TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[elizabethkate]

Getting a VS/TC is such a game of luck, e.g who read your app, when, their mood at the time, who interviews you etc. Don't be disheartened people, so many factors to success are out of your control

yh considering its trainees marking WE and stuff its defo luck haha

 

[lalalailovelife]

any insights on CC SPARK VI or just CC video interview in general would be appreciated! i can share insights for latham, a&o, simmons vi

 

[grs563]

what feedback has everyone received on the reports post SH sjt (amberjack)... really nervous so wanting to try and get a ballpark estimate of what the avg score would be 😬

 

[florrrrnnn76]

what feedback has everyone received on the reports post SH sjt (amberjack)... really nervous so wanting to try and get a ballpark estimate of what the avg score would be 😬

I got mid for both verbal and numerical, and 29/36 for the pillars. Lowk messed up the VI which is probably the most important 😭

 

[alanshore]

Does anyone have any experience with Dubai vs/tc applications?

 

[Donna Paulsen]

what feedback has everyone received on the reports post SH sjt (amberjack)... really nervous so wanting to try and get a ballpark estimate of what the avg score would be 😬

Mid numerical and verbal, 26/36 on pillars😭 my worst amberjack performance

I feel like my VI went pretty decent so here’s to hoping they weigh the VI more than the verbal and numerical scores lol.

 

[haribolover]

How is Amerjack actually marked? Do they weigh the numerical and verbal with the pillars?

 

[florrrrnnn76]

what did everyone get on browne jacobson amberjack?

 

[Sophia L]

Mid numerical and verbal, 26/36 on pillars😭 my worst amberjack performance

I feel like my VI went pretty decent so here’s to hoping they weigh the VI more than the verbal and numerical scores lol.

26 is decent tbf I got similar to u but slightly lower on the pillars

 

[trainee1012]

Has anyone heard back from Goodwin for DTC post-AC?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

what feedback has everyone received on the reports post SH sjt (amberjack)... really nervous so wanting to try and get a ballpark estimate of what the avg score would be 😬

Hi!

Just thought I'd share my score when I applied for their VS last cycle (as someone who received an offer), as it might provide some reassurance! I scored high in verbal intellect, mid in numerical intellect, and 22/36 - so definitely not crazy high!

 

[MZJxLadha]

Hi!

Just thought I'd share my score when I applied for their VS last cycle (as someone who received an offer), as it might provide some reassurance! I scored high in verbal intellect, mid in numerical intellect, and 22/36 - so definitely not crazy high!

Thank you for sharing this!!

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Anything from Edwin Coe or Bevan Brittan for summer vac scheme?

 

[sqe4676]

CPS legal trainee scheme assesment centre!!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I’m working on a DTC app for Stephenson Harwood and the app questions have fused my last two remaining brain cells together and now I have no idea what they mean or to write:

1: tell us why you want to become a solicitor and with reference to your experience so far, explain how your skills are suited to the role. (350 words).

Do I structure this as X, Y and Z reasons for why I want to become a solicitor (50 words) and then around 50-60 words referring to specific personal experiences and transferrable skills for each?

OR

Do I structure it as roughly 150-170 words solely on why I want to become a solicitor and 150-170 words discussing my experiences so far and the transferable skills I’d bring to the role?

OR

Neither of the above and I’m just a donut. 🍩

2: Using relevant examples, tell us what makes SH the right firm for you (350 words).

Does relevant examples mean referring to my own experiences (again), or referring to the firm’s work, practices, industries, etc?

If it’s the former, what exactly can I put in the work experience section cos tbh I don’t exactly have 283895050600 years of relevant work experience so it seems pretty cooked… 🫠

Any help would be appreciated and apologies for the long ahh post this is baso an essay atp…

 

[Sophia L]

I’m working on a DTC app for Stephenson Harwood and the app questions have fused my last two remaining brain cells together and now I have no idea what they mean or to write:

1: tell us why you want to become a solicitor and with reference to your experience so far, explain how your skills are suited to the role. (350 words).

Do I structure this as X, Y and Z reasons for why I want to become a solicitor (50 words) and then around 50-60 words referring to specific personal experiences and transferrable skills for each?

OR

Do I structure it as roughly 150-170 words solely on why I want to become a solicitor and 150-170 words discussing my experiences so far and the transferable skills I’d bring to the role?

OR

Neither of the above and I’m just a donut. 🍩

2: Using relevant examples, tell us what makes SH the right firm for you (350 words).

Does relevant examples mean referring to my own experiences (again), or referring to the firm’s work, practices, industries, etc?

If it’s the former, what exactly can I put in the work experience section cos tbh I don’t exactly have 283895050600 years of relevant work experience so it seems pretty cooked… 🫠

Any help would be appreciated and apologies for the long ahh post this is baso an essay atp…

For the first one I said why im interested in law first and then i said some of my work experiences and what transferrable skills ive got from them and how it relates to being a lawyer

For the second one I focused on a particular practice area in the firm and why it interests me and then I spoke about how the structure of the training suits me etc. (I dont have any work experience at all in the practice area I spoke about btw just a genuine interest so dw ab work experiences)

 

[Donna Paulsen]

I’m working on a DTC app for Stephenson Harwood and the app questions have fused my last two remaining brain cells together and now I have no idea what they mean or to write:

1: tell us why you want to become a solicitor and with reference to your experience so far, explain how your skills are suited to the role. (350 words).

Do I structure this as X, Y and Z reasons for why I want to become a solicitor (50 words) and then around 50-60 words referring to specific personal experiences and transferrable skills for each?

OR

Do I structure it as roughly 150-170 words solely on why I want to become a solicitor and 150-170 words discussing my experiences so far and the transferable skills I’d bring to the role?

OR

Neither of the above and I’m just a donut. 🍩

2: Using relevant examples, tell us what makes SH the right firm for you (350 words).

Does relevant examples mean referring to my own experiences (again), or referring to the firm’s work, practices, industries, etc?

If it’s the former, what exactly can I put in the work experience section cos tbh I don’t exactly have 283895050600 years of relevant work experience so it seems pretty cooked… 🫠

Any help would be appreciated and apologies for the long ahh post this is baso an essay atp…

Maybe for the first one do reason -> skill that it links to -> experience where you demonstrated/strengthened that skill and why you enjoyed it -> link back to motivation -> repeat.

For the second one, I think relevant examples refer to actual characteristics about the firm e.g., practice areas, sectors, pro bono, training structure, etc.

 

[radicaloptimist]

what did everyone get on browne jacobson amberjack?

6 for clients, 9 for people and 10 for firm, and then my arrows for the applied intellect bits are in the middle but I can’t see a number attached to that?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

For the first one I said why im interested in law first and then i said some of my work experiences and what transferrable skills ive got from them and how it relates to being a lawyer

For the second one I focused on a particular practice area in the firm and why it interests me and then I spoke about how the structure of the training suits me etc. (I dont have any work experience at all in the practice area I spoke about btw just a genuine interest so dw ab work experiences)

Maybe for the first one do reason -> skill that it links to -> experience where you demonstrated/strengthened that skill and why you enjoyed it -> link back to motivation -> repeat.

For the second one, I think relevant examples refer to actual characteristics about the firm e.g., practice areas, sectors, pro bono, training structure, etc.

Cheers peeps Harvey’s brain cells are regenerating and recovering now and I can start the app!​

 

[Hanzeeb]

Mid numerical and verbal, 26/36 on pillars😭 my worst amberjack performance

I feel like my VI went pretty decent so here’s to hoping they weigh the VI more than the verbal and numerical scores lol.

26 being your worst amberjack score is crazy!! That’s probably one of my highest haha