TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Partcore22]

Anyone heard from Anthony Collins vac scheme

 

[legal world]

Hi yes. Do you mind if I DM you?

Sure, no worries.

 

[user55998384]

do we reckon w&c might respond today for fys?

 

[StudentWP]

does anyone know when we will hear back from Perkins Coie

 

[WillKitchen]

Lee & Thompson VS interview invitation! In person, London office. What a lovely way to end the week.

 

[ilovegardening1111]

Has anyone applied to PwC? I took the online assessment and then they sent me a video interview invitation immediately after but then I also received a 'we have withdrawn your application due to inactivity' email a few hours later so I am very confused

 

[StudentWP]

anyone applied to brandsmiths vs, like this please

 

[adfs456]

Hi everyone,

I’m honestly feeling really low at the moment and quite lost about what I’m supposed to do differently. This is my first cycle and boy has it has taken a much bigger toll on me than I expected . I think I’ve reached the point where I genuinely can’t tell whether I’m actually close or just repeatedly failing in the same way. I’d really appreciate any advice, perspective, or honestly even just hearing from anyone who’s been in a similar position or would be willing to talk.

For context, I reached 6 final-stage processes this cycle:

• 3 direct TC processes
• 3 vacation schemes

These were across 2 Magic Circle firms, 2 US firms, and 2 smaller/boutique firms.

The outcomes have been rough though. I got immensely close at one boutique firm, was waitlisted by another, rejected by one US firm, couldn’t attend another vac scheme because of a conflict, got rejected by one MC firm, and now have a vac scheme this summer at the other MC firm.

The thing is, despite getting this far repeatedly, I still feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. I come from a scientific background and have basically no legal experience, so commercial awareness and the whole “corporate law mindset” really does not come naturally to me, and after every rejection I end up feeling like I’m fundamentally missing something everyone else seems to understand intuitively.

I’ve got about 6 weeks until my vacation scheme and I really want to make the most of it. How much detail do I actually need to know about the firm beforehand? What do people who successfully convert schemes into TCs tend to do differently? And how do you improve commercial awareness when it just does not feel intuitive at all?

I’m also finding myself in a massive slump generally. I’m struggling to focus on work, constantly thinking about applications/rejections, and finding it hard to properly enjoy downtime, holidays, or socialising without guilt or stress sitting in the background.

Would really appreciate any advice, especially from people who came from non-law backgrounds or struggled with commercial awareness initially.

Thank you

 

[StudentWP]

Hi everyone,

I’m honestly feeling really low at the moment and quite lost about what I’m supposed to do differently. This is my first cycle and boy has it has taken a much bigger toll on me than I expected . I think I’ve reached the point where I genuinely can’t tell whether I’m actually close or just repeatedly failing in the same way. I’d really appreciate any advice, perspective, or honestly even just hearing from anyone who’s been in a similar position or would be willing to talk.

For context, I reached 6 final-stage processes this cycle:

• 3 direct TC processes
• 3 vacation schemes

These were across 2 Magic Circle firms, 2 US firms, and 2 smaller/boutique firms.

The outcomes have been rough though. I got immensely close at one boutique firm, was waitlisted by another, rejected by one US firm, couldn’t attend another vac scheme because of a conflict, got rejected by one MC firm, and now have a vac scheme this summer at the other MC firm.

The thing is, despite getting this far repeatedly, I still feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. I come from a scientific background and have basically no legal experience, so commercial awareness and the whole “corporate law mindset” really does not come naturally to me, and after every rejection I end up feeling like I’m fundamentally missing something everyone else seems to understand intuitively.

I’ve got about 6 weeks until my vacation scheme and I really want to make the most of it. How much detail do I actually need to know about the firm beforehand? What do people who successfully convert schemes into TCs tend to do differently? And how do you improve commercial awareness when it just does not feel intuitive at all?

I’m also finding myself in a massive slump generally. I’m struggling to focus on work, constantly thinking about applications/rejections, and finding it hard to properly enjoy downtime, holidays, or socialising without guilt or stress sitting in the background.

Would really appreciate any advice, especially from people who came from non-law backgrounds or struggled with commercial awareness initially.

Thank you

bless you, I completely understand that here, second cycle starts feeling low after a while