TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Madison Pinewall]

was this recent bcs i haven't got one and ahh

i was being silly i just got one

 

[marshmallow]

APC holding email gave me a heart attack, please don’t start a holding email with the words ‘we are writing to you with an update on your application…’

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo sui]

Does anyone have a list of firms that dont require app questions or cls? like links etc

 

[Belledoeslaw12*]

Slightly confused by APC holding email, how can they conduct ACs after 6th Nov when scheme starts under a month later??

 

[rdas]

does HL ask the same questions in every VI (stage 3)?

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Slightly confused by APC holding email, how can they conduct ACs after 6th Nov when scheme starts under a month later??

They don't. They go through the stages way before then but do a mass PFO after when decisions are basically already made

 

[siilvert0ngue]

about 2 weeks ago i think

By Stage 2 do you mean the online test (SJT + WG) or the online assessment centre?

 

[marshmallow]

dumb question but with MoFo’s form, they ask for your first year average but have a selection of either 60-64% or 65-69%. my average was 64.8, should i round up or down? i don’t want to accidentally come across as dishonest !!!

 

[Topdog0073]

dumb question but with MoFo’s form, they ask for your first year average but have a selection of either 60-64% or 65-69%. my average was 64.8, should i round up or down? i don’t want to accidentally come across as dishonest !!!

I would round up. They haven’t set their bounds clearly so just go for the nearest.

 

[Belledoeslaw12*]

They don't. They go through the stages way before then but do a mass PFO after when decisions are basically already made

When would you predict (I know you probs can't but just a guess) they will start doing Acs just cuz I have had other AC invites for winter already

 

[vacschemes]

dumb question but with MoFo’s form, they ask for your first year average but have a selection of either 60-64% or 65-69%. my average was 64.8, should i round up or down? i don’t want to accidentally come across as dishonest !!!

do you know if you can still apply if you averaged a 2:2 instead?

 

[Amelia.05]

When would you predict (I know you probs can't but just a guess) they will start doing Acs just cuz I have had other AC invites for winter already

Congrats, which firms have you heard from?

 

[florrrrnnn76]

DLA online test stage

 

[marshmallow]

do you know if you can still apply if you averaged a 2:2 instead?

From their website:

‘We ask that you be on track for, or to have already achieved, a minimum of a 2(i) degree (or the equivalent if you are studying/have studied outside the UK) and a minimum of AAB (or equivalent) at A Level. There is the option to add mitigating circumstances to your application. We are also pleased to confirm that we use Rare’s Contextual Recruiting System (CRS), which allows us to understand your grades within the context they were achieved. The firm encourages applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds.’

 

[alanshore]

DLA online test stage

When did you do the CRS?

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

For questions like 'tell us about any insights days you've attended', are we allowed to mention other law firms or are we expected to only provide a general overview of the event and what we learnt?

For example, when applying to W&C, can I explicitly mention I attended a networking event at Baker McKenzie?

Hi! Absolutely you can explicitly mention attending other events, if anything it is encouraged. This is because you are showcasing interest in the broader career as a whole, and even better if the firms are similar in some ways.

Nevertheless, you don't have to mention the names, and can instead provide an overview. Both ways are acceptable, I personally did the latter (did not name any specific firms). This could be because of word count etc. But you can't really go wrong with either way.

Hopefully that was helpful!

 

[Arv_329]

Anyone not get DLA CRS?

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector?

I should answer this question with bullet points, right?

Hi! I personally would always err on the side of caution and write in written prose, unless specifically told to use bulletpoints/list.

This is because "tell us about" implies the firm wanting to hear in a little more detail about the events. As such, through prose, you are able to create a more engaging narrative of how the events contributed to your understanding of the career and your now position applying to the firm.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi guys,

I am looking to apply to NRF's open day. They don't have any application questions, but they ask you to submit a cover letter. Does anyone know how what information I would need to include in a cover letter for an open day?

Thank you!

While I never had to use a cover letter for an open day, I would probably cover similar points.

The first paragraph should be focused on why law. This would then be followed as to what you find interesting about the firm, potentially linking the Open Day here. You could talk about how attending the open day would enable you to learn more / develop more in regard to that point you find appealing. Then, you would either include why me throughout these paragraphs or separately as its own standalone section.

 

[Belledoeslaw12*]

Congrats, which firms have you heard from?

Macs and A&OS, thank you!