TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[adfs456]

Advice desperately needed @Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen or anyone else 🙏

I've been fortunate enough to have received a VS at firm 1 which has two sets of summer dates, of which I request the second set.

I have just received an email asking me for the specific reason why I am unable to move to the first set of dates.

However, I am waiting for firm 2 to get back to me (post AC) about whether I have secured a second VS during that set
of dates (meaning I am unable to move if successful)

What do i do 😭😭

 

[Lissa06]

pathfinder applicant here. I believe they sent out phone interview invites in 2 rounds a few weeks ago, don't know why they don't just update our profiles. might as well make it official that I was rejected no need to put me on hold.

Literally, that’s what I heard too and was so confused about it. At least now I know for next year that this can happen with them.
Btw, did you apply freshfields by any chance? I took my test so long ago and haven’t heard back, but unlike for links I haven’t heard of anyone receiving anything either…

 

[sadboi]

Who are W&C's competitors for PE?

The same as anyone else's...K&E, L&W...I was asked that question at the interview (but not for PE) so make sure to think broadly about the W&C's overall international environment

 

[Ashley06]

Day 192384736 of waiting for Mishcon Summer

 

[marshall]

HSF KRAMER SUMMER VS OFFER!!!! This is my first offer of the cycle! I am so grateful

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

HSF KRAMER SUMMER VS OFFER!!!! This is my first offer of the cycle! I am so grateful

 

[DennyCrane]

I agree with you. I didn't understand the indicators in their report (clients, firm & people). Oh wow, a telephone interview? Doesn't matter anyway, expecting PFO after that amberjack

I scored way lower on the BJ amberjack than on my last amberjack two weeks ago. High,High,766 rather than High,High,799 Its bizarre.

 

[LH4]

Is it safe to assume PFO for Winston & Strawn if we haven’t heard post WG

 

[pepsicola96]

Interesting predicament. So for this one firm, I got an AC for their Spring Vac. I unfortunately had to reschedule due to illness, and then right before the rescheduled date, I cancelled again bc I heard back that I got another scheme with clashing dates.

I was super honest (which I maybe shouldn't have been lol). I said I can't attend because I've just gotten a different scheme with the same dates. I said under other circumstances I would like to attend and make an informed decision should I receive an offer from both; however, I would be travelling a long way for this AC, and I had an exam the next day, which I really needed to study for instead, and I apologised for the inconvenience. Which again is all true, if i lived in London I probably would've just done the AC anyway, but I just didn't have the time spare to spend on an AC that I may or may not be successful in, for a VS offer that I may or may not accept (I also am unavailable for the summer dates)

I still like the firm, and provided this other spring VS doesn't work out, I was wondering about asking If i can have a direct TC AC, when they open that up in May. I will probably just ask, because I've got nothing to lose, but I've been such a nuisance to them, I feel like it will be a no. Just wondering if anyone has been in a remotely similar situation haha.

 

[user397485]

HSF KRAMER SUMMER VS OFFER!!!! This is my first offer of the cycle! I am so grateful

congrats! when was your ac

 

[Shawshank728394]

Pleeease slaughters tell us todayy

 

[elizabethkate]

for blake morgan did anyone get an email requesting extra details like context details about free school meals and stuff?

 

[Ancika]

for blake morgan did anyone get an email requesting extra details like context details about free school meals and stuff?

Yes I got it! It was kind of weird that they sent that but I guess they are trying to adhere to their diversity stats.

On another point, I dont find their website as helpful as other firms.. I feel like it’s a bit harder to really justify the “why Blake Morgan” question.

 

[a1289]

DACB next stage written assessment!

 

[solicitor_2028]

DAC WE!!

 

[User2640]

If you had a feedback call scheduled but it's already an hour past the scheduled time, would it be wise to send a follow-up email or just wait?

 

[wqueens8]

Hi guys I need a bit of advice! I’ve got a spring vacation scheme at a great firm that starts April 7th. However I’ve also been offered a HR grad scheme at a great company as well and they both begin the same day. I’ve been trying to be a lawyer for a while but I do doubt if it’s the right path for me. With the vacation scheme it’s not 100% I will get the TC, therefore I feel like it’s a risk. I’m really unsure what to do. I also feel like declining the vac scheme would be bad as well because I’ve worked so hard and I’m so close in a way. They’re both amazing opportunities.

That's a really tough situation. There is no right answer, and it's all gonna depend on a few things and your appetite for risk.

First off I wouldn't take any action without seeing if you can do both. Is there a summer scheme instead of spring, you may still be able to switch to that, and you may be able to take annual leave or unpaid leave then, or if you decide not to do the scheme, maybe they could offer you a direct TC AC. Alternatively ask if you can delay the start of the grad scheme until after the scheme. If none of those are options, then ultimately it's down to you. How much do you want to be a solicitor? What would you do instead of this grad scheme if you don't get the TC? Have you had much luck with other vac schemes/is this your first cycle applying? How much are you in need of full time work right now?

The fact you got this vac scheme, means you are good enough and you could definitely get future ones. But there is always luck in the process and it very possibly could take you several more cycles to get anything again, which is also made harder by being in full time work. Not to say that getting a grad scheme is not hard, because it certainly is, but I would argue it would be much easier to find another full time office job, than to get another vac scheme. Personally I would do the vac scheme, even if it meant giving up the grad scheme, but again that's from my perspective where I don't really need full time work at the moment, I'm also graduating this year so I'm maybe not quite as keen to get into a career as someone who's been out of uni for a few years. Also for me personally, I don't have much interest in HR, so it is a clearer choice for me.

Either way, you're landing a good role/good experience, both of which will help you in the future.

 

[ellieemasonn05]

Is the DACB WE automatic? Or based on test score?

 

[wqueens8]

If you had a feedback call scheduled but it's already an hour past the scheduled time, would it be wise to send a follow-up email or just wait?

An hour past, definitely follow up.

This happened to me once, and they just never replied to my email, never got a call.

 

[soph107048]

Guys following question: i know that firms usually call with VS offers, and some even call with PFOs and then send an email if you don’t reply. However, when it comes to offers: if one misses the call, would the offer come per email just as a PFO would? Or do firms tend to wait for you to call back and give offers exclusively by call? I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone with experience