TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[ttlaw12344]

is there any point APPLYING to akin this late lol

 

[sadlawyer01]

is it too late to apply to white & case and gibson?

 

[maymays]

Got an NRF VI! Not entirely sure how its going to play out though. Has anyone done it? is it like Amberjack where you can sort of look at the questions, think for as long as you want? or limited time to think, limited time to answer?

 

[elle woods]

For the Kirkland VI is anyone else's "Completed Date" showing up incorrectly? Mine was due on the 16th, I did it well before then, and it says I completed it on the 22nd (I was ~35,000 feet up in the air on a plane at the time they say I completed the interview...) View attachment 7546

Yep mine too. I did mine Christmas eve - completed date says 2026-01-02 (today) LOL

 

[elle woods]

is it too late to apply to white & case and gibson?

no - go for it!!

 

[James Wakefield]

Yep mine too. I did mine Christmas eve - completed date says 2026-01-02 (today) LOL

Completed could mean when it was marked?

 

[silonthesofa]

Guys what are the realistic odds of converting a vac scheme to a TC? At my uni most people told me not to worry about it and that it was largely a formality unless you do something truly outrageous like constantly being late, rude etc. but recently I've been hearing more and more stories of people not managing to convert despite doing their best.

I'm really struggling to even get ACs and I think the only thing that has kept me motivated is that you only need one firm to give you a chance and that once I get the vac scheme it's unlikely for things to go wrong. But now getting a TC feels like such a long shot...

My understanding is that while with some firms, a vacation scheme almost guarantees a training contract offer, with most of them, that is absolutely not the case. However, you have a far better chance of converting from vac scheme to TC than you do of getting the vac scheme, so that's one way to look at it?

 

[elle woods]

Completed could mean when it was marked?

I don't think so since my 'completed date' is today but I received word back on the 30th - but definitely a good theory!

It might just be like automatically updated 7-10 days after you submit your response, inferring from what everyone else has posted.

 

[James Wakefield]

Guys what are the realistic odds of converting a vac scheme to a TC? At my uni most people told me not to worry about it and that it was largely a formality unless you do something truly outrageous like constantly being late, rude etc. but recently I've been hearing more and more stories of people not managing to convert despite doing their best.

I'm really struggling to even get ACs and I think the only thing that has kept me motivated is that you only need one firm to give you a chance and that once I get the vac scheme it's unlikely for things to go wrong. But now getting a TC feels like such a long shot...

From 20% (some competitive American firms) to 100% I think.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Got an NRF VI! Not entirely sure how its going to play out though. Has anyone done it? is it like Amberjack where you can sort of look at the questions, think for as long as you want? or limited time to think, limited time to answer?

Hey!

So you get 5 mins of recommended prep time once the question is shown (nothing happens if you go over it, but you will be reminded that you’re over it by the red writing!) and 3 minutes to answer a question. You also get 4 attempts at re-recording each response.

The only thing to bear in mind is that the recommended 5 min prep time ALSO includes the re-record attempts/answering the questions.

 

[WillKitchen]

Hey was this for their PHirst scheme or DTC?

"Inside Look", Feb 18th. I believe it is an All About Law exclusive event.

 

[Wagamamas]

Guys what are the realistic odds of converting a vac scheme to a TC? At my uni most people told me not to worry about it and that it was largely a formality unless you do something truly outrageous like constantly being late, rude etc. but recently I've been hearing more and more stories of people not managing to convert despite doing their best.

I'm really struggling to even get ACs and I think the only thing that has kept me motivated is that you only need one firm to give you a chance and that once I get the vac scheme it's unlikely for things to go wrong. But now getting a TC feels like such a long shot...

Hi

It’s still hard to convert. Not everyone gets a TC it’s not just a formality. And you don’t have to do something outrageous to not be offered. It can be marginal things that sets people a part. If a firm has 20 TCs and 60 people across their vac schemes not everyone is guaranteed. It’s important to not beat yourself up if you don’t convert as it everyone can be offered one but the fact you made it that far is a great achievement.

I wouldn’t be stressing about conversion if you haven’t got a vs or at all actually. It’s easy to focus on the negatives and think ahead before we need to. Like I said you can be 100% perfect on a vs and still not be made an offer. Someone might be that bit better or, limited TCs, change in business etc. it’s how you bounce from feedback at any point in the application cycle.

 

[Novaa]

Guys what are the realistic odds of converting a vac scheme to a TC? At my uni most people told me not to worry about it and that it was largely a formality unless you do something truly outrageous like constantly being late, rude etc. but recently I've been hearing more and more stories of people not managing to convert despite doing their best.

I'm really struggling to even get ACs and I think the only thing that has kept me motivated is that you only need one firm to give you a chance and that once I get the vac scheme it's unlikely for things to go wrong. But now getting a TC feels like such a long shot...

I think as long as you perform well on the work, remember to ask questions about the work you’re doing, remain polite, show interest in the firm, and arrive on time daily the chances are very high of converting at most firms.

Looking back on the VS I completed I think I did everything right, but one thing I forgot to do which came up in my feedback, was that I forgot to ask more questions about the work even though I performed well on the task.

So even though i know it’s easy to take the approach of “I can do this”, make sure you show them you can by also asking questions before setting off to do the task. Also once you’ve submitted it, ask questions on the topic or the purpose of it.

All the best!!

 

[abc124]

My understanding is that while with some firms, a vacation scheme almost guarantees a training contract offer, with most of them, that is absolutely not the case. However, you have a far better chance of converting from vac scheme to TC than you do of getting the vac scheme, so that's one way to look at it?

True!! I guess I was just really surprised, altho now it feels obvious in hindsight...Idk how I went so long being that clueless haha

 

[Jack Falahee]

is there any point APPLYING to akin this late lol

is it too late to apply to white & case and gibson?

I am going to submit them soon, I love procrastination as I felt betrayed that the turnaround from my other apps were so long..

 

[abc124]

I think as long as you perform well on the work, remember to ask questions about the work you’re doing, remain polite, show interest in the firm, and arrive on time daily the chances are very high of converting at most firms.

Looking back on the VS I completed I think I did everything right, but one thing I forgot to do which came up in my feedback, was that I forgot to ask more questions about the work even though I performed well on the task.

So even though i know it’s easy to take the approach of “I can do this”, make sure you show them you can by also asking questions before setting off to do the task. Also once you’ve submitted it, ask questions on the topic or the purpose of it.

All the best!!

Thanks so much, that's so helpful and really reassuring! I'll definitely keep this in mind once I manage to secure a vac scheme and try to stop overthinking for now haha Best of luck with everything!

 

[LaDiva]

Any input for the Mills and Reeves online assessment? (amberjack)

 

[tball]

Just gone to do White & Case test and it's saying time run out but then it said thank you for completing the test. The 4 days since it being sent has not passed and I definitely have not yet completed it. What should I do??????

 

[abc124]

Hi

It’s still hard to convert. Not everyone gets a TC it’s not just a formality. And you don’t have to do something outrageous to not be offered. It can be marginal things that sets people a part. If a firm has 20 TCs and 60 people across their vac schemes not everyone is guaranteed. It’s important to not beat yourself up if you don’t convert as it everyone can be offered one but the fact you made it that far is a great achievement.

I wouldn’t be stressing about conversion if you haven’t got a vs or at all actually. It’s easy to focus on the negatives and think ahead before we need to. Like I said you can be 100% perfect on a vs and still not be made an offer. Someone might be that bit better or, limited TCs, change in business etc. it’s how you bounce from feedback at any point in the application cycle.

That makes complete sense, thanks so much. I'll defo focus on what I can control now and try to do my best with the apps to actually secure a vac scheme haha

 

[Jack Falahee]

Just did AG online assessment, was panicked when I open the link it says completed, I tried to sit the test immediately without prep but the my username & password were wrong and then blocked for 5 minutes. I tried to log in again and renew my username & password, and finally the problem has been solved. Sometimes the glitch is so annoying TBH!

Wish that if I had been invited to the next stages for other firms they will allow me to submit on weekend or at least have 7 days deadline or unlimited like AG as I have exams coming up 🫠 why don't they send to me now so I can do it all today and tomorrow.