TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Prudentia]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu (and everyone else), I could really use some honest advice, and sorry in advance for how long this is.

Last year (after graduating) I focused fully on TC applications. I made 7 applications and reached 3 assessment centres, but was ultimately rejected. The feedback was mainly that my answers were too long and I lacked commercial awareness.

I was upset, but also encouraged bc I believed that 3 ACs from 7 applications suggested my academics/profile were competitive. So I moved to London, tried to secure a paralegal/legal role, and when that didn’t work out I took a part-time retail job and dedicated my time to improving for this cycle.

This year I submitted 17 applications and only got 1 interview and then got rejected (Skadden). I’m still waiting for feedback, but honestly I feel crushed. It genuinely feels like I went backwards despite putting in far more effort.

Since last year I have:
• completed an internship at Barclays
• paid for application review support + mock interviews
• refined my CV/ work experience section multiple times
• improved my answers and structure
• actively worked on commercial awareness

I truly believe this year’s applications were significantly stronger than last year’s, yet the results were dramatically worse.

I also had interviews last year with Gibson Dunn and White & Case and was told reapplying would be fine and prior applications/ interview performance wouldn’t affect any future ones. However, Gibson Dunn (applied November) hasn’t responded at all despite follow-ups, which has been particularly discouraging as they and Skadden are my top firms. I also completed the VI for White & Case in December and still haven’t heard back, even though candidates who completed it later have already been invited to ACs/ received PFOs.

At the same time I’m struggling financially in London on a part-time retail salary and cannot seem to land a paralegal role. Everything requires experience. I’ve applied through agencies, cold-emailed, called firms, sent speculative applications and nothing has worked.

So I’d really appreciate advice on three things:

1. How can I realistically obtain a paralegal/legal role with no past experience?
2. What should I be doing between now and next cycle beyond daily commercial awareness study + interview practice + completing TCLA courses?
3. Do firms genuinely review your application if you have previously interviewed? I am especially concerned about Skadden and Gibson Dunn, as these are genuinely my dream firms.
4. I know this is wrong and not advisable, but could I apply with a new email and not disclose that I have previously interviewed? Since I’ll be changing my last name this year (for unrelated reasons, I promise I am not crazy), would that make it harder for firms to connect me to my previous applications? I appreciate this may not be the right approach, I’m just feeling stuck and trying to understand my options.

I want to be clear: I’m not looking for sympathy, just honest guidance on what to change because clearly something isn’t working.

Thank you to anyone who reads all of this/ offers any advice, I really appreciate it

Whilst working as a paralegal may be helpful for future applications, they're not a guarantee that you'll secure a training contract. If you are struggling for money, I would suggest broadening your search to include other roles and industries. You don't have to work directly in the legal industry to have exposure to it and to gain the skills, experience and attributes needed to be successful at landing a training contract.

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

Back from my Valentine's Weekend celebrations and want to join in with the Covington Sunday PFO jumpscare. If it makes anyone feel better, I also applied for a legal internship at Sephora that also rejected me on Sunday 💀

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

IF any firms read this - PLEASE no more CVMail. We aren't in 1926.

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Anybody who applied to Sidley around the 1st Jan heard ?

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Anybody who applied to Sidley around the 1st Jan heard ?

I applied on the 3rd and haven't heard

 

[Carrington Lane]

Wedlake Bell PFO. Oh well, I wouldn't last at a firm whose diversity profile looks identical to an unprinted paper anyway 🙏🙏🙏

 

[LawEnthus]

Wedlake Bell PFO. Oh well, I wouldn't last at a firm whose diversity profile looks identical to an unprinted paper anyway 🙏🙏🙏

I'm sorry to hear this ( what stage was this at if you don't mind me asking? good luck for all your other apps 🤞

 

[Carrington Lane]

I'm sorry to hear this ( what stage was this at if you don't mind me asking? good luck for all your other apps 🤞

This is post app. Best of luck

 

[radssss]

If someone had their Proskauer ac on the 12th, please please dm me😭

 

[rhiannonthms]

Has anyone heard back from Gateley post VI?

 

[Alex02]

Does anyone have insights on the WFW AC? Is there no partner interview??

Is that for the summer vacation scheme or direct training contract.

 

[Alex02]

Does anyone have insights on the WFW AC? Is there no partner interview??

Is that for the DTC or the summer vacation scheme?

 

[abc124]

Back from my Valentine's Weekend celebrations and want to join in with the Covington Sunday PFO jumpscare. If it makes anyone feel better, I also applied for a legal internship at Sephora that also rejected me on Sunday 💀

Lmao I got the sephora rejection as well, on Valentine’s Day 💀

 

[congrades]

anyone not heard from Morgan Lewis post-app for summer? just confused because there've been many PFOs and TIs

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

anyone not heard from Morgan Lewis post-app for summer? just confused because there've been many PFOs and TIs

I've not. Somebody else on the forum said by the end of this week everybody will know

 

[radssss]

Any withers interview invites for summer vs yet?

 

[Saul_specter]

Any Travers smith?

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

Any withers interview invites for summer vs yet?

I know some have had them and gotten vac scheme offers however I wouldn't be discouraged. I got the proofreading exercise so hopefully they'll respond soon (although idk their timeline post exercise).

 

[Ernesto]

Hi everyone, I have a bit of a dilemma and am hoping to get some advice!

I just finished SQE2 and am looking for a legal assistant/administrator/paralegal role. I have an interview for a role on Friday, but I also have a vac scheme in April. How should I bring that up if I get a full-time offer? Should I still be interviewing?

Say you’re on holiday X week and they can delay your start date.

 

[radssss]

Say you’re on holiday X week and they can delay your start date.

Yea correct, I wouldn’t mention vac scheme because they’re looking for someone who can prolly commit long term and saying you’re gonna do a vac scheme with chances to convert and leave the full time job may hurt your chances.

You can also just say you’d like to start on “x date” (after your vac scheme) due to notice period or something!
@ABC234