TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Suii]

I see people talk about self-funding the SQE after unsuccessful rounds, but does the SQE actually make someone a more attractive candidate for these types of firms? You've mentioned Cooley, Simmons, and Hogan Lovells, but at these sorts of places I'd wager that the saved cost of not having to sponsor you through their exams (if you self-fund the qualifications) is unlikely to move the needle between you and another candidate. Even if it demonstrates resilience/perseverance/etc, I don't think it adds anything to an application that is unique to the SQE and can't be shown through other means (that you don't have to pay for)

With solid academics (as you say), maybe your time would be better spent working on the lack of work experience that you've identified as your issue - whatever it is that is stopping you from advancing through initial application stages, I don't see how the SQE is going to meaningfully change your profile/help your application? Obviously I get that it's frustrating to feel like you've hit a brick wall/that you're not making any progress but if you feel that you're lacking quality experience surely it'd be a better use of your time to try and address this first before rushing into another qualification especially if finances are an issue?

Mate I disagree with this as someone worked in recruitment and have legal recruiter friends the SQE creates opportunities. When you complete the SQE it, 1) opens opportunities to work as a paralegal as recruiters prioritise SQE and LPC graduates when hiring for paralegal roles for their clients. 2) Also when you get the QWE which will be easier to get when your SQE qualified it will allow people to qualify as a solicitor. In summary the SQE opens doors to qualification and opportunities to get paralegal roles.

 

[silonthesofa]

I 💩 you not

*Immediately rushes to my LinkedIn to see if anyone's looked at my profile (they haven't )

 

[Bread]

Hasn't the deadline already passed ?

i had given up on them because they had originally said that their deadline was 5/1, but I happened to look on their portal and it turns out it is 12/1! The website still says 5/1 lol, hence why it's cryptic

 

[radssss]

i had given up on them because they had originally said that their deadline was 5/1, but I happened to look on their portal and it turns out it is 12/1! The website still says 5/1 lol, hence why it's cryptic

BRO NO WAY!!! I PUT AN APPLICATION IN, IN SUCH A HURRY, now I regret it!!!

 

[ninarosee]

The negativity on this forum is really starting to get out of hand. If you have nothing nice to say, just don’t say anything at all. I’m not sure why that’s so hard for some people.

 

[hanz123]

 

[Bread]

The negativity on this forum is really starting to get out of hand. If you have nothing nice to say, just don’t say anything at all. I’m not sure why that’s so hard for some people.

If this is about the SQE discussion, I think it's actually interesting to hear different perspectives. I didn't really read any of the comments as being mean (tho I only skimmed the thread)

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Hi

 

[warrencourt4ever]

Me waiting for Bates Wells

 

[Madison Pinewall]

I just completed the Cleary WGT.. Should I receive confirmation of its completion?

 

[Alfredo1234]

The negativity on this forum is really starting to get out of hand. If you have nothing nice to say, just don’t say anything at all. I’m not sure why that’s so hard for some people.

I don't think the SQE comments were indended to be nasty, think they were just offering a different opinion.

 

[Jaysen]

Not that anybody asked, but I wanted to say that I've given up on this application cycle. Hopefully, by sharing my situation, I can provide some sort of comfort to others who are finding this experience difficult.

This time around, I submitted 10 applications. I'm still waiting for a response from Simmons; the rest have been PFOs. The furthest I progressed in any of them was getting to the second stage for Hogan Lovells.

I have a relatively strong academic background. However, I don't have much work/extracurricular experience and, therefore, I lack good examples for many competencies which firms seek. One consequence of this was that my answers for VI questions about problem solving and "overcoming challenges" were relatively weak. Additionally, I couldn't think of an answer to some application questions which, ultimately, meant that I chose not to apply to many firms I really wanted to (an example which immediately springs to mind is Cooley and their question about "a situation where you have demonstrated initiative").

As somebody who has already graduated, I've come to realise that my next step has to be self-funding the SQE. This isn't ideal. My family doesn't have a lot of money. And, in stark contrast to being a future trainee with an SQE grant (and a sponsored prep course), I've had to accept that I'll be working with some degree of finance-related detriment to my studies. Yet, I recognise how fortunate I am to have my family supporting me through this next step and I can't even begin to imagine how difficult this would be for somebody who isn't receiving any additional support.

At the moment, my ethos is (somewhat ironically) taking initiative. I graduated over a year ago now. I can't keep on applying to firms, hoping that they'll provide me with an opportunity to progress to the next stage of my life. I need to do that myself.

So, yeah, all the best to everybody still striving for a TC this cycle. And, particularly for those of you who are feeling dejected, don't let rejections (or the successes of others) undermine your sense of self-worth.

Thanks for sharing this. If it would help, I'd be very happy to have a chat about your situation? Feel free to drop me an email at [email protected].

 

[Afuturetrainee]

I thought final yrs cant apply?

Where did you get this info from please?

 

[ninarosee]

If this is about the SQE discussion, I think it's actually interesting to hear different perspectives. I didn't really read any of the comments as being mean (tho I only skimmed the thread)

I don't think the SQE comments were indended to be nasty, think they were just offering a different opinion.

Guys my comment wasn’t directed at the SQE discussion. Someone said something very out of pocket a few minutes ago, but thankfully their comment has been deleted.

 

[abc124]

Did anyone else not get a confirmation after completing the Clyde & Co test? I’m slightly worried because whenever I’ve done tests for a firm that uses vantage I’d always get a confirmation email

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

The negativity on this forum is really starting to get out of hand. If you have nothing nice to say, just don’t say anything at all. I’m not sure why that’s so hard for some people.

Sorry you noticed this. Although Kris Jenner works hard, Jaysen Sutton works harder - so as soon as we spot anything negative, we’ll be sure to chime in and deal with it as appropriate.

For everyone speculating, this was not regarding the SQE discussion, this was in relation to another post which was deleted a few seconds after it was posted, but unfortunately a few of our members read it before we could get to it.

I just want to say, during tense times like this, it’s easy to lose your cool and have little outbursts, but it’s important to think twice about what you’re posting on a forum for a community that is built on supporting each other because one day you could ruin the very thing that you’re actually benefitting from on here.

So please, be kind, the journey is hard enough.

Lastly, if you spot anything negative, please do not engage (as tempting as it may be) but trust that the TCLA team will look into it ASAP.

Sorry once again for those that had to read this.

 

[oliviabeijing]

Dentons PFO. Knew it was coming but still stings!

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Love it when a firm can’t send me an email but can stalk me on linkedin…

Last week Cooley did that too and today they sent a holding email to me. Idk what makes them do so..

 

[BealMcAlly]

Sorry you noticed this. Although Kris Jenner works hard, Jaysen Sutton works harder - so as soon as we spot anything negative, we’ll be sure to chime in and deal with it as appropriate.

For everyone speculating, this was not regarding the SQE discussion, this was in relation to another post which was deleted a few seconds after it was posted, but unfortunately a few of our members read it before we could get to it.

I just want to say, during tense times like this, it’s easy to lose your cool and have little outbursts, but it’s important to think twice about what you’re posting on a forum for a community that is built on supporting each other because one day you could ruin the very thing that you’re actually benefitting from on here.

So please, be kind, the journey is hard enough.

Lastly, if you spot anything negative, please do not engage (as tempting as it may be) but trust that the TCLA team will look into it ASAP.

Sorry once again for those that had to read this.

Thank you for guarding our peace🧘🏻‍♂️👏🏼🙏🏼 @Jaysen @Afraz Akhtar

 

[abc124]

Has anyone heard from Willkie post app in January?