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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Donna Paulsen

Legendary Member
  • Sep 23, 2025
    341
    1,089
    This advice man :’) who knew there’s angels in law
    Ariana Grande GIF
     

    km20

    Active Member
    Jan 27, 2026
    16
    20
    Yeah the emails are quite confusing, they did refer to it as 'the next stage' but why no congrats etc. if it's truly selective? Idk my guess is that they send it to everyone who meets the basic minimum criteria. Also the assessment seems a bit weird, only 9mins for the verbal reasoning test? it must be super short otherwise wth lol
    Yes, I agree!! I have never used this test provider before and cannot find any online practice materials. Plus, I don't know how many stages there are for this role, since it is an immediate start, they don't really have much time to complete the recruitment process. Maybe they won't look at the cv and just chuck out apps based on the test results and then do a final interview, who knows 🤷‍♀️
     
    This advice man :’) who knew there’s angels in law
    We’ve had all of the following people on the forum now which is acc funny asf ngl:

    Harvey Specter (Presiding Partner)
    Jessica Pearson (Managing Director)
    Donna Paulson
    Mike Ross
    Elle Woods
    Louis Litt
    Harold Gunderson (newest addition)
    Lord Sumption (can’t forget the legend)

    Are we missing anyone important? If we are who’s gna take it for the team and fill the gap?​
     
    Last edited:

    ABC234

    Valued Member
    Jun 11, 2024
    107
    173
    We’ve had all of the following people on the forum now which is acc funny asf ngl:

    Harvey Specter (Presiding Partner)
    Jessica Pearson (Managing Director)
    Donna Paulson
    Mike Ross
    Elle Woods
    Louis Litt

    Are we missing anyone important? If we are who’s gna take it for the team and fill the gap?​
    Perhaps Samantha Wheeler and Alex Williams
     

    Donna Paulsen

    Legendary Member
  • Sep 23, 2025
    341
    1,089
    We’ve had all of the following people on the forum now which is acc funny asf ngl:

    Harvey Specter (Presiding Partner)
    Jessica Pearson (Managing Director)
    Donna Paulson
    Mike Ross
    Elle Woods
    Louis Litt

    Are we missing anyone important? If we are who’s gna take it for the team and fill the gap?​
    Harold Gunderson x
     

    abc124

    Legendary Member
    Aug 9, 2025
    215
    198
    Yes, I agree!! I have never used this test provider before and cannot find any online practice materials. Plus, I don't know how many stages there are for this role, since it is an immediate start, they don't really have much time to complete the recruitment process. Maybe they won't look at the cv and just chuck out apps based on the test results and then do a final interview, who knows 🤷‍♀️
    Yeah I couldn't find any practice tests either unfortunately. I looked at the test provider's website and I think ai calculates your overall 'alignment score' so they'll probably use that to quickly filter out a lot of applications. Then maybe they'll be able to afford spending a few days skimming cvs and cover letters before interviews. There's lowkey no info online :')
     

    i-want-a-tc

    Esteemed Member
    Premium Member
    Feb 18, 2025
    81
    101
    Hi everyone,


    I have a vacation scheme with a US firm and am eager to convert it to a training contract—I don't want to go through another application cycle, as I'm sure you can all understand!


    I was wondering if anyone has tips for dealing with imposter syndrome? I'm not from a Russell Group or Oxbridge university and will likely be the only one there without that background. How can I stay confident, let myself shine, and not feel intimidated by the other vacation schemers?

    Thanks!
    Aside from confidence, show your interest in the work you're doing. Ask questions, go for coffee chats and ask insightful questions, offer your opinion when the situation calls for it, be bold, don't be a backbencher but also find balance so you're not talking too much, taking over the vac scheme, etc.

    Wishing you the best and hopefully you convert!
     

    ABC234

    Valued Member
    Jun 11, 2024
    107
    173
    Aside from confidence, show your interest in the work you're doing. Ask questions, go for coffee chats and ask insightful questions, offer your opinion when the situation calls for it, be bold, don't be a backbencher but also find balance so you're not talking too much, taking over the vac scheme, etc.

    Wishing you the best and hopefully you convert!
    Thank you so much!
     
    • 🤝
    Reactions: i-want-a-tc

    Abbie Whitlock

    Administrator
    Staff member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 11, 2025
    906
    1,005
    does anyone know what firm's policies tend to be re travel reimbursements for transport to ACs if I take a flight from abroad? The firm explicitly states they are willing to reimburse £90 for standard-class transport. Am I stretching it if I ask for that same £90 to cover part of my flights?
    Hey!

    Congratulations on the AC!!

    I couldn't say for certain what that specific firm's policy would be, as it really varies between firms. I would imagine that as it is the 'standard-class' travel to get from where you are to the AC, some firms would be happy to reimburse that, but I'd double-check with them.

    I definitely don't think it is unreasonable to ask - I would just frame it as a clarification, rather than an expectation. As long as you are polite and make it clear that you are simply checking whether it can be applied toward your flight, it shouldn't reflect badly on you :)
     

    Lord Sumption

    Esteemed Member
    Premium Member
  • Nov 11, 2022
    78
    173
    We’ve had all of the following people on the forum now which is acc funny asf ngl:

    Harvey Specter (Presiding Partner)
    Jessica Pearson (Managing Director)
    Donna Paulson
    Mike Ross
    Elle Woods
    Louis Litt
    Harold Gunderson (newest addition)

    Are we missing anyone important? If we are who’s gna take it for the team and fill the gap?​
    Still here too ;)
     

    Lord Sumption

    Esteemed Member
    Premium Member
  • Nov 11, 2022
    78
    173
    Hi @Abbie Whitlock

    I hope you are well! Thank you for answering my question last week by the way.

    Another silly question, but it's been on my mind a lot and haven't found an answer to it online but I genuinely love the idea of working late to close deals and thrive on the long hours of commercial law - it’s actually something I find exciting rather than draining. I know many people don’t feel this way.

    If asked in an interview, “Why this firm?”, would it be appropriate to say something like: after speaking to a trainee at [Firm X], I learned they often work late on M&A transactions, and for me personally, that’s exactly the kind of work I enjoy. I’m happy to put in the extra hours and work hard because I find it engaging and fulfilling.

    I know this might sound a bit unusual, but I’ve genuinely experienced this during a vacation scheme, often working until 1–2am, and I loved it. Would sharing that experience come across positively in an interview, or could it seem strange to a Partner?

    Thank you so much in advance and I hope I make sense in this question!
     

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