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  1. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    I remember being stressed about this beforehand, but it's really not as difficult/intimidating as it might sound. Get the vibes from your team on your first day, you'll see who's approachable and who's not. For me, it was a quiet office day with most people working from home but my supervisor...
  2. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    I converted a US firm VS without doing any coffee chats! I know people who didn't convert who did several. People talk on and on about coffee chats, but the truth is they are 99% for your own benefit, and usually don't have much if any bearing on whether you get the TC. Most firms have a set of...
  3. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Hey everyone, So I'm in a really really fortunate position, but I'm still feeling conflicted. I've received a TC offer from a pretty good firm!!! So so grateful, but I also have a 2 week vacation scheme coming up in a couple of weeks. The firm I have a TC offer from while really good, doesn't...
  4. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    How do people go about applying for paralegal roles, with previous vac scheme? Is it not obvious that I actively want a TC if I've been completing vac schemes, if they are asking about my future do I declare that I would want to apply for TCs. (Note the one I am currently applying for is a...
  5. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    also wondering this. And does anyone have experience applying for paralegal roles in London (or other cities). The options at home will be very slim so I'm thinking I might just try and find a decent-paying legal adjacent role in London but I imagine they'd be wary If i was needing to relocate.
  6. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    An hour past, definitely follow up. This happened to me once, and they just never replied to my email, never got a call.
  7. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    That's a really tough situation. There is no right answer, and it's all gonna depend on a few things and your appetite for risk. First off I wouldn't take any action without seeing if you can do both. Is there a summer scheme instead of spring, you may still be able to switch to that, and you...
  8. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    At many firms nowadays, the process is made as quantifiable as possible. It's often not a case of somebody making a decision as such, so much as them scoring your interview on some metric, your case study, group presentation, whatever else etc, and giving you a score overall. Even in those...
  9. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    yes and no lol a lot of people are just asking to get the questions, especially with video interviews. but also for some firms the process is very vague, certain timings re: video interviews, assessment day tasks, etc are not clear and people will be asking about that. also just general vibes...
  10. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Maybe an odd question but how do you guys react to news on a phone call? Usually a call is good news, and if it's bad news, they will email, but I had an AC two weeks ago, and they said we'd hear back by phone this week whether it's good or bad news. Never been rejected on the phone before so...
  11. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    yeah i think poor retention at NQ stage is the only worry really, you're unlikely to lose your job mid-TC unless you're genuinely incompetent, commit sometype of misconduct, or the firm goes under (see TM Law).
  12. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    In my (limited) experience, there is usually nothing planned by the firm after the last day because they know people have travel and such booked. However it is quite common for the vac schemers to go for a drink together to say goodbye and celebrate the end of the scheme, which is nice to join...
  13. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    I've always gotten the vibe that is is maybe less overt, and slightly more fair nowadays, but the above post is definitely still a huge part of legal recruitment. So much of the process is handled by HR and split between multiple components and exercises. But in partner interviews, rapport goes...
  14. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    congrats!!! is this also for spring?
  15. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Does anybody know roughly how many places Reed Smith has on their vac schemes total? Considering they have 26 TCs, but also have the direct TC route and placement year students.
  16. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Oh that's quite nice. Maybe I have a chance after all lol. Firms with low intakes make me so anxious. I know it's generally quite proportional. Like Bristows, they might get 1000 applicants for 10 spots, and Clifford Chance might get 10,000 applicants for 100 spots. But it feels more possible...
  17. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Bristows Partner Review! No clue how as my video answers were shocking? Did they consider written app at this stage too as I do think that was quite strong from me? Either way, kinda hate this partner review stage. It's basically exactly the same stage just twice right? One from grad rec and...
  18. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    same, and i know my answer was not very good 🥲 did anybody have the question about the values? I can't remember what it was but I remember thinking I didn't answer it properly.
  19. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    For what it's worth, my flatmate was on the Diversity Access Scheme last summer in London (now the Pathways to Practice), and she had very little good to say. From what I gather, the firm itself was perfectly fine, lawyers were nice, culture was good etc. But she said it was extremely...
  20. W

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Are most sponsored SQEs masters level courses? Thinking forward and manifesting that I'll get a TC. If I am able to live at home I will probably do that, but a lot of firms require study in London, and only offer a grant of 10-15k. In which case I would probably opt for the masters loan to top...

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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.

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