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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

I cannot believe I am making this announcement, but after three years of applying for vacation schemes and training contracts, I was offered a place on Osborne Clarke’s Summer Vacation Scheme! 🎉

To say I am absolutely over the moon is an understatement. I enjoyed every part of the process and I can’t wait to join the scheme in the summer! Thank you to those on this forum who have supported me through this demoralising process, you really have all been so amazing ❤️
Amazing news, congratulations! Which office is this for? I'm also doing the OC vac scheme this summer :)
 
Hi all, I have recently been offered a summer vacation scheme and have been offered the choice of 2 different dates during summer. I’m trying to think whether there’s any particular advantage or disadvantage to choosing either date? Is it possible that if the earlier date cohort is very strong, the firm could have given out more than half of its TC offers before the later scheme even starts?
Yes, this happens. I would go for the earlier one to be safe!
 
This may be a stupid question, but if an application question asks about a 'current' news story, can you talk about the tariffs? I know that things have settled down a little compared to the height of the tariff wars, but I still see it around on the news. Also, I wrote the answer to this question during the actual tariff wars, but I haven't submitted my application yet - would it be better to write about something else? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I think if you can find a way to link it to something which is ongoing and present, it is a totally valid thing to talk about. ie. the ongoing repercussions it has had on supply chains and increased costs to consumers :)
 
Oh my god!!!!! I got the baker svs!!! I can’t believe it, I simply can’t believe it!
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This may be a stupid question, but if an application question asks about a 'current' news story, can you talk about the tariffs? I know that things have settled down a little compared to the height of the tariff wars, but I still see it around on the news. Also, I wrote the answer to this question during the actual tariff wars, but I haven't submitted my application yet - would it be better to write about something else? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
tariffs are absolutely very current, but you can't rely on old news - in February the agreed tariffs were overturned by the Supreme Court and Trump imposed a new set under a different putative power. This is all within the last few weeks.
 

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