TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Futuretrainee002]

OC summer vac scheme!!! Omg im actually in disbelief especially after i got a post vac scheme rejection yesterday.

 

[trainee4u]

Practice amberjack question but I’m actually not sure so wondering what people think?
The question is “Whilst checking your emails, you see an invite for an event that the senior team will be at. This is the perfect opportunity for you to network with the senior team, but you’ve never been to an event like this before. What do you do?
• Attend the event, speak to as many people as possible and ask questions, so that you can expand your network and learn.
• Before attending the event, find out further information about the senior team so that you know more about who you will be talking to.
I’ve narrowed it down to these answers but I don’t know, would you want to speak to everyone to expand network and show you don’t just care about sucking up to seniors, or or say finding out more about seniors since that’s who’s referenced in question? I feel like these online tests are so unbelievably difficult!!

it's kinda dumb because the correct answer is obviously research them first AND ask questions.

however I'd say that option 2 is much better because it shows you're not lazy and actually prepare for the event.

 

[Shaky_Pete]

For the SH test I got high verbal and mid numerical (not sure how that happened, have always got high on numerical and I was confident the questions were right!). Did anyone get high in both?

On the pillars 22/36. One pillar was only 3, so I'm assuming this low pillar might rule me out meaning the video interview part might not even get watched by the firm

 

[haribolover]

For the SH test I got high verbal and mid numerical (not sure how that happened, have always got high on numerical and I was confident the questions were right!). Did anyone get high in both?

On the pillars 22/36. One pillar was only 3, so I'm assuming this low pillar might rule me out meaning the video interview part might not even get watched by the firm

I got the exact same. My numerical was mid but thats just dumb considering I have degree with heavy maths components - a very artifical process tbh

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Since I’ve had no response yet from several firms I’ve decided to update the league tables post:
​

1st place: Freshfields (55 days) RECORD HOLDER
2nd place: Sidley (54 days) CATCHING UP??!!
3rd place: Milbank (38 days) RUNNER UP??!!
4th place: Travers Smith (37 days) [PFO post app]
5th place: Covington (30 days) [PFO post app]
6th place: Ropes & Gray (27 days) [AC invite]
7th place: Orrick (21 days) Where’s the PFO??!!
8th place: Faegre Drinker (3 days) [NEW ENTRY]

At this point I’m gna assume Sidley is gna be my Simmons or Slaughters of this cycle and I’m just gna get ghosted forever. Sad times ig.​

Since I’ve gotten an update I might as well post a newer version of this league table now too:

Sadly Orrick didn’t make it past 7th place! I wish them the best of luck for the next app cycle…
​

1st place: Freshfields (58 days) RECORD HOLDER
2nd place: Sidley (57 days) CATCHING UP??!!
3rd place: Milbank (38 days) RUNNER UP??!!
4th place: Travers Smith (37 days) [PFO post app]
5th place: Covington (30 days) [PFO post app]
6th place: Ropes & Gray (27 days) [AC invite]
7th place: Orrick (24 days) [PFO post WG]
8th place: Faegre Drinker (6 days) [NEW ENTRY]

 

[Hanzeeb]

Has anyone progressed with an Amberjack getting mid numerical and mid verbal

 

[haribolover]

I got 3 on a pillar recently (not SH) despite always scoring quite high but I still got through to the next stage. I think it just varies from firm to firm as to what they prioritise and I’m sure they put more emphasis on the VI anyway!

Mine was creative force?? Normally that's quite high but my other ones tend to suffer because I don't factor feelings of people, but when I do that went down like a lead balloon. There was definitely one dodgy numerical which i think caused my overall to suffer

 

[174Tess9y3]

It's actively encouraged! For sure bring your notebook everywhere you go, and if you're going to actively take notes, maybe politely ask them would it be alright if you took notes, but generally speaking, for the duration of the vac scheme, that notebook is glued to your hand and goes everywhere you go. Keep track of everyone you spoke to, everything you did, everything you were asked to research, etc.

Thanks!!

 

[l842]

Dentons Spring VS! Just got the call

Same! Which office are you going to?

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo sui]

guys j had a Q
I got my pgdl results back and got an average of 78 ( a distinction) , including a 96/100 in company law , which is the second highest amongst 3500 students. 80+ in tort and contract too. However , somehow got a 51 in Public law 1 lmao. Do yall reckon it would have a substantial impact on applications next year?

 

[Arv_329]

Anyone heard from Slaughter non law?

 

[user397485]

has anyone got slaughters pfo

Anyone heard from Slaughter non law?

i know people who have offers

 

[a1024]

@Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen @vera.mekhonoshina hi, just wondering if anyone has been able to attend Vacation Schemes during term time, while being on a student visa. i am a masters student and my student visa restricts my working hours to 20 hours per week during term time. i would be really grateful if someone could share their experience and help me out with what i can do further.

 

[alanshore]

got clifford chance pfo. how do you guys deal with rejection emails?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock / anyone else who may know!

Do you have any tips/advice on what the final partner interview at the end of a vac scheme would be like? Is it similar to the assessment centre interview or is it more of a friendly chat?

Thanks a lot

Hey!

This can definitely vary between firms, so it may be worth reaching out to people who have previously completed a vacation scheme at that specific firm. In my experience, I have had both formats! One was more of an informal chat about how I found the scheme and any feedback I had, while another was a more formal interview that was assessed. Even where it was assessed, I'd still say it felt more like a friendly conversation and wasn't intense - they were mainly interested in what I had enjoyed about the scheme and what I had learnt from it, rather than grilling me on specific topics

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

@Jessica Pearson Hello, as an aspiring criminal defence solicitor in London, would you have any recommendations for securing a paralegal role at entry level with a criminal law firm in London? That is something I am highly interested in and I am truly motivated, but I have never applied for any paralegal roles in criminal law yet and I 'only' completed a legal work experience placement with a criminal law firm in London and two mini-pupillages with criminal Chambers in London. I will also be undertaking this year two other legal work experience placements with criminal law firms in London and another mini-pupillage with a criminal Chambers in London.

Many thanks.

Also wondering this! Out of curiosity how did you get your criminal experience? I've been sending out emails/linkedin messages but haven't had any luck

 

[Topdog0073]

Clifford Chance PFO, still waiting on Orrick though…

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

How do people go about applying for paralegal roles, with previous vac scheme?

Is it not obvious that I actively want a TC if I've been completing vac schemes, if they are asking about my future do I declare that I would want to apply for TCs. (Note the one I am currently applying for is a legal support centre, no trainees, basically no lawyers in the building)

Hey!

Just to add to what others have already mentioned (i.e. being transparent that you are looking to build experience), I'd say that firms are generally quite aware that most people applying to paralegal roles don't necessarily intend to stay in that role long-term. A lot of candidates will use paralegal roles to gain practical experience while continuing to pursue a TC, so it is not something that will usually come as a surprise to them - these roles typically do have a high turnover rate!

If the topic of future plans comes up, I think it is perfectly fine to say that you ultimately hope to qualify as a solicitor. The key is to frame the role positively by explaining what you hope to learn from it and why the experience would be valuable. As long as you show genuine interest in the role itself and that you would be committed while you are there, firms are usually very understanding about longer-term ambitions

 

[TortillaTC]

guys j had a Q
I got my pgdl results back and got an average of 78 ( a distinction) , including a 96/100 in company law , which is the second highest amongst 3500 students. 80+ in tort and contract too. However , somehow got a 51 in Public law 1 lmao. Do yall reckon it would have a substantial impact on applications next year?

Absolutely not!! Firms don’t care about the PGDL as long as you have a commendation (2.1) overall. Now that the SQE is in place it’s even less important.

 

[lawcool]

Yea that makes sense if that’s the case! Or maybe ask if it could be considered as a Direct TC application instead

I'm assuming they overlapped and this person couldn't do both. If you can then YES DO BOTH. Alternatively ask if there is wiggle room with dates

Heyy both
update, yes they overlapped so I could only pick one The firm have been really nice about it, which I appreciate. I've asked about potentially moving to direct TC! Thank you for the advice<33