TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[BeanaGoalGetter]

Radio silence from firms is very frustrating and I definitely feel your pain, but I do think it is slightly unfair and uncharitable to jump straight to discrimination as a reason that your application hasn't been progressed as of yet. It isn't over 'til it's over, and although you may unfortunately be expecting a rejection, I think that it is important to acknowledge that grad rec teams are incredible stretched by these processes. I think the firms that update with holding emails and confirmations of tests certainly go about the cycle in a better way, but in my experience these firms are in the minority. At the end of the day, you may not have performed as well as you had hoped in the WG which is super frustrating (I can count on one hand the amount of times I've actually passed it!) but I would say its counterproductive to think too much about other factors such as discrimination. It's quite a serious accusation to make, and I think its worth remembering that behind each email from grad rec there are real people. I do hope they get back to you soon though!

I imagine the stress grad rec is under.

I have no expectation nor do I feel I have an automatic right to progression.

I’m simply talking about communication. I didn’t even receive a confirmation email after the WG.

For how much firms expect from their future trainees, I believe I have a basic right to expect a multi million dollar company to at the very least have the resources to send an automatic confirmation email to candidates (which takes no effort)

But all good vibes! I’ve applied to several firms and written off AG atp

 

[whywhy88]

I imagine the stress grad rec is under.

I have no expectation nor do I feel I have an automatic right to progression.

I’m simply talking about communication. I didn’t even receive a confirmation email after the WG.

For how much firms expect from their future trainees, I believe I have a basic right to expect a multi million dollar company to at the very least have the resources to send an automatic confirmation email to candidates (which takes no effort)

But all good vibes! I’ve applied to several firms and written off AG atp

It’s defo frustrating when they don’t even send a confirmation. Try not to count yourself out yet, it’s not over till the outcome lands in your inbox!

 

[Eriberrie]

reminds me of a scheme i did last summer. we had a whole vac scheme chat on whatsapp which was quite active (people sending lunch pics, office pics, pics from the socials and generally chatting, was quite nice). this one guy, in addition to the scheme socials, had gone for after work drinks with the guys in his team like 3 times in a two week scheme, and one time sent a picture at like 1am from some bar/club lol. he was also a pretty nice guy and really bright so he deffo deserved it regardless, but when I saw he got the TC i just remember thinking "that's how you get the TC!" 😂

Am i disadvantaged because I don’t drink?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Yes - I emailed to check and was told 23 Feb is the correct date.

Thank you!!

 

[AryanAgg]

Am i disadvantaged because I don’t drink?

I dont think so necessarily, can always try to schedule lunch or coffee instead as well in my opinion.

 

[user397485]

has baker got back post ac for anyone

 

[georgianprincessmwuah]

Ah! Have you been progressed by PMC this year? I’ve applied for VS and heard absolutely nothing….

hi! I got PMC Oxford AC if this helps with timelines?

 

[BeanaGoalGetter]

It’s defo frustrating when they don’t even send a confirmation. Try not to count yourself out yet, it’s not over till the outcome lands in your inbox!

You’re totally right! I just have ptsd from being ghosted by companies before after putting in a lot of time and energy (like EY post AC like a year ago)

Sending positive energy to everyone still waiting on outcomes 🙏🏾💪🏾

 

[kukubird]

I dont think so necessarily, can always try to schedule lunch or coffee instead as well in my opinion.

I wouldn't say so, at my last vac it was easier to get to know people at the after work drinks but you can always buy a non-alcoholic beverage.

If for religious reasons you can't be in a pub I think scheduling coffee chats or sitting with trainees and other participants at lunch can also be useful.

 

[lividowl03]

Am i disadvantaged because I don’t drink?

Not necessarily, this guy was very much the outlier and it is very unlikely you'll be in a club with other lawyers into the morning. There will pretty much always be one or several evening socials on a vac scheme which you definitely 1000% should go to. You don't have to drink while there and can have soft drinks or water, but some people choose not to attend at all which is really just shooting yourself in the foot. Usually these socials have your fellow vac schemers, grad rec, your supervisors and sometimes other lawyers too. Basically everyone who's responsible for deciding if you get a TC. Similarly if you are invited to an informal after work drink with your team (though as I've said this is less typical), I would also encourage you to go. Again you can just stay for an hour or two and have soft drinks.

Basically take every opportunity to socialise, I was never invited to after informal work drinks for example, but the trainees in my team did invite me to eat lunch with them every day which really build a relationship. I felt way more comfortable asking them for help with things, or asking to put me in touch with other people. The work and professional side of a vac scheme is obviously most important, but at that stage they already know you're bright and capable, and that will be assessed through your work product and assessments. The one thing they really can't tell about you until the scheme is if you're a pleasant and personable individual who people want to work with, which is done through interacting with you daily and at socials.

 

[Saul_specter]

when referring to band rankings in an interview, is it generally expected that they are in reference to Chambers rankings, or would I need to specify Legal500/Chambers

 

[theintellectualpropertygirl]

any tips for case study interview??

 

[ztas]

has anyone heard back from mishcon post sjt for summer vac? and is there one still waiting to hear from clyde spring vac post VI? I know some people received PFOs already but I haven't gotten anything yet...

 

[Ellief]

has anyone heard back from mishcon post sjt for summer vac? and is there one still waiting to hear from clyde spring vac post VI? I know some people received PFOs already but I haven't gotten anything yet...

Hey I’ve not heard back yet from mischon post sjt for summer yet. I hope we hear soon.

 

[SueD]

hi! I got PMC Oxford AC if this helps with timelines?

Congratulations! I hope it goes really well for you. Thank you for letting me know. I’ve applied for London so perhaps they are doing that office later (perhaps…!).

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Ah! Have you been progressed by PMC this year? I’ve applied for VS and heard absolutely nothing….

Yep, I attended their selective open day too, feel free to DM me, if you have insights for Hogan Lovells ofc.

 

[Apple]

Whenever you are ready, Travers.

 

[msclm]

did sidley grad rec tell anyone when they'll hear back from TI or has anyone heard yet? trying to gauge if/when they might send more TI invites!! (delusional atp)

For winter they sent TI invites over the course of 3 weeks.