• Hey Guest, Happy Valentine's Day! Sending our 💙 this weekend. We're all rooting for you in your training contract journey.
  • TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.
    Join →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Madison Pinewall

Valued Member
Dec 12, 2025
115
245
hey guys, just wondering on reflection. for most law firms, I havent put in my 'work experience' things that weren't like paid. for example, I volunteer to tutor students online and write for a widening participation blog. should I be adding these to my experience? similarly. are open days relevant? I found that I had more luck with CV based firms where they could see my range of extracurricular + mooting experience.
 

Prudentia

Legendary Member
Oct 21, 2025
159
401
I was speaking to one of the lawyers in my organisation about applying for VS and TCs. He said that he applied to almost every single law firm for a VS as a student (he went to Oxbridge) He was rejected from every regional and national firm, but ended up securing VSs with Baker McKenzie, Slaughter & May and Freshfields, and getting TC offers from BM and FF. Not sure where I’m going with this, but as the wave of offers/PFOs are coming through, don’t let rejection knock you back too much. Being rejected from one firm can sometimes lead to you getting an offer from a much better one.
 

Laurel Lance - Black Canary

Legendary Member
  • Jul 31, 2025
    185
    220

    InterestInPublicLaw

    Legendary Member
  • Feb 7, 2024
    242
    251
    hey guys, just wondering on reflection. for most law firms, I havent put in my 'work experience' things that weren't like paid. for example, I volunteer to tutor students online and write for a widening participation blog. should I be adding these to my experience? similarly. are open days relevant? I found that I had more luck with CV based firms where they could see my range of extracurricular + mooting experience.
    I usually include all of them in my application form if they have no dedicated sections for ECAs or have not specifically asked me not to include them. I got progressed by international and national firms so I don't think it's an issue. Some even encourage you to put ECAs, volunteering, open days, and everything else in work experience
     
    Bird & Bird Vacation Scheme offer!!!
    BIRD AND BIRD SPRING VAC SCHEME OFFER !!!
    Share Discover GIF
     

    lawyersum

    Legendary Member
    Jun 28, 2024
    344
    632

    About Us

    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.

    Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

    Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.