TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TheSlapDotCom]

HSF Kramer PFO 🥲🥲💔 Omgg I thought it would be good news

Update: It’s going to be okay! ONTO THE NEXT 😙✌️

sry to hear this😔can i ask whether this was for spring?

 

[zara elles]

Goodwin VI! So happy because I was really losing hope after a bunch of PFOs! If anyone has any advice re Goodwin VI's or wants to discuss pls dm!

 

[Fidel30]

Treat it like any other work experience section - keep it concise, but make it really specific. Mention where you were sitting, the kind of work you helped with, the actual tasks you did, and what the experience taught you about how commercial law firms work. As always, try to link it back to why you’re confident this is the career you want to pursue. Good luck!

Hi do you have an example of what a good work experience section would look like.

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

hey guys does anyone have info on bakers vi? i can trade for insight into dla’s ti, hl’s 2nd stage test or mishcon’s chat interview !!

 

[anonymous31415]

congrats!! did you do the OD/ FYC/BA?

Thanks! No I didn’t, I just applied to the VS

 

[Wagamamas]

Has anyone who applied to reed smith on 18/19th dec heard back?

 

[Bree]

Hi Bree, I understand your concerns but you should seek comfort in the fact that you have been awarded a vac scheme. So, congratulations! This in itself will show that nothing about your international student status is holding you back. As for what to expect on the vacation scheme, this is essentially a chance for them to see how you operate in practice. Do you have any particular questions you need advice on?

Thank you Afraz!

This really helps a lot.

As someone who has not studied or worked in the UK, how can I ensure I stand out in the vac scheme? What are some ways to impress and also non-negotiable pointers if you could share?

 

[Bree]

Typically its not needed, however, if you think you will be applying again to the firm within the same cycle, it may be best to let them know you have to withdraw your application. This may help by removing your application from the ATS and preventing any flag of "duplicity" if you return later in the cycle to apply again. I would always opt to keep my options open, so email them anyway.

Thank you, I have done that!

 

[pepsicola96]

Goodwin VI, and Bird and Bird AC! Both for spring. When it rains it pours lol

 

[jamieclarke]

Hi everyone!

My name is Afraz, I’m a future trainee at Travers Smith and I’ll be supporting @Abbie Whitlock and @Andrei Radu as a Community Assistant over the festive period.

A little bit about me. I previously graduated with a Law degree from the University of Salford in 2020 with a 2:1 and although I loved my time there, it was unfortunately my clearance option after I received BCC at A Level (but hey, I got an A in general studies). As you can probably gather already, my legal journey was not as clear-cut as moving from one stage to the other. There were (as I’m sure has been the case for many of you) a lot of challenges, hurdles, and constant rejection – which for me, felt like it was made worse by what I had to offer academically.

However, resilience is truly a powerful thing. Following a break from the TC process, where I spent a year working in graduate recruitment with Clyde & Co, ending my tenure on delivering my own vacation scheme, I sought out new ways to enter the legal field and this started with Slaughter and May’s Innovation Competition. For me, this removed the need to “apply” for something and instead showcase my capabilities first-hand, and ultimately, I won (and the prize was £1,000 and a 1-2-1 week-long internship with various talent across the firm). I would say this achievement snowballed my success, as it has since led to my joining the University of Oxford for an AI research project, the role of an innovation specialist paralegal at Freshfields and most recently an in-house position with Blackstone.

As such, I wanted to join TCLA to help and give back to the community that I too once turned to for support when I began doubting myself. Your journey may look different from everyone else’s, but that doesn’t mean you won’t reach the same destination.

Aside from your general queries, I would also say I am in a strong position to answer queries on:

• Navigating the process with what some may consider less “desirable” academic grades and institution backing.
• Understanding what firms are looking for in an application, assessment centre and vacation scheme and general office etiquette.
• Understanding how the process really works – to place a humane touch on what appears to be a very robotic and mysterious process.
• Generally how to build on your work experience to bulk up your CV and skillset.
• How to be the best version of you in any interview.

If you have any questions, on the above or anything more generally that think I could help with, please let me know.

LET’S GET YOU SOME TC’S!!!!

Did you get Travers TC through VS or direct TC?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Did you get Travers TC through VS or direct TC?

Hey, I got it through the Winter VS.

 

[Harold Gunderson]

Anyone not heard back from Goodwin? Likely PFO?

 

[nordicnomad]

Got CC AC last week. I've made into 4 other VIs so far. Should I apply for more firms now, or solely prepare for CC AC (in one month)?

 

[NorthernerInLondon]

MDR Amberjack 6/6/4/6 - I am cooked right?

 

[radssss]

Got CC AC last week. I've made into 4 other VIs so far. Should I apply for more firms now, or solely prepare for CC AC (in one month)?

Congratulations!! You’re clearly doing the right things

I would suggest you do the 4 pending vis, focus the most on CC ac but also spend some time doing other apps as you’d want to keep your options open. Maybe make a list of firms you’re interested in and note down deadlines, you’d be lucky if the deadlines are after the CC ac (many are 31 Jan from what I know) otherwise I’m sure you’ll manage your time and manage this too

Best of luck!

 

[qaz99]

Anyone not heard back from Goodwin? Likely PFO?

I've not heard back either, hopefully they are releasing in batches

 

[Maria56]

Has anyone applied on the 19th to MDR gotten the test?

 

[DavidJC]

Anyone not heard back from Goodwin? Likely PFO?

I haven't heard back, fearing the worst but still hoping for the best 🙏

 

[kelsworking]

Getting bit nervous about tw after getting 2 pfos from rs and b&b yesterday.
Has anyone heard from them after doing their test? I did mine on the 13th 😅

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Thank you Afraz!

This really helps a lot.

As someone who has not studied or worked in the UK, how can I ensure I stand out in the vac scheme? What are some ways to impress and also non-negotiable pointers if you could share?

Im glad to hear it, as for your status, I don't think this is going to hinder your ability to stand out on the vacation scheme. So, lets reframe the question to focus more on what you (as a vac scheme like any other) can do to stand out.

Do
1. Be yourself - I know it sounds like a cliche, but it rings so true. You should bring your personality with you, whether thats a little humour or a little sarcasm. It's important to remember that the feedback your buddy and assessors will provide in the end of vac scheme washup* is cebtred around your performance and whether they can see themselves working with you in the future.
2. Be authentic - I've seen a few people try to be someone they're not e.g. asking over the top commercial questions, or faking an interest in something that is typically quite mundane and this is going to be obvious. You don't need to fake your enthusiasm if it is not there, but instead seek the opportunity to learn more about something from those around you e.g. reaching out to someone outside your department to learn a little more "Hey, I had not considered the Employment department before, and eventhough I'm sat in Real Estate, would you or anyone in your team have 15 minutes for a catchup sometime this week?"
3. Look at each assessment through the eyes of graduate recruitment - understand what they're assessing you on (if any exist) and approach it accordingly e.g. group exercises are assessing your ability to work well in a team, not overshadow others
4. Enjoy the opportunity - this opportunity is not one to waste, and even if it does not get to a TC, it will still improve your CV so look to it as a development experience and make sure to push yourself outside of your comfort zone e.g. asking for work that you probably hadn't done before and seek feedback following this.

*A washup is the final meeting of all assessors, where they get together on a call to essentially talk through the candidates and decide who they're going to award a TC to. It may take a different form across different firms, but the jist of the process is generally the same.

Don't
1. Be shy - I know its hard when you may be surrounded with people who tend to steal the limelight, but they're being assessed just like you and it will not reflect well. So, take deep breaths if you need to, and put yourself out there. Again, strike a balance between being too quiet and being too loud - you should just strive to be present and open.
2. Complain - you'd be surprised how many people have complained about the department they've been placed into for their vacation scheme, but remember your TC will have these moments too (you can't choose all your seats yourself) so be accepting, and show them that you're open to learning new things.

Hopefully that helps a little, but if there is anything more specific you need, then please let me know. I'm super excited for you! I really enjoyed my vacation scheme and I am sure you will too.