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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Jaysen

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  • Feb 17, 2018
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    Jaysen

    Founder, TCLA
    Staff member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    M&A Bootcamp
  • Feb 17, 2018
    4,885
    9,292
    i have accepted a TC at a firm, but have now been offered a VS at a different one - does anyone know if there are any rules against taking the VS? would really appreciate any advice as google is conflicting!

    Well done! I'd usually start by thinking about which firm you prefer.

    Some applicants will accept a TC offer and go on to do vacation schemes at other law firms. Understandably, it doesn't get discussed much, but this has happened for years, and it's always best to do what is right for you.

    There is a (relatively low) risk that the law firm who has given you the training contract finds out.

    If you prefer the firm that has given you the training contract or you don't want to risk anything, I'd be upfront with them and explain why you'd like to do the vacation scheme. I'd just be aware that they could also tell you not to do it.
     
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    Abbie Whitlock

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    Sep 11, 2025
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    Do you think it is okay to copy a paragraph of my answer from an old application and paste it into my application for the same firm? The majority of my answers are new but this section was actually the only good part so i'd like to keep it.
    Hey!

    As others have mentioned, I'd say that this is generally okay if you aren't copy pasting the entirety of your old application - one short snippet should be completely fine, as long as you have refreshed other parts of your application! It is highly unlikely that the graduate recruitment team will look at past applications to see if they're the same (simply because they don't have the time to do it for each applicant!). Best of luck with the application! :)
     
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    Eudora

    Star Member
    Dec 18, 2025
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    Do you think AG will offer any more ACs? My friend had one for the Easter VC last week. I have applied for summer VC and haven’t heard anything post VI.
    Same here. I completed my VI on 17 Jan and haven’t heard anything since. AG has quite a large intake across its VCs, so I’d be surprised if this was the only AC batch, but who knows.
     

    Abbie Whitlock

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    Sep 11, 2025
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    Question for all:
    How much do firms consider your original application form once you are past the Assessment Centre phase? In making a final decision, do they consider your AC and app form in conjunction or at that point is it mainly down to the AC performance?
    Hey!

    It's likely that this'll differ between firms - I know of some firms that look at your entire application (i.e. written app, test scores, and AC performance) before making a final decision of VS/TC. However, I have heard of some other firms that judge solely based on your performance at the AC. You could send the graduate recruitment team an email, as they might be happy to confirm this for you - ultimately, if you make it to the AC stage, you've performed strongly throughout anyway! :)
     

    Bottega_Veneta

    Legendary Member
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    Nov 23, 2019
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    just looking at the email i got from linklaters in december which says "We invite successful applicants on a rolling basis throughout January and February" ... could this mean that they invite people to ACs throughout feb as well? holding onto hope here 😭 😭
    They do!!! Don’t lose hope!🥳
     

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