TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[corporatecoupon]

For the Kirkland VI is anyone else's "Completed Date" showing up incorrectly? Mine was due on the 16th, I did it well before then, and it says I completed it on the 22nd (I was ~35,000 feet up in the air on a plane at the time they say I completed the interview...) View attachment 7546

Yep did mine on the 23rd, it’s saying I completed it on the 30th 😭

 

[EfficientBag123]

Law, I'm in my final year

Tbf it’s not really that deep because you can still apply anywhere, you will just have effectively a gap year unless they let you do the SQE and start ur TC a year earlier than advertised.

 

[corporatecoupon]

For the Kirkland VI is anyone else's "Completed Date" showing up incorrectly? Mine was due on the 16th, I did it well before then, and it says I completed it on the 22nd (I was ~35,000 feet up in the air on a plane at the time they say I completed the interview...) View attachment 7546

Yep did mine on the 23rd it says I completed on the 30th

 

[SamiyaJ]

Anybody else just absolutely shattered. Feeling super happy and lucky to have had some success this cycle with 1 vac scheme upcoming, and one AC for another scheme yet to do, but I'm really exhausted now and I'm starting to think I might give up on submitting any more apps, go all in on trying to convert my scheme (and securing the other scheme), but I'll kick myself if I don't manage to get a TC from either of these and I could've done more.

But at the same time I'm genuinely so busy with uni and work, I'm way behind on my dissertation, and I've also mega been neglecting the gym, so maybe I need to just shift priorities. Applications are just always in the back of my mind as long as they're ongoing, I feel like i'm always refreshing emails or waiting for a test or vi deadline. Then if you are fortunate enough to progress to interviews or ACs, that actually just means more work and stress waiting and preparing for them.

I don't know, how are you all managing?

=

Hey,

I so feel you- I’m in a similar boat too. Working full time and doing PGDL part time- I’m in the final year now. I’ve done 25 apps, 12 PFOS and waiting to hear back post app/post VI/post SJTs for 13 firms. There’s hundreds of firms we can apply to but I picked my 25 battles so I can manage other aspects of my life too.. well as much as I can 😭

Congrats on the VS!! That’s what this is all about right? Just that one yes! And you’ve got it so well done. If I was you, I’d focus on the dissertation, prep for AC and doing well in the VS so you can convert it to a TC

 

[abc124]

Guys what are the realistic odds of converting a vac scheme to a TC? At my uni most people told me not to worry about it and that it was largely a formality unless you do something truly outrageous like constantly being late, rude etc. but recently I've been hearing more and more stories of people not managing to convert despite doing their best.

I'm really struggling to even get ACs and I think the only thing that has kept me motivated is that you only need one firm to give you a chance and that once I get the vac scheme it's unlikely for things to go wrong. But now getting a TC feels like such a long shot...

 

[ttlaw12344]

is there any point APPLYING to akin this late lol

 

[sadlawyer01]

is it too late to apply to white & case and gibson?

 

[maymays]

Got an NRF VI! Not entirely sure how its going to play out though. Has anyone done it? is it like Amberjack where you can sort of look at the questions, think for as long as you want? or limited time to think, limited time to answer?

 

[elle woods]

For the Kirkland VI is anyone else's "Completed Date" showing up incorrectly? Mine was due on the 16th, I did it well before then, and it says I completed it on the 22nd (I was ~35,000 feet up in the air on a plane at the time they say I completed the interview...) View attachment 7546

Yep mine too. I did mine Christmas eve - completed date says 2026-01-02 (today) LOL

 

[elle woods]

is it too late to apply to white & case and gibson?

no - go for it!!

 

[James Wakefield]

Yep mine too. I did mine Christmas eve - completed date says 2026-01-02 (today) LOL

Completed could mean when it was marked?

 

[silonthesofa]

Guys what are the realistic odds of converting a vac scheme to a TC? At my uni most people told me not to worry about it and that it was largely a formality unless you do something truly outrageous like constantly being late, rude etc. but recently I've been hearing more and more stories of people not managing to convert despite doing their best.

I'm really struggling to even get ACs and I think the only thing that has kept me motivated is that you only need one firm to give you a chance and that once I get the vac scheme it's unlikely for things to go wrong. But now getting a TC feels like such a long shot...

My understanding is that while with some firms, a vacation scheme almost guarantees a training contract offer, with most of them, that is absolutely not the case. However, you have a far better chance of converting from vac scheme to TC than you do of getting the vac scheme, so that's one way to look at it?

 

[elle woods]

Completed could mean when it was marked?

I don't think so since my 'completed date' is today but I received word back on the 30th - but definitely a good theory!

It might just be like automatically updated 7-10 days after you submit your response, inferring from what everyone else has posted.

 

[James Wakefield]

Guys what are the realistic odds of converting a vac scheme to a TC? At my uni most people told me not to worry about it and that it was largely a formality unless you do something truly outrageous like constantly being late, rude etc. but recently I've been hearing more and more stories of people not managing to convert despite doing their best.

I'm really struggling to even get ACs and I think the only thing that has kept me motivated is that you only need one firm to give you a chance and that once I get the vac scheme it's unlikely for things to go wrong. But now getting a TC feels like such a long shot...

From 20% (some competitive American firms) to 100% I think.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Got an NRF VI! Not entirely sure how its going to play out though. Has anyone done it? is it like Amberjack where you can sort of look at the questions, think for as long as you want? or limited time to think, limited time to answer?

Hey!

So you get 5 mins of recommended prep time once the question is shown (nothing happens if you go over it, but you will be reminded that you’re over it by the red writing!) and 3 minutes to answer a question. You also get 4 attempts at re-recording each response.

The only thing to bear in mind is that the recommended 5 min prep time ALSO includes the re-record attempts/answering the questions.

 

[WillKitchen]

Hey was this for their PHirst scheme or DTC?

"Inside Look", Feb 18th. I believe it is an All About Law exclusive event.

 

[Novaa]

Guys what are the realistic odds of converting a vac scheme to a TC? At my uni most people told me not to worry about it and that it was largely a formality unless you do something truly outrageous like constantly being late, rude etc. but recently I've been hearing more and more stories of people not managing to convert despite doing their best.

I'm really struggling to even get ACs and I think the only thing that has kept me motivated is that you only need one firm to give you a chance and that once I get the vac scheme it's unlikely for things to go wrong. But now getting a TC feels like such a long shot...

I think as long as you perform well on the work, remember to ask questions about the work you’re doing, remain polite, show interest in the firm, and arrive on time daily the chances are very high of converting at most firms.

Looking back on the VS I completed I think I did everything right, but one thing I forgot to do which came up in my feedback, was that I forgot to ask more questions about the work even though I performed well on the task.

So even though i know it’s easy to take the approach of “I can do this”, make sure you show them you can by also asking questions before setting off to do the task. Also once you’ve submitted it, ask questions on the topic or the purpose of it.

All the best!!

 

[abc124]

My understanding is that while with some firms, a vacation scheme almost guarantees a training contract offer, with most of them, that is absolutely not the case. However, you have a far better chance of converting from vac scheme to TC than you do of getting the vac scheme, so that's one way to look at it?

True!! I guess I was just really surprised, altho now it feels obvious in hindsight...Idk how I went so long being that clueless haha

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

is there any point APPLYING to akin this late lol

is it too late to apply to white & case and gibson?

I am going to submit them soon, I love procrastination as I felt betrayed that the turnaround from my other apps were so long..