TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[cooked2000]

Does anyone have any advice for dealing with post-vac rejection feelings?

Recently did a vac at a US firm as a final year. Was told I did not convert, and frustratingly, the feedback was things that were entirely in my control (i.e., I asked for too much, etc.). I think these feelings are compounded by the fact that all my peers already have TCs, and I will be graduating without one!

What do you mean by asked for too much, do you mean took on too much work?

 

[maylawwww]

Hi a little advice / reassurance needed
So i was lucky enough to get two spring vac schemes this cycle. Unfortunately one i didn’t convert (feedback to come) and another i am still waiting on the outcome (coming up on 2 months post vac scheme) and I know that one person from my vac scheme was offered a tc a few weeks ago, not sure ab everyone else. I thought both went well (evidently not ofc).

I don’t know what to do about the one i’m still waiting on- i am really struggling with the uncertainty of waiting especially as they said we would hear back by late april. I know that they do stagger decisions and have a dtc route that is still ongoing. My friend who is a trainee says to wait it out and not email. What do you think? Also please be brutally honest- what are my chances i genuinely dk if i can keep my hopes up for much longer or try to start getting over it.

Secondly, i am really really struggling with the failure of it all. I had a good cycle, i tried so so hard and im still not good enough. I desperately want to succeed but i felt like i truly did my best on both schemes and i still haven’t been able to convert.

 

[CharlesT47]

Hi, do people know whether it is possible to extend a TC offer? I've been fortunate to be offered one by a US firm. I have 2 other VS that I'm interested in doing for the experience. It would also help confirm that this TC firm is the one I truly want to be at.

How do I go about doing this? Do I ask to extend the deadline? If they don't permit this, what are my options?

 

[Futuretrainee002]

Hi, do people know whether it is possible to extend a TC offer? I've been fortunate to be offered one by a US firm. I have 2 other VS that I'm interested in doing for the experience. It would also help confirm that this TC firm is the one I truly want to be at.

How do I go about doing this? Do I ask to extend the deadline? If they don't permit this, what are my options?

If you already know that this is the firm you will choose, you should accept the TC. Unless they explicitly tell you that you can’t do any other vac schemes I don’t see why you can’t do the upcoming ones too

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Does anyone know where I need to submit proof on TCLA in order to receive the 'Future Trainee' badge/title?

Waited 5 years to earn the title - understandably would now like all the perks lol + to help others on the Forum

 

[saltpepper]

Hey!

I’m waiting on w&c after applying for their first year scheme. Has anyone heard back yet?

 

[aliiiisonxooox]

Hey guys!

How do you usually answer “ tell us about a time you had to make a difficult decision” I always get caught out by this question as I don’t know exactly what they’re looking for!!

Thank you very much!

 

[user55998384]

Hey!

I’m waiting on w&c after applying for their first year scheme. Has anyone heard back yet?

hopefully we hear back next week

 

[Jaysen]

Does anyone know where I need to submit proof on TCLA in order to receive the 'Future Trainee' badge/title?

Waited 5 years to earn the title - understandably would now like all the perks lol + to help others on the Forum

Love this. Can you DM me with the proof?

(We’re in the process of improving all of this so there will be a good system soon!)

 

[Jaysen]

Bb offer!!

BB London offer!

Bevan VS OFFER YAY!!!, MY FRIDAY PFO STREAK HAS BEEN BROKEN )

Well done!!

 

[Jaysen]

Does anyone have any advice for dealing with post-vac rejection feelings?

Recently did a vac at a US firm as a final year. Was told I did not convert, and frustratingly, the feedback was things that were entirely in my control (i.e., I asked for too much, etc.). I think these feelings are compounded by the fact that all my peers already have TCs, and I will be graduating without one!

I'm sorry to hear this. I'd give yourself a little time to grieve and fuel all of that into the upcoming vacation scheme cycle, which isn't far away.

If you've already secured a US firm vacation scheme, I'd be confident that you will get a training contract. This year just wasn't your year. And when you get your TC, the fact that some people secured it sooner won't matter. So much of this process is luck.

It's easy for me to say, but I'd avoid beating yourself up too much about not converting your scheme this year. Some people I speak to fall into a trap of 'rejection baggage', where the pain of rejection makes them apply less effort each year. What happened has no reflection on how you'll perform next year, and there's no reason you won't do even better.

 

[Jaysen]

Hi a little advice / reassurance needed
So i was lucky enough to get two spring vac schemes this cycle. Unfortunately one i didn’t convert (feedback to come) and another i am still waiting on the outcome (coming up on 2 months post vac scheme) and I know that one person from my vac scheme was offered a tc a few weeks ago, not sure ab everyone else. I thought both went well (evidently not ofc).

I don’t know what to do about the one i’m still waiting on- i am really struggling with the uncertainty of waiting especially as they said we would hear back by late april. I know that they do stagger decisions and have a dtc route that is still ongoing. My friend who is a trainee says to wait it out and not email. What do you think? Also please be brutally honest- what are my chances i genuinely dk if i can keep my hopes up for much longer or try to start getting over it.

Secondly, i am really really struggling with the failure of it all. I had a good cycle, i tried so so hard and im still not good enough. I desperately want to succeed but i felt like i truly did my best on both schemes and i still haven’t been able to convert.

I'd wait it out. It's hard to say why the firm hasn't responded yet as it depends on what is happening internally. I appreciate the feeling is awful though.

It won't feel like this right now, but the fact that you secured two vacation schemes is fantastic. Whatever happens, those experiences and everything you've learnt is now permanently on your CV.

 

[1136PX0]

I'm sorry to hear this. I'd give yourself a little time to grieve and fuel all of that into the upcoming vacation scheme cycle, which isn't far away.

If you've already secured a US firm vacation scheme, I'd be confident that you will get a training contract. This year just wasn't your year. And when you get your TC, the fact that some people secured it sooner won't matter. So much of this process is luck.

It's easy for me to say, but I'd avoid beating yourself up too much about not converting your scheme this year. Some people I speak to fall into a trap of 'rejection baggage', where the pain of rejection makes them apply less effort each year. What happened has no reflection on how you'll perform next year, and there's no reason you won't do even better.

Thank you for the words of encouragement!

 

[florrrrnnn76]

Anybody heard back from HCR Law Worcester office?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Hi - has anyone been able to get their apps past firms like GD/Latham etc without strong grades? Would love to chat!

 

[XH]

Anyone with Brabners vac scheme offer?

 

[Saul_specter]

Anyone got insight into Perkins coie VI?

 

[floral.tcla]

omg... what was that PC VI question

 

[WillKitchen]

I’m curious to hear from people who have applied to open days at the same law firm two or three years in a row…

Although I didn’t get a VS or TC offer in my first cycle, I did have success with competitive open day applications. I visited the offices of Cooley, Paul Hastings, Skadden, Willkie, Simmons, CRS and Lewis Silkin.

I’m still refining my application process, of course, so I’d like to spend more time with such firms, talking with staff, hearing about cases, learning from trainees, etc.

Has anyone had the experience of going to the same open day two years in a row? If so, how is a returning application perceived by grad recruitment teams? Are repeat visits encouraged?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I’m curious to hear from people who have applied to open days at the same law firm two or three years in a row…

Although I didn’t get a VS or TC offer in my first cycle, I did have success with competitive open day applications. I visited the offices of Cooley, Paul Hastings, Skadden, Willkie, Simmons, CRS and Lewis Silkin.

I’m still refining my application process, of course, so I’d like to spend more time with such firms, talking with staff, hearing about cases, learning from trainees, etc.

Has anyone had the experience of going to the same open day two years in a row? If so, how is a returning application perceived by grad recruitment teams? Are repeat visits encouraged?

I haven’t applied to open days at the same firm but through Aspiring Solicitors there were a few firms I did repeat visits too (HSFK and BCLP spring to mind). I think Clifford Chance too but it was through Legal Cheek or something iirc. But I think it was for a diff event or purpose each time.

Idk if applying for the same open days at the same firm is 100% worth it. You’d be better off applying for open days at firms you’ve yet to visit or interact with. I think that helps broaden your options when it comes to VS/DTC apps. If a firm is top on your list I think it’s probs fine to do it.​