• TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.
    Join →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

AGB2060

Star Member
Nov 30, 2025
39
176
This is the approach I adopt:

• Introduce yourself by name to the group members and be friendly and smile
• Maybe adopt a responsibility - time keeping is the typical one, but you could offer to be the scribe so writing down important points that have been raised. This can also allow you to direct the conversation (if you do enjoy leadership roles), but it doesn’t make you come across as dominant or overbearing
• Be the first or second person to speak and suggest an idea, then maybe ask other people in the group their ideas and also listen to their suggestions. Do not interrupt and do not speak continuously so people cannot get a word in!
• Add to other people’s points and build off their ideas, but do not do this all of the time. Maybe only a few times in the group assessment.
• Encourage quieter members to offer their ideas too, but not in a rude or patronising way
• Thank everyone for their time and also thank the assessor. A lot of people forget to do this!
Oop this answers a bit of mine, thank you hahah!
 

hxnnahrobinson

Distinguished Member
Dec 19, 2022
58
104
3rd cycle stats (had 1 fluke AC last year but never got further than a WG apart from that):
  • 5 ACs
  • 3 Rejections
  • 2 offers
  • 1 TC accepted
Farewell TCLA, what a ride! Keep going guys, all you need is 1 yes and it is closer than you think! Best of luck everyone :)
Absolute legend, congratulations! And you have been super helpful too for everyone during the application process. A credit to your character and you deserve your success and TC! Brilliant to be offered not only 5ACs but 2TCs!
 

Donna Paulsen

Legendary Member
  • Sep 23, 2025
    335
    1,076
    3rd cycle stats (had 1 fluke AC last year but never got further than a WG apart from that):
    • 5 ACs
    • 3 Rejections
    • 2 offers
    • 1 TC accepted
    Farewell TCLA, what a ride! Keep going guys, all you need is 1 yes and it is closer than you think! Best of luck everyone :)
    Legend!! Best of luck with your TC, you’ll smash it :)
     
    • 🤝
    Reactions: NorthernerInLondon
    Yeah I’m wondering if I was put on some sort of reserve list (as I only received an invite today) because I checked last year’s thread and Orrick sent invites out on one specific day, hmmm
    We must’ve all bombed the WG in the 1st batch and so they sent an emergency 2nd batch. This was Orrick’s GR after seeing our WG scores:

    My Guy No GIF by Pudgy Penguins
     
    • Haha
    Reactions: Donna Paulsen

    hxnnahrobinson

    Distinguished Member
    Dec 19, 2022
    58
    104
    Oop this answers a bit of mine, thank you hahah!
    No problem, I have no idea how I would approach a debate though. Maybe obviously presenting your ideas, showing respect for the conflicting views and an appreciation for the strength of their views, but then maybe highlighting a potential weakness? It’s hard to do without getting heated
     
    • Like
    Reactions: AGB2060

    thesauce

    New Member
    Dec 21, 2025
    2
    3
    Does anyone have any tips to calm interview / pre-AC nerves and just get over really bad imposter syndrome?
    As someone said before, other candidates are defo feeling the same way as you. Interviewers expect you to be nervous and take that into consideration, in my experience. But something that's really helped me, surprisingly, is just reframing those 'nerves' into excitement. Studies say that the symptoms of being nervous and excited are actually the same (heart rate increases, being short of breath, even shaking). We've worked really hard to get to the interview stage and I found it useful to think of these feelings as excitement to finally be in that position, rather than being nervous. You finally get your chance. If they called you to interview, they're willing to make you an offer. If you're prepared, there is no reason to be nervous at all. Reframing my mindset (as cheesy as it sounds) genuinely helped me get rid of those nerves and negative thoughts and turn them into confidence in my interviews. Hopefully this can help you too. There are some videos about it on YT.
     

    About Us

    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.