TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[174Tess9y3]

Harold Gunderson x

I've seen him around here pretty sure

 

[PrayingforaTC2026]

does anyone know what firm's policies tend to be re travel reimbursements for transport to ACs if I take a flight from abroad? The firm explicitly states they are willing to reimburse £90 for standard-class transport. Am I stretching it if I ask for that same £90 to cover part of my flights?

 

[abc124]

Yes, I agree!! I have never used this test provider before and cannot find any online practice materials. Plus, I don't know how many stages there are for this role, since it is an immediate start, they don't really have much time to complete the recruitment process. Maybe they won't look at the cv and just chuck out apps based on the test results and then do a final interview, who knows

Yeah I couldn't find any practice tests either unfortunately. I looked at the test provider's website and I think ai calculates your overall 'alignment score' so they'll probably use that to quickly filter out a lot of applications. Then maybe they'll be able to afford spending a few days skimming cvs and cover letters before interviews. There's lowkey no info online :')

 

[Louis Litt]

Just checking if anyone here also hasn’t heard from CRS or if I should just take it as a rejection. Guildford office if that makes a difference.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Hi everyone,


I have a vacation scheme with a US firm and am eager to convert it to a training contract—I don't want to go through another application cycle, as I'm sure you can all understand!


I was wondering if anyone has tips for dealing with imposter syndrome? I'm not from a Russell Group or Oxbridge university and will likely be the only one there without that background. How can I stay confident, let myself shine, and not feel intimidated by the other vacation schemers?

Thanks!

Aside from confidence, show your interest in the work you're doing. Ask questions, go for coffee chats and ask insightful questions, offer your opinion when the situation calls for it, be bold, don't be a backbencher but also find balance so you're not talking too much, taking over the vac scheme, etc.

Wishing you the best and hopefully you convert!

 

[174Tess9y3]

Aside from confidence, show your interest in the work you're doing. Ask questions, go for coffee chats and ask insightful questions, offer your opinion when the situation calls for it, be bold, don't be a backbencher but also find balance so you're not talking too much, taking over the vac scheme, etc.

Wishing you the best and hopefully you convert!

Thank you so much!

 

[msclm]

Has anyone heard positively from Sidley for summer? Have seen a few PFOs but wondering if anyone has actually progressed to TI yet. Ta!

People have contacted me asking for advice for the final round interview. But again, they don’t stop TI invites just because people have made it to the partner interview.

 

[abc124]

Has anyone heard from Stephenson Harwood?

 

[radssss]

Harold Gunderson x

@Harold Gunderson

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Anyone have insight into Hill Dickinson AC?

Congratulations on your AC and hope it goes well! Could I please ask when you applied and when you did the online assessment?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

does anyone know what firm's policies tend to be re travel reimbursements for transport to ACs if I take a flight from abroad? The firm explicitly states they are willing to reimburse £90 for standard-class transport. Am I stretching it if I ask for that same £90 to cover part of my flights?

Hey!

Congratulations on the AC!!

I couldn't say for certain what that specific firm's policy would be, as it really varies between firms. I would imagine that as it is the 'standard-class' travel to get from where you are to the AC, some firms would be happy to reimburse that, but I'd double-check with them.

I definitely don't think it is unreasonable to ask - I would just frame it as a clarification, rather than an expectation. As long as you are polite and make it clear that you are simply checking whether it can be applied toward your flight, it shouldn't reflect badly on you

 

[Lord Sumption]

We’ve had all of the following people on the forum now which is acc funny asf ngl:

Harvey Specter (Presiding Partner)
Jessica Pearson (Managing Director)
Donna Paulson
Mike Ross
Elle Woods
Louis Litt
Harold Gunderson (newest addition)

Are we missing anyone important? If we are who’s gna take it for the team and fill the gap?​

Still here too

 

[lawstudent8373829]

Did anyone hear back from Osborne Clarke today post commercial interview?

 

[amb303]

Just checking if anyone here also hasn’t heard from CRS or if I should just take it as a rejection. Guildford office if that makes a difference.

Post app or post VI?

 

[Lord Sumption]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock

I hope you are well! Thank you for answering my question last week by the way.

Another silly question, but it's been on my mind a lot and haven't found an answer to it online but I genuinely love the idea of working late to close deals and thrive on the long hours of commercial law - it’s actually something I find exciting rather than draining. I know many people don’t feel this way.

If asked in an interview, “Why this firm?”, would it be appropriate to say something like: after speaking to a trainee at [Firm X], I learned they often work late on M&A transactions, and for me personally, that’s exactly the kind of work I enjoy. I’m happy to put in the extra hours and work hard because I find it engaging and fulfilling.

I know this might sound a bit unusual, but I’ve genuinely experienced this during a vacation scheme, often working until 1–2am, and I loved it. Would sharing that experience come across positively in an interview, or could it seem strange to a Partner?

Thank you so much in advance and I hope I make sense in this question!

 

[Saul_specter]

does anyone know what firm's policies tend to be re travel reimbursements for transport to ACs if I take a flight from abroad? The firm explicitly states they are willing to reimburse £90 for standard-class transport. Am I stretching it if I ask for that same £90 to cover part of my flights?

you shld be fine. my mates who are on years abroad all had their flights reimbursed for acs and even insight evenings as long as is under the cap
(flights were inter europe ofc)

 

[Saul_specter]

has anyone heard from macfarlanes post 2nd online assessment recently? submitted 2nd online assessment 2,3 months and still nothing

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock

I hope you are well! Thank you for answering my question last week by the way.

Another silly question, but it's been on my mind a lot and haven't found an answer to it online but I genuinely love the idea of working late to close deals and thrive on the long hours of commercial law - it’s actually something I find exciting rather than draining. I know many people don’t feel this way.

If asked in an interview, “Why this firm?”, would it be appropriate to say something like: after speaking to a trainee at [Firm X], I learned they often work late on M&A transactions, and for me personally, that’s exactly the kind of work I enjoy. I’m happy to put in the extra hours and work hard because I find it engaging and fulfilling.

I know this might sound a bit unusual, but I’ve genuinely experienced this during a vacation scheme, often working until 1–2am, and I loved it. Would sharing that experience come across positively in an interview, or could it seem strange to a Partner?

Thank you so much in advance and I hope I make sense in this question!

To be completely blunt, the interviewers will think you're chatting nonsense ahaha.

I'm a workaholic myself and completely understand your rationale - but it definitely needs reframing for a trainee level role.

If you're a deal junkie, draw on your interest in the fast-paced nature of transactions and the collaborative aspects of helping to close said transaction.

These two motivations already imply that you're willing to sacrifice your first-born for the billables anyway.

The first rule of being a psychopath is do not admit you are a psychopath.

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock

I hope you are well! Thank you for answering my question last week by the way.

Another silly question, but it's been on my mind a lot and haven't found an answer to it online but I genuinely love the idea of working late to close deals and thrive on the long hours of commercial law - it’s actually something I find exciting rather than draining. I know many people don’t feel this way.

If asked in an interview, “Why this firm?”, would it be appropriate to say something like: after speaking to a trainee at [Firm X], I learned they often work late on M&A transactions, and for me personally, that’s exactly the kind of work I enjoy. I’m happy to put in the extra hours and work hard because I find it engaging and fulfilling.

I know this might sound a bit unusual, but I’ve genuinely experienced this during a vacation scheme, often working until 1–2am, and I loved it. Would sharing that experience come across positively in an interview, or could it seem strange to a Partner?

Thank you so much in advance and I hope I make sense in this question!

Why were you working till 1-2am as a vac schemer LMAOOOOOO

 

[Lord Sumption]

Why were you working till 1-2am as a vac schemer LMAOOOOOO

Because my supervisor was too and the rest of the team haha - so I couldn't just say okay guys, I'm off now lol
Plus the time of the VS, we were actually closing a deal which I got to be part of and oh my gosh the client dinner we got the day after was just beautiful. The bill came up to like £3,500 just for food and drinks