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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Hi does anyone have any advice concerning converting US firm VS? Also advice on coffee chats? Within two weeks, how many are you expected to do? What do you really talk about?
Tbh these chats aren’t assessed. They’re designed for your benefit - so you can ask whatever questions you may wish to ask someone. Doing an excellent job on the work/formal assessments you’re given is far more important. As long as you book in a few coffees with people from different departments, and your actual supervisor is aware that you’ve done this, you’ll be fine. There are no bonus points for coffee chats - anyone can schedule in a coffee
 
how do I choose a department for my vac scheme? I have no experience in either of them 🤷🏻‍♀️ which ones tend to be the hardest departments for vac schemers generally
What're the options? But also, more generally, choose what interests you and if you don't know what interests you, research the options to understand what they do and then choose. (Though I'd have thought if you managed to get a vac scheme, at some point they would have asked you what type of work you're interested in and why them)

Also, departments don't tend to be "harder" for vac schemers because vac schemers for the most part can contribute very little outside of standard stuff like proof reading for grammar, which will be the same across all departments. Go with what interests you.
 

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