TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jaysen]

Hi everyone — I’d really appreciate some advice on a bit of a vacation scheme dilemma.

I’ve been lucky enough to receive two summer VS offers, but unfortunately there’s a clash: the second week of one overlaps with the first week of the other. I’m trying to figure out if there’s any sensible way to navigate this without harming my chances with either firm.

I was wondering:

• Would it be realistic (or acceptable) to ask to attend only one week of a two-week scheme? (Or a week and a half for both)

I’m conscious of not wanting to seem uncommitted or difficult, so I’d be really grateful for any insight on how firms tend to view these requests, or how best to approach the situation.

Thanks so much in advance!

In this situation, my first question would be: is there one that you prefer over the other?

If so, I'd explain the situation to your non-favourite firm. It's almost always better to ask than to drop the vacation scheme altogether and the firm will have been in this situation with candidates before. I'd make it clear that you really like the firm but that you do have a clash.

They might ask you to make a decision between the two. But they might also be more flexible here, allowing you to do a week or interview for a direct TC.

This way, you also don't have to mention anything to your preferred firm.

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

I'm just wondering- would anyone suggest emailing Kennedys or would you say there's no point.

I emailed them last week and they said they would let us know "shortly" so it might be worth seeing if they are in a position to give us a clear deadline of when we may hear back

 

[CharlieandLola]

I emailed them last week and they said they would let us know "shortly" so it might be worth seeing if they are in a position to give us a clear deadline of when we may hear back

I'll email them now

 

[Z48]

Thanks!

Unfortunately their spring dates both overlap with a spring VS I have too.

I might just have to make a choice and cut one here I guess.

If either of them offer a direct TC route, you could also ask to be moved onto/considered for this route. This has worked for some people in previous cycles but not always

 

[James Wakefield]

In this situation, my first question would be: is there one that you prefer over the other?

If so, I'd explain the situation to your non-favourite firm. It's almost always better to ask than to drop the vacation scheme altogether and the firm will have been in this situation with candidates before. I'd make it clear that you really like the firm but that you do have a clash.

They might ask you to make a decision between the two. But they might also be more flexible here, allowing you to do a week or interview for a direct TC.

This way, you also don't have to mention anything to your preferred firm.

Thanks Jaysen!

I’ll try this and let the forum know how it goes!

 

[SemperParatus]

@Abbie Whitlock hi Abbie, how would I structure the answer to the video interview question: What is the role of a trainee? Whilst also linking my work experience? Thank you

 

[georgianprincessmwuah]

Hi

Anyone heard from Penningtons Regional offices?

Hi! I applied to Oxford and nothing as of yet..

 

[SueD]

PFO from Withers for summer VS after interview

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock hi Abbie, how would I structure the answer to the video interview question: What is the role of a trainee? Whilst also linking my work experience? Thank you

Hello!

A good way to approach it is to briefly define the role of a trainee, and then use that as a framework to incorporate your examples. For instance, you might think of the role in terms of:

• Supporting fee earners on ongoing matters
• Taking ownership of smaller tasks and being proactive
• Learning quickly and responding to feedback in a productive way

Once you have identified 2-3 of these themes, you can then ask yourself when you have done something similar - this is where you can then incorporate your work experience. For example, you could draw on:

• Legal experience (e.g. research, drafting, helping with tasks for fee-earners)
• Non-legal roles (e.g. responsibility, time management, dealing with people / clients)
• Academic experiences (e.g. teamwork, analysis, adapting to feedback, etc.)

The key part is to link each point you make back to the trainee role, rather than talking about your experience in isolation. The question is asking you about the role of a trainee, so this should be the focus of the majority of your answer!

A simple way that you could structure it could be:

• Quick overview of the trainee role (i.e. to show you understand what it involves)
• 2-3 key aspects / tasks involved in that role
• A brief example from your past experiences linked to those aspects
• A concluding line at the end that ties it together

Since it is a video interview, I'd aim to keep it clear and concise - you don't need to use loads of detail, I'd just ensure anything you include is relevant.

Best of luck with the video interview!

 

[iklawapps]

Hi! I was wondering if anyone had some quick advice for this question in Stephenson Harwood's app.

"In up to 350 words, please outline a challenge that you think Stephenson Harwood will face over the next five years. You should draw on your current awareness and your commercial awareness to answer this question."

Do you think we should talk about market stuff that can affect their clients (ie geopolitical instability, tariffs, regulation, etc.) or is it more stuff affecting firms specifically (ie US PE in UK, billable hour, etc.)? Thank you!! I really appreciate the help : )

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Ahaha - sorry. I needed an example of how our members talk about which firms are strict on grades, and your post was perfect

Hahah no it's perfect, feel free!

 

[choicefox212]

Hi! I was wondering if anyone had some quick advice for this question in Stephenson Harwood's app.

"In up to 350 words, please outline a challenge that you think Stephenson Harwood will face over the next five years. You should draw on your current awareness and your commercial awareness to answer this question."

Do you think we should talk about market stuff that can affect their clients (ie geopolitical instability, tariffs, regulation, etc.) or is it more stuff affecting firms specifically (ie US PE in UK, billable hour, etc.)? Thank you!! I really appreciate the help : )

I guess either would work - they want to know that you know the markets and what clients they have, but applying that to law firms would allow you to explore the more interesting question as to how this will directly affect lawyers

 

[Ams4567]

Hi! I was wondering if anyone had some quick advice for this question in Stephenson Harwood's app.

"In up to 350 words, please outline a challenge that you think Stephenson Harwood will face over the next five years. You should draw on your current awareness and your commercial awareness to answer this question."

Do you think we should talk about market stuff that can affect their clients (ie geopolitical instability, tariffs, regulation, etc.) or is it more stuff affecting firms specifically (ie US PE in UK, billable hour, etc.)? Thank you!! I really appreciate the help : )I think a nice approach for this type of question is:

I personally think a nice approach for this type of question is:

1. Identify a commercial issue/macroeconomic driver
2. Explain why this particular issue is relevant to SH in particular (tie it to a practice area, sector or location they operate in)
3. Explain why this is an actual challenge for the law firm as a business (this could be reduced transactional activity, limited capacity, rebalancing of practice areas etc etc)
4. Why it might be challenging trying to adapt to these changes - then maybe add how the challenge could be mitigated

Sure people approach these in different ways but that's how I would approach it personally. It gives you the opportunity to cover both of the things that you mentioned.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I personally think a nice approach for this type of question is:

1. Identify a commercial issue/macroeconomic driver
2. Explain why this particular issue is relevant to SH in particular (tie it to a practice area, sector or location they operate in)
3. Explain why this is an actual challenge for the law firm as a business (this could be reduced transactional activity, limited capacity, rebalancing of practice areas etc etc)
4. Why it might be challenging trying to adapt to these changes - then maybe add how the challenge could be mitigated

Sure people approach these in different ways but that's how I would approach it personally. It gives you the opportunity to cover both of the things that you mentioned.

I took this approach for my app so I’m hoping that it isn’t gna be completely cooked for SH…​

 

[godarte]

Is anyone else on the Russell Cooke vs in April and wants to start a GC or something? Would be great to get to know people a bit in advance!

 

[Jaysen]

Hi! I was wondering if anyone had some quick advice for this question in Stephenson Harwood's app.

"In up to 350 words, please outline a challenge that you think Stephenson Harwood will face over the next five years. You should draw on your current awareness and your commercial awareness to answer this question."

Do you think we should talk about market stuff that can affect their clients (ie geopolitical instability, tariffs, regulation, etc.) or is it more stuff affecting firms specifically (ie US PE in UK, billable hour, etc.)? Thank you!! I really appreciate the help : )

Both options work well.

The challenge should feel clearly relevant to Stephenson Harwood based on the kind of firm SH is. So, for example, if you write about geopolitical instability, you'd want to write about how that's relevant to, say, the private client, shipping or finance practice. Or how that's relevant to the firm's decision to expand internationally/second lawyers, etc.

Where applicants sometimes fall down is that they pick an issue that is relevant to most law firms and then try to apply the challenge to the firm after the fact. But the answer will always feel too general when approached this way.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I am pleased to announce that I’ve just received my 23rd PFO of the cycle: Faegre Drinker. This is post app PFO. Still waiting on Sidley and FF… ​

 

[johnjoh199]

I got invited to Harbottle AC! Haven't confirmed the dates though.

I got invited to Harbottle AC! Haven't confirmed the dates though.

Congrats! When did you do the interview? I still have not heard back so I guess it's a no.

 

[Allura Grant]

has W&C sent out all summer offers?

have no clue what they're doing tbh

 

[Florencejones]

Ward Hadaway AC invite! Any insights?