Thank you so much Abbie I really appreciate it!Hi!
First of all, huge congratulations on securing the scheme and on graduating - both are amazing achievements!!
I don't think attending your graduation for one day should materially harm your chances, especially as you have already been transparent with the graduate recruitment team and they have encouraged you to go. If they thought that it would seriously impact your prospects, I imagine they would have been much firmer about attendance.
This is also probably more common than you think (though firms may have different policies on it), particularly for summer schemes. On some of my schemes last summer, there were people who had a day away to attend their graduation (as it usually falls in the middle of summer schemes), so firms are definitely used to dealing with this situation.
The main thing is to just make sure that you handle it professionally - for example, giving plenty of notice, staying engaged, and making an effort to catch up on anything you miss. In the grand scheme of things, your overall performance and attitude across the scheme will matter much more than one day of absence for an important life event!
I also think it is important to consider whether you would regret missing your graduation later on, especially when the firm has already shown understanding and flexibility in relation to the situation.
Wishing you the best for both the vacation scheme and graduation - hopefully you'll be able to celebrate two things this summer!
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Just got a paralegal role with a late start date in case I don’t convert my vs. I signed the offer letter but also asked for annual leave in August. They haven’t replied for ages. Liek a day and a bit. I’m so stressed I’ve lost the offer lolol but I know I’m overthinking it - has anyone else had experience with this
On my vac scheme in January someone had to take a day out to do an exam and it didn’t stop them converting! Congrats on all accounts and hope you go to your graduation as it’s a special occasion!
“A day and a bit” is not ages
Hey!
I know it is easier said than done, but I would really try not to overthink and stress about this - I think this is one of those situations where your brain is filling in the silence with worst-case scenarios! A day and a bit is a completely normal response time, particularly for HR or recruitment teams, and I've waited far longer for replies when I signed my paralegal offer for my placement year. If they have already sent and signed the offer, it is very unlikely that asking about annual leave would suddenly make them reconsider.
It is also pretty common for people to flag pre-booked holidays before joining, and firms will generally appreciate you raising this earlier rather than later. August is still quite far away too, so they may just not see it as urgent and will get back to you when they can.
I have definitely waited much longer than this for replies about onboarding or admin stuff before, so try not to worry too much (+ congratulations on your paralegal role offer)
Hi everyone, I have received an invite for a final stage direct training contract interview, however, it crashes with a vac scheme I have. There is unfortunately no chance of rescheduling. I'm more interested in the direct training contract firm, just wondering how do I go about this? Do I explain the situation to the vac scheme firm and hope they let me leave for a bit (the interview is scheduled for the first day of the vac scheme so unfortunate timing) do i drop out of the vac scheme entirely? I would still like to do it if possible but understand it may not be possible
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Hi, yes I got the Paralegal Assistant role with the CPS. I applied for it while I was still at uni so I had no criminal law experience except the module I tool at uni. They had a CV blind recruitment so they don't know anything about the uni or school you went to. They just mostly asked about transferable skills (so strength and competency questions). I had loads of part-time jobs that's what I used but you can use any experience that you have that applies. For the defence one, I meant to apply for as many as possible (kind of like with any set applications to increase your chances of getting one).@Jessica Pearson Hi! When you applied, was it for an entry level paralegal position? Did you have experience in criminal law when you applied? Also, you mentioned "With regards to the defence side, I would say tailor your CV and cast a wide net." - could you please expand on this? Many thanks for your time.
Depends how different the firms are. If you would undertake a TC at both and there are no other dates for the direct TC interview - just do the scheme honestly. You don’t wanna jeopardise your chances by taking time out of the VS. Direct TC is also much harder to get - as often they run direct TC to fill up places they didn’t fill with the VS.
If anyone else has been waiting, I emailed W&C about the insight scheme and they said 'we are currently in the midst of reviewing applications and will be in touch in due course, we appreciate your patience.'
Just got a rejection post VS. Really disheartening since this is the second VS I have "failed".
Does anyone know where I can find vac scheme to TC conversion rates for different US firms e.g. Latham & Watkins, Morgan Lewis and Kirkland & Ellis? Thanks!
Hi!
Congratulations on the VS and the final stage DTC interview!!
I'd definitely say it is worth asking the vacation scheme firm first before withdrawing entirely, especially if the DTC firm is your preferred option. I was actually in a very similar position last year during one of my schemes - I was invited to a final-stage TC interview at another firm and there was no flexibility on the date, so I explained the situation to the VS firm and they allowed me to leave for a few hours to attend the interview.
Of course, I can't say for certain whether your VS firm will agree (particularly as it is on the first day of the scheme) or whether it could have any impact on conversion chances, but I do think it is worth at least asking the question rather than assuming the answer will be no. Firms are generally aware that candidates are often juggling multiple processes at once, and if you communicate professionally and give as much notice as possible, they may be more understanding than you expect!
I hope you are able to arrange something with the firms, and best of luck with the interview and/or scheme!
Hey, sorry to hear about how NRF went? Do you mind private messaging me your insight into their video interview/AC?
I hope it went well! Do you mind offering an insight into the video interview and AC process? (Maybe a private messageNRF VS!!!
Waiting to hear back from one firm, and then that will be the end of this cycle for me! It seems that this week is a hectic one for everybody - wishing the best of luck to all of you!
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