TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[ABC234]

Out of curiosity, those of you who have graduated and are applying, what have you been doing since graduation. I finished education in September and trying to get paralegal or non law grad jobs has been such a draining process. Ive managed to get a part time retail job but im not feeling that great about my undergrad, masters and SQE leading to retail (terrible mindset ik and I apologise not trying to put anyone down)

I just completed the SQE and got my first vac scheme

It’s not a matter of if it happens-its when it happens

as long as you keep trying every cycle it’ll happen! That’s what I’ve been telling myself

 

[Jennifer2003]

Reed Smith pfo post ac it’s my first outcome post ac, waiting on the outcome of my bird and bird one, and I don’t think I realised how hard it would hit until it happened!

 

[lawstudent2]

Does anyone know anything about when Ashurst will respond post ac?

The last AC I think is today, so I don't know if we can expect a response tomorrow/early next week or if it's a longer wait post the final AC dates

 

[Legalfreak212]

Reed Smith pfo post ac it’s my first outcome post ac, waiting on the outcome of my bird and bird one, and I don’t think I realised how hard it would hit until it happened!

Same, just got my pfo. I feel like shit lol

 

[an03]

Does anyone know anything about when Ashurst will respond post ac?

The last AC I think is today, so I don't know if we can expect a response tomorrow/early next week or if it's a longer wait post the final AC dates

Last yr i got a response after 2 weeks

 

[Jennifer2003]

Same, just got my pfo. I feel like shit lol

Me in the middle of my shift trying not to sob in front of customers lmao

 

[Legalfreak212]

Me in the middle of my shift trying not to sob in front of customers lmao

I’m praying you get the Bird and Bird one, this sucks

 

[summersun]

Guys spoke too soon… REED SMITH VS!!!

Congratulations !!!!

 

[lawstudent2]

Last yr i got a response after 2 weeks

Ok thank you

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

Hey guys has anyone heard from the following who applied on or around deadline?

Orrick (VS Summer)
Gibson Dunn post online assessment
Hugh James (VS Summer)
Addleshaw Goddard (London)post online assessment (VS Summer)
Marriot Harrison post online assessment (VS Summer)
Akin (VS Spring)
Ropes & Gray (VS Summer)
Russel Cooke (VS Summer)
K&L Gates (VS Summer)

 

[loaf]

AG london AC😭 first cycle, first AC, really nervous...
Does anyone know how many ppl they invite to AC and how many vac scheme places they have?

 

[elizabethkate]

Out of curiosity, those of you who have graduated and are applying, what have you been doing since graduation. I finished education in September and trying to get paralegal or non law grad jobs has been such a draining process. Ive managed to get a part time retail job but im not feeling that great about my undergrad, masters and SQE leading to retail (terrible mindset ik and I apologise not trying to put anyone down)

waitressed whilst doing GDL self funded. yh it’s horrible experience haha feel overqualified and under qualified all at the same time

 

[ABC234]

How do I know if a TI went well 😭 Just had one and I'm sick so genuinely don't even know what I said 🤣

 

[lelezb1]

bakers pfo post vi. couldn’t complete my ans for a competency question in the given time limit so expected a pfo. Shame that my other answers were real good tho 😭
This is for the summer

 

[Jennifer2003]

Bristows WE!

 

[elizabethkate]

bristows WE! yipee

 

[hanz123]

Has anyone had the same experience with Addleshaw Goddard? - I did the WG wayyy back in October and I haven’t heard back about the VI or anything, just complete silence? I don’t think I even got a confirmation email after the WG.

Not too sure what’s going on and if I’ve just been ghosted lmao, bc it seems like everyone has progressed with the firm atp?

no same here they’ve been awful this cycle, dead silence and people are progressing

 

[FutureLawyer_]

Out of curiosity, those of you who have graduated and are applying, what have you been doing since graduation. I finished education in September and trying to get paralegal or non law grad jobs has been such a draining process. Ive managed to get a part time retail job but im not feeling that great about my undergrad, masters and SQE leading to retail (terrible mindset ik and I apologise not trying to put anyone down)

I’m the same, I graduated last year. Thought I’d apply this cycle but haven’t had any luck. Going to go travelling now until August and hit the new app cycle running! Everything happens for a reason, and like someone else said, it’s not a matter if, it’s just when it’ll happen!!

 

[Novaa]

Out of curiosity, those of you who have graduated and are applying, what have you been doing since graduation. I finished education in September and trying to get paralegal or non law grad jobs has been such a draining process. Ive managed to get a part time retail job but im not feeling that great about my undergrad, masters and SQE leading to retail (terrible mindset ik and I apologise not trying to put anyone down)

I was trying to apply for Paralegal roles, got ghosted A LOT, then ended up in a non-technical role within the IT sector. I was happy with it because I felt like it gave me good transferable non-legal skills which I would have also got as a Paralegal. It also would’ve paid better, which is a plus. I also just really needed a job, I think it had almost been 5 months post-graduating.

On not wanting to go back to retail, I 100% get what you mean as I had been doing it since I was able to work and through sixth form and through university. It wasn’t necessarily that I was “above” retail but more so just tired of doing it after years.

 

[adfs456]

Bristows WE invite 🙏