TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

hey, do you know when ACs are sent for spring for HSF?

Last year, it was late Dec and early Jan.
Hope that helps!
And hsf does send out rejections first for most candidates and then gives out AC's.

 

[Trophy]

Likewise I’m pretty interested too cos my grades aren’t exactly the best at least on paper (ABB at A-level), mixed GCSEs and a high 2:1 (68.5) law degree from a northern RG (think Sheffield, Lvpl, Newcastle). Despite that I’ve just progressed to Skadden’s written exercise, so idk if they placed any emphasis on academics and maybe they did look at everything holistically?​

This is not an average background. Your a level grades meet many requirements that firms have. You went to a RG university none of the ones you mentioned are ‘bad’ and there are trainees from each of those universities. Your degree grade is neither low in the slightest. Therefore meeting most if not all firm requirements of a ‘good 2:1’.

I don’t see a disadvantage from what you’ve stated which means they took a holistic approach. Nothing you’ve said puts you in a worrying position of not progressing.

(Not bullying just stating)

 

[BobThebIlly]

Likewise I’m pretty interested too cos my grades aren’t exactly the best at least on paper (ABB at A-level), mixed GCSEs and a high 2:1 (68.5) law degree from a northern RG (think Sheffield, Lvpl, Newcastle). Despite that I’ve just progressed to Skadden’s written exercise, so idk if they placed most of the emphasis on academics and maybe they did look at everything holistically?​

Have you graduated? Maybe that’s a factor as well as your high quality app answers?

Regardless, Well done fr Harvey !

 

[Madison Pinewall]

two PFOs on my birthday (Skadden & Reed Smith), please enough is acc enough. Should I just not check my mailbox for the rest of the day so i can actually get in the birthday spirit loool

Happy Birthday!!!

 

[LawAspirer]

Yeah they said they were aiming to do one in Dec and the rest in Jan, or all of them in Jan.​

Did anyone get an AC yet? Or no invites out?

 

[Harvey Specter]

two PFOs on my birthday (Skadden & Reed Smith), please enough is acc enough. Should I just not check my mailbox for the rest of the day so i can actually get in the birthday spirit loool

Happy birthday!! 🥳​

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hey I hope my advice on DM for Clyde VI would get you to AC. Good luck!!! I'm planning to apply 6 of your submitted apps by end of Jan!

You certainly gave me brilliant advice, thank you! If I get through to the AC then all credit goes to you 😂

Feel free to PM if you want any advice on the 6 apps you’re planning to make! Will only give advice if I actually pass the app stage though 😂

 

[AGB2060]

Anyone else here able to get top-notch work experiences outside all these vac schemes? I managed to basically get in everywhere else like in house in bigtech/fintechs etc but I haven't been able to get a single vac scheme... wondering if that's something that's maybe off putting to law firms?

I don't know about top-notch, like I haven't gotten those in particular but let's say I got something adjacent. In all honesty it's all about initiative. Before summer I think I emailed about 50 places across London and my other place I live and in the end only got like three interviews and one acceptance. It's all about showing interest, networking and praying they like you (and you being willing to slave it off for free).

I was looking at mid-range companies, because those with 10 employees may be unlikely because they simply don't have resources to train you (even if you worked for free it would likely be more of a burden than positive for them). I also avoided major major companies as those had many hoops to jump through and often wasn't as easy as networking.

That left me with companies with 25-250 people. I searched on LinkedIn for companies matching what I was looking for and emailed either HR or a particular partner/director that I could find some niche with. If not, then my email would be general but that's life.

 

[Ferran_]

anyone heard back from slaughters for vac scheme? If so, when did you apply and when did u hear back

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Likewise I’m pretty interested too cos my grades aren’t exactly the best at least on paper (ABB at A-level), mixed GCSEs and a high 2:1 (68.5) law degree from a northern RG (think Sheffield, Lvpl, Newcastle). Despite that I’ve just progressed to Skadden’s written exercise, so idk if they placed most of the emphasis on academics and maybe they did look at everything holistically?​

68.5 is a great score in my view!! and A Levels are so not indicative of talent, I got comparatively low grades in relation to my peers but some of the best end of year results at degree level so I think the A Level stuff is mostly about hitting a 'benchmark' though I actually don't agree with firms that have a high minimum (like AAA for example. People do not always have linear progressions educationally and people who improve later in life should be rewarded for their resilience.

 

[RSK]

Happy Birthday! I'm sorry this is happening on your birthday, you deserve to celebrate yourself fully without all this stress!! Hope you do something nice, sending lots of bday wishes xx!

Thank you so much; that's so kind of you. i will definitely log off for the day and lock back in tomorrow!

 

[AMullin]

PFO Reed Smith post VI.

Would have been really nice to have some individual feedback on the VI, even if it was just one thing we could improve on. And to know whether it was the SJT, VI or both that weren't up to scratch.

Oh well, blindly forward we go...!

 

[Madison Pinewall]

I only have 4 firms left to do but I kinda saved the ones with the scary questions till last ((

 

[LawAspirer]

I only have 4 firms left to do but I kinda saved the ones with the scary questions till last ((

Which ones do u have left? I've kinda stopped but if its a firm I like I might take a look

 

[Jessica Pearson]

These Reed Smith PFOs are making my heart beat really fast, I had to say some quick prayers. Been checking my emails for the past 15 mins and I've received 3 promotional emails... 😭

 

[BealMcAlly]

These Reed Smith PFOs are making my heart beat really fast, I had to say some quick prayers. Been checking my emails for the past 15 mins and I've received 3 promotional emails... 😭

Honestly, perpetually unsubscribing from newsletters these days.

 

[AMullin]

These Reed Smith PFOs are making my heart beat really fast, I had to say some quick prayers. Been checking my emails for the past 15 mins and I've received 3 promotional emails... 😭

🤞 for you!

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Which ones do u have left? I've kinda stopped but if its a firm I like I might take a look

White and Case, Baker, Sidley and I was gonna do RPC but I might switch to Gibson Dunn. I know a lot of these are rolling... but I sorta think a month in advance should be enough for my application to be considered (correct me if I am wrong though)! To be honest I'm just scared I haven't done enough as I was aiming for 10 but some people have said do less, some do more! I have done 11 so far and 15 felt right haha

 

[BealMcAlly]

Are Reed Smith still sending blended assessment invites or did I leave it too late by applying yesterday?

 

[BobThebIlly]

Would it be too late to apply to akin? Could someone kindly lmk what qs are on the app form please