TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[ADhillon01]

Would strongly advise you to schedule the call & wait a few days to cool down. Completely understandable to be upset, but you may end up applying to them again next cycle. Writing an email is more work for gradrec, and taking it on the chin shows resilience.

exactly right, agree

 

[boots pharmacy]

😂😂😂

 

[aliiiisonxooox]

Hey. Firstly, congratulations on making it to the AC. This is in itself a huge achievement.

Apologies in advance for the unsolicited advice that I am about to give.
Firstly, this is your first AC and they take practice. It's good that you're getting feedback as this is ofc going to give you a road map for how to improve going forward.

It is difficult to assess on your own how you did so I would say don't stress about it in the meantime.

I have had a similar situation where someone took control of the group. I have no idea of how they did outside of that and this may be incorrect advice but my thinking is that it is important to know how to navigate situations like this. You can try and be direct and say hey, I haven't heard from xyz or we need to move on to abc. Things like timekeeping shouldn't be relied on one person as if they are like this or make a mistake, it negatively affect everyone. At the end of the day, firms want to see how you work with people which includes collaborating with difficult personalities.

I hope this helps.

P.S. how do you know how people did?

Thank you so much! Yes, I can’t wait to hear the feedback and improve. Sometimes it’s hard as firms don’t give specific feedback, but this is a 15 minute call with HR, so I know it will be as specific as possible. Now I’m going to be disappointed if they say anything about my partner interview because we really vibed (( and I hate when they give me false hope 🫠 and I definitely agree with you. She did apologise for failing to timekeep, but still.. it’s fine we live and learn and for sure I could’ve said something like “ we have 3 minutes left etc” but I didn’t thank you !

I kept in contact with two of the members, very nice people, I was gutted they didn’t get it. They had reasonable adjustments as well. ( we were 4 people with me in total) and they informed me they didn’t get it! One of them kept in contact with the leader of the group because they are from the same university, so that’s how I know about the people in my group interview!

 

[aliiiisonxooox]

DACB critical test post VI 🤞🏼🤩

 

[boots pharmacy]

Has anyone heard from Michelmores / been in contact with Gibson Dunn grad rec for a timeline?

Have emailed GD & will share results.

 

[elle.brokovitch]

Hi guys, kind of a random question but has anyone ever gotten a VS offer after feeling like you bombed part of an AC/an AC?

YES! Oh my goodness yes! For my first AC I had a fantastic time, I got along with everyone very well and I really loved the interview. I had been preparing for weeks because I really wanted the firm.

Case study rolled around and I'd never done one before. My notes were messy as I was getting to grips with the task, and my presentation was nervous and jumbled. I felt like I was giving awful answers to the questions. It completely deflated me to the point that at the end I didn't ask more than one question and forgot to shake the hand of the interviewer on the way out. I wanted to cry and I left completely heartbroken because I thought that I had really messed the day up after working so hard in the application process and before the AC. I then was called with an offer!

What I will say is, we are our own harshest critic. You will always be more critical on yourself than others may be! So definitely do not lose hope I think just as long as you put your best foot forward and try hard things will work out.

 

[elle.brokovitch]

guys I wanted to ask, how much do firms consider extenuating circumstances when it comes to individual module grades? I have a 2:1 and everything but I had genuine unfortunate circumstances which systematically impacted my time and studies at university. Am I safe to believe that top firms will understand that?

I also got a 2:1 overall but have some poor module grades also due to extenuating circumstances, from my experience, as long as you declare what those circumstances were they should be understanding. if not you have to ask whether that is somewhere you would want to work, because you deserve an employer who understands and supports you when life sends its curveballs <33

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

What are the biggest commercial news topics I should absolutely know before an AC? Thanks so much!

@Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock

 

[Maria123]

I also got a 2:1 overall but have some poor module grades also due to extenuating circumstances, from my experience, as long as you declare what those circumstances were they should be understanding. if not you have to ask whether that is somewhere you would want to work, because you deserve an employer who understands and supports you when life sends its curveballs <33

Couldn’t have worded that better myself, tysm for the insights & kind words

 

[helenaskelton]

Congrats! Any idea if they send them out all in one email chain, or in batches?

Same - anyone interviewing for Winston and know this?

 

[flamingocelot]

For firms where you can tick to apply to the vac scheme and the TC at the same time, what are some reasons a firm would have for thinking you're not right for the vac scheme, but still not rejecting you for the TC? For context, I am a final year Law undergrad, so I kinda understand if I were a paralegal for years and years that my experience would probably be too significant to do the vac scheme, which is more targeted to uni applicants, but otherwise idrk

 

[HAHAHA]

Hi, I have an AC coming up for a firm that didn't have an SJT, so I'm expecting a few situational questions during the interview portion. I normally do quite poorly at interviews when situational questions are thrown at me. Does anyone have any tips on how to structure answers and what firms are looking for in your answers? I was looking at example questions, and one of them said what would you do if a supervisor made an error during a client meeting, I don't really know what the best course of action would be in that situation.

 

[AS24]

Hi guys, do you know when we will hear back from CRS and SPB after the VI?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Does anyone have any advice for the W&C final interview please? Thanks so much!

 

[wqueens8]

Maybe an odd question but how do you guys react to news on a phone call?

Usually a call is good news, and if it's bad news, they will email, but I had an AC two weeks ago, and they said we'd hear back by phone this week whether it's good or bad news. Never been rejected on the phone before so now i'm overthinking what I would say say. "Oh, that's fine, didn't want you anyway" would probably be my natural response lol

 

[CharlieandLola]

For the Stephenson Harwood VI, does anyone know if the preperation time is unlimited or how long we have to prep?

 

[Raquelle's Legal Drama]

Maybe an odd question but how do you guys react to news on a phone call?

Usually a call is good news, and if it's bad news, they will email, but I had an AC two weeks ago, and they said we'd hear back by phone this week whether it's good or bad news. Never been rejected on the phone before so now i'm overthinking what I would say say. "Oh, that's fine, didn't want you anyway" would probably be my natural response lol

I understand how hard it can be, especially since you've poured your heart and soul into the AC...

I usually just say something along the lines of "thank you for letting me know" or something. And then if they provide feedback as well I would say "that was really helpful, thank you!" "I'll be sure to implement this going forward" etc.

I know it's difficult to react calmly to bad news, but it's good to remember that it's not the person who is calling who made the ultimate decision; they are only the messenger. It shows good resilience and ability to take on feedback too. But ofc, afterwards do cry, shout, do whatever you need to.

Fingers crossed it's good news for you! Best of luck 🙏

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Have emailed GD & will share results.

Emailed them a month ago and they still haven’t responded.

I remember they sent my PFO 31 March last year.

Idk no news is good news still so fingers crossed.

 

[fruitypebbles]

Has anyone applied to the Kingsley Napley in person open day and heard back? The one in March

Still no... has anyone heard back from Kingsley Napley for their in person open day since then?

 

[TCchaser]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock,

I hope you're well!

In an application, if you're asked 'why this firm?' can you talk about departments/teams that the firm has even if they're not necessarily in London? Or would it be better to move this to another section that says 'please provide any additional info that you think is relevant?'

Thank you!