• Hey Guest, Have an interview coming up? We’ve opened new mock interview slots this week. Book here
  • Received a training contract offer? We're hiring. It's fully remote. Apply by 27 April 2026
  • TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.
    Join →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

🥸 when I misread Trainline for Trainee (aka. Trainee Recruitment) in my email notifications

Come On What GIF by MOODMAN
 
Initially posted this in the wrong thread accidentally :P
Anyways... another week without news 😅 (personally not promising). It would be a pretty bad nightmare to end up getting an AC that I wouldn't be able to attend, and if most firms give 2 weeks' notice to their first AC that will pretty much be the case 🤷‍♂️🫠.
 
Initially posted this in the wrong thread accidentally :p
Anyways... another week without news 😅 (personally not promising). It would be a pretty bad nightmare to end up getting an AC that I wouldn't be able to attend, and if most firms give 2 weeks' notice to their first AC that will pretty much be the case 🤷‍♂️🫠.
Have you had no updates at all so far?
 
Have you had no updates at all so far?
Last week I had a couple PFO's, but I haven't had any updates this week (I guess nobody has had updates yet for those firms). I know not to expect every week, but there are a few that I made to 1st/2nd stage of testing (but ACs are usually scheduled early Feb for these firms.)

EDIT: Just looked back into past forums, and most have AC's that run nearer the end of February as well? (Specifically clyde & co, white & case, osborne clarke etc?) Can anybody who has applied in previous rounds comment?
 
How long does it usually take to hear back after AC? I know some people tend to hear back day after / same day for some firms - the wait is so agonising!
@Chelsea101 it really depends on the firm, but I would say the average is a week. That being said, the wait time is actually dependent on resource and who makes the offer. Often or not, it is an assessor as many partners love delivering the offer and they don't have the capacity to - so sometimes waiting isn't always the sign of a rejection.
 
Yeah, they said at the open day that once you submit the written app for the scheme you can ignore all the testing part, because you've hit the minimum benchmark for the test, and for the VI they'll use the scores of the answers you gave when you did it for the open days because the questions are the same.
Hi, thank you so much for the response! What about the situation when you do not get the open day, do you think they would look at your re-attempt of the VI/WGT or is it just auto-rejection?
 
Okay I think I bombed that Bristows VI 😀

But got a Reed Smith email in the middle, thought for sure a rejection since it was an email but no, vac scheme offer! Win some you lose some.
Congratulations!!! You should be super proud (+ I’m sure your Bristows VI went better than you think!) 🥳

I hope you take some time to celebrate!!

Happy Jennifer Aniston GIF
 
  • Love
Reactions: Donna Paulsen

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.