TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[NorthernerInLondon]

@ any CMS AC'ers, how many people were at your AC?

 

[radssss]

I did a proof reading exercise last year, literally just a PDF, no fancy platform, and they had us on webcam throughout, and I'm thinking "brah, you need to see what we're doing on the computer not whether there's somebody sitting next to us helping - haven't you heard of ChatGPT!?"

Fun fact - I had to give an assessment for a paralegal role and I was asked to share my screen and there was a person sitting there the whole time (tho she wasn’t even looking at me much and doing her own work) but I was so shocked. Tbf it was a top law firm so kinda expected.

It was also a 3 month project help fixed contract paralegal role to make it funnier

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

Me in a TI after being asked a question knowing grad rec can’t see me on the screen:

I guess having a TI is a huge advantage seeing as you can read a script if you already know the vi questions which isn’t that hard to get 🫩

 

[legalbeast]

@ any CMS AC'ers, how many people were at your AC?

6

 

[Deleted member 43292]

Kirkland TC?

oop just saw this - no but I wish haha

a TC rn would blow away all my worries and white hairs...

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I guess having a TI is a huge advantage seeing as you can read a script if you already know the vi questions which isn’t that hard to get 🫩

Well not really lad cos that’s taking for granted a law firm won’t discriminate against you for being neurodivergent and needing adjustments.

Besides, I’m sure grad rec are well versed with TIs anyway so can easily tell by someone’s voice if they’re reading from a pre-written script.

In any case, I’ve done TIs where the questions were completely different. Freshfields was a strengths based TI to replace the Stage 2 VI.

The questions I had were entirely different to the questions that would’ve been asked in the stage 2 test, so hardly any advantage there lmao.

 

[johnsmith]

I completely understand how you feel. And it can hurt - especially when there are other people progressing. I'm not sure empty words will make you feel better, but maybe it would be helpful to think what about law you like to help you remember why want to be a solicitor.
Sometimes, I think of the sheer number of people applying and it is insane just how competitive it is.
Also, making it to ACs is definitely an achievement! It is experience that will be helpful going further.
It may be worth consulting with a careers team or places like Aspiring Solicitors to actually figure out how to act on your feedback.

Aspiring solicitors are absolutely excellent. Well worth engaging with them. The staff working there are such good people.

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

Does Osborne Clarke have no sjt? It’s only verbal and deductive reasoning (2 different sections)?

Also how did it go for everyone? I missed answering 2 ques for the numerical reasoning

I ran out of time and also missed out on two. I feel confident about the verbal, but I didn't get any easy questions on the deductive. I basically only got calendar ones (feels a bit unfair and hopefully will be weighted)

 

[trainee4u]

This career is already stressful enough and breaking into it is one of the most difficult things you can do in your 20s.

um.

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

Well not really lad cos that’s taking for granted a law firm won’t discriminate against you for being neurodivergent and needing adjustments.

Besides, I’m sure grad rec are well versed with TIs anyway so can easily tell by someone’s voice if they’re reading from a pre-written script.

In any case, I’ve done TIs where the questions were completely different. Freshfields was a strengths based TI to replace the Stage 2 VI.

The questions I had were entirely different to the questions that would’ve been asked in the stage 2 test, so hardly any advantage there lmao.

Ok was just saying my opinion no need to be defensive

 

[radssss]

I ran out of time and also missed out on two. I feel confident about the verbal, but I didn't get any easy questions on the deductive. I basically only got calendar ones (feels a bit unfair and hopefully will be weighted)

they should’ve given 5 more mins
I also feel I did well on the verbal and I think I probably got 6-8 out of 10 I attempted out of 12 correct atleast (hopefully) but there’s no way to check

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Ok was just saying my opinion no need to be defensive

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

everyone is on edge today huh.

 

[splash17]

Anyone heard from HSF or HL, Im gonna lose it istgggggggggg

Hi! So, received an AC last week for HSF Spring and it is taking place this week. I'm not sure if this is helpful, but from what I heard from friends, I think the bulk of the ACs this week are full for Spring.

 

[trainee4u]

Ok was just saying my opinion no need to be defensive

This seems like a good SJT question

"One of the candidates at your AC has a reasonable adjustment. Do you:

A: Loudly state how unfair it is to anyone who will listen, then say "it's just my opinion, no need to get your panties in a knot" if challenged.
B: Seethe internally, but say nothing
C. Focus on performing as best you can from your own abilities."

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

everyone is on edge today huh.

Not on edge at all.

Just scared to say the wrong thing or say he whole forum will be against me like the other guy today #rip

 

[StressedByAMountainOfBooks]

My Current Application Cycle: Progress and Resources

Unsuccessful Applications

• Sidley Austin – Winter Vacation Scheme (VS), post-application
• Ashurst – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Linklaters – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Hogan Lovells – Lift Off Scheme, Stage 3 (Video Interview + Situational Judgement)
• Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Taylor Wessing – Spring Vacation Scheme, post-written exercise
• Latham & Watkins – Open Day, post-video interview + situational judgement
• Gibson Dunn – Summer Vacation Scheme, post-first-round interview (waiting on feedback)
• White & Case – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-video interview
• DLA Piper – Spring Vacation Scheme, post-written exercise
• Simmons & Simmons – AI Internship, post-video interview + situational judgement + online assessment
• Allen & Overy Shearman – Direct Training Contract (DTC), post-video interview
• Weil, Gotshal & Manges – Spring Vacation Scheme, post-video interview
• CMS – Vacation Scheme, post-video interview
• Gowling WLG – Direct Training Contract (DTC)

Vacation Schemes Achieved

• Burges Salmon – Winter Vacation Scheme
  (Outcome: no offer —was given feedback that did not elaborate in some of my answers)

Applications Still Pending

• McDermott Will & Schulte – Direct Training Contract (DTC)
• Freshfields – Direct Training Contract (DTC)
• Withers – Vacation Scheme (likely PFO; online exercise completed in December)
• Cooley – Vacation Scheme
• Milbank – Vacation Scheme
• Travers Smith – Direct Training Contract (DTC)
• Ropes & Gray – Vacation Scheme
• Covington & Burling – Vacation Scheme

Resources I’m Currently Using

• Watson’s Daily (https://www.watsonsdaily.com/)
  Excellent for building commercial awareness. I particularly value the original insights, which have helped me develop stronger critical thinking around business and market trends. All major commercial news is clearly summarised - which is great as FT is lowkey such a drain to go over.
• Mojo Interview (https://mojointerview.com)
  An interview and video-interview practice platform that assesses my answers and provides live, structured feedback. This has significantly improved my confidence and performance in video interviews and in the AC’s done - If i found this sooner, I deffo would've been 1000x more confident for AC's

4th Application cycle but we getting this dub this SZN!

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

This seems like a good SJT question

"One of the candidates at your AC has a reasonable adjustment. Do you:

A: Loudly state how unfair it is to anyone who will listen, then say "it's just my opinion, no need to get your panties in a knot" if challenged.
B: Seethe internally, but say nothing
C. Focus on performing as best you can from your own abilities."

A

 

[Donna Paulsen]

What a day it has been on this thread...

 

[johnsmith]

Got an interview scheduled with Richard Schweikart, Lynne Pierson and Perry Trivedi so we will see how it goes

I challenge you to say this after five sambucas and spinning round on the spot five times.