TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[trainingcontracttbd]

Does anyone have any insights on FF's Stage 2 assessment? Willing to trade!

 

[lloy291]

I have a Jones Day interview next week - does anyone else have one/done one?

Can I ask how long between initially applying and receiving interview email?

 

[sservice]

Has anyone done the Mayer Brown OA and VI?

Willing to trade with FF stage 2 and Macfarlanes VI.

 

[Lawstoodent]

Can I ask how long between initially applying and receiving interview email?

around 2 days

 

[TortillaTC]

Applied to HLC winter vac scheme on 15 September and no 1st stage test so far - is it automatic as in sent to everyone who meets the eligibility criteria, or they filter people out on a basic level (eg if they don’t like their profile)?

 

[tldrba]

HLC just confirms your eligibility before sending the tests. I would assume that they are sending them in batches, haven’t heard of anyone that has sent an application in the past week or so to have received the first stage test as well.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi, just a quick question. The NRF application has a work experience section and has 'role description' as the place you input specific details. There is no word count nor preference whether to write in prose as to the role. Should I speak about tasked with x, did y and resulted in z. Or a simple role description (what the main day to day obligations are)...any advice much appreciated.

Hi! Maybe someone with NRF experience will be better suited to answer but I would say to treat this as the other work experience sections. I personally would do the former method, going into more detail, particularly as there is no word count. I would still keep it within 150-250 words as that is the general industry standard.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hellooo!! So I've just quit my new job after 3 months to go back to my old one (they offered me my old role back with continuous service). I'm applying for VS/TCs this cycle and mentioned the new job on one application so far. Do I HAVE to include it on applications from now on, or is it okay to leave it off? Worried a 3-month stint looks flaky, but it just wasn't the right fit!

Hi! I personally would avoid doing anything that seems like withholding any information. I very much doubt that 3 months would be something that removes you from the application stage. If anything, they may ask you at interview stage but you will be able to prepare a response for that.

However, technically, you might not *have* to include it in the sense most firms don't demand *every* work experience, but rather ask you to include what you wish to include. So there is a judgement based decision there, but I personally would err on the side of caution and include it.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Any advice would be great! How are people structuring their CV to DLA Piper? are you adding grades for A-Levels etc or just doing the standard work CV style?

Hi! I never applied to DLA unfortunately but I would probably include the A Levels etc. in an education section fitted at the top of your CV, above where your work experience starts but below your name !

 

[elizabethkate]

how do you navigate speaking about your work when its relevant to the firm you're applying to but its confidential work?

 

[MZJxLadha]

Applied to HLC winter vac scheme on 15 September and no 1st stage test so far - is it automatic as in sent to everyone who meets the eligibility criteria, or they filter people out on a basic level (eg if they don’t like their profile)?

When I applied, I received the test within an hour so I think it’s auto

 

[Novaa]

how do you navigate speaking about your work when its relevant to the firm you're applying to but its confidential work?

Hellooo!! I describe the work without naming the client or using internal project names or terminology.

So rather than: "I worked on the XYZ project/case/deal for XYZ, which included XYZ"

I’d say: "I worked on a network infrastructure upgrade across a hospitality company's portfolio. This involved presenting to stakeholders at different levels and scheduling engineers across multiple sites. As a result, I achieved XYZ."

It still shows the scale, the sector and your impact without giving anything confidential away. Unless someone digs into your employer, that client could be ANYONE.

 

[Novaa]

Hi! I personally would avoid doing anything that seems like withholding any information. I very much doubt that 3 months would be something that removes you from the application stage. If anything, they may ask you at interview stage but you will be able to prepare a response for that.

However, technically, you might not *have* to include it in the sense most firms don't demand *every* work experience, but rather ask you to include what you wish to include. So there is a judgement based decision there, but I personally would err on the side of caution and include it.

Makes sense!! I did think that hiding it could cause problems later down the line. Thank you!!

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz, hope you're having a lovely weekend.

I'm applying to CC and the first question is "In no more than 1440 characters including spaces (this is approx. 200 words), describe a time when you demonstrated a skill(s) that will be important for success as a trainee solicitor. What did you do, and how would you apply this skill in the role of a trainee solicitor?"

I was thinking of writing about two skills but I'm also thinking to push it to 3. Which one would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

 

[lawlol420]

Has anyone applied for the Bird & Bird trainee trade mark attorney role? I'm not sure what to expect in terms of the application process

 

[jamsparkle]

Linklaters said I achieved an above average score in critical reasoning. Does this actually mean anything? If it was top 5/10% would they actually say?

I imagine it just tells you below average/average/above average depending on which percentile you fell into (grad rec probably wants to keep it vague lol) - lots of places will just have a benchmark above which your application will progress to further review and below which you'll be rejected (ie at the skadden webinar they said they want you to get 20% on the critical reasoning test or something like that) - I imagine that 'above average' probably indicates that you don't have to worry about being rejected on the basis of your critical thinking test, at least?

 

[siilvert0ngue]

hey guys! anyone heard from these firms for their WVS?

ashurst perkins coie - post WG + SJT
hogan lovells cadwalader - post WG + SJT

 

[TJ360]

anyone heard back from HSFK post test 1?

 

[TJ360]

Surprised to see HLC job sim invite, given the feedback for the SJT said I need to work on my adaptability

Hey, when did you apply to HLC and when did u complete the test? I did the first test but have not heard back.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz, hope you're having a lovely weekend.

I'm applying to CC and the first question is "In no more than 1440 characters including spaces (this is approx. 200 words), describe a time when you demonstrated a skill(s) that will be important for success as a trainee solicitor. What did you do, and how would you apply this skill in the role of a trainee solicitor?"

I was thinking of writing about two skills but I'm also thinking to push it to 3. Which one would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Hi, thank you and likewise !

In my view, you should definitely limit yourself to 2. 200 words is already quite tight for that. While yes, you would only be going over one experience rather than two, you still have to separately say how you would apply this skill as a lawyer. As such, 3 skills would spread you really thin. Although possible, I'd recommend 2.


Wishing you the best !