TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Sharkfin]

can someone please make me follow my own advice (‘if it’s meant for you it won’t pass you by’) because I had an AC today and just feel so ickkkyyy after it ahhh. I barely had time to complete the written exercise (only used half the word count) and I just felt like I was rambling the whole time. Anyone else felt this way and still made it through? And I like the firm so much, makes it feel worse🥲

Might be counter-intuitive, but what helped me process all the rejs last year (and probably this year) was to actually just give urself the time to feel like s***.
What I used to do, and still inadvertantly do sometimes, is just try to charge it and move on. But i've realised that's not fair to the version of myself that really put alot of effort into all the different stages: the written apps, sjts, VIs, 1st and second stage interviews - all while becoming more and more attached to the firm. Again, this may not work for everyone, but personally I'd give urself some time to actually let urself feel like s*** as a way to burn / exhaust all the negative stuff outta ur mind - so you can then focus on the more positive & detached stuff like "whatever will be, will be".

 

[Jennifer2003]

FYI for anyone waiting on a response for Reed smith post ac, they said today that they will respond in the next week

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

also idk if anybody has had this, but I assist at a legal clinic and did some work for a charity over the summer and in my recent interview I got the sense they thought I wasn't into commercial law enough. I was asked a lot of why not public law and how will you deal with morally reprehensible clients. can experience count against you? I also have some commercial experience, spoke about a deal I enjoyed + why, studied economics at a level like o.o

Hey!

I assisted at my university's legal clinic during my final year and had similar doubts about whether to refer to it in interviews, as it didn't directly involve commercial law. What may be happening is that firms are stress-testing your motivation, rather than directly judging your prior experience. If they can't immediately see the link to commercial law, they may try to get this out of you through questions such as "why not public law?".

What helped me was framing the experience around the elements that are directly relevant to commercial practice, and I then explained why those elements motivated me to pursue commercial law overall. For example, things such as working closely with clients and using problem-solving skills to provide clear and practical advice. If you position it in a similar way, the experience will support a genuine interest in commercial law rather than detract from it, provided you are clear and convincing about why commercial law is the path you want to pursue

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

A bit out there, but is anyone else not able to access the Aspiring Solicitors website ? It is just not loading for me.

 

[YFG]

If anyone had their Bates Wells AC today, please message me !

 

[Aspiringsolicitor77]

People who got PFOs from Simmons today (sorry to hear it), when did you complete the test?

 

[llblawstudent]

Hey guys, so I have an AC coming up but I have another one as well from another firm soon after and their dates overlap, would it be advisable to ask for a faster decision from firm A so I wouldn’t need to do my AC at firm B if I get the offer (in any case, I prefer firm A). My question is would it worsen my chances than if I just let them respond in their own time?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

When answering why firm qs in VI, when you say I’m drawn to your renowned expertise in balabala, what evidence do you then use to back it up? I never passed VIs so any advice would be massively appreciated!!

Hey!

For this type of statement, the key is to show that you understand what that expertise looks like in practice. Good evidence would usually fall into one (or more) of the following:

• A recent deal or case the firm worked on: e.g. what they did, why it was complex and interesting, and why that appeals to you
• A market position or client base: perhaps they work for clients that you are eager to work with (e.g. sponsors, FTSE companies, PE funds, etc.)
• Something distinctive about the team itself: they might conduct lots of cross-border work, have a strength in a niche area, or a reputation for complex matters. As long as you can show why that interests you, this would be a good way to back up your point
• First hand insight (often the strongest, if possible): this could be online programmes like Forage, academic modules, a talk or open day, or work experience. You can discuss what you enjoyed about the experience, and why you are now motivated to work in that area.

The general formula that I tried to follow is: claim -> evidence -> personal link

 

[FoodieMcFoodieBigBack]

FYI for anyone waiting on a response for Reed smith post ac, they said today that they will respond in the next week

Cheers! I hope your AC went well

 

[Shaky_Pete]

Oh that's quite nice. Maybe I have a chance after all lol.

Firms with low intakes make me so anxious. I know it's generally quite proportional. Like Bristows, they might get 1000 applicants for 10 spots, and Clifford Chance might get 10,000 applicants for 100 spots. But it feels more possible to be top 100/10,000 than top 10/1000, though that has actually been the opposite of my experience haha

I think the ratio is worse with smaller intakes. Bristows probably got around 1500 and Magic Circle around 4000 - 5000? Not sure, but they are approximate figures I've heard.

 

[Arv_329]

Anyone heard back from slaughter and May yet

 

[lawcool]

People who got PFOs from Simmons today (sorry to hear it), when did you complete the test?

23rd December

 

[LawAspirer]

I did Simmons test in late October, got pretty mid results... No PFO or invite to next yet. Wtf?

 

[johnsmith]

2 assessment days on the same day. The invite I received today I want more. Can anyone help with advice as its in one week today 🥲🥲🥲I've emailed to ask if there is any flexibility

This is me tomorrow, one in the AM and one in the PM and I’ll need a 5am start to make the AM one 😆 a nice problem to have though 🙏

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

"If you couldn’t work in law, what do you think you would do and why?" - Wondered how to approach this application question as a career changer. Presumably, talk about what drew me to my current career, and perhaps mention some transferable skills?

Hey!

Yes - that is the way that I would approach it! The graduate recruitment team will be looking for signs that law is a deliberate choice that you have made, rather than simply falling into it. A strong approach could be to briefly explain what attracted you to current career, what you have enjoyed and done well in, and then draw out the transferable skills that apply to law.

You could then lightly contrast that with law - acknowledge that while you have enjoyed your current career path, commercial law ultimately appeals more because of the nature of the work, the pace, or the type of impact (or whatever it may be for you!). I'd aim to keep it concise and positive overall, as your answer should reinforce your motivation for law (rather than necessarily talk negatively about your current career).

I hope that helps!

 

[ABC234]

Imposter syndrome is crazy because why do I have 1 vac scheme offer and I feel like that’s nothing and not good enough

(Probs the fear of being left with nothing if I don’t successfully convert it)

 

[lawcool]

This is me tomorrow, one in the AM and one in the PM and I’ll need a 5am start to make the AM one 😆 a nice problem to have though 🙏

what a legend haha, wishing you good luck!!!🙏🙏

 

[User2640]

Hey!

For this type of statement, the key is to show that you understand what that expertise looks like in practice. Good evidence would usually fall into one (or more) of the following:

• A recent deal or case the firm worked on: e.g. what they did, why it was complex and interesting, and why that appeals to you
• A market position or client base: perhaps they work for clients that you are eager to work with (e.g. sponsors, FTSE companies, PE funds, etc.)
• Something distinctive about the team itself: they might conduct lots of cross-border work, have a strength in a niche area, or a reputation for complex matters. As long as you can show why that interests you, this would be a good way to back up your point
• First hand insight (often the strongest, if possible): this could be online programmes like Forage, academic modules, a talk or open day, or work experience. You can discuss what you enjoyed about the experience, and why you are now motivated to work in that area.

The general formula that I tried to follow is: claim -> evidence -> personal link

Thank you so much Abbie! You're genuinely the best community assistant ive seen 🥹

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

can someone please make me follow my own advice (‘if it’s meant for you it won’t pass you by’) because I had an AC today and just feel so ickkkyyy after it ahhh. I barely had time to complete the written exercise (only used half the word count) and I just felt like I was rambling the whole time. Anyone else felt this way and still made it through? And I like the firm so much, makes it feel worse🥲

Hey!

I'm sorry to hear that you feel this way after the AC - it is completely normal, and I think very few people leave an AC feeling genuinely happy with how they performed.

Most people walk out focusing on what they thing went wrong, rather than what they did well. Try to reflect on the other exercises too, and be proud of yourself for getting through the AC in the first place - that alone is an achievement!

If it helps, I felt completely demotivated after my Reed Smith AC because I ran out of time on one of the written exercises and didn't get to finish my answer, yet I still went on to receive an offer. You've likely done better than you think, and it can be hard to judge your performance accurately when you're coming down from the adrenaline of the day.

I would try to be kind to yourself and let it sit - the post-AC spiral is very real (and I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't acknowledge that!), but it is rarely an accurate reflection of how you came across. Fingers crossed for you!!

 

[helenaskelton]

Heyy, Congrats on your assessment day, hope you will convert it to a VS! May I ask when you completed your TI

I completed it on Monday!