The partners interviewing them often went to similar, elite schools. Birds of a feather. I think another factor that shouldn't be disregarded is the perception that candidates who attended such schools will have a stronger network than those who didn't, which, as they become senior, can help them bring clients to the firm. Britain still deeply elitist.
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Aspiring solicitors can help. Massive advantage, especially if you’re low income / state comp. I tend to go for the AS partners when I apply and have had good results with them. I think you really have to pick and choose which is so unfortunate because all firms should be inclusive.
Plus RG unis, and they most likely had no mitigating circumstances at A-Levels. Of course to get into those unis is a huge achievement, but it does feel discouraging and like there is no diversity in applicants who are successful with VS/TCs.
100% but I wish firms would stop selling us false hope. I don’t mean to be entirely pessimistic but as someone who has done a lot of social mobility work experience at these firms when you actually get on the programs / see their vac scheme or trainee intake. It is still predominantly people from well off backgrounds. Public schools and private international schools especially.
It seems that the social mobility push has just been lip service from firms to check off what the Equality Act says they should do.
TW rejection after WE - frustrating one here as I thought I was certain to get through after noticing a mistake in the court documents used for the WE, which the grad rec specifically called to congratulate me on.
Ah well, onwards.
Ah well, onwards.
same just got the PFO.. expected as poeple heard back last week but was still very much in denial
Aspiring Solicitors has been my saving grace for this cycle and I’ve used them in preparation for my upcoming AC which is with a partner firm.
People can arrange mock interviews and contact mentors, who are usually associates or partners from those firms, who can provide advice too!
AS also have a bunch of coaching and mentoring programmes too which are great! I did AS Aspire in July to October 2025 and it was so good!
I think it’s gna be a long while before firms start to be inclusive. Maybe when we all become partners of the future we can bring change!
People can arrange mock interviews and contact mentors, who are usually associates or partners from those firms, who can provide advice too!
AS also have a bunch of coaching and mentoring programmes too which are great! I did AS Aspire in July to October 2025 and it was so good!
I think it’s gna be a long while before firms start to be inclusive. Maybe when we all become partners of the future we can bring change!
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wtf was that SBP VI…
This may sound like a silly question but are the written exercises at firms conducted via laptop or handwritten?
Great point!! You’ve just reminded me of a Reddit post I saw which said:
Makes me wonder what the mindset truly is amongst senior associates & partners nowadays who were trained on this mentality. 🦭
For those who applied for the Bakers VS, after the application stage, was there a WG or an SJT? And also, is it automatic? I am applying for the DTC, so needed some information to plan my app.
Yeah sometimes it feels like the goalpost is always shifting..
Register with AS. It works if you tick certain criteria - make sure these apply. Then it will give you a list of firms that are ‘AS partner firms’. You can do interview prep, online courses and all sorts. You can even get resources for converting a VS.
@Abbie Whitlock I hope you are well! I'm in a bit of an odd situation and would love your advice on how to proceed.
Last Tuesday, I was fortunate to receive a VS offer from Firm A. They gave me until COB the next Tuesday (tomorrow 17/02) to accept. On Wednesday, the day after, I had an AC at Firm B whose VS dates would clash with those of Firm A. At the end of my AC, I told gradrec at Firm B about my circumstances and they said that they would contact me either end of that week or by Monday (today). However, I have not heard back yet and I doubt gradrec will still be working at this hour.
Should I send an email to Firm B to ask for a follow up, or should I just wait until COB tomorrow? I don't want to give the impression to Firm B that I'm rushing their processes, as I do genuinely really like Firm B. But I'm also not sure how to word the email without sounding like I'm too anxious for a response?
I would be greatly appreciative of any insights you could offer! Thank you for your time
Last Tuesday, I was fortunate to receive a VS offer from Firm A. They gave me until COB the next Tuesday (tomorrow 17/02) to accept. On Wednesday, the day after, I had an AC at Firm B whose VS dates would clash with those of Firm A. At the end of my AC, I told gradrec at Firm B about my circumstances and they said that they would contact me either end of that week or by Monday (today). However, I have not heard back yet and I doubt gradrec will still be working at this hour.
Should I send an email to Firm B to ask for a follow up, or should I just wait until COB tomorrow? I don't want to give the impression to Firm B that I'm rushing their processes, as I do genuinely really like Firm B. But I'm also not sure how to word the email without sounding like I'm too anxious for a response?
I would be greatly appreciative of any insights you could offer! Thank you for your time
HL stage 2! does anyone have any insights on this please? Just so I know what to expect? thank you so much!
It was the most random shocking thing ever and I completely messed it up. I was so caught of guard
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