• Hey Guest, Have an interview coming up? We’ve opened new mock interview slots this week. Book here
  • Received a training contract offer? We're hiring. It's fully remote. Apply by 27 April 2026
  • TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.
    Join →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Links rejection post-AC.

They said my competency interview went well, but basically my commercial awareness interview, which I thought went well, was really poor.

The feedback indicated an anxious presentation, unclear structuring of answers, and insufficiently articulated reasoning. It also noted limited responsiveness to interviewer prompts and an overreliance on legal terminology at the expense of clear, commercially grounded analysis.

I thought I wasn't anxious and I really tried to show my thought process, however it seems that I tried to show legal knowledge and that wasn't what they wanted at all.

Really demoralised by this and am wondering if I just come off poorly as a person.
Hi, no matter what the outcome, it's still an achievement to reach this stage! Hope you feel better soon x! Dont give up!!
 
I had an interview with Fieldfisher, reconfirmed it with HR the day of at 12pm, due to start at 2pm. No one showed up to my interview (it was virtual), I had to email HR 3 times and they offered to reschedule it the next day but no apology or explanation. I understand things can get busy, but no reply from any of the GR team for the rest of the day and no apology left a bad taste in my mouth.
This was also after the interview had been rescheduled twice, which is why I thought I should confirm it the same day
This is absolutely insane, I'm so sorry this happened to you!!!
 
I had an interview with Fieldfisher, reconfirmed it with HR the day of at 12pm, due to start at 2pm. No one showed up to my interview (it was virtual), I had to email HR 3 times and they offered to reschedule it the next day but no apology or explanation. I understand things can get busy, but no reply from any of the GR team for the rest of the day and no apology left a bad taste in my mouth.
This was also after the interview had been rescheduled twice, which is why I thought I should confirm it the same day
THAT’S CRAZY the audacity?? How are such unprofessional people making decisions on whom to offer a tc 💀
 
Overlapping vac schemes

Hi everyone. I have received a vac scheme offer from one firm however I am also interviewing for another vac scheme, which is overlapping. The second firm starts a week after the first firm however both are two weeks long.

I equally like both firms (the second firm also has a few more areas I am interested in) however I do not want to waste the opportunity of turning down the first firm. I also do not know whether the AC will be successful. I'll also note, I have to accept the offer by the end of this week for the first firm.

What do people usually choose with clashing vac schemes?

Thanks!
 
HSF Kramer summer vs PFO after attending one of their open days 🙃 I hope the feedback is auto generated because if not it’s actually aggravating
I was the same :/ considering the open days are pretty tough to get onto and they tell you how to make a strong app, I genuinely don’t know what they’re looking for atp..
 
When preparing for an AC, how technical must we be? An associate recently told me we must be very thorough (understanding terms such as conditions precedent, lockbox accounts, differences between reps and indemnities in M&A vs legal setting), and some tell me you just need to understand general trends of companies and basic economics.

@Abbie Whitlock are you able to give some insight into how much research we should do and how in-depth?
 
Last edited:
  • ✅
Reactions: Abbie Whitlock
queen @Abbie Whitlock (and others with interview experience) - is 2 reasons enough for a interview answer of ‘why this firm’ ? Or is 3 ideal?
Hey!

Yes, generally two well-developed and specific reasons would be enough for a "why this firm" answer.

I generally aim for 2-3 points as this allows you to cover a couple of areas, but still gives you room to go into a good amount of depth for each one. Therefore, if you believe that your answer is strongest with two main reasons, this would be absolutely fine :)
 
I had an interview with Fieldfisher, reconfirmed it with HR the day of at 12pm, due to start at 2pm. No one showed up to my interview (it was virtual), I had to email HR 3 times and they offered to reschedule it the next day but no apology or explanation. I understand things can get busy, but no reply from any of the GR team for the rest of the day and no apology left a bad taste in my mouth.
This was also after the interview had been rescheduled twice, which is why I thought I should confirm it the same day
just to add onto the FF slander, not to give away too much but i am currently a mentee to a NQ solicitor there so i meet up with them virtually every few weeks and can i just say their attitude towards their own co-workers and in general their personality is probably one of the worst i have ever seen. they always reschedule and not show up, and you can just tell the company is absolutely all over the place. i have an opportunity to go down there for some work experience and i actually do not want to go and i know its an amazing opportunity but i actually cannot stand the company itself. i was encouraged by them to apply and i actually just wanted to crawl into a hole because i was just so put off which is such a shame because i used to like the firm.
 
Hi I am going to an interview for a firm that had a look at my CV (and nothing else but a screening call)
Don't think they specify what type of interview it is going to be but would appreciate any general advice!
Thank you in advance 🙇‍♀️
 
Proskeur Rose AC invite!!! :)

I would be very very grateful for any insight as it is one of my top choices and I have no clue what to expect in the AC (they will provide details closer to time of the activities).

@fTS3002 @Mart1nVa1l congrats guys!! Do Yall wanna create a gc to prep? Let me know if anyone else wants to be added. :)
 

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.