TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Madison Pinewall]

Congrats!! may I ask about the timeline of your app (could be approximates ofc!)

Applied in December, received a WGT invite early January and an AC a week later. I am under the impression that they essentially are running 3 ACs total (mine was the first) and that you will get an invite depending on how close to the next AC invite batch you are. For me that was a week!

 

[lawcool]

Any forsters acs sent out for the end of Feb slots yet??

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

does anybody know when Shoosmiths closes their apps tomorrow?

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Applied in December, received a WGT invite early January and an AC a week later. I am under the impression that they essentially are running 3 ACs total (mine was the first) and that you will get an invite depending on how close to the next AC invite batch you are. For me that was a week!

Thanks a lot! Fingers crossed!

 

[HopefulTC]

Honestly this might be a bad opinion and ideally you should email grad rec but I would selfishly attend the ac (only because this process is so hard and DBP is a great firm)😭😭😭. The grad rec should have spotted this in your application and it’s not your fault (but why did you apply in the wrong year?😭).

Like even if you attend the ac and are successful and do the vac scheme and worst case scenario, they realise their mistake and don’t offer you a tc, atleast you have a great firm vs experience on your cv😭. Best case scenario, maybe they noted this and think it won’t be an issue? Or they defer your tc offer to the next year should you be successful in getting one?

Guys pls don’t attack me, I know it’s bad and unethical advice but this person has worked hard and made it so far in the process and it would be so sad for them to lose it😭😭

Best of luck anyways!

Yeah when i applied it didnt say on their website which is actually awful anyway I've emailed grad rec accepting the AC but also let them know. Will keep you all updated 😂

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Yeah when i applied it didnt say on their website which is actually awful anyway I've emailed grad rec accepting the AC but also let them know. Will keep you all updated 😂

If they said this on the website AND they accepted you then I don't see why they would have an issue with it - I would think worst case scenario they give you an AC/VS/TC in the next cycle.

 

[Donuttime]

Any forsters acs sent out for the end of Feb slots yet??

Has Forsters sent out AC invites already??

 

[lawcool]

Has Forsters sent out AC invites already??

No I don’t think so, I know it’s only been a week im just wondering as there’s probably some due soon ish

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

How do you know this?

I may have been confusing it, but there was a live event with ropes & Gray and part of it was talking about the application. There may still be a recording so I can double check later to confirm I'm not getting mixed up between firms.

 

[soph107048]

For those who heard back from White & Case post VI, when did you do your VI? help a girl out

 

[ArthurWeasleyLaw]

anyone received Skadden VS offer?

 

[TCGrad1642]

Has anyone hear anymore or anything about AC’s for Mishcon spring? Hoping they’re gonna be sent out in batches.

it’s really confusing as in their email they said everything would be communicated by end of jan

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

I may have been confusing it, but there was a live event with ropes & Gray and part of it was talking about the application. There may still be a recording so I can double check later to confirm I'm not getting mixed up between firms.

That would be great because I added in bits about myself and also about the firm's deals. LMAO

 

[Maria56]

That would be great because I added in bits about myself and also about the firm's deals. LMAO

Is the deadline tmrw 23:59 or today 23:59

 

[Hinkle_dinkle]

When can we expect to hear back from Arnold and Porter?

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

Is the deadline tmrw 23:59 or today 23:59

31st

 

[Novaa]

Has SPARK suddenly opened up to people who aren’t in first year?

Because the way I have been receiving emails upon emails, and now an Instagram ad??! CC I was in first year almost 6 years ago ❤️

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thank you so much Abbie, your tips are super helpful!! I was just wondering if you had a final bank for competency questions for practice? Also, I was wondering if TCLA do marked written exercises for practice? - Thank you again!!

No problem at all!

I've found this bank of questions for Training Contract Interview Questions - there is a section for competency questions, which should be useful practice!

Yes, TCLA offer these! You can purchase any of the six types of written exercises available, and can also pay for personalised feedback on this as well - I've linked it here!

 

[Isobel.liddle]

People who heard back from Mishcon last Friday what time did you hear (it’s my birthday today and I’m hoping for good news ahaha)

 

[adf43256]

Guys ive got a bit of a dilemma. I have an exam on the morning of my AC. For context the exam releases at 10am and is due at 11:30am the same day. Whereas the AC starts at 13:30. The exam is a BPP resit so not crucial imo but I spoke to them and they seem unable to allow me to sit it on a different date. I'm hesitant to reach out to the firm to reschedule the AC because this is a firm I really like and despite the fact that they probably will be willing to accommodate my situation, I also dont want to do a later AC at the risk of potentially missing out on offers. I feel like its doable if I do the exam in the morning and then do the AC at 1pm but I'd appreciate any advice lol