TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[tc26]

anyone with Macfarlanes stage 2 VI insight? happy to share insights i've from morgan lewis, jones day, hogan lovells, A&O

 

[user55998384]

r all these stage 2 invites from today? and if so when did you submit stagw 1

 

[Legal seeker]

hey i did it on monday and recieved my feedback report last night x

Thank you! I just got sent mine now. For those who have taken it and advanced to the 2nd stage, what was your low strength, If you don’t mind sharing

 

[lp770]

hi can someone pls clarify, is the a&o VI completely untimed? so i can do research / turn off my laptop etc before recording?

 

[SBD total 1000lbs (and an applicant)]

is there any point me completing A&O's test? I completed the app form and filled in the work experiences, but i have three 2:2 modules across my first 2 years at uni (I avg a low/mid 2:1). I have a silver circle VS which I didnt convert on my CV but reading the thread about A&O's grade policy is making me think whether im just wasting my time.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Anytime I apply on AllHires, it always adds words to my answers - if my word count on Google Docs is 250, AllHires will show 253, for instance. Does this happen to anyone else? Anyone know how to fix this?

Hi!

I've definitely encountered this before, and I can understand why it is frustrating! It is usually because different systems use slightly different rules for what counts as a "word" - things like hyphens, dashes, numbers and punctuation could be what is making the counts differ.

If Google Docs says 250 but AllHires says 253, I would probably aim to cut a few words so that you are comfortably under the limit when you go to insert it into the AllHires platform.

I don't think there is necessarily any other way to "fix" it - it is more likely just the two systems counting slightly differently

 

[pdfo]

Hey would you mind expanding on what HSFK said a bit more?

When I was at one of their open days they said their classic 'expecting all 2:1 modules', and then someone asked if the fact that they had two 2:2 modules in their first year mattered (but they graduated with a first) and they said it was definitely okay and that they were just looking for overall high grades - so from what i can tell they not being literal when they say all modules? But I don't know?

 

[174Tess9y3]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, or anyone else who can help!

Wilkie's website states: "We welcome applicants from all universities and degree disciplines. We are looking for consistently strong academics, and our minimum academic requirements are as follows: a 2:1 at undergraduate level, a commendation at postgraduate level, and a first-time pass for any legal qualifications, such as the SQE."

Do you think the first-time pass requirement for the SQE is applicable to those they haven't sponsored? I've passed SQE1 and SQE2 but had to resit FLK1. Should I still waste my time writing an application?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, or anyone else who can help!

Wilkie's website states: "We welcome applicants from all universities and degree disciplines. We are looking for consistently strong academics, and our minimum academic requirements are as follows: a 2:1 at undergraduate level, a commendation at postgraduate level, and a first-time pass for any legal qualifications, such as the SQE."

Do you think the first-time pass requirement for the SQE is applicable to those they haven't sponsored? I've passed SQE1 and SQE2 but had to resit FLK1. Should I still waste my time writing an application?

Hey!

I would personally interpret that as applying to all applicants, rather than just those they have sponsored. They specifically say they require "a first-time pass for any legal qualifications, such as SQE", so I think if they intended this to only apply to candidates they had sponsored, they would probably make that distinction.

However, I wouldn't necessarily let this put you off applying without checking with graduate recruitment first. You have passed both SQE1 and SQE2 (congratulations btw!), so it is worth asking whether a resit of one FLK within SQE1 would mean you fail their requirements

 

[e.jy336]

Did anyone else receive the Macfarlanes Simulate self-reflection thing?

 

[chocolatetoothpaste]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock! I came across your profile through last year's Reed Smith Vacation Scheme application thread and saw that you're now training with Reed Smith. I had a quick question about eligibility for the 2027 Vacation Scheme, which opens in September.

I'm an overseas law student due to graduate in 2029 - I am pursuing a 5 year law degree, of which I am in my 3rd year. The Reed Smith website states: "During the autumn 2027 recruitment round, we will be looking for candidates who wish to start their training contract (qualifying work experience) from 2029 onwards."

I know the firm also offers an SQE internship, so I was wondering whether this means the 2027 Vacation Scheme is intended for candidates graduating in 2028, with the SQE internship bridging the gap before they begin their training contract, or if I should give the application a shot as well.

I'd really appreciate any clarification. Thank you!

 

[CharlieandLola]

For the A&O Sherman assessment on Amberjack, is that just due before the deadline not in like 3 days or 5 days like usual?

 

[User1812987]

Hi everyone! Am currently drafting answers to an open day application, and I wondered if anyone had any advice on the following. The question states:

Please include details of events, webinars and virtual work experience that you have taken part in that have helped you increase your understanding of a career in law. (300 words max.)

Am I right in thinking I can also detail internships / vacation schemes completed, as well as physical work experiences? I presume this is still relevant, but also conscious that it's not explicitly been asked. Am I correct to add these? Or is it simply as straightforward as the question stated, with concentration placed on solely events, webinars and virtual experiences?

 

[law2026c]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock just wondering how important attending networking events are. I managed to secure a place for one which required an application but I've had a family event pop up. Is it bad to miss the networking event?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock! I came across your profile through last year's Reed Smith Vacation Scheme application thread and saw that you're now training with Reed Smith. I had a quick question about eligibility for the 2027 Vacation Scheme, which opens in September.

I'm an overseas law student due to graduate in 2029 - I am pursuing a 5 year law degree, of which I am in my 3rd year. The Reed Smith website states: "During the autumn 2027 recruitment round, we will be looking for candidates who wish to start their training contract (qualifying work experience) from 2029 onwards."

I know the firm also offers an SQE internship, so I was wondering whether this means the 2027 Vacation Scheme is intended for candidates graduating in 2028, with the SQE internship bridging the gap before they begin their training contract, or if I should give the application a shot as well.

I'd really appreciate any clarification. Thank you!

Hey!

As I understand it, as you would need to complete the SQE year before starting your training contract, it sounds like you wouldn't be able to start your TC in 2029 if you graduate in 2029. However, the wording does specifically say candidates who wish to start their training contract "from 2029 onwards", rather than limiting it to those starting in 2029, so I think it would still be worth giving the application a shot.

That being said, I would definitely recommend emailing the graduate recruitment team with your exact circumstances and asking them to confirm whether you would be eligible for the 2027 vacation scheme. This will mean that you'll have a definitive answer before applying

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi everyone! Am currently drafting answers to an open day application, and I wondered if anyone had any advice on the following. The question states:

Please include details of events, webinars and virtual work experience that you have taken part in that have helped you increase your understanding of a career in law. (300 words max.)

Am I right in thinking I can also detail internships / vacation schemes completed, as well as physical work experiences? I presume this is still relevant, but also conscious that it's not explicitly been asked. Am I correct to add these? Or is it simply as straightforward as the question stated, with concentration placed on solely events, webinars and virtual experiences?

Hi!

I would focus primarily on the experiences that the question specifically asks for, so events, webinars, and virtual work experience. As they have deliberately listed those categories, I wouldn't use up a significant amount of the 300 words discussing internships or vacation schemes.

However, if you have a particularly relevant internship or physical work experience that directly helped you understand what a career in law involves, I don't think it would be completely inappropriate to mention it briefly. I would just make sure the bulk of your answer addresses the experiences that they have explicitly asked for.

Ultimately, I would treat the wording quite literally. They are likely trying to understand how you have explored a career in law outside of simply applying for the open day, so I would prioritise the events/webinars/virtual experiences that have genuinely contributed to your understanding and, importantly, explain what you learnt from them rather than simply listing everything you have attended

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock just wondering how important attending networking events are. I managed to secure a place for one which required an application but I've had a family event pop up. Is it bad to miss the networking event?

Hi!

I wouldn't worry too much about missing one networking event, particularly if you have a genuine family commitment that has come up. Attending networking events can be useful for learning more about a firm and meeting people, but they are not something you need to attend every time in order to be a strong candidate.

If you are able to, I would let the organisers know as soon as possible that you can no longer attend, rather than simply not showing up. You could keep it brief and just explain that an unexpected family commitment has arisen.

I also wouldn't worry about this negatively affecting your future applications. One missed networking event won't determine whether you get an interview or offer

 

[DaemonBlackFyre]

Hi, I don't know if anyone else has seen but Pinsent Masons has increased their A-level requirements to ABB.

I got BBB however I was able to make it to their assessment centre last year in a regional office but I want to apply to London this time, is it worth me applying this year?