TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[sadlawyer01]

I'm getting kinda nervous now...why don't the nerves come like a week earlier???

The closer I get to my last AC the more scared I get...it's the last chance this cycle since I've not many firms left to hear back from.
How do people deal with the feeling of coming up to your very last AC of any given cycle? I feel insane pressure but also slight burnout lol

don't you have ACs at like 6 firms girl you will be fine

 

[ilikelaw]

does anyone have any tips on how to start preparing for a zoom interview because i’m not sure how much you’re meant to cover in prep 😭😭😭

 

[WillKitchen]

when did you apply?

Early in December, just after their open day.

 

[plshireme]

Should I be concerned that people have received VIs for AG? I completed the critical thinking test the day before the deadline - has anyone heard post-test (for Manchester) who also submitted close to the deadline?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

does anyone have any tips on how to start preparing for a zoom interview because i’m not sure how much you’re meant to cover in prep 😭😭😭

ideally...everything.....

 

[elle woods]

didn't you have ACs at like 6 firms girl you will be fine

😭 nah not that many tho I wish
Haha having more ACs does not mean I will be successful tho! Could very well fail all of them... 😖

 

[firmfirm]

don't you have ACs at like 6 firms girl you will be fine

Yeah but people are still allowed to be worried about converting any AC they get, whether that’s 1 or 6. When you think about the amount of time and effort it takes just to get an AC in the first place, it’s completely understandable. It’s that feeling of not wanting all the sacrifices you’ve made to go to waste and really wanting to do well for yourself.

 

[vweewcvew]

I haven't heard back from DLA since my application which was sent in early Nov, so its like been almost 3 months despite others moving on or rejected etc? I'm not sure if they have just forgotten my app. Is anyone else in the same shoes?

 

[ttso]

Has anyone who applied for HFW on the deadline heard back?

If it helps, in a truly professional manner on their LinkedIn, they essentially said that sometimes applications get "lost in the pile". It also heavily implies that they don't review all applications ("the more likely it is to be reviewed"). They were not a firm I had any real interest in, but it has rather ticked me off seeing this haha

I've never heard such an awful excuse before - genuinely unacceptable imo. For reference the post is here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7287134477825241089/

 

[akcyp123]

I haven't heard back from DLA since my application which was sent in early Nov, so its like been almost 3 months despite others moving on or rejected etc? I'm not sure if they have just forgotten my app. Is anyone else in the same shoes?

i passed WG end of November. haven't heard anything since. emailed grad rec last week and they said they are still going through apps.

 

[elle woods]

Yeah but people are still allowed to be worried about converting any AC they get, whether that’s 1 or 6. When you think about the amount of time and effort it takes just to get an AC in the first place, it’s completely understandable. It’s that feeling of not wanting all the sacrifices you’ve made to go to waste and really wanting to do well for yourself.

🥹 haha thank you for conveying what I was too scared to say - didn't want to come across as ungrateful (I am really grateful, but also just super anxious now)

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Hi! If you have already accepted a competing VS, is it best to let the second firm know and ask about switching schemes once (if!) you receive the second VS offer or before/during the AC?

@nansies I would advise approaching this in two ways:

1. Let them know if you have been offered another Vacation Scheme with conflicting dates, and you wanted to know if your AC place could be considered for a different scheme instead. This gives them the chance to move you over into another pool, and offer the current AC space to somebody else instead
2. If that doesn't work - I'd still attend the AC, and if an offer is made, ask both firms if either can move you to another scheme - and if so, great. If not, go with the one that you prefer the most.

It's not going to reflect badly on you, so long as you make sure you sound interested in both equally.

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

If it helps, in a truly professional manner on their LinkedIn, they essentially said that sometimes applications get "lost in the pile". It also heavily implies that they don't review all applications ("the more likely it is to be reviewed"). They were not a firm I had any real interest in, but it has rather ticked me off seeing this haha

I've never heard such an awful excuse before - genuinely unacceptable imo. For reference the post is here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7287134477825241089/

Completely understand your frustration, however, I find it quite refreshing to see a bit of honesty and clarity with regard to a firm's recruitment process. Each firm will have their own way of dealing with applications, at least HFW let you know what that is in order to best position yourself when applying.

 

[ttso]

Completely understand your frustration, however, I find it quite refreshing to see a bit of honesty and clarity with regard to a firm's recruitment process. Each firm will have their own way of dealing with applications, at least HFW let you know what that is in order to best position yourself when applying.

100% agree - also love it when firms are transparent. But should they not therefore switch to rolling applications if everything about their process says the earlier you apply, the better?

For reference, my frustration is not from applying late; I applied well before the deadline, and was presumably simply lacking. I just dislike the flippant disregard for the effort many put into their applications.

 

[hanz123]

Should I be concerned that people have received VIs for AG? I completed the critical thinking test the day before the deadline - has anyone heard post-test (for Manchester) who also submitted close to the deadline?

same here haven't heard anything post critical thinking test for another office, was thinking of sending an email for an update

 

[hey1238390u]

Hi everyone 😊

I’ve got a Burges Salmon assessment centre in Bristol coming up soon and I’m honestly SO nervous 😭😭

If anyone has done it before (or has any tips), I’d really appreciate any advice on how to prepare and what to focus on.

From what I’ve been told it includes:

• scenario discussion
• group exercise
• written exercise
• interview with a lawyer

I’m not sure what answers / examples I should be prepping in advance (like what competencies they usually test, what interview questions tend to come up, how detailed commercial awareness needs to be etc).

If anyone could share:
✅ what the tasks were like
✅ what you wish you’d done beforehand
✅ how to stand out in the group exercise without being annoying 😭
✅ how to approach the written task
✅ common interview questions / best prep

I’d be so grateful!! Thank you 🙏🤍

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Yeah but people are still allowed to be worried about converting any AC they get, whether that’s 1 or 6. When you think about the amount of time and effort it takes just to get an AC in the first place, it’s completely understandable. It’s that feeling of not wanting all the sacrifices you’ve made to go to waste and really wanting to do well for yourself.

There’s also the added pressure of not knowing whether you’ll convert the 1 VS you already have so feel the need to do well on other ACs to make the TC conversion chances somewhat stronger.

I can only speak for myself but I’m alr bricking it and I’ve only gotten 2 ACs so far. This process is intimidating and I don’t rly believe those feelings of anxiety or nervousness disappear post 1 AC.

People work extremely hard to get through these app processes and as this person wrote, it’s about not wanting all those sacrifices to go to waste and wanting the best outcomes.

Best of luck to everyone who’s got interviews or ACs coming up soon! I hope over the next weeks and months we’re all able to post about our VSs and TCs as a result of our hard work this cycle!

 

[user55998384]

anyone doing acs for latham spring do you know when acs are due to finish - i still havent heard back and dont want to get hopes up since ac invites seem to be a few weeks in advnace

 

[lawconvert]

As firms often recruit 2yrs in advance (eg 2026 vac scheme with view to start TC in 2028) what activities are recommended for final year/conversion students to do in that time? This would likely mean sitting SQE1 and 2 in 2026/27 but what about the other “gap year” of 2027/28. Is it frowned upon to look for non-legal work, or entry level roles at other firms? Sorry if a weird question, I know some people travel but money is tight so I’d need to work in that spare year

 

[wrpark]

Hey guys possibly stupid question, in online applications asking "were you educated in the UK?" I usually answered no because I did secondary school outside the UK even though I'm in a UK university and then provided details with my secondary school's grading system. Is this question asking about secondary education or undergrad? I'm worried I potentially misunderstood the question.