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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

trainee4u

Legendary Member
Sep 7, 2023
632
1,278
Just saw a TikTok of someone saying they submitted 67 applications (if you're here, I admire you so much)... I feel so lazy omg

Angry New York GIF
it's not me - I've done
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simmons london vac scheme offer!!

i know lots of people are waiting to hear back still! i don't know how many acs are left but i know they are planning to run them throughout january and into feb, and there are 3/4 people per ac

i only got my ac invite 10 days before the actual ac and so the turnaround is very fast! hoping for good news for other people soon (or any news at this point!) :-D
 

doodllaw29

Active Member
Mar 4, 2025
19
26
simmons london vac scheme offer!!

i know lots of people are waiting to hear back still! i don't know how many acs are left but i know they are planning to run them throughout january and into feb, and there are 3/4 people per ac

i only got my ac invite 10 days before the actual ac and so the turnaround is very fast! hoping for good news for other people soon (or any news at this point!) :-D
congratulations!! can i ask when you did your AC?
 

Chak

Star Member
Premium Member
Jan 5, 2026
45
68
simmons london vac scheme offer!!

i know lots of people are waiting to hear back still! i don't know how many acs are left but i know they are planning to run them throughout january and into feb, and there are 3/4 people per ac

i only got my ac invite 10 days before the actual ac and so the turnaround is very fast! hoping for good news for other people soon (or any news at this point!) :-D
Congratulations! I am still waiting to hear back from them after SJT
 
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Lawlawland

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Oct 4, 2025
273
576
Just curious: is anyone else currently studying on an SQE prep course whilst making these applications?

I'm doing a 40-week BARBRI SQE 1 prep for July 2026 exams.
I am!
Got the QLTS pack, and a friend was kind enough to give me her used barbri books.

Planning to wrap the applications by jan 31 and lock in for SQE from Feb 1st. We got this!!!
(Happy to share SQE prep progress and stay motivated together, we're already connected on LinkedIn xd)
 

trainee4u

Legendary Member
Sep 7, 2023
632
1,278
just thinking of all the tests youve had to do... bruh 😭
I don't mind the tests any more.
Like after a while you've seen all the WG questions before and can just answer in a few seconds.

VI is a pain though, especially when you don't know if you've got 400 people or 40 that you're competing against - like how much prep to do.
 

Lawlawland

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Oct 4, 2025
273
576
Happy plate spinning!

How are you finding it so far? And what affected your decision to do it now, instead of waiting for a TC offer?
Anticipating this is for everyone on the same boat:

1. I have two years to secure a visa sponsorship. My hunt is not just for a TC but for a stable work sponsorship. If TC plans fails I think having a SQE qualification would help me reach out to mid tier and small firms that may not sponsor for SQE but can take me in for traineeship.

2. Opens doors for me in the Dubai and Singapore market (I also have language advantages there). So I can spread my focus even if London and UK market fails me.

3. Getting it out of the way as early as possible is honestly so relaxing, I don't want to be anxious about it down the lane. I feel like I have the time and the right mindset now, and shall put it for good use.

4. Having at least SQE 1 done by next cycle shall helo me look good for firms that wants their trainees to start early (like GD). Trying to tap into that.

5. I'm getting really old😭, I don't think I wanna be doing this in my laste 20s. So getting it out of my way by the mid-20s🤣.
 

iklawapps

Distinguished Member
Premium Member
Mar 1, 2025
52
46
Did they tell you when to expect to hear back?

Sometimes if there are ACs still to run after you've done yours, it can take much longer to hear back. Most firms have to finish all their ACs before they take some time to make final decisions. Obviously other firms do things differently, especially if they give out offers on a rolling basis

it depends on the firm, for Macs they would usually call in the evening after the AC if u have been successful but I have also heard of some other firms taking longer to respond due to high number of strong candidates.

I got told I would hear back by the end of the week, heard back the following week with a positive response, sometimes GR can just be a bit slow
thank you all so much < 3 they haven't said how long they'd be, but I'll just keep on waiting patiently and pray the case is that they're just busy :' ) good luck to your apps and I hope you all get tons of Acs!
 
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Reactions: Deleted member 43292

WillKitchen

Valued Member
  • Aug 28, 2025
    113
    378
    I'm getting really old😭, I don't think I wanna be doing this in my late 20s. So getting it out of my way by the mid-20s🤣
    I'm 32, and have also met much older people who are in the same boat.

    I was talking to a lawyer at Simmons recently, and he said that the average age of NQs is going up gradually, and is now over 30. So we probably shouldn't worry about it!
     

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