TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock I have my first vac scheme coming up in April and I'm not sure exactly how to prep - I'm reading over the notes I made for the AC, researching into the practice areas I have my seats in and keeping up with big commercial topics, but I feel like I'm stabbing in the dark a little bit?? Any tips on how best to prepare for a vac scheme would be super helpful, thank you so so much

Hello!

Congratulations on the vacation scheme, that is fantastic news!! I can totally understand what you mean, as I definitely felt like I hadn't prepared enough going into my schemes - mainly as I didn't know where to start!

However, what you are doing already sounds exactly right, so try not to worry too much! There aren't actually that many things you can do in preparing for the scheme, so I would focus on:

• Having a solid understanding of the firm (e.g. key practice areas, recent deals, culture, unique features, and its competitors)
• A basic grasp of the departments you'll be sitting in (what they do, typical clients, current trends, etc.)
• Keeping up with a few commercial stories, both for any interviews and so you can chat comfortably if it comes up

More importantly, a lot of success on a vacation scheme is about how you show up during the scheme, rather than how much you know. Therefore, during the scheme, I'd make sure to:

• Be proactive - ask lots of questions, see if you can assist others with work, and show enthusiasm
• Ask thoughtful questions about the work, but try to think things through first (so you can show you have tried to find the answer yourself)
• Be someone people enjoy working with - friendly, engaged, reliable, etc.
• Stay organised and meet deadlines, even for small tasks
• Communication is really important on a VS - if you have a session, make sure to let your supervisor know so they can assign an appropriate amount of work

I also would avoid putting too much pressure on yourself to be perfect. Firms aren't expecting you to know everything (even if it feels that way!) - they are looking for potential, attitude, and whether they'd want to work with you. Ultimately, they want to see that you can take on criticism and are willing to learn, as that is the main goal of a training contract!

You are definitely not stabbing in the dark, though I can definitely relate to that feeling pre-VS - you are already doing the right things! I'd just ensure that you have a good understanding of the firm and current commercial events, and can discuss your motivations towards law + the firm clearly and concisely. The rest you can pick up very quickly once you are on the scheme - wishing you the best of luck!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Got the Mishcon PFO so now I really got make my one vac scheme count. On that note, I have to write 150 words that are essentially summarising myself and why law and another 100 words for what I am most excited for about the vac scheme. This is my first vacation scheme so I was wondering how to approach this?

My working idea is the 150 word summary of me and why law is essentially the same as my interview answer (it got me to the vac scheme so). I feel it just keeps me consistent and is also yk genuine lmao, it is kinda what I have been saying the whole application process.

For the what I am looking forward to most, I don't know my practice area yet so I want to make sure it is general enough but also not generic. What would be the recommendation for this? Should it kinda be similar to "why this firm" in a sense?

Would especially appreciate some insight from @Abbie Whitlock. Deadline is the 25th of March.

Hey!

Firstly, I am really sorry to hear about Mishcon - but huge congratulations on securing a vacation scheme!

For the 150-word "about you + why law", I'd say that your instinct is spot on. I think keeping things consistent and genuine is a good idea, and I would just make sure that your answer is clear and purposeful within the word limit (i.e. what drew you to law + what experiences reinforced it + where your interest lies now). I would avoid trying to squeeze everything in!

For the "what are you most excited about", you are right to avoid being too generic, but it doesn't necessarily need to be practice-area specific. It is less about "why this firm" and more "why this experience". A few areas you could cover are:

• Exposure to real work and how matters develop
• Working with different teams/trainees and seeing how they collaborate
• Developing specific skills
• Speaking to a wide range of people
• Learning about various practice areas in the firm

The key to avoid making it sound generic is to anchor it in something concrete, rather than vague enthusiasm. For example, you might state that you are excited to learn more about the firm's work in X due to your previous experience in Y.

If you know anyone else completing the scheme, it might be handy to reach out to see what kind of information they have included (as this is what I did for my schemes!). Sometimes it can be appropriate to include information about your hobbies and interests in the summary of yourself, as the firm will want to get to know you - I included the fact that I am interested in F1 and K-Dramas in most of my VS summaries, as they can make good talking points!

Best of luck with the vacation scheme!

 

[floraaaaaa]

Could anyone shed some insights on the Browne Jacobson test? I'm sitting it tomo and not sure what to expect !!

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Congrats! Did you hear back today?

I heard back yesterday!

 

[mc123123]

Hey! I got a call today for the scheme ! I'm assuming they will be calling over the rest of the week too as the call was quite late in the day Wishing you luck!

was there no AC after the video interview and test stage?

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Anyone know any Vac scheme/TCs that r still open? Looking for penultimate non law eligible schemes

Check out legal cheek deadlines as a place to start

 

[co1004co]

Has anyone heard back from MoFo after final interview?

Not heard yet, how did you find it/think it went?

 

[g law]

Has anyone else still not heard from Mishcon?

Yes me! Not sure whether to email or not

 

[lawyer457892079§074]

Hi everyone — I’ve got my Hill Dickinson assessment centre coming up soon, and I’d really appreciate any advice from anyone who has already attended one this year.

If you’ve been through the assessment centre, I’d be so grateful for any insight into what the day was like, what to expect, and anything you wish you’d known beforehand.

Hope it went really well for all of you, and thanks so much in advance for any help.

 

[greentree]

Have people who got the Winston VS offer gotten email offers already??? I got the call 1.5 weeks ago but still no email. No response to my follow up either. Any chance anyone else is in the same boat...?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Doing a VS dance to attract offers

 

[Lawlife5]

Is anyone still waiting for Withers summer vac scheme post proofreading test or any stage prior?

 

[futurelawyer45]

Does anyone know what this means? I am applying for a DTC and haven't got a clue if it means a guaranteed interview (I meet the minimum criteria) or not, just wanted to double-check with anyone who might have insight:


Additional Information

As a member of the UK government's Disability Confident Scheme, we will offer an interview to applicants who meet the criteria of the scheme, and the minimum selection criteria for our roles. Do you have a disability and wish to opt into the scheme?

 

[AryanAgg]

My guess is this in regards to special arrangements to be made for you during the interview process.

 

[futurelawyer45]

My guess is this in regards to special arrangements to be made for you during the interview process.

Yes, I just wasn't sure if I should disclose my disability or not tbf but then I saw this and wasn't sure if I was being daft by not disclosing it or not.

 

[AryanAgg]

Yes, I just wasn't sure if I should disclose my disability or not tbf but then I saw this and wasn't sure if I was being daft by not disclosing it or not.

Would still suggest to confirm with others though as im not too sure myself.

 

[Partcore22]

For the love of god has anyone heard from DWF Birmingham? Its been 3 months and NOTHING since the initial application!!

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Does anyone know what this means? I am applying for a DTC and haven't got a clue if it means a guaranteed interview (I meet the minimum criteria) or not, just wanted to double-check with anyone who might have insight:


Additional Information

As a member of the UK government's Disability Confident Scheme, we will offer an interview to applicants who meet the criteria of the scheme, and the minimum selection criteria for our roles. Do you have a disability and wish to opt into the scheme?

You can’t really know any firm’s minimum criteria. It doesn’t mean in terms of grades it will be how they mark applications/assessments. But yes it means that if you meet what they decide is the benchmark then you will progress to the next round even if you aren’t within the top %.

 

[CharlieandLola]

Wishing everyone good luck this week!

 

[CupOfTea17]

Does anyone know what this means? I am applying for a DTC and haven't got a clue if it means a guaranteed interview (I meet the minimum criteria) or not, just wanted to double-check with anyone who might have insight:


Additional Information

As a member of the UK government's Disability Confident Scheme, we will offer an interview to applicants who meet the criteria of the scheme, and the minimum selection criteria for our roles. Do you have a disability and wish to opt into the scheme?

Hi! Could I ask which firm this is?