreamt an application response…. OH GRAD REC FREE ME FROM THIS EXPERIENCE!

I swear!! The other night I dreamt I missed a deadline and almost fell out of bed

 

[TS.Law]

SOOO REAL MAYBE WE WANT IT SO BAD BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE IT IN SOME OTHER UNIVERSE (IM DELUSIONAL)

We are all "delusional" for having chosen law in the first place
Writing applications and engaging in forum discussions at 4 am on Friday, is just one more objective test that proves the rule.

 

[M123]

Has anyone done Addleshaw Goddard voice/video interview? Will appreciate any insights, please message me direct if you don't want to share here. Happy to exchange insights with firms, I've applied to 19 and progressed with 8 and some I'm waiting to hear back after written app.

Well done! Is this for the London office ?

 

[lawyersum]

i know I brought this up already but can somebody please reassure me that if a WG is untimed then time is definitely not taken into account by grad rec - i spent 45 mins on a WG and now I can’t stop thinking about it ahhh