TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Hey @Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner,

This is tricky. I'm not sure the VS firm would be too happy if you took the time out to do an AC at another firm.

Of the two, which firm do you prefer?

It is a bit 50/50 to be candid. I think if I were to be offered a TC at both, I would chose the VS firm. However, the AC firm is very different from all my other options and I would like to pursue it if possible. I'm not sure if even asking the VS firm is a good look.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Hi!

Congratulations on the AC invite!!

I faced a similar situation last cycle when I was invited back for a final TC interview after my first summer VS, which unfortunately clashed with my second VS (+ there was no flexibility with dates). At the time, I reached out to a mentor who suggested asking the VS firm whether it might be possible to step away briefly to attend the interview. I was quite hesitant to ask, but the firm was actually very understanding and allowed me to leave for a few hours.

As Jaysen mentioned, I appreciate that not all firms will be as flexible - an AC is a bigger commitment than a short interview, so the situation is a bit different and the VS firm might not be comfortable with letting you miss a whole day of the scheme. That said, I don't think there is any harm in asking the VS firm's graduate recruitment team whether there is any possibility of accommodating the clash. Even if it is unlikely, at least you will know either way, and a polite and professional request won't count against you.

If they aren't able to offer any flexibility, you might then need to make a judgment call based on which opportunity you'd prioritise - for example, where you feel you have the strongest chance of securing a TC, or which firm aligns more closely with your interests and career goals. It isn't an easy decision, but at least you'll know that you explored all options before choosing!

Thank you for your response! Do you think that it would negatively impact my chances at the VS firm? How did it work out for you.

 

[LawLawLawLawLaw]

Has anyone heard back from Greenberg Traurig (GT) since their interview?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thank you for your response! Do you think that it would negatively impact my chances at the VS firm? How did it work out for you.

No worries!

I think it's tricky to say definitively whether it would negatively impact your chances - I would assume that if they allow you the time to go to the interview, they won't take it into account when making TC decisions. I ultimately didn't end up receiving a TC offer after my second summer VS, but there were clear reasons for this in my feedback based on the assessed tasks in the scheme. The only element of the scheme that I missed due to attending the interview was time in my 'base department' with my supervisor, and my overall supervisor feedback was strong, so I think it is unlikely it had an impact on my conversion chances.

That said, I totally get being concerned that it might subconsciously impact your chances in some way, so I would encourage you to think about what you are comfortable with doing. I mainly asked the second VS firm whether I could attend the final TC interview as I had really enjoyed my first summer VS and didn't want to lose that opportunity - however, if I wasn't so keen, I might've not attended it in favour of the second scheme.

It is a stressful situation to be in, so I'd definitely take the time to think through your options. However, I'd try to take comfort in the fact that you are clearly a strong candidate (given all these opportunities), and I'm sure that whatever you choose will work out!

 

[W5690]

I have heard from Mayer Brown but I have not heard from Arnold & Porter post application for DTC.

@Ijustwanttobealawyer Okay. Thank you for your reply.

 

[silonthesofa]

Hi All. Out of curiosity, is there anyone that got through to the final round of interviews for Bristows that has still NOT had their final interview scheduled? Trying to figure out if they're still interviewing.

 

[florrrrnnn76]

Could anybody share insights into how long the DACB video intervew questions are timed for? Thanks

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock thank you for your reply last night.

I just wanted to clarify something if that’s ok, when you said you mostly provided examples for competency questions- from your Subway role, is this for VS? Or does this apply for TC interviews too?

For example, if you’re interviewing for a TC for the same firms, do they expect you to only give legal job competency examples? As I said, I only had one legal job so it would be hard for me.

So sorry to bother you. Think I’m just being overly anxious .
Thanks a lot!!

Hi!

Of course, no problem at all!

I'd say this can apply for either! I used my non-law examples for both my VS interviews and my DTC interview at Reed Smith, so I'd definitely encourage you to use examples from all of your previous work experience. Firms aren't expecting you to only draw on legal experience for competency questions, and what they are really assessing is how you demonstrate the skill (e.g. teamwork, communication, handling pressure) rather than where you developed it.

For a TC interview, you might find that there is a slightly greater emphasis on commercial awareness and motivation for the firm, and you have to go into a bit more depth than you might for a VS interview. However, for competency questions, non-legal roles are completely valid and often work very well - they show genuine responsibility and can give you a broader range of examples to draw from.

Given that you only have one legal role to discuss, I would encourage you to discuss other non-legal examples to diversify your answers as trying to force all your examples to be legal could come across as a bit unnatural. I would just make sure that you:

• Clearly explain the situation (briefly to provide context)
• Focus on your actions and decision-making (i.e. what you actually did in the situation/role)
• Tie it back to the skill they are assessing (+ make any reflections you think are important, such as what you learned and how you have used that since then)

In my DTC cohort at Reed Smith, there are a few people who didn't have any legal experience before receiving a TC offer through the direct route. I personally only had my placement year as a paralegal and a few vacation schemes, so they definitely aren't expecting you to have lots of legal experience in a TC interview. It is more about how you use and discuss the experiences you do have, and translate that into how you will work well in the legal context.

You are definitely not overthinking it! I always had a preconceived idea that you need to have legal experience in order to get a TC, but that isn't the case at all. Often, your non-legal roles will give you a broader range of skills than you think! I hope that helps

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I have a training contract AC coming up, and a few days later I start a vacation scheme (my first) with a different kind of firm.

During my interview at the AC, do you think I should mention my upcoming vacation scheme with the other firm? Either in response to 'Where else have you applied?' or I offer it up if an opportunity presents itself. Or would it be better not to mention it?

On the one hand, given the competition, securing a vac scheme is obviously an achievement.

On the other hand, it's a very different firm, and the risk is that it makes me look scattergun in my applications and potentially undermines my "Why firm X" answer, as I will have expressed an interest in a particular practice area, but then have a vac scheme at a firm that doesn't do that area (the only link I could make between the two firms would be their positive cultures...)

Thanks!

Hey!

Congratulations on the AC invite (+ upcoming vacation scheme)!!

I'd say it is completely fine to mention the upcoming vacation scheme if it comes up, but I wouldn't try to force it into conversation (although I appreciate it is an achievement!).

If you are asked something along the lines of "where else have you applied?", you should definitely answer honestly and disclose the vacation scheme. It is a positive sign that you have already secured a vacation scheme, as it shows that you are a competitive applicant, and trying to hide it might be a bit unnatural (particularly if it comes up directly).

That said, I can appreciate why you are concerned about the "scattergun" risk. I was in a similar situation where I had applied to lots of commercial/corporate firms, but had also previously completed a vacation scheme at a private client firm - it is mainly about how you frame those applications. I'd answer honestly about why you have applied to different types of firms, and you might discuss things such as:

• You have explored different firms to properly understand where your interests lie / keep an open mind
• Your interest in this firm is still clear and specific, and you can back up your motivations with evidence from past experiences
• There is a logical thread across the firms (e.g. culture, training style, exposure to clients, etc.)

You don't need to over explain the differences between firms, and I would try to follow a clear structure for your reasoning - for example, that the vacation scheme will help you develop your understanding, but that you are particularly drawn to Firm X too for Y reasons.

I found that it was all about balancing being open and honest about your experiences, but also keeping your answers anchored in why this firm specifically appeals to you. As long as you have clear and tailored motivations for the firm that you have an AC at, mentioning that you have a vacation scheme at a different kind of firm won't undermine your application.

Best of luck with your AC and your vacation scheme, I'm sure you'll do great!!

 

[mrebeccafr]

How long after the tests did you guys get the invite?

I completed my test 2nd March, recieved my TI invite on 29th!

 

[axelrod901]

How long after the tests did you guys get the invite?

I completed the test on 1st March I think and got the invite for TI on 30th march

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

DACB vi - all hope is not lost

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

Does anyone know if Sullivan & Cromwell DTC recruit on a rolling basis?

 

[Shaky_Pete]

Hey!

Congratulations on the AC invite (+ upcoming vacation scheme)!!

I'd say it is completely fine to mention the upcoming vacation scheme if it comes up, but I wouldn't try to force it into conversation (although I appreciate it is an achievement!).

If you are asked something along the lines of "where else have you applied?", you should definitely answer honestly and disclose the vacation scheme. It is a positive sign that you have already secured a vacation scheme, as it shows that you are a competitive applicant, and trying to hide it might be a bit unnatural (particularly if it comes up directly).

That said, I can appreciate why you are concerned about the "scattergun" risk. I was in a similar situation where I had applied to lots of commercial/corporate firms, but had also previously completed a vacation scheme at a private client firm - it is mainly about how you frame those applications. I'd answer honestly about why you have applied to different types of firms, and you might discuss things such as:

• You have explored different firms to properly understand where your interests lie / keep an open mind
• Your interest in this firm is still clear and specific, and you can back up your motivations with evidence from past experiences
• There is a logical thread across the firms (e.g. culture, training style, exposure to clients, etc.)

You don't need to over explain the differences between firms, and I would try to follow a clear structure for your reasoning - for example, that the vacation scheme will help you develop your understanding, but that you are particularly drawn to Firm X too for Y reasons.

I found that it was all about balancing being open and honest about your experiences, but also keeping your answers anchored in why this firm specifically appeals to you. As long as you have clear and tailored motivations for the firm that you have an AC at, mentioning that you have a vacation scheme at a different kind of firm won't undermine your application.

Best of luck with your AC and your vacation scheme, I'm sure you'll do great!!

Thanks very much Abbie - appreciated!

 

[soph107048]

Hi guys, this is kind of random but would anyone say that taking a student law clinic module in final year is valuable for commercial law as well? I’ve got quite a bit of commercial law experience anyway and my other 2 modules would be very commercially focused, but am considering taking the law clinic module as a third one instead of a third commercially focused module as I am quite keen on advocacy work. It seems like it’d be great client facing and practical experience, but unsure if i’d be sacrificing anything by not taking a third “commercial” module

 

[soph107048]

No worries!

I think it's tricky to say definitively whether it would negatively impact your chances - I would assume that if they allow you the time to go to the interview, they won't take it into account when making TC decisions. I ultimately didn't end up receiving a TC offer after my second summer VS, but there were clear reasons for this in my feedback based on the assessed tasks in the scheme. The only element of the scheme that I missed due to attending the interview was time in my 'base department' with my supervisor, and my overall supervisor feedback was strong, so I think it is unlikely it had an impact on my conversion chances.

That said, I totally get being concerned that it might subconsciously impact your chances in some way, so I would encourage you to think about what you are comfortable with doing. I mainly asked the second VS firm whether I could attend the final TC interview as I had really enjoyed my first summer VS and didn't want to lose that opportunity - however, if I wasn't so keen, I might've not attended it in favour of the second scheme.

It is a stressful situation to be in, so I'd definitely take the time to think through your options. However, I'd try to take comfort in the fact that you are clearly a strong candidate (given all these opportunities), and I'm sure that whatever you choose will work out!

hey Abbie, i understand you’ve shared quite a few conversion tips, but I wanted to ask if theres any specific “mistakes” or things you know/were told in your feedback that would have otherwise have helped convert your schemes? Would be super grateful for any pointers of things to do/avoid in assessed tasks

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi guys, this is kind of random but would anyone say that taking a student law clinic module in final year is valuable for commercial law as well? I’ve got quite a bit of commercial law experience anyway and my other 2 modules would be very commercially focused, but am considering taking the law clinic module as a third one instead of a third commercially focused module as I am quite keen on advocacy work. It seems like it’d be great client facing and practical experience, but unsure if i’d be sacrificing anything by not taking a third “commercial” module

Hey!

I don't think taking a law clinic module will be a drawback at all, and it can add something quite valuable that purely commercial modules don't always give you! I chose a student law clinic module in my final year instead of completing a dissertation, and I have talked about it so much in interviews and vacation schemes (+ probably more than I would've discussed a commercial module).

From a commercial law perspective, firms really value practical and client-facing experience. A clinic module shows that you can communicate with clients, manage expectations, and think about legal issues in a real-world context, which is directly relevant to commercial law. It also gives you good examples to draw on in applications and interviews, especially around teamwork, problem-solving, etc. It can also really help when it comes to backing up your motivations for working in law - for example, I always used to discuss my experience working in the legal clinic when I would discuss how I enjoyed the client-facing aspect of legal work.

As you already have a good amount of commercial law experience and are still taking two commercially-focused modules, you aren't really sacrificing gaining knowledge in that area. If anything, you are broadening your skill-set!

Personally, I would definitely encourage you to pick it if you are interested in advocacy work and/or want to gain practical experience. My law clinic module was my favourite module in final year, and I definitely learnt a lot from it!

 

[AReza]

Does anyone have any CMS AC insights, please? Any general tips on how to prep for the case study and group exercise are also very welcome!! TOA

 

[rrr]

@Ijustwanttobealawyer Okay. Thank you for your reply.

you've heard from them as in other than inviting you to the immersive assessment?

 

[rrr]

Did anyone else so the Mayer Brown immersive assessment? Can't seem to find people saying much. Need to know whether to cry.