TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[trainingcontracttbd]

Does anyone know if university society roles should be put under extracurriculars (under a skills question) or under work experience? Thank you.

 

[Novaa]

Is there anything I can be doing as a “career changer” (3 years Project Management experience) to maximise my profile for applications?

I was very active with opportunities during my LLB, but I’ve struggled to do the same since working full-time. I’m currently relying on my uni experience (leadership roles, mentoring schemes, vac schemes etc.) and a couple of open days alongside my PM experience. Is that enough, or could the decline in variety of experiences since university make it look like I’ve given up on law?

 

[174Tess9y3]

for the macfarlanes winter vac scheme, the work experience section says to use bullet points. should it be written using first person so consistently writing 'i supported on xyz.... i assisted' or is it better to just go in with the verb so each bullet would sound like - 'support on a range of.... assist on.... managed....' - any advice appreciated!

Did not see that and applied with normal paragraphs guess that’ll go in the rejection list already

@Abbie Whitlock would you agree?

 

[ash_22]

Hey!

I would try not to worry too much about the gap in itself (easier said than done, I know!). As a recent graduate with a First from a RG university who passed the application stage multiple times, you have already demonstrated that your academics and application profile are strong enough to get through the initial stages.

I would focus less on trying to "fill" the gap and more on making sure you can clearly explain what you have been doing and, importantly, what you have taken from it. Your research assistant role is absolutely valid work experience, so I would make sure you are getting as much substance from it as possible - e.g. the research you have undertaken, how you have contributed, any challenges you have dealt with and the skills you have developed.

I'd also look back at last cycle and try to identify where your applications were falling down. If you were consistently reaching VIs but not progressing further, that could be a sign that your written applications are broadly working and that your biggest opportunity is improving your video interview technique, rather than needing to accumulate lots more work experience.

For this cycle, I would perhaps prioritise:
1. Reviewing your previous applications and identifying common weaknesses or feedback
2. Refining how you talk about your existing experience rather than worrying about having lots of different roles
3. Continuing to develop commercially and legally, so that you have strong material to draw on in applications and interviews
4. Preparing properly for VIs (as they are a very unique assessment style!), particularly as this was a stage you reached repeatedly last cycle

Plenty of successful candidates need a few cycles to secure a TC - you aren't behind, and I can't imagine graduate recruitment teams will look unfavourably at a smaller gap in your CV if you can explain what you have been doing during that time. The fact that you were already getting VIs is a really positive starting point, and it is now about working out what will get you from that stage to the next one.

Wishing you the best of luck this cycle!

Thank you so much for your very thorough response. Great advice re revisiting apps! Will defo take the steps you’ve suggested.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone know if university society roles should be put under extracurriculars (under a skills question) or under work experience? Thank you.

Hey!

I would generally put university society roles under extracurriculars, particularly if the application has a dedicated section for them. However, if there isn't a separate extracurriculars section/question, I have previously included committee roles under work experience where I had enough responsibility to justify it (e.g. organising events, managing a team or budget, etc.)

For a skills question, you can also a society role as an example if it demonstrates the skill they are asking about. I'd focus less on the category and more on where you can best demonstrate the responsibility and skills you developed

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Is there anything I can be doing as a “career changer” (3 years Project Management experience) to maximise my profile for applications?

I was very active with opportunities during my LLB, but I’ve struggled to do the same since working full-time. I’m currently relying on my uni experience (leadership roles, mentoring schemes, vac schemes etc.) and a couple of open days alongside my PM experience. Is that enough, or could the decline in variety of experiences since university make it look like I’ve given up on law?

Hey!

I would try not to worry that the lack of variety in experiences since university makes it look like you have given up on law. If anything, your three years of Project Management experience can be a very valuable differentiator, especially if you can articulate the transferable skills you have developed.

You already have a good foundation from your LLB (+ leadership roles, mentoring, vacation schemes, etc.), and the open days show that you have continued engaging with the profession since graduating. I wouldn't feel that you need to force yourself to accumulate lots of additional legal experiences alongside a full-time job just for the sake of having more on your CV.

I would personally focus on:
1. Making the most of your Project Management experience - highlighting things like stakeholder management, managing competing deadlines, problem-solving, commercial awareness, etc.
2. Keeping your legal knowledge/current affairs up to date - particularly in the areas of law or sectors you are interested in.
3. Being able to explain why you are interested in a career in law - why law, and how your Project Management experience has prepared you for a legal career
4. Continuing to attend the occasional open day or networking event - however, this is only where realistically possible! You don't need to turn this into another full time job

Your career history gives you something interesting to talk about - the key part is making sure that the graduate recruitment team understand why it makes you a stronger future lawyer

 

[CharlieandLola]

@Jaysen @Abbie Whitlock I hope your summer is going well. I just had a quick Q - I got to the partner interview with Ashurst Perkins Coie for the LBA programme after completing the vacation scheme. I can't seem to find alot online about the process and if this is the last stage or whether there is another stage after. Do you have any insights into this?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Did not see that and applied with normal paragraphs guess that’ll go in the rejection list already

@Abbie Whitlock would you agree?

Hey!

I personally wouldn't assume that! I would be very surprised if using paragraphs rather than bullet points was an automatic rejection, particularly if the content itself was strong and clearly demonstrated what you did and the skills you developed.

The bullet-point guidance is more likely there to encourage concise and easy-to-read answers, rather than as a strict criterion. It is difficult to say definitively how the firm will view it, but I'd focus on whether you thought the substance of your application was strong, rather than worrying about the formatting after the fact.

Fingers crossed for you!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

for the macfarlanes winter vac scheme, the work experience section says to use bullet points. should it be written using first person so consistently writing 'i supported on xyz.... i assisted' or is it better to just go in with the verb so each bullet would sound like - 'support on a range of.... assist on.... managed....' - any advice appreciated!

Hey!

I would personally go with the second approach and start each bullet point with the verb rather than repeatedly using "I". It tends to read more concisely and professionally, and means you can get more substance into the limited space.

However, I think either approach is likely to be absolutely fine - the main thing is to be consistent throughout rather than switching between the two. I'd also focus less on simply listing what you did, and more on briefly showing what you actually contributed, the skills you developed, and any tangible outcomes

 

[hmevey]

Hey!

I would personally go with the second approach and start each bullet point with the verb rather than repeatedly using "I". It tends to read more concisely and professionally, and means you can get more substance into the limited space.

However, I think either approach is likely to be absolutely fine - the main thing is to be consistent throughout rather than switching between the two. I'd also focus less on simply listing what you did, and more on briefly showing what you actually contributed, the skills you developed, and any tangible outcomes

Thank you, super useful!

 

[hmevey]

hey where does it say to write in bullet points?

just at the top of the page when you go to the work experience section!