TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Minhee]

Does anyone have any advice on how to structure this question for CMS: What attracts you to CMS, and what qualities, skills or experiences would you bring to the firm?. Really struggling cause its only 200 words. rather breadth or depth?

I think depth!

I would structure this as:

1. Why CMS (100 words): Pick 1 reason (be specific! use evidence / example if appropriate) --> Why is this important to you?
2. Qualities, skills, experiences (100 words): Pick 1 - 2 skills (ideally ones that CMS targets) --> Use 1 - 2 experiences to explain how you developed each skill --> How could you apply this at CMS?

If you're struggling with word count, you can prompt AI to 'reword to be as concise and easy to read as possible' (but check that CMS permits AI use).

Best of luck!

 

[Emmaflanagan24]

does anyone know how someone could’ve got the A&O summer vac scheme despite their winter intake not even being finalised yet?? am so confused by this

 

[Novaa]

View attachment 8443does anyone know how someone could’ve got the A&O summer vac scheme despite their winter intake not even being finalised yet?? am so confused by this

Hellooo!! Nosy Novaa incoming. I can see they mentioned the First Year Programme and done some digging, and they were fast-tracked to an AC

 

[John Hammond]

Anyone got stage 2 for FF summer vs track? Submitted stage 1 on Monday so lowkey worried, maybe I messed up the SJT.

yeah two weeks ago

 

[rose06]

Hi, you can email grad recruitment to ask for your report. Takes some time, but you see how much you scored and how is it compared to others

thank you!

 

[alanshore]

is baker mckenzie rolling? if so have i shot myself in the foot by not starting my app until now

 

[TortillaTC]

HLC PFO post stage 1 online test - very disappointed because I felt like I did the test extremely similarly to last year’s (when I passed) and I did really well on both the proofreading and critical thinking exercises.

Oh well on to the next one.

 

[RJ Ruban]

Macfarlane's Stage 2! Any advice or tips, happy to give tips of FF stage 2, HSF K

 

[Novaa]

is baker mckenzie rolling? if so have i shot myself in the foot by not starting my app until now

They’re non-rolling

 

[NM23x]

is baker mckenzie rolling? if so have i shot myself in the foot by not starting my app until now

I just applied now aswell

 

[赐给我tc]

anyone heard back from ao shearman after the winter vacation scheme ac last week？

 

[Massinissa]

hlc pfo post 2nd assessment + bm open day pfo + flunked pinsent VI

anyone have any tips for VIs as thats def a weakness of mine

 

[Trainingcontractinho123]

Question: in the FF and HLC job simulations (stage 3s), our camera switches on during the video interview, but is it on during the actual test? I legit had to change clothes before the video interview question switched on and it'd be weird if they saw me in the background doing this,...

Erm guys can someone reassure me with a definitive yes or no pls hahahahha - just because the green camera thing (to signal that ur camera is on) only lit up when the vid interview Q popped up, so just wondering. They’d legit have seen me clothless

 

[Enyonam]

hlc pfo post 2nd assessment + bm open day pfo + flunked pinsent VI

anyone have any tips for VIs as thats def a weakness of mine

Waiting for HLC to put me out of my misery. Stuttered on one of the VIs like I was trying to beatbox… very embarrassing actually

 

[phoenix11_]

When do Dechert send out test invitations? I haven’t heard from them since submitting the application

 

[MONA23]

Reed smith legal online assessment, any tips on the type of VI questions that came up, would really appreciate it!!!1

 

[TortillaTC]

Reed smith legal online assessment, any tips on the type of VI questions that came up, would really appreciate it!!!1

If this is stage 1, they took out the VI questions this year and will have the VI stage later in the process. It’s just an Amberjack (job simulation questions + verbal and math exercises).

If you got progressed and got stage 2, congrats!!! I’d prepare the usual why this firm, why me, and competency questions.

 

[Novaa]

Erm guys can someone reassure me with a definitive yes or no pls hahahahha - just because the green camera thing (to signal that ur camera is on) only lit up when the vid interview Q popped up, so just wondering. They’d legit have seen me clothless

Hellooo!! Assuming you're on a MacBook, you're completely fine. The green light is hardwired, so Apple doesn't allow any camera access without it coming on. If it only lit up when the video question appeared, they had no footage before that.

If you're on Windows, most laptops work the same way with the camera light, so the same logic applies.

 

[user55998384]

hlc pfo post 2nd assessment + bm open day pfo + flunked pinsent VI

anyone have any tips for VIs as thats def a weakness of mine

sorry to hear - when did you submit HLC stage 2?