TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Dannie]

does cleary do acs in batches...

 

[FoodieMcFoodieBigBack]

Thank you so much for the advice, @Afraz Akhtar ! I really appreciate the swift reply. Just as a follow-up, how should I approach writing the email? Should I mention that I have a clashing AC, even though I booked a time slot for Firm A first, or should I keep it vague and say I have "immovable academic commitments"?

@Afraz Akhtar I'm so sorry to double tag, it's quite urgent and I'd really appreciate your guidance. Thank you so much and once again apologies for the double tag

 

[EMB]

Clyde and co VI and Bank of england VI!

 

[user123987]

Addleshaw Goddard VI. Would really appreciate any insights / tips

Congratulations! Which office is this for?

 

[j.a55293]

Has anyone heard from AG for the London office OGC TC?

 

[trainingcontractpls]

Can someone who has applied for OC help out a friend and give advice on structure for Q2. The question is - What work has Osborne Clarke done recently that is of particular interest to you? Why are you interested and inspired by this work? (Max 300 Words)

I have looked at a deal but am not sure how much I should go into the deal and how much of my interest and my experiences which link to my interest in the deal.

I got through to the virtual AC last year and for this question I picked two big deals/pieces of work. I linked one to a practice area and linked the other to a sector and spoke about why each interested me and why the firm was strong in these areas. I did not go in depth into the deal that much I focused more on my interests and experiences.

 

[BealMcAlly]

I know this might be silly but I got so excited that I got an AC offer for RS that I missed the bit in the email that said do not book a slot if you require reasonable adjustments…I now emailed grad rec and explained the situation. Is it silly to think that they will now think my attention to detail is crap I know this is so silly but I was contemplating not even saying anything and going without adjustments in the fear that it will negatively impact me

I would just not overthink. That's not going to make them rescind the invitation.

Well done! Can I ask what you got for your pillars and if this is for WVS (weird that the deadline was the same as spring and summer?), spring or summer?

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Foot Anstey VI and two gov grad scheme VIs to do this weekend. New torture method just dropped

 

[TortillaTC]

I would just not overthink. That's not going to make them rescind the invitation.

Well done! Can I ask what you got for your pillars and if this is for WVS (weird that the deadline was the same as spring and summer?), spring or summer?

RS has winter and spring only! And they didn’t let us pick our preferred dates (I checked the Vantage form today), so I think some people might be moved to spring randomly.

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Thank you so much for the advice, @Afraz Akhtar ! I really appreciate the swift reply. Just as a follow-up, how should I approach writing the email? Should I mention that I have a clashing AC, even though I booked a time slot for Firm A first, or should I keep it vague and say I have "immovable academic commitments"?

Hey @FoodieMcFoodieBigBack I think its fine to mention that you have a clashing AC, so you are engaging with both to enquire about which one you could reschedule. I would imagine they would be very understanding, as the process is just as much competitive for top talent as it is for candidates.

However, if you want to play it safe, I'd start off the communication with a simply referencing a conflicting appointment that cannot be rescheduled, no need to give them so much detail at the outset.

 

[BealMcAlly]

RS has winter and spring only! And they didn’t let us pick our preferred dates (I checked the Vantage form today), so I think some people might be moved to spring randomly.

Aaaah I couldn't remember, thank you!

I just wanted to see if there was any correlation with who heard for when.

 

[TortillaTC]

Aaaah I couldn't remember, thank you!

I just wanted to see if there was any correlation with who heard for when.

Sure, I think their selection is based on progressing stronger applicants and keeping weaker ones in the maybe pile, or perhaps only PFOs are coming from now on, we can’t know:/

 

[FoodieMcFoodieBigBack]

Hey @FoodieMcFoodieBigBack I think its fine to mention that you have a clashing AC, so you are engaging with both to enquire about which one you could reschedule. I would imagine they would be very understanding, as the process is just as much competitive for top talent as it is for candidates.

However, if you want to play it safe, I'd start off the communication with a simply referencing a conflicting appointment that cannot be rescheduled, no need to give them so much detail at the outset.

Thank you so much, Afraz! This was really helpful; fingers crossed at least one of them can accommodate. Thanks once again!

 

[kukubird]

Has anyone else given up

 

[llblawstudent]

Hey guys might be a silly question but does anyone know how stammers are perceived in interviews? I have a bad stammer that I get when I get nervous (worse than most) which means that especially in interviews I tend to either stare away from their eyes or speak with a lot of “erms”, does anyone know how badly this could count against me/or how I can overcome this? I know being nervous in interviews/VIs are normal but I feel mine could stick out for being exceptionally bad lol

 

[Novaa]

Has anyone else given up

Almost… but I’ve decided to get back in the kitchen and turn the heat up!

 

[M_m]

One of the OC application question is: "Have you been a part of any professional services support programmes in the last 5 years? Please outline those that you have participate in below - this could include (but is not limited to) mentoring programmes, work experience opportunities, scholarships and diversity access schemes with other organisations."

I was a part of the committee for a social-mobility organisation outside university (this was remote work) + a part-time customer facing role (NOT professional services)- was wondering if these come within the ambit of this question?

I'm afraid I don't have any experiences specifically for this answer and that would disadvantage my application

If it helps, I just wrote that I had not been part of any programmes, and I made it through to their VS last year.

 

[TCLAAAA]

Has anyone else given up

Mood: Felt like Kendall Roy, messed up every time.

 

[applicant457]

whats up with Gowling! has anyone got an AC or is it just rejections

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Jones Day PFO'd.