TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[WillKitchen]

A note for those who have not come across this resource:

GROW Mentoring has a really useful platform that connects aspiring solicitors with mentors for structured, 6-month, one-on-one partnerships. This is my second year on the scheme, and I have been accepted into the Kennedys (2025) and Mishcon de Reya programmes (2026). They can be really beneficial for networking and insights, and sometimes more material benefits, too. I got my first AC last year after my mentor filed an internal recommendation with his firm.

In my experience, GROW are great at reviewing your application carefully and partnering you with a mentor who has specific links to your own interests or backgrounds. Take a look, if this is new to you: https://www.growmentoring.org/. Highly recommended!

 

[jamsparkle]

Are we supposed to hear about the skadden open day today or by the end of tomorrow?

 

[arjunsunill]

Has anyone heard back from SH Dubai ? (Summer VS)

 

[CharlieandLola]

Hey anyone who has done the KN online assessment, did you get sent a cappfinity report, it said you will but I didn’t get anything?

Yeah, I did. I would definitely email them!

 

[user123987]

Hi,

I hope this is not a stupid question, but are "learning and development" interview questions just 'tell us about a time' questions?

Thanks!

 

[8law]

Hello sorry to be annoying and ask again but did anyone attend the BJ teams call today xx

There is another one tomorrow at 1:30

 

[CharlieandLola]

Anyone who got rejected from Kennedys and asked for a feedback call heard a response since?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

for tc interviews, do they consider u holistically or is it all based on the final interview ahhaha feel like i smashed the other stages but fucked the last bit

Hey!

I'd say that it likely differs from firm to firm, so there isn't necessarily one fixed answer.

However, many firms do take a holistic view of your performance across the whole process, so doing well in the earlier stages definitely still counts. While the final interview can carry a bit more weight, I think it is unlikely that one slightly weaker performance would completely undo an otherwise strong application.

It is also worth remembering that we tend to be much harsher on ourselves than interviewers are. What feels like a bad interview on your side can often come across as perfectly solid (or even strong) from theirs!

For what it's worth, in one of my own final stage ACs I was convinced I'd messed it up because I ran out of time on a written task - but I still ended up getting an offer. I really wouldn't assume the worst!

Wishing you the best of luck - I hope it works out for you!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello guys,

I am finalising my cover letter to Perkins Coie and wanted to ask if I am following the right structure.

I included why commercial law, why Perkins and why thie vacation scheme. Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith, I would appreciate your comment.

Could I also ask you how should I end my cover letter?

Thank you in advance.

Hey!

It sounds like you are on the right track already!

The structure that you have outlined so far (why commercial law, why the firm, why the vacation scheme) is usually exactly what firms are looking for. Therefore, as long as each section is clear, specific, and not too generic (i.e. you back up all your points with real evidence from your experiences and research), I'd say you are in a strong position. I would just make sure that your "why the firm" goes beyond surface-level points - try to link things like their work and culture to your own interests, experiences, and motivations.

In terms of how to end your cover letter, I would just keep it simple and professional. You don't need anything overly creative - just a short paragraph that reaffirms your interest, mentions what you are applying for, and thanks them for their time. This could be something along the lines of:

"I would welcome the opportunity to contribute and learn from the firm as a vacation scheme participant. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to hearing from you".

Then, you can close with either "yours faithfully" (if you do not know the recipient) or "yours sincerely (if you have addressed it to a named person).

This is usually all they are expecting - just something that ties up your letter in a professional way!

Best of luck with your application!

 

[Partcore22]

If you did the Bevan Brittan VI for the vac scheme can u dm me pls

 

[iklawapps]

Hello! I have an interview coming up for an in house legal internship and I’m wondering if anyone has had any experience with this or advice on how it might differ from VS/TC interviews? Thank you so much in advance for your help : )

 

[AS24]

Hey!

It sounds like you are on the right track already!

The structure that you have outlined so far (why commercial law, why the firm, why the vacation scheme) is usually exactly what firms are looking for. Therefore, as long as each section is clear, specific, and not too generic (i.e. you back up all your points with real evidence from your experiences and research), I'd say you are in a strong position. I would just make sure that your "why the firm" goes beyond surface-level points - try to link things like their work and culture to your own interests, experiences, and motivations.

In terms of how to end your cover letter, I would just keep it simple and professional. You don't need anything overly creative - just a short paragraph that reaffirms your interest, mentions what you are applying for, and thanks them for their time. This could be something along the lines of:

"I would welcome the opportunity to contribute and learn from the firm as a vacation scheme participant. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to hearing from you".

Then, you can close with either "yours faithfully" (if you do not know the recipient) or "yours sincerely (if you have addressed it to a named person).

This is usually all they are expecting - just something that ties up your letter in a professional way!

Best of luck with your application!

Thank you so so much Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith

 

[AS24]

Hi guys,

For those who are applying to Perkins Coie, the hiring page states that if you have mitigating circumstances, you should include them in your CV.
Where should I exactly include them? @Abbie Whitlock, apologies for another request, but would love to have your opinion on this.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi guys,

For those who are applying to Perkins Coie, the hiring page states that if you have mitigating circumstances, you should include them in your CV.
Where should I exactly include them? @Abbie Whitlock, apologies for another request, but would love to have your opinion on this.

Hey!

Not a problem at all!

If the firm has asked for the mitigating circumstances to be included in the CV, I would add a short and clearly labelled section at the end - perhaps "Mitigating Circumstances" or "Additional Information". This makes sure that your main experiences and achievements are the bulk of your CV, but the context is still easy to find and clearly set out for the graduate recruitment team.

In terms of content, as you'll likely be pressed for space on your CV anyway, I'd keep it very brief and factual. You just want to outline what the circumstances were, when they occurred, and how it affected your performance. There is no need to go into lots of personal detail, and a couple of lines is usually enough to give the necessary context.

If the issue relates to a specific set of results, it might make sense to briefly flag it next to those grades and then refer to the fuller explanation in the final section (i.e. "Mitigating Circumstances - see relevant section").

I hope that assists!

 

[tc2026]

Hi I’ve emailed mishcon twice about reimbursements from AC but not heard back.. should I email again?

 

[adfs456]

If you emailed a firm to ask for final round interview feedback a week ago and they haven't replied, is it appropriate to follow up? For context, they didn't explicitly state they would give feedback. They did only interview 3 people though so I assume it would be detailed and really valuable.

 

[174Tess9y3]

Waiting for my VS results - Don't think I could've worked harder and prepped more during the scheme, but there are things I wish I had done ( expanded on an interview answer, mentioned some little details during a case study, and talked more during a group project).

If I don't get the TC, does anyone have tips on how to bring yourself to do another cycle?

Also, do you think those things I mentioned are deal-breakers if everything else (e.g., tasks, culture fit, engagement) is great?

Update: I didn’t get the offer.


While it wasn’t my dream firm, I was really hoping to have the process behind me. Now I’m starting to worry about not securing a vacation scheme next cycle, especially since I only received one this year.


Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Partcore22]

does anyone know if everyone gets the DACB VI, and when should we expect to hear back?

no idea but let me know if u find out !

 

[EMB]

Any news from PMC?

 

[choicefox212]

Hi everyone, I have an interview (online) with Withers next week. This is for their DTC but I imagine their vac scheme was similar, so if anyone has done any sort of interview with them, I'd really appreciate some advice!

I haven't ever done a teams/zoom interview - what's the format? Do partner and HR sit in the same room? It's up to 50 mins, so I'm assuming I'll have to do some problem solving as well as the usual competency things. What do Withers generally ask for or want? How smart should I (woman) dress? Blazer and shirt?