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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Just make sure you don't out-lift the partner.
Hey!
I thought I'd offer my two cents on this as I think this is a really interesting question, and it wasn't something I'd considered last cycle. I completed one spring scheme followed by my final year exams and two summer schemes back-to-back, and I don't think you fully anticipate just how draining vacation schemes can be. I'm incredibly grateful for the experience at all of the firms, but by my final scheme I was genuinely burnt out, which was gutting as it was one of my favourites. In hindsight, I'm sure that fatigue probably meant I didn't perform quite as well as I could have.
On reflection, I don't think I would change anything and I would still complete all of the schemes. However, I do think it is really important to be realistic about the intensity of these programmes and try to factor in rest where you can. Vacation schemes require sustained energy and social engagement, which can really tiring - I remember speaking to other people on my VS' who said the most tricky part wasn't necessarily the work or assessments, but needing to be 'on' all the time, which I definitely agree with. Therefore, I think pacing yourself and looking after your wellbeing is just as important as preparing technically, and I wish I'd spent some of the free-time between schemes having a break rather than prepping. I think being mindful of this helps you get the most of the experience, and show your best self throughout.
I'd say my main takeaway would be to enjoy any experiences you can and to throw yourself into it, but not at the expense of your wellbeing. You'll get far more out of a vacation scheme if you are rested and present, so taking breaks and pacing yourself is just as important as working hard on the scheme itself
Anyone else still waiting on a response from Osborne Clarke post test?
How should I go forward after a post AC PFO. It was my first one and I thought it generally went well (asides having a tough time with my partner speaking over me a lot in the group exercise...). I have an interview on Monday before my feedback call and then thats it for me. I don't want to repeat the same mistakes.
I understand that feeling so so muchMy advice would be to give yourself the best chance going into your next interview. Since your feedback call is after your interview, try anticipate what you could've done better by yourself and implement them into your next performance as best as you can. Sometimes the external factors can have an effect too, so don't beat yourself up about it. Hopefully from the sounds of things that the next interview doesn't include a group exercise? Group exercises are so tough as you can't anticipate what type of teammates you will get...
But yea, I am in a similar situation too, I flunked my last few chances and now have one more left and that's it for me too I think. There's definitely a lot of pressure to do better in this one, but don't push yourself into burn out etc.! Go into that interview looking to enjoy yourself, and bring your best genuine self! I think all we can do from then on is pray our hearts out! Best of luck Madison, I'm cheering for you!
I had an AC this week and am having a really hard time figuring out if it went okay or not. I know I should just put it out of mind for now because there’s nothing more I can do but does anyone have any thoughts on how I could approach gauging whether it went well and how to stop overthinking it?
I just checked again and neither one of the emails they sent me say that, but thanks for letting me know. My AC isn’t for a few more days so I’m guessing it’s all fine.
the way freshfields still haven't rejected me post stage 2 for the vac which i did in NOVEMBER (early too might i add)
so cool! congrats!
i defo think you can use it - just maybe before or after your allocated work hours etc. I wouldn't recommend going during lunch etc because that's normally when they expect you to be doing coffee chats or engaging with other participants. But then again, if you're going before or after work, it might just be easier and more convenient to use an external gym!
also I really need to get glasses or smth cos I read that as "Ive been offered a scheme at an in-house gym". I was about to congratulate you on that achievement before I realised something was wrong
When you want to use the gym at 8am but your job as an in-house lawyer starts at 9am:
SAME! There ain’t no way we could still be in with a shot right? Surely the ACs are over
no because i had deluded myself to think i was on some special waiting list (it might be safe to embrace to the pfo so many people have had offers lol) - im proud of us though hahaha
The equal opportunities page is always my favourite to read back, like grad recruitment I promise I’m not trolling you and I’m being so for real right now 
I'm not sure how they'll go about selecting candidates after the test, some questions were so obvious, perhaps they'll give more weight to the candidates' profiles? they didn't even have application questionsjust did the WBD test and 2 particular questions my finger just jumped and I picked the complete wrong one, oops. I’ve probably helped some people out here hahah
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