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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Emailed them yesterday. Apparently they are still planning to give out ACs
most pfos went out so no news is good newsis anyone else waiting on links / linklaters SVS? not hopeful since ppl have got offers but also worried my app got lost
What's the etiquette for feedback call? Should I prepare questions, or is it better to just listen and thank them at the end? Also how long do feedback calls usually last? Always find these kind of calls quite uncomfortable and awkward
If you go on the email where it confirms you submitted your application, scroll to the bottom and it will let you login to your application portal
it's unlimited prep time right for the VI questions? I've got minimal time to prep beforehand so im thinking just chance it if its unlimited prep time during the VI
any tips or insights for JD AC please 🙏🏻 my AC is so late - mid April. Does anyone know if it’s common practice for the firm? Do I still have a chance given the fact that they recruit on rolling basis
Heyy pm me
mine is also quite late and im happy to share insights/prep
Hi guys so ive been offered a second VS and the way its structured is that there's a 1 week vacation scheme, and then 2 weeks later there's an in person assessment day for a training contract. I can manage the VS but the in person assessment day clashes with another VS I have. If there's no flexibility with choice of assessment day, would it be possible for me to attend the VS and then turn them down?
That sounds so annoying - but you should definitely take the experience at least, I don't think you should be obligated to basically keep your whole summer free for one firm where you may get an offer. At least you will be able to leverage that experience.
Hey!
This'll differ depending on the circumstances (e.g. specific firms, vacation scheme or DTC, and which scheme). I would say that you usually have a couple of weeks to accept, but I'd definitely speak to the graduate recruitment team if you were in this situation as they might be able to extend this on a case-by-case basis
Hi!
I am doing well, thank you - hope you are too!
Of course, I have quoted them below. Best of luck!
Hey!
I'm really sorry to hear you're feeling this way, and I promise you are not alone. Imposter syndrome is so incredibly common in law, and as someone who also felt that I received my schemes through a fluke, I completely understand why you feel like this. However, the truth is that firms don't give out offers by accident - if it were truly a fluke, you wouldn't have received so many AC invites this cycle as well!
It is also worth remembering that by the time you reach the AC stage, you've already demonstrated to the firm that you are more than capable of doing the job and have the potential to excel in commercial law (and you have for five different firms!). At the AC, the focus is often on fit rather than raw ability, and it is clear that the firm you have an offer with felt you were a strong fit for them. Ultimately, you won't end up being the right fit for every firm, and that is okay!
Going into the scheme, I'd try to keep that in mind and focus on learning as much as possible about the firm and making the most of the experience. If you engage fully, ask questions, and show genuine interest, there's no reason you can't convert
Hi!
Congratulations on the VS!!
It is completely normal to feel nervous about lower conversion rates, but I would try not to focus on it too much as you might psych yourself out.
My main advice would be to really use the scheme to engage as widely and proactively as possible. Ask lots of questions - about the work, about the firms strategy, about how matters fit into the wider deal, and about people's career paths. In my feedback call after being rejected post-VS for one of my schemes, one of the main points that was brought up was that I hadn't engaged with my supervisor enough and I should've asked more about their career path. You could speak to a wide range of associates, partners, and trainees, not just the people that you are directly sitting with. It shows genuine interest and will help you understand how the firm actually operates, which is handy for any interviews on the scheme.
Additionally, I would try to be proactive in asking for work and, just as importantly, feedback. If you finish something, let your supervisor (or whoever gave you the task) know and ask whether there is anything else you can help with. At the same time, it's important to be mindful of your tone - definitely try to avoid coming across as pushy or transactional. The key is to be enthusiastic and helpful, rather than adding more tasks to your supervisors workload!
One thing that is often overlooked is how you treat other vacation schemes. I would focus on supporting those around you, and ensuring that you are collaborative rather than competitive. Whilst you are technically "competing" with those around you, firms notice how you behave in a cohort, and being someone who contributes positively to the group says a lot about how you would be as a trainee. Graduate recruitment teams notice those who are being overly competitive on the scheme, and it often doesn't reflect well on them!
Overall, it is generally important to approach the scheme with a good attitude. Things such as being reliable, responsive, calm under pressure, and easy to work with are all key traits that they will be looking for. People will be thinking about whether you're someone they'd trust on a busy deal at 10pm, particularly at a US firm - competence definitely matters, but so does being someone that people enjoy working with!
Low conversion rates doesn't mean that you have low chances - if you focus on being engaged, proactive, and a good team player, you'll give yourself the best possible shot!
Best of luck with the VS, and I hope you enjoy it too!
Hi!
My top tip (based on my feedback post-VS) would be to be as engaged as possible throughout the scheme.
Ask lots of questions - not just about the task that you have been set, but about the wider deal, the client, and why certain decisions are being made. That shows curiosity in the work and how it fits into the wider picture, and demonstrates that you are genuinely interested. On my vacation scheme, I think I was worried that asking too many questions would look like I didn't know how to do the work - this isn't the case at all, and I'd just try to learn as much as you can through the tasks!
Additionally, I'd make an effort to speak to people in departments that you are interested in, even if you are not sitting with them. This doesn't necessarily have to be a partner or senior associate either - I was particularly interested in the Rail department at Stephenson Harwood, and I had a really lovely chat with a solicitor apprentice in the team who gave me great insights that I could speak about in my interview!
Try to have lunch or grab a coffee with your supervisor(s) at some point during the scheme too, if you can! Take the time to ask about their career path, why they chose the firm, and what they enjoy or find challenging. This builds rapport and shows that: (a) you'd be a good person to work with, and (b) that you are genuinely interested in learning about the firm and why people were drawn to it.
I would also:
Ultimately, lots of different factors go into conversion so it can be difficult to plan every step in advance. However, it comes down to: would people be happy to work with you for two years, and do you have a genuine interest in the firm and its work? If you are engaged, reliable, curious, and easy to work with, that helps put yourself in the best position to convert.
- Be proactive about asking for work (without being pushy). If you finish something early, just let people know that you have capacity. Sometimes you can get work from people in the wider team, rather than just from your supervisor!
- Actively ask for feedback on the tasks that you complete, and make sure that you actually implement it throughout the week.
- Before asking your supervisor a question, make sure to have a go at looking for the answer using all available resources first! This way, if you can't find the answer, you can briefly outline the steps you took to find the answer when you ask your supervisor, and it shows that you have been proactive.
- Stay positive and professional at all times - a vacation scheme can be very tiring, but remember that you have to make the best impression in a short amount of time (so try to power through!).
- Support the other vac schemers rather than seeing them as competition - the graduate recruitment team will notice these things, and it won't reflect well if you are being overly competitive at all times.
Best of luck!!
Hi!
Congratulations on the vacation scheme, that is amazing news!!
I can totally understand how you feel - I also went to a non-Russell Group university, and was often one of the only non-RG students on the scheme too! Imposter syndrome is incredibly common on vacation schemes, and everyone around you will likely be feeling the same way (even if they are Oxbridge!).
The most important thing to remember is that the firm chose you. Securing a vacation scheme is highly competitive, particularly at US firms, and they would not offer you a place on the scheme if they didn't think you had genuine potential to convert. You are on the scheme as you have earned your place on merit, not by luck!
It can also help to reframe the comparison that you are making. A university name is only really one line on a CV - what firms assess during a vacation scheme is how you think, communicate, approach work, and whether you are someone they would trust at 2 am on a deal. Those qualities are not necessarily determined by where you studied! I actually found that the fact my university was 'less academic' helped me in some ways, as it meant I had completed a placement year and been involved in other extra-curriculars that taught me valuable skills.
Additionally, try to focus on what you can control! Make sure to prepare properly for tasks, ask thoughtful questions, be proactive (whilst avoiding being overbearing), and actively seek feedback so that you can improve across the scheme. Overall, what matters most is showing enthusiasm, reliability, and a positive attitude. Your academics have clearly been enough to get you on the scheme, so the firm thinks you are more than capable of doing the role! You now have to show that you are a good fit for the firm and have the right attitude and approach to a training contract (i.e. that its a learning opportunity!).
It is also helpful to view the other vacation schemers as future colleagues, rather than competition. The graduate recruitment team will notice those who contribute positively to the group dynamic, and I always think it's important to remember that everyone is probably feeling the same anxiety as you (despite the fact they may be a RG or Oxbridge grad, or have lots of legal experience). You don't need to try to outshine everyone in order to convert - its more important to be consistent and willing to learn!
Imposter syndrome tends to surface when you are outside of your comfort zone or trying something new. This discomfort doesn't mean that you are not good enough at all - instead of thinking "I shouldn't be here" or "I'm only here due to luck", remind yourself that you were selected for a reason and you have all that it takes to succeed.
Wishing you the best of luck for the vacation scheme - I'm sure you'll do great, and I hope you enjoy it too!
Thank you! thats a good point and I'm definitely leaning towards that. another slight issue is that I'm due to start a new job soon and im not sure if it would look bad that I need essentially 3 weeks off across march/April.
Hey!
I'd say that you aren't expected to prepare questions, although I'm sure they'll give you a chance to ask any questions that you might have! I always found it best to have a pen and paper to note down the main points that they make (as otherwise I'd probably forget!) and to just thank them for the feedback at the end. I have had a few feedback calls in the past, and I'd say they are usually around 15-20 minutes (although I'm sure this can differ depending on what stage the feedback is after). It is definitely an uncomfortable call, but receiving the feedback will be super useful for preparing for future assessments, so I'd focus on just trying to get through it
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