TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Prudentia]

I'm not an expert, but my understanding is that with many firms, the strengths and weaknesses given on feedback reports are generally relative to you. It's impossible to quantify based on the reports unless they quantify it with numbers. Person A's weakest area might be stronger than Person B's strongest area. Or Person A's strengths are average and below Person C's weaknesses. Probably, they are weighted based on qualities the firm finds most important, but the weighting is useless without quantification. I may be wrong about this, though, but I wouldn't worry too much. What it does mean is if you don't get accepted to the next stage, you know which area tripped you up if you apply again in the next cycle. Although typing that, I guess with SJTs by design, it'll be very rare to score very high or very low across the board?

Speaking of reports... it took BCLP over a day for the automated feedback report.... but it's different to usual reports, I guess? Because, along with the SJT, it had a verbal reasoning and critical reasoning test. If it says critical reasoning was a strength, was that related to the Critical Reasoning test or based on the SJT still? And when it comes to efficiency as a strength, is that related to the SJT, or is it related to time management in completing the tests? And is it a positive that verbal reasoning wasn't a weakness (i.e. the test results for that weren't weak)? At this point, I don't know, and I guess I'm overthinking it. I've done the test now, I need to remind myself it's now out of my control and I can only wait for an outcome.

Thank you so much for explaining this. I guess it makes sense, as they make it clear the feedback report isn't the outcome. Similar to you, there's no point worrying about the outcome until I hear back. What's done is done. Wishing you all the best with BCLP!

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

guys lowkey this sounds ungrateful but I don't want to hear back from all the firms all at once it's too much cognitive load on top of exams, academic reading, committee roles, and just daily life haha

I know most firms will be replying this month right? I just hope it's more gradual than a straight dump of emails tomorrow or smth

I think we can only count on the non-rolling firms to reply after the deadlines... beyond that, good luck to us
Knowing my luck, there will be 5 days of an empty inbox, and then 3 assigned tests & 5 rejections & 2 video interviews in the same hour.

 

[boots pharmacy]

You guys are funnyyyy would be gassed if I end up in a trainee cohort with any of you!

 

[msclm]

Has anyone withdrawn from the process in the middle of the application process (aka before AC) before? Would love to discuss thoughts!

hi! i withdrew from a few firms after i accepted my tc. very short email being like "i accpeted a tc at __, as such i will be withdrawing from your application process"

every response was very nice ... i guess its one less application they need to look at lol

 

[c.t.tc]

guys lowkey this sounds ungrateful but I don't want to hear back from all the firms all at once it's too much cognitive load on top of exams, academic reading, committee roles, and just daily life haha

I know most firms will be replying this month right? I just hope it's more gradual than a straight dump of emails tomorrow or smth

Unfortunately I think that’s how it’ll probably be it’s the classic million year wait and then all responses in the same 5 minutes…

 

[boots pharmacy]

Seconded on the kitten ^

 

[msclm]

ooh thank you!! hey you're that sidley guy! hi again and congratulations again!!

the issue is I don't have a TC haha so it might seem rude for me to just withdraw without a valid reason maybe? I am anticipating PFOs from them anyways, so that's why I've been convincing myself to put this off since it's probably better for them to reject me than me to reject them lol but I'm still constantly pondering about this issue

yes im the sidley guy lmao - and thank you!

i guess it would depend on your reason for not wanting to continue in the process? IMO its different to withdraw before you've been progressed past application stage than before? i feel like if you havent been progressed at all yet, i cant imagine GR would care at all

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

ooh thank you!! hey you're that sidley guy! hi again and congratulations again!!

the issue is I don't have a TC haha so it might seem rude for me to just withdraw without a valid reason maybe? I am anticipating PFOs from them anyways, so that's why I've been convincing myself to put this off since it's probably better for them to reject me than me to reject them lol but I'm still constantly pondering about this issue

The mind of recruiters is transcendent to our understanding. You aren't rejected until you are rejected. If you're expecting rejection from them, it's a free lottery ticket. Nothing to lose, everything to gain. Unless you really don't want to work at that firm, which is understandable

 

[boots pharmacy]

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?

Firms typically give at least 2 weeks notice. Most firms also offer multiple AC slots throughout a 1-2 week window. You should be fine 99% of the time.

 

[TCLAAAA]

Filled my V&E app yesterday, but somehow their system did not save- just refill again that's the taste of last min app submission.

 

[maxro]

chat are we gonna hear back from skadden tomorrow or anytime in the week?

My guess is yes, I'm scared

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Filled my V&E app yesterday, but somehow their system did not save- just refill again that's the taste of last min app submission.

I started to save responses for long answer questions on apps that I work on over multiple days, just to be safe. Sucks to fill out grades, etc., on some systems, but provides that ease at least...

 

[lolololol]

for an interview what would some good topical issues be for recent commercial developments / news stories to discuss?

 

[Prudentia]

ooh thank you!! hey you're that sidley guy! hi again and congratulations again!!

the issue is I don't have a TC haha so it might seem rude for me to just withdraw without a valid reason maybe? I am anticipating PFOs from them anyways, so that's why I've been convincing myself to put this off since it's probably better for them to reject me than me to reject them lol but I'm still constantly pondering about this issue

You can withdraw from a recruitment process at any point. They’re really not going to care. It’s expected that candidates will drop out anyway.

 

[Prudentia]

for an interview what would some good topical issues be for recent commercial developments / news stories to discuss?

It depends on the firm. What are their practice areas?

 

[sqe4676]

Has anyone else still not heard from Bakers Summer Vac Scheme? I also haven't heard back from Withers post SJT for a while now.

 

[sqe4676]

Hi everyone! I've just been notified I've gotten through to the next round for a paralegal interview (after having had a first interview with a recuriter). This will now be the second to last interview before the last and final one. It's for an in-house paralegal role and I've been told it will be around 1 hour 20 mins long. Any tips or advice would be really appreciated since i'm not sure what to expect seeing as it's longer than interview's I'm used to. I was told there would be a task involved in the interview too but haven't been given more to go off based on this. If anyone can let me know what I could maybe expect task wise or in the interview itself or any tips (I believe it will be two lawyers in the corporate team) I would be really grateful, thank you!!

 

[Prudentia]

True! haha okay I'll give it some more thought - thank you for your help! Might just let them reject me and if they do progress me...I might withdraw at that point?? It's just that for one of the schemes I've applied to, even if I get the scheme, I won't be able to attend it since it overlaps with a confirmed scheme atm.

I was thinking I might just use the next stage as practice anyways (if I am progressed), but then I also have to think about whether that's very moral (since I won't be taking a spot if I am successful anyways), and whether that's the best choice for my academics and other commitments.

Recruitment is not a moral or fair process. You have to do what’s in your best interests always because everyone else is out for themselves.

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Recruitment is not a moral or fair process. You have to do what’s in your best interests always because everyone else is out for themselves.

Apart from sabotage or actively immoral behaviour*
Sorry, I know it's not relevant and goes without saying, but bad behaviour long term will come round to bite you (well, that's my copium at least).

 

[Prudentia]

Apart from sabotage or actively immoral behaviour*
Sorry, I know it's not relevant and goes without saying, but bad behaviour long term will come round to bite you (well, that's my copium at least).

I really wish karma existed in corporate. Too often, it feels like the people who advance the furthest are the ones most willing to step on others. Big Law especially is not known for morality and ethics.