Thank you so much! Tbh I had a feeling it was too late for it to be a positive offer
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Dechert sent summer WEs from as far back as Jan. I’m pretty sure cos I got mine in Jan as one of the final WEs for the Spring VS. Most summer WEs were in Feb and ACs have all been running for summer across Feb and March (based on all the posts I remember seeing on the forum).
If it’s anything like the Winter and Spring VSs I’m thinking they send the bulk of post app PFOs out in one go after all WEs and ACs have finished. As for MoFo they have been doing interviews for a few weeks now but idk if they send PFOs. First stage interviews were sent this time last month.
If it’s anything like the Winter and Spring VSs I’m thinking they send the bulk of post app PFOs out in one go after all WEs and ACs have finished. As for MoFo they have been doing interviews for a few weeks now but idk if they send PFOs. First stage interviews were sent this time last month.
Is anyone else still waiting to hear back from travers smith? 
I’ve not had a rejection or invite to interview, so I’m not really sure what’s going on….
I’ve not had a rejection or invite to interview, so I’m not really sure what’s going on….
Have you heard back from them?SH is playing with my heart. I wrote a banging application, scored 7769 in the SJT, and did decent in the VI. I genuinely don’t know what the are looking for at this point
@Abbie Whitlock I have my first vac scheme coming up in April and I'm not sure exactly how to prep - I'm reading over the notes I made for the AC, researching into the practice areas I have my seats in and keeping up with big commercial topics, but I feel like I'm stabbing in the dark a little bit?? Any tips on how best to prepare for a vac scheme would be super helpful, thank you so so much 
Congrats! Did you hear back today?Harbottle AC invite! Yay
Got the Mishcon PFO so now I really got make my one vac scheme count. On that note, I have to write 150 words that are essentially summarising myself and why law and another 100 words for what I am most excited for about the vac scheme. This is my first vacation scheme so I was wondering how to approach this?
My working idea is the 150 word summary of me and why law is essentially the same as my interview answer (it got me to the vac scheme so). I feel it just keeps me consistent and is also yk genuine lmao, it is kinda what I have been saying the whole application process.
For the what I am looking forward to most, I don't know my practice area yet so I want to make sure it is general enough but also not generic. What would be the recommendation for this? Should it kinda be similar to "why this firm" in a sense?
Would especially appreciate some insight from @Abbie Whitlock. Deadline is the 25th of March.
My working idea is the 150 word summary of me and why law is essentially the same as my interview answer (it got me to the vac scheme so). I feel it just keeps me consistent and is also yk genuine lmao, it is kinda what I have been saying the whole application process.
For the what I am looking forward to most, I don't know my practice area yet so I want to make sure it is general enough but also not generic. What would be the recommendation for this? Should it kinda be similar to "why this firm" in a sense?
Would especially appreciate some insight from @Abbie Whitlock. Deadline is the 25th of March.
Hello!@Abbie Whitlock I have my first vac scheme coming up in April and I'm not sure exactly how to prep - I'm reading over the notes I made for the AC, researching into the practice areas I have my seats in and keeping up with big commercial topics, but I feel like I'm stabbing in the dark a little bit?? Any tips on how best to prepare for a vac scheme would be super helpful, thank you so so much
Congratulations on the vacation scheme, that is fantastic news!!
I can totally understand what you mean, as I definitely felt like I hadn't prepared enough going into my schemes - mainly as I didn't know where to start!However, what you are doing already sounds exactly right, so try not to worry too much! There aren't actually that many things you can do in preparing for the scheme, so I would focus on:
- Having a solid understanding of the firm (e.g. key practice areas, recent deals, culture, unique features, and its competitors)
- A basic grasp of the departments you'll be sitting in (what they do, typical clients, current trends, etc.)
- Keeping up with a few commercial stories, both for any interviews and so you can chat comfortably if it comes up
- Be proactive - ask lots of questions, see if you can assist others with work, and show enthusiasm
- Ask thoughtful questions about the work, but try to think things through first (so you can show you have tried to find the answer yourself)
- Be someone people enjoy working with - friendly, engaged, reliable, etc.
- Stay organised and meet deadlines, even for small tasks
- Communication is really important on a VS - if you have a session, make sure to let your supervisor know so they can assign an appropriate amount of work
You are definitely not stabbing in the dark, though I can definitely relate to that feeling pre-VS - you are already doing the right things! I'd just ensure that you have a good understanding of the firm and current commercial events, and can discuss your motivations towards law + the firm clearly and concisely. The rest you can pick up very quickly once you are on the scheme - wishing you the best of luck!
Hey!
Firstly, I am really sorry to hear about Mishcon - but huge congratulations on securing a vacation scheme!
For the 150-word "about you + why law", I'd say that your instinct is spot on. I think keeping things consistent and genuine is a good idea, and I would just make sure that your answer is clear and purposeful within the word limit (i.e. what drew you to law + what experiences reinforced it + where your interest lies now). I would avoid trying to squeeze everything in!
For the "what are you most excited about", you are right to avoid being too generic, but it doesn't necessarily need to be practice-area specific. It is less about "why this firm" and more "why this experience". A few areas you could cover are:
- Exposure to real work and how matters develop
- Working with different teams/trainees and seeing how they collaborate
- Developing specific skills
- Speaking to a wide range of people
- Learning about various practice areas in the firm
If you know anyone else completing the scheme, it might be handy to reach out to see what kind of information they have included (as this is what I did for my schemes!). Sometimes it can be appropriate to include information about your hobbies and interests in the summary of yourself, as the firm will want to get to know you - I included the fact that I am interested in F1 and K-Dramas in most of my VS summaries, as they can make good talking points!
Best of luck with the vacation scheme!
Could anyone shed some insights on the Browne Jacobson test? I'm sitting it tomo and not sure what to expect !!
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