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vacation scheme

  1. Jessica Pearson - Managing Director

    My ongoing training contract journey...fingers crossed I get one this year

    Hello everyone, Hopefully this will serve as a documentation of how I was able to get a successful TC. It is a bit late in the cycle to start this but I am going stir crazy waiting for responses and updates from firms. So far I have received 5 PFO's (heartbreaking) but we move. Currently waiting...
  2. ggbj

    PGDL for non-law finalist aiming for a vacation scheme this summer?

    Hi, I am an international Chemistry student applying for solicitor vacation schemes. Do I have to register intent in taking the PGDL as a finalist non-law student? From what I know, since it is no longer a prerequisite to do the PGDL before sitting SQE, I don't have to actually do it? If...
  3. L

    Direct TC or vac scheme?

    Hello! I am a penultimate student at a lower-ranked Russell Group, currently doing a placement year at a magic circle firm. I am wondering for the following firms if I have a chance of applying for their direct training contract. I am not against vacation schemes, however, as I work full time, i...
    • LH4
    • Thread
    • baker mckenzie bclp cms direct training contract mayer brown orrick vacation scheme
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Applications Discussion
  4. L

    Urgent - Go to Exeter for Law or take a gap year

    Hi, I am a student who has just finished their A levels and is due to start at the University of Exeter in September 2025. My intention career wise is to become an intellectual property lawyer in Australia, as I lived there for some time. I’m debating taking a gap year and reapplying due to job...
  5. W

    Application Help!

    Hi Forum, I have a few questions regarding applications and would really appreciate some guidance. My questions are as follows: Applying without prior firm contact – Is it worth applying to a vacation scheme without having met the firm beforehand (e.g., via insight days or open days)? Would...
  6. W

    Firms that don't have high academic requirments

    Hi Everyone, I finished A levels with BBBB (I'm eligible for contextual offers due to caring responsibilities) and just finished my first year at a RG university with a 2:2 which was very surprising and disheartening. My question are as follows: Does anyone know what top firms dont have high...
  7. legallysg

    Graduate seeking guidance

    Hello anybody who is reading this, I so wish I found this community earlier, it is so great to see everybody's inspiring journeys and motivations! For myself, I am wondering if i should join the journey as well or if it's just not right for me. My situation I am a recent LLB graduate. I did...
    • legallysg
    • Thread
    • application advice legal assistant open days paralegal sqe vacation scheme
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: General Discussion
  8. M

    Which secondary school qualification to indicate on applications?

    Hi, I'm new to this forum :) I'm an international student from Canada about to enter my second year in LLB at a RG uni. I unfortunately ended my first year with a 2:2 and I'm not sure if my circumstances would be considered extenuating (Taking care of a sick family member during exam seasons...
    • melonpan
    • Thread
    • a level grades application application advice extenuating circumstances grade requirements grades international student vacation scheme vacation scheme application
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Applications Discussion
  9. T

    Bad A level grades due to mitigating circumstances, can I still get a TC?

    Hi, I went into care right after my GCSEs and missed a year of education (year 12), which significantly disrupted both my mental health and my A Level studies. In addition, the pandemic meant my A Level exams were cancelled, and unfortunately, I didn’t do well. I’m now studying Neuroscience...
  10. Chandana Surthi

    Guidance for Indian Student Seeking UK Training Contract/Vac Scheme

    Hi everyone, I’m an Indian law student, and my course structure is a bit different from the National Law Universities (NLUs). Despite that, I’ve completed a few strong internships and have worked as a paralegal with small international firms. I’m now hoping to apply for training contracts and...
  11. D

    VC / TC applications with SQE completed

    Hi, I am a business undergraduate who is now completing the PGDL with ULaw. I have recently changed to the MA Law (SQE1) due to funding and so I am due to start the course for the SQE September 2025. I have been advised by my employability team that some firms do not take trainees if they have...
  12. R

    Skadden Vacation Scheme 2025

    Hey everyone, applied to Skadden and went through the application process (written assessment, interview, etc.). Finished the interview last week was wondering if anyone has heard back from them yet?
  13. 20tunnj

    Do I Keep Applying to TCs/VSs or Take the NY Bar?

    Hi everyone! Feels surreal to finally post for the first time after lurking here for the past 6 months. We're at the tail-end of the application cycle now, and I'm at a cross-roads. I'm contemplating. Do I — (a) take my chances and continue applying for TCs as an international student...
    • 20tunnj
    • Thread
    • bar international student magic circle new york training contract ucl vacation scheme
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Introduce Yourself Here!
  14. M

    Any other firms with Vacation Scheme applications similar to Linklaters?

    This is my first time posting here, so I apologise if my question is properly aligned with forum's focus. I'm currently navigating vacation scheme applications and came across Linklaters' process, which really stood out to me. For those who may not be familiar, their application does not include...
    • meherxsandhu
    • Thread
    • application process linklaters linklaters application spring vacation scheme summer vacation scheme vacation scheme vacation scheme application
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Applications Discussion
  15. M

    Vac scheme eligibility - 2nd year student 4 year law programme?

    Hello, I am a 2nd-year student in a 4-year law programme (law with French law). Does anyone know which law firms I can apply to for vac schemes this year?
  16. Anusha07

    Spelling error on vac scheme application

    Hi - just submitted an application for a Vacation Scheme and noticed that I spelled the firm name incorrectly (“Mischon” instead of “Mishcon”) in one of the answers - twice. Not sure how, I believe I made the typo once and autocorrect took it like that from there. Should I email the firm and...
  17. sleepylawyer

    Journey to a TC

    Hi, I previously posted on here a while back introducing myself and my journey and now I have come to a very important milestone in this journey, my first application cycle. As a penultimate year law student, I am looking to apply to a few vacation schemes this year, I have selected the...
  18. AA711

    Advice on getting a TC with bad A-levels but in RG Uni and potential mitigating circumstances?

    Hello, I would like advice on how to increase my chances of having a TC. Unfortunately, I didn't get the grades I wanted as I got BBC in Bio, Chem and History A-levels with an A in the EPQ. I was able to get into my Firm in York, as I had completed a Summer School program between Years 12 and...
  19. S

    Gap in studies and career progression due to mental health — will this affect my VS/TC applications?

    Hi all, I graduated this summer from Manchester University with a first (77) in Philosophy. However, I had to take two years out from studying for mental health reasons. I used that time to firstly address the mental health issues and then to get work experience, first at a restaurant and then...
  20. S

    Chances I land a US/MC/SC Vac Scheme (low 2:1)?

    Hi everyone, I hope you're all doing well. As I'm preparing and sending out vacation scheme applications for the upcoming cycle, I wanted to get some thoughts from the community on how competitive I might be for schemes at top firms (US/MC/SC). I'm asking because, while I'm at a strong...

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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.

Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.

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