TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[wqueens8]

Hey everyone,

So I'm in a really really fortunate position, but I'm still feeling conflicted. I've received a TC offer from a pretty good firm!!! So so grateful, but I also have a 2 week vacation scheme coming up in a couple of weeks.

The firm I have a TC offer from while really good, doesn't do some of the practice areas or sector areas I am really interested in. The vac scheme firm is close to a dream firm for me in terms of the above, even though it's slightly lower paying. I would definitely take that TC over my current should I be successful. In a perfect world i'd definitely do the scheme and see how it goes (I may not even get the offer, I believe conversion is around 50%). However, my dissertation is due right around the end of the scheme, and I'm feeling behind with it. In theory, I don't need to do THAT well in my diss to get a 2:1, having looked at grade calculators using my achieved module grades. But feels like gambling valuable time.

I'm really conflicted, I would love to do the scheme but it's a lot of time and money. I know at the end of the day it is up to me and I have to weigh everything up, but just wondering if anybody has been in a similar position or has any specific advice?

 

[soph107048]

Does anyone know when HL final AC dates are? For the VS

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock

Thanks for your previous reply re the law reform question of mine

I just want to ask about the link to the firm or TC role at the end of answering a question.

For commercial awareness questions, how can I explicitly link that to the firm, clients, TC role etc?

For the why do you want to be a solicitor or why our firm questions, what can I do to link my experience/ answer content with the firm/clients/sector/TC role etc?

Thanks

Hey!

No problem at all!

For commercial awareness questions, I would try to not overcomplicate the link to the firm! After explaining the commercial story and why it matters, you can briefly connect it to the types of clients that the firm advises or the work that its lawyers might do. For example, if the commercial news story relates to geopolitical developments and the firm has shipping clients, you could discuss how different practice areas might become involved. The commercial team might help negotiate or review contracts to account for changing risks, while other teams could advise on regulatory issues, disputes, or supply chain disruption. This helps show that you understand how a broader commercial development can translate into legal work for the firm.

You could also link it to the role of a trainee, such as supporting research, drafting notes, or helping the team stay up to date with developments affecting clients. As above, the key is to show that you understand how a commercial issue can translate into legal work and client advice.

For "why do you want to be a solicitor" or "why this firm" questions, the link is usually about how you align with specific features of the firm. I always found it helpful to structure it around 2-3 clear points. For example:

• The type of work or sectors that the firm focuses on
• The culture, training, or responsibility given to trainees
• International opportunities or secondments available

The most important part is to explain why that specifically appeals to you by linking it to your past experiences, skillset, and future career goals - rather than just listing features of the firm. For example, when I applied to Reed Smith, I explained that I had an interest in the Transportation sector and used my previous VS at Stephenson Harwood to show how I had gained that interest.

In general, the "link" at the end only needs to be a sentence or so that shows you have thought about how that topic relates to the firm, its clients, or the role of a trainee solicitor. I would generally avoid making it feel forced or overly detailed

 

[Applicant7874652]

the "buzz words" comment and "over-rehearsed" point more at the form of the answers than their content

probably means that you sound like you have written down the answers to the questions before word-for-word - including all the buzz-words, that normally people do not really include in speech. While structure, flow, and comand of technical terms/buzz words is important, if it is "too perfect" it sounds unnatural.

This is a problem for four main reasons:
- may seem not genuine - everyone is able to memorise a couple of lines and buzz words, which helps if you do not actually mean it
- does not show real communication skills that lawyers need - rarely do you find a situation where you can rehearse exactly what you are going to say
- its is overall unnatural, which "feels wrong" - in the same way as if you were reciting birthday wishes using plenty sophisticated words that you never actually use

The goal should probably be to show that you have thought about what you were going to say, not exactly how you were going to say it (beyond maybe some structure).

To improve I would do exactly that - plan with bullet points, not paragraphs.

Sorry only just saw this - yeah that makes sense, I do use bullet points but I think the issue is overly name dropping or not illustrating with examples strongly enough. But at the same time, the risk is that if you veer away from rehearsing then you will miss key commercial insight which one person may think is excellent but another may label as 'buzzword'. Seems quite a subjective thing in my opinion.

 

[ddalki]

If anyone’s doing the White & Case spring scheme, the Latham summer scheme, or the first NRF summer scheme, please DM me! Would love to connect before the scheme starts.

 

[yasmars]

Hey everyone,

So I'm in a really really fortunate position, but I'm still feeling conflicted. I've received a TC offer from a pretty good firm!!! So so grateful, but I also have a 2 week vacation scheme coming up in a couple of weeks.

The firm I have a TC offer from while really good, doesn't do some of the practice areas or sector areas I am really interested in. The vac scheme firm is close to a dream firm for me in terms of the above, even though it's slightly lower paying. I would definitely take that TC over my current should I be successful. In a perfect world i'd definitely do the scheme and see how it goes (I may not even get the offer, I believe conversion is around 50%). However, my dissertation is due right around the end of the scheme, and I'm feeling behind with it. In theory, I don't need to do THAT well in my diss to get a 2:1, having looked at grade calculators using my achieved module grades. But feels like gambling valuable time.

I'm really conflicted, I would love to do the scheme but it's a lot of time and money. I know at the end of the day it is up to me and I have to weigh everything up, but just wondering if anybody has been in a similar position or has any specific advice?

I honestly would do the scheme. I think it’s important to train at a firm where you’re genuinely interested in the sectors/practice areas they have on offer as this really sets the trajectory for your career. You can move afterwards if you wish but definitely prioritise training over money at this stage.

 

[kukubird]

has anyone heard from Mofo post stage 1?

 

[jojo23]

Anybody still waiting on Freshfields after being waitlisted?

Feels like waiting for a response from a risky text (probably)

 

[LauraPM]

Can I ask if this was for DTC or vac scheme and for what office?

Vac scheme for the London office

 

[TrialAndError]

Has anyone been PFOd by Forsters? Trying to figure out whether no news is bad or good news

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Anybody still waiting on Freshfields after being waitlisted?

Feels like waiting for a response from a risky text (probably)

I’ve also heard nothing but others have received ACs after being put on the FF waitlist lmao.

Idk what’s worse, Sidley being on day 63 and still nothing post app or FF being on day 64 post VI…

 

[AS24]

Has anyone heard back from Squire Patton (London) post VI?

 

[user397485]

anyone still no slaughters news

 

[SueD]

Has anyone been PFOd by Forsters? Trying to figure out whether no news is bad or good news

No but I’m 100% certain they’ll do that by email tomorrow. They made VS offers covering all their three schemes by phone this morning and I’m certain that will have been it. But - hope for both our sakes I’m wrong.

 

[trainee4u]

had interview today.

IDK why but I wasn't very happy with it, but normally am more so and then get PFOed.

Hope this is a good sign, but probably isn't

 

[StudentWP]

Has anyone heard back from Squire Patton (London) post VI?

not yet. They said a week before, so wondering when it'll be

 

[mc123123]

has anyone heard back from stephenson harwood after the vi and test?

 

[AryanAgg]

had interview today.

IDK why but I wasn't very happy with it, but normally am more so and then get PFOed.

Hope this is a good sign, but probably isn't

Usually I've seen where there's a lower hope of success that tends to go through so good luck.

 

[Dannie]

Today is going to be a good day, praying for good news for everyone

 

[Isabel709]

this boodle post-interview wait is actually killing me, it's been almost three weeks