• Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training Contract
    Now half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
    Join Premium →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

AtticusFinch

Standard Member
Aug 1, 2025
5
1
Hey everyone! Does anyone have insights on Goodwin VI and Akin TI? Can provide insights for NRF VI, Latham VI, FF VI, Mayer Brown VI, HSF AC, NRF AC, Links AC (2 years ago)

So that NRF VI went terrible :/ Worst thing is I have no excuse - the questions weren't hard and I'd solidly prepared for them, I just

So that NRF VI went terrible :/ Worst thing is I have no excuse - the questions weren't hard and I'd solidly prepared for them, I just somehow completely melted.
💕💕 take heart but also don’t cancel yourself out yet you never knowww🙏
 
  • Like
Reactions: nbjani

zara elles

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Dec 24, 2020
150
84
I applied to a firm 4 years ago when my application was absolutely rubbish. I'm planning to reapply this year - is there any way they would be able to see my previous application or would it have been deleted by now due to GDPR?
Their website says they keep this on file for 12 months unless I have allowed them to keep my data for future jobs (I dont THINK I agreed to this as I havent got any emails from them since).
 

EfficientBag123

Legendary Member
  • Aug 23, 2024
    170
    198
    Hey need advice. I am struggling a bit with commercial awareness right now. I usually rely on Watson's Daily but he (Peter Watson) is on holiday. I am struggling to find a methodical way of going through the FT to find the relevant information in a time efficient manner. Does anyone have any tips ?
    Go to the comment section of FT. But commercial awareness doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to build up. Just stick with it.
     

    Abbie Whitlock

    Administrator
    Staff member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 11, 2025
    704
    705
    can you apply to both TC and VS for Farrer & Co? I made a mistake on the VS app after finishing it off all day today :/
    Hey!

    Yes, you can! I remember speaking to a trainee on my vacation scheme that was rejected from the VS application but ended up re-applying for the DTC route and ended up securing an offer at the firm in the same cycle :)
     

    Abbie Whitlock

    Administrator
    Staff member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 11, 2025
    704
    705
    Is there a general timeframe for when it would be "too late" to apply for rolling deadlines? Especially for firms like White & Case and Gibson Dunn that are in the next few weeks - thanks in advance!
    Hi!

    I wouldn't say there is generally a timeframe where it would be too late - most rolling firms will still review any applications submitted before the deadline! @Andrei Radu has actually posted a really useful post on this where he discusses whether it is worth submitting later in the window for a rolling deadline, which might be reassuring to read :)

    Ultimately, whilst it will differ between firms, if you can submit a strong and tailored application to the firm, you still have a good chance of being progressed!
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Sr. Maybe

    Shiv Lawy

    Active Member
    Dec 17, 2025
    17
    15
    Asking for a friend who got a Capsticks PFO without an invite to the online test the emailed implied was automatic.
    He applied on deadline day is it possible he got rejected because it was rolling and already filled?

    Did anyone get an auto invite to the online test or PFO before the invite? Any advice appreciated because I believe his application was strong and he met the minimum grade requirements.
     

    Bread

    Legendary Member
    Jan 30, 2024
    231
    389
    Asking for a friend who got a Capsticks PFO without an invite to the online test the emailed implied was automatic.
    He applied on deadline day is it possible he got rejected because it was rolling and already filled?

    Did anyone get an auto invite to the online test or PFO before the invite? Any advice appreciated because I believe his application was strong and he met the minimum grade requirements.
    Hi, took a quick look at the website and the test does not seem automatic. Your friend may not have had the correct requirements or failed a spag check
     

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

    Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.