TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

DAC Beachcroft VS offer!! I am honestly in disbelief. After a gut wrenching TC rejection from another firm at the final stage back in February, I didn’t know if this would happen for me. But it goes to show not to give up, and that resilience really is part of the process.

Huge congratulations, that is amazing news!! I can totally relate to that - whilst my rejections last cycle definitely stung, it made the offers all the more rewarding when they finally came through!

You should be super proud of yourself, especially given how competitive these schemes are. I hope you take some time to celebrate properly!!

 

[LH4]

For DAC Beachcroft vs (London) is the final stage a written exercise and is anyone still waiting to hear back post critical thinking test?

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

For DAC Beachcroft vs (London) is the final stage a written exercise and is anyone still waiting to hear back post critical thinking test?

I applied for Leeds, so it could be a staggered release of feedback. I wasn’t sent a written assessment in the end, think it’s because they ran out of time

 

[corplawperson23]

Hi! I have a Squire's vacation scheme coming up and I just wanted some tips on how to prepare for a vacation scheme, and more specifically, how to prepare for an interview at the end of a vacation scheme?

 

[Swiss_Toni]

I am fortunate to have been offered a training contract and have 4 weeks to respond with my decision. However, in 5 weeks' time, I have an interview for a vacation scheme with a firm that I feel would be a better fit, and the vacation scheme wouldn't start until a few weeks after that. So this firm's training contract offers could be about 3 months away. So I don't feel that asking for such a long extension to my TC decision deadline is viable.

I understand it is pretty common to renege on training contract acceptances - if I were to be offered the vacation scheme and it led to a TC at the other firm, in this case, I would not have received any money from the initial firm, and I wouldn't have strung them along for that long.

My question is about the upcoming vacation scheme interview. When they ask, how did your vacation scheme at firm X go? Naturally, it's good to say it went well and led to me being offered a TC from that firm. Makes you look like a competitive candidate. But what do you say when they ask how you plan to respond to the offer? Saying I've accepted it, but I will breach the contract and renege if I get an offer from your firm, doesn't sound great, does it? Or would they not care? Nor does lying and saying I've declined it, or lying and making out I've negotiated an unrealistic and unbelievably long period to accept/decline the TC offer... Any tips appreciated, thanks!

 

[Jaysen]

I am fortunate to have been offered a training contract and have 4 weeks to respond with my decision. However, in 5 weeks' time, I have an interview for a vacation scheme with a firm that I feel would be a better fit, and the vacation scheme wouldn't start until a few weeks after that. So this firm's training contract offers could be about 3 months away. So I don't feel that asking for such a long extension to my TC decision deadline is viable.

I understand it is pretty common to renege on training contract acceptances - if I were to be offered the vacation scheme and it led to a TC at the other firm, in this case, I would not have received any money from the initial firm, and I wouldn't have strung them along for that long.

My question is about the upcoming vacation scheme interview. When they ask, how did your vacation scheme at firm X go? Naturally, it's good to say it went well and led to me being offered a TC from that firm. Makes you look like a competitive candidate. But what do you say when they ask how you plan to respond to the offer? Saying I've accepted it, but I will breach the contract and renege if I get an offer from your firm, doesn't sound great, does it? Or would they not care? Nor does lying and saying I've declined it, or lying and making out I've negotiated an unrealistic and unbelievably long period to accept/decline the TC offer... Any tips appreciated, thanks!

The best practice is to be honest. The nice thing here is that the firm you will be interviewing with is your preferred firm. So you can say something like, 'Honestly, I have been offered the training contract. But I would prefer this firm. This is why I chose to still do the interview.'

You don't really need to go into details about the timeline of the offer etc, and they're not going to question how much time you have been given to make a decision. What I definitely wouldn't do is say you plan to renege on it.

 

[Swiss_Toni]

Thanks Jaysen, yes you're probably right, here's hoping they won't ask about the timeline of the offer...

 

[Jaysen]

Thanks Jaysen, yes you're probably right, here's hoping they won't ask about the timeline of the offer...

It's very unlikely. But I'd prepare an answer just in case so you feel a bit better

I'd then be honest and say you had to accept given the time frame.

My model for this is: whenever you're unsure about what to do, say the truth. Interviews are just a weird situation where some things are acceptable to say, and some things are not. So, sometimes, you don't lead with everything unless you are asked.