TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[privateequitywarrior]

They told me the same thing and then sent me a generic PFO post app a week after their deadline closed. My A-levels aren’t the strongest though (ABB with mit circs + contextual), but I do have a very high 2:1 (68.5%) so idk it seems they really care about the AAA and high 2:1 together.

Now granted others have progressed with lower academics, that can’t be taken in isolation. They will have either years of professional experience as a career changer, or they have tons of quirky legal work experience maybe even as a paralegal so it effectively makes up for the grades.

Also idk what the whole ‘leading university’ thing is about. Is it another Milbank or Davis Polk situation who only seem to hire from Oxbridge or one of the London RGs (maybe add Durham, Warwick and Edinburgh), or do all RG count, even some of the northern ones like Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool…

And Manchester

 

[GabbyP]

Hi, Just wondering if anyone has some insight into what the assessment centre and written exercise is like with Trowers & Hamlins, and just any general advice for written exercises!

 

[Novaa]

I keep noticing the AS Commercial Awareness Competition in the LinkedIn profiles of future trainees, and I may have to make my debut for the 2026 one.

 

[vhuskl]

is Ropes & Gray only for graduates and second years
?

 

[applicant3000]

If an interviewer asks a question and you don't know the answer, how would you approach it appropriately? keen on any advice

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

If an interviewer asks a question and you don't know the answer, how would you approach it appropriately? keen on any advice

 

[elizabethkate]

For anyone who has completed the PGDL? How hard was it? How many hours a week did you spend on it?

I've heard some people say it was hands down the most difficult thing they've ever done, and heard others say they kinda coasted through it, just wondering what to expect. The providers say to expect to spend 40 hours a week on it, but they would say that. Like I've had modules at uni which were meant to take me 10 hours a week, but could easily spend 1 or 2 and get a first. Other modules I'm spending double the expected time and struggling for a 2:1.

How is the GDL, in terms of contact hours, and further study/revision?

just long. i worked alongside it and did well like distinctions in modules. the exams are all take home and they mark pretty nicely it’s just a lot of info at once

honestly the worst bit is the class like you’re surrounded by very intelligent people it’s horrible haha and a lot of them will be smarter and have more time than you and it feels very overwhelming but generally it’s all doable and repetitive at a point

some modules are just hard like contract, rarely people did exceptionally whilst criminal people did well. the orals are nice but the written exams are tough but you get the SBAQs to back up your exams so it’s fine

 

[johnsmith]

I keep noticing the AS Commercial Awareness Competition in the LinkedIn profiles of future trainees, and I may have to make my debut for the 2026 one.

It’s an amazing competition. I’ve made friends for life from it this year and it’s opened up opportunities!

 

[Novaa]

It’s an amazing competition. I’ve made friends for life from it this year and it’s opened up opportunities!

John, you’ve convinced me. Friendship and opportunities?? Oh I’m in!

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

If an interviewer asks a question and you don't know the answer, how would you approach it appropriately? keen on any advice

@applicant3000 the best approach is to first take a minute to think about the answer, and let them know you just need to think. If however, the answer doesn't come to you, let them know that you'd not considered this topic before or cannot recall a piece of information AND if you're willing to give it a go anyway, then proceed to do so. It's not as devastating as you think it is, if you approach it in an open manner.

 

[trainee4u]

I’ve not seen a PFO since the cycle started, but people are saying it’s selective.

The AI has performed the natural obligations

 

[trainee4u]

If you screen recorded yourself taking an amberjack test, would the system detect it? asking for uhh... a friend

It depends what you mean by screen recording and on which platform. I use Windows - I have no information about Apple.
If you were to use a screen recording app, the answer is no, it is not possible.
It is theoretically possible for a website to watch for keystrokes. However, printscreen is typically handled by Windows and wouldn't be intercepted.
The obvious thing that they can easily capture is loss of focus. Thus for example if you change windows, they can detect that.

 

[trainee4u]

Now that I think about it… if Netflix can detect screenshots/screen recording and black out your screen without you authorising anything. Tell your friend to forget that.

GRAD REC GON GET THEM!

Netflix can't detect it, it's hardware-accelerated video which means it goes behind screenshot functionality, hence a black screen.
If you disable hardware-accleration you can take screenshots as normal.

 

[sbbusybee]

maybe a dumb question but surely grad rec don’t read 3k plus applications? what’s the tech used to scan them?

I know some firms use the tests to screen people out, even if they’re selective.

Eg, you submit app and do their first test, if you don’t do well you don’t get the next test, if you do do well you get the second test. Then after you’ve completed that, if you don’t do well they don’t read your app.

I’m sure they can screen out a lot of applications this way.

 

[floral.tcla]

Gowling should get back to us today for the London VS if their ACs are next week… right

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

Absolutely in shambles Weil rejection, I even did their careers dinner, open day, mentorship with my uni, allocated mentor was also a trainee at Weil. I did everything I could for the VI, the test was great, I practiced for days, tried various answers, used the tcla vi practice tool till I exhausted most relevant questions. I did all this in Nov, so I don't even get why they took so long. Sometimes no news is just no news, it usually never tends to be good news. I was really hoping they could give me some feedback because it feels very frustrating, because I spend so much time and effort on them it feels like I lost the app I was really really hopeful about deep inside. I cannot help but worry and feel very low.

I would really appreciate some advice at this point.

 

[BealMcAlly]

My god that Bristows VI was so quick I got whiplash

*** please don't ask me to give insights.

 

[M_m]

My god that Bristows VI was so quick I got whiplash

*** please don't ask me to give insights.

Not asking for insights at all , but on a scale of 1-10 how scared should I be? I’m losing my mind because it’s my dream firm.

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

Is it safe to assume Morgan Lewis rejection ? Last year I applied on the deadline and heardback for a TI by 08/07/25 for their dtc. Given they have already sent TIs a day after the deadline ?

 

[Chak]

Hi! Have you heard back from Trowers & Hamlins post app?

Hi, Just wondering if anyone has some insight into what the assessment centre and written exercise is like with Trowers & Hamlins, and just any general advice for written exercises!