TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Donna Paulsen]

Ngl beggars cannot be choosers in this game so I guess I’d *reluctantly* accept the TC scraps…

But then I can imagine the firm’s reaction after if they discovered they weren’t my top choice:

The concept of having a favourite firm... they'll be my favourite when they give me a TC

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Does anyone have specific insights into anything in particular DAC Beachcroft is looking for in our CV for their training contract application? Couldn't find any specific guidance on their website, Legal Cheek, or LawCareers.Net.

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Same buddy, I did 10 as well but skipped the last two thinking there might be - marking for wrong answers so it’s better to skip and am quite sure I should get around 7-8 right atleast. It was brutal.

Shepard and wedderburn assessment had 28 ques like this to be done in 40 mins (including those patterns and chains ques too) I did like 22ish and made it to the AC 2 weeks ago so hopefully Osborne is a bit lenient considering the candidate has done well on the verbal part.

That's reassuring! I did the test with patterns stuff with Birketts too, hope it wasn't too bad! And good luck on your AC!!

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Guys, btw, is there a positive correlation between the later one gets rejected and the quality of the application? I was told that if one receives a rejection later than others, then the quality of the application was probably better and fencing an acceptance. Trying to clutch at any straws smh (

Ppl confirmed HSF Kramer, but I assume Cooley lenient to this approach. I can see some non-rolling firms sent out invites one go like Skadden, CC, Goodwin, Willkie, and S&M. The rests are rolling, so that's why we got in batches like Reed Smith, Weil, CMS, DLA Piper, etc (this cycle at least)

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Thanks for the helpful posts on this. It's useful to see what you all think.

My sense at the moment is to stick to one thread. I think GIFs are fine. Many of you make me laugh with your posts, and I find it lightens up what is otherwise a very intense process.

I'd just be mindful not to overdo it. In short, please keep in mind that thousands of people read these threads, and if you *just* post back-to-back GIFs, it makes it hard for everyone to find useful information.

I'm also in the early stages of re-designing the forum. I know it's hard to find information in these very long threads, which I'm hoping to fix.

Finally, as one of you said, please also try not to argue. If there's something you don't like, please report it/message me. I'll always look into it and come back to you. Sometimes, you might not see an action right away, but that's always because we are reviewing it, not because we don't think it's an issue. The more you quote a post you don't like and argue back, the more it escalates the situation for everyone.

Thank you!

Hi Jaysen, could you make the filters function better. I tried to search relevant post by keywords, but the results is a bit messed up as it doesn't allow us to filter based on chronological order (newest to oldest). I'd recommend if there is a 'date interval to pick' or 'attachment' sort of searching infos on email. So far it just allow us to filter the 'username/person' and the 'place/thread' where we want to know. I hope this messiness could be the best solution to cope this intense situation.

 

[trainee4u]

Hi Jaysen, could you make the filters function better. I tried to search relevant post by keywords, but the results is a bit messed up as it doesn't allow us to filter based on chronological order (newest to oldest). I'd recommend if there is a 'date interval to pick' or 'attachment' sort of searching infos on email. So far it just allow us to filter the 'username/person' and the 'place/thread' where we want to know. I hope this messiness could be the best solution to cope this intense situation.

you can sort by date order if you manually create the URL:

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Yeah at the AC they said to expect to hear back late Jan/early Feb. It was an email not a call, so at first I thought I’d been rejected haha That’s good to know for future reference 😭

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Lord Sumption]

Guys, btw, is there a positive correlation between the later one gets rejected and the quality of the application? I was told that if one receives a rejection later than others, then the quality of the application was probably better and fencing an acceptance. Trying to clutch at any straws smh (

I'm not sure we can make assumptions on the timeframe of a rejection unfortunately. Maybe it would be better to request feedback from the firm if you have been unsuccessful and I usually take some time to reflect and just drink milk, that helps me relax

 

[Donna Paulsen]

I'm not sure we can make assumptions on the timeframe of a rejection unfortunately. Maybe it would be better to request feedback from the firm if you have been unsuccessful and I usually take some time to reflect and just drink milk, that helps me relax

Bro said drink milk lol xx

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

you can sort by date order if you manually create the URL:

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Yeah at the AC they said to expect to hear back late Jan/early Feb. It was an email not a call, so at first I thought I’d been rejected haha That’s good to know for future reference 😭

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

That's not easy to navigate and inefficient to some ppl. We all want some practicality here, not sort of stuff

 

[pepsicola96]

Does anyone have any clue of numbers for Bird and Bird AC places and Vac scheme places?

 

[Winter]

That's not easy to navigate and inefficient to some ppl. We all want some practicality here, not sort of stuff

If you click on the search bar > advanced
Then search your keyword and press "order by date" it should work

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I'm not sure we can make assumptions on the timeframe of a rejection unfortunately. Maybe it would be better to request feedback from the firm if you have been unsuccessful and I usually take some time to reflect and just drink milk, that helps me relax

Me when a firm ghost me for weeks so I assume it’s a PFO and crash out before I get milk to drink:

VS

Me after I drink some milk to help me completely forget about the future PFO, sit back and relax:​

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

View attachment 7768
If you click on the search bar > advanced View attachment 7767
Then search your keyword and press "order by date" it should work

Thank you, but still there's no option for a post with attachment isn't it? in case ppl want to hide post containing GIFs or find screenshot of others. It'd be better if the date filters not in advance button, but pop up after we are click search then automatically sort through symbol like this:

 

[trainee4u]

Thank you, but still there's no option for a post with attachment isn't it? in case ppl want to hide post containing GIFs

gifs aren't attachments so that wouldn't do anything

 

[Lord Sumption]

Me when a firm ghost me for weeks so I assume it’s a PFO and crash out before I get milk to drink:

VS

Me after I drink some milk to help me completely forget about the future PFO, sit back and relax:​

Milk really helps Harvs!

Key Nutritional Benefits:

• Bone & Teeth Health: Calcium, phosphorus, and protein work together for normal bone growth and strength, reducing osteoporosis risk. Vitamin D (often added) aids calcium absorption, and potassium helps maintain healthy blood pressure.
• Muscle Maintenance: High-quality protein, containing all essential amino acids, supports muscle growth and repair, beneficial for vegetarians.
• Brain Function: A key source of iodine, vital for thyroid hormones and cognitive function, and antioxidants like glutathione, improving memory and attention.
• Energy & Immunity: B vitamins (B2, B12) help fight fatigue, support the immune system, and maintain skin/eye health, while riboflavin (B2) and pantothenic acid (B5) are also present.
• Hydration & Blood Pressure: Potassium helps manage fluid balance and normal blood pressure.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Milk really helps Harvs!

Key Nutritional Benefits:

• Bone & Teeth Health: Calcium, phosphorus, and protein work together for normal bone growth and strength, reducing osteoporosis risk. Vitamin D (often added) aids calcium absorption, and potassium helps maintain healthy blood pressure.
• Muscle Maintenance: High-quality protein, containing all essential amino acids, supports muscle growth and repair, beneficial for vegetarians.
• Brain Function: A key source of iodine, vital for thyroid hormones and cognitive function, and antioxidants like glutathione, improving memory and attention.
• Energy & Immunity: B vitamins (B2, B12) help fight fatigue, support the immune system, and maintain skin/eye health, while riboflavin (B2) and pantothenic acid (B5) are also present.
• Hydration & Blood Pressure: Potassium helps manage fluid balance and normal blood pressure.

TCLA forum users attending Lord Sumption’s milk nutritional benefits class and taking notes:

Honestly I didn’t even know any of this info so I’m defo gna start drinking more milk lmao. ​

 

[kukubird]

There needs to be an open letter to graduate recruitment suggesting they just make things way more transparent from the go. I just think it’s not fair for us applicants being made to wait in some cases months for firms to progress/PFO when we have other things going on.

I’m sure it would reduce the number of emails about timelines and application related qs.

 

[alphabravocharlie]

Silly question, but does hearing back in a week mean 7 normal days or 7 working days....

 

[BealMcAlly]

There needs to be an open letter to graduate recruitment suggesting they just make things way more transparent from the go. I just think it’s not fair for us applicants being made to wait in some cases months for firms to progress/PFO when we have other things going on.

I’m sure it would reduce the number of emails about timelines and application related qs.

I don't mind the wait as much as I mind the lack of feedback on why an application or VI was rejected. They must make notes of their own, it should be easy enough to automate the whole process of supplying relevant feedback.

When they send that super generic feedback, like Bakers did, it's a slap in the face and most of the time too broad that you can't identify which part applies to you.

 

[soph107048]

Silly question, but does hearing back in a week mean 7 normal days or 7 working days....

unless they explicitly say working days, always assume 7 calendar days