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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

trainee4u

Legendary Member
Sep 7, 2023
444
893
just thinking of all the tests youve had to do... bruh 😭
I don't mind the tests any more.
Like after a while you've seen all the WG questions before and can just answer in a few seconds.

VI is a pain though, especially when you don't know if you've got 400 people or 40 that you're competing against - like how much prep to do.
 

Lawlawland

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Oct 4, 2025
266
515
Happy plate spinning!

How are you finding it so far? And what affected your decision to do it now, instead of waiting for a TC offer?
Anticipating this is for everyone on the same boat:

1. I have two years to secure a visa sponsorship. My hunt is not just for a TC but for a stable work sponsorship. If TC plans fails I think having a SQE qualification would help me reach out to mid tier and small firms that may not sponsor for SQE but can take me in for traineeship.

2. Opens doors for me in the Dubai and Singapore market (I also have language advantages there). So I can spread my focus even if London and UK market fails me.

3. Getting it out of the way as early as possible is honestly so relaxing, I don't want to be anxious about it down the lane. I feel like I have the time and the right mindset now, and shall put it for good use.

4. Having at least SQE 1 done by next cycle shall helo me look good for firms that wants their trainees to start early (like GD). Trying to tap into that.

5. I'm getting really old😭, I don't think I wanna be doing this in my laste 20s. So getting it out of my way by the mid-20s🤣.
 

iklawapps

Star Member
Premium Member
Mar 1, 2025
49
44
Did they tell you when to expect to hear back?

Sometimes if there are ACs still to run after you've done yours, it can take much longer to hear back. Most firms have to finish all their ACs before they take some time to make final decisions. Obviously other firms do things differently, especially if they give out offers on a rolling basis

it depends on the firm, for Macs they would usually call in the evening after the AC if u have been successful but I have also heard of some other firms taking longer to respond due to high number of strong candidates.

I got told I would hear back by the end of the week, heard back the following week with a positive response, sometimes GR can just be a bit slow
thank you all so much < 3 they haven't said how long they'd be, but I'll just keep on waiting patiently and pray the case is that they're just busy :' ) good luck to your apps and I hope you all get tons of Acs!
 
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Reactions: elle woods

WillKitchen

Distinguished Member
  • Aug 28, 2025
    74
    182
    I'm getting really old😭, I don't think I wanna be doing this in my late 20s. So getting it out of my way by the mid-20s🤣
    I'm 32, and have also met much older people who are in the same boat.

    I was talking to a lawyer at Simmons recently, and he said that the average age of NQs is going up gradually, and is now over 30. So we probably shouldn't worry about it!
     

    Donna Paulsen

    Legendary Member
  • Sep 23, 2025
    189
    575
    it's not me - I've done
    giphy.gif


    View attachment 7692
    Any tips? 😍 👑
     

    Novaa

    Legendary Member
    Dec 2, 2022
    173
    676
    So, I am preparing a list of questions that can be asked at an AC. Any ideas on how to approach this question: What transferable skills do you wish to pick up between now and the vac scheme/training?
    Sorry just to confirm, do you want to know how to answer what skills you’d want to pick up between the AC and vac scheme? Which would assess how you’d prepare for the vac scheme?

    Or what skills you’d want to pick up between the AC and training, which would assess how you’d use the vac scheme to prepare for your training?

    Or both? :) Let me know and I can try to give a couple of options
     

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    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

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