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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    So, to quickly address your point, I'm not expecting the SQE alone to meaningfully change my profile. However, at the moment, many paralegal/legal assistant positions are only available to individuals who have completed the LPC/SQE (or future trainees). Furthermore, I think it's important that I...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Not that anybody asked, but I wanted to say that I've given up on this application cycle. Hopefully, by sharing my situation, I can provide some sort of comfort to others who are finding this experience difficult. This time around, I submitted 10 applications. I'm still waiting for a response...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    If it's any consolation, I can completely relate to this. I'm going through a very similar series of emotions at the moment. I don't have a VS under my belt, but I understand how this could exacerbate negative feelings. As somebody else on this forum very kindly said to me the other day (when I...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Honestly, I have no clue what they're looking for if they didn't invite you to an AC. You've got fantastic experience and great grades.
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Yeah, it also mentioned academic qualifications and "...achievements, extra-curricular activities, scholarships" (and so on). Honestly, I don't think grades are the issue for me. I graduated with a strong 2:1 (67% average, with no modules below 60%) from a top RG university. However, I have a...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    HSFK Spring PFO (passed benchmark early Dec)
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Honestly, %vacancy title% was very competitive this year. Don't let this get you down!
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Hi, I wouldn't really say this is a "mindset", as opposed to it actually being my reality. I'm not avoiding using my part-time retail experience in my application/competency answers. In fact, it's one of the only (good) experiences I have for many key competencies (i.e. teamwork, leadership...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Once again, I do appreciate the advice. However, I disagree that I have what firms want to see. I have retail experience. I have tried my hardest to highlight the wide array of transferrable skills which I gained from these experiences. However, when a firm asks you to describe a time...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    I appreciate the sentiment within your message. But my thought process isn't based on a single person's success. It's a view which I've developed across multiple application cycles (after seeing who makes it, and who doesn't). I'd say that around 40-45% of my LLB cohort landed a role in...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    That's an astute observation! There are multiple reasons why new TCLA accounts might appear to be providing generic AI responses. But this doesn't necessarily mean these accounts aren't genuine. The amount of time you've spent on this forum definitely could have made you more cynical towards...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    OK, I can see that you're referring to me. But, that's not really the point I was trying to make. What I was trying to say, is that tailoring your answers (and getting them reviewed) will only take you so far. There are other aspects of your application which are equally, if not more...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    I don't disagree with either of you! That's what I meant by the application answers acting as "filters". Writing something completely generic (without ties to the firm's strengths, or your personal motivation/experience) will increase the chance of being rejected. So, I agree that it's...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    I don't want to sound like a doomer, but I've recently come to the realisation that the content of our application answers doesn't matter. These answers often just act as a filter for the other parts of your candidate profile. Obviously I can't share these but, I have an old friend's successful...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Funny story, I was talking to somebody this summer who told me they were considering moving from finance into law. That person secured a WVS (and, subsequently, a TC) at a US firm. This was one of their first applications, in their first application cycle. To answer your question, some people...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Honestly, I get what you mean. I wrote something relevant a couple of days ago: The thing is, I also went a private school. Not an egregiously expensive international or 'public' school – but a decent independent school, on a means-tested bursary and scholarship. I can tell you that the issue...
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Yeah, instead Sidley's selections heavily depend upon university, grades, experience and extracurriculars. Which, at first, sounds fair. Of course, that's only until you realise that almost 40% of their intake is from Oxbridge and the other 60% is effectively LSE/UCL/Durham. Then consider how...
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    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Honestly, it sounds like you have more than enough experience to be making DTC applications. If that's the route you want to take, you should go for it.
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    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    From looking at the dates of previous years' DTC AC invitations, I don't believe they are sent out in batches. Perhaps, if the people already invited to an AC perform poorly, there will be another round of invitations. However, that's purely speculative.
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    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    This application cycle has got to be one of the worst in recent years. 1. The number of qualified candidates remains high, while many (big) firms have reduced the number of TCs they are willing to offer. Competition is higher than ever. 2. Countless firms have decided that, as AI usage is so...

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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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