TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[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

 

[hlaw123]

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!

 

[hlaw123]

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!

 

[wrpark]

Hey guys, I recently undertook a work experience at a consulting firm that was very interesting and helpful in gaining substantial exposure to real-life deals. However, I had signed a confidentiality agreement that essentially prevents me from revealing any details of the work other than its broad sector. I'm trying to write a description for this experience for work experience sections, would it be better if I include something like "confidentiality obligations prevent further detail" to make up for the lack of detail or should I just try my best with being as broad as I can?

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen , I hope you are well. I recently made it to the Assessment Centre for BCLP's DTC, however I was unsuccessful after (it was my first one!!). I received some great feedback, a few positives and a few areas for improvement re the case study! I was wondering whether you had any advice for preparing for the next application cycle as it was disheartening but at the same time good, to make it to that stage.
And also would you suggest mentioning with other firms either in work experience, answers or interviews, or with BCLP again if I choose to re-apply? Or not?

Thank you!

 

[thedonnabrief]

hi! i have mitigating circumstances and reached out to a firm's grad rec after an online event but didnt receive a response. i thought that its okay to follow up once so i sent in a follow up email but they didnt respond.

i cannot input my mc because i am on track for a 2:1 technically and i am so lost as to how to provide them with context. there is no place else i can put this and im just wondering why they are not replying to me haha this si so frustrating what should i do in this case?

 

[Novaa]

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

Thank you Abbie!! Also, the stars have somehow aligned, my company just posted an opportunity to join their ESG Committee, so that gives me something extra to discuss.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@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?

Hi!

It is, thank you (apart from melting in the heat, haha!) - I hope yours is too!

Unfortunately, I don't have any direct insight into the Ashurt/Perkins Coie LBA process or whether the partner interview is the final stage. It may be worth reaching out to the graduate recruitment team directly to see if they're able to share any further information about what to expect after the partner interview.

Best of luck with the interview - getting to that stage is an amazing achievement!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey guys, I recently undertook a work experience at a consulting firm that was very interesting and helpful in gaining substantial exposure to real-life deals. However, I had signed a confidentiality agreement that essentially prevents me from revealing any details of the work other than its broad sector. I'm trying to write a description for this experience for work experience sections, would it be better if I include something like "confidentiality obligations prevent further detail" to make up for the lack of detail or should I just try my best with being as broad as I can?

Hi!

I would try to be as specific as you can about your role without breaching the confidentiality agreement, rather than simply adding "confidentiality obligations prevent further detail". You can still talk about the type of work you undertook, the skills you developed, the processes you were involved in and what you learned from the experience, while keeping the client/deal details confidential.

For example, instead of explaining the specific transaction, you could say something along the lines of "Supported consultants on a transaction in the [sector] by conducting market research and analysing [types of information], developing an understanding of how commercial considerations influence deal strategy".

I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of deal-specific detail - the graduate recruitment team will understand that there are confidentiality restrictions, particularly in consulting. The key is to make sure you still demonstrate what you actually did and what you gained from the experience, even if you don't mention any specifics

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen , I hope you are well. I recently made it to the Assessment Centre for BCLP's DTC, however I was unsuccessful after (it was my first one!!). I received some great feedback, a few positives and a few areas for improvement re the case study! I was wondering whether you had any advice for preparing for the next application cycle as it was disheartening but at the same time good, to make it to that stage.
And also would you suggest mentioning with other firms either in work experience, answers or interviews, or with BCLP again if I choose to re-apply? Or not?

Thank you!

Hi!

I am doing well, thank you - I hope you are too!

Firstly, making it to the AC stage is a really positive result, so I wouldn't let the rejection take away from that (although I appreciate it is still a disappointing feeling). The fact that you have also received specific feedback on the case study gives you something concrete to work on before the next cycle.

I would go through the feedback carefully and identify 2-3 specific areas you can improve, and then look for opportunities to practise those skills before applications open again. In particular, if the case study was the main area for improvement, I would practise working through unfamiliar commercial scenarios under time pressure and get used to clearly explaining your reasoning and reaching a recommendation. I have quoted a post below that includes some case study resources that might be useful!

In terms of mentioning BCLP in future applications, I wouldn't feel that you have to mention the previous application or AC. However, if you reapply to BCLP, it could be worth referring to the experience where it naturally fits - particularly if you can show how you acted on the feedback you received and developed since your previous application. This can demonstrate genuine reflection and progression, which are incredibly valuable traits for future trainees.

With other firms, I would focus on what you learned from the BCLP process rather than simply saying that you reached their AC. For example, if the experience helped you identify a particular skill you needed to develop and you subsequently worked on it, that could be a useful example in an interview or application.

Wishing you the best of luck with the next cycle!

Hello!

I used this resource from Jacob Miller when preparing for case studies last cycle, and I found it super useful - it might be a good starting point!

Best of luck

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

hi! i have mitigating circumstances and reached out to a firm's grad rec after an online event but didnt receive a response. i thought that its okay to follow up once so i sent in a follow up email but they didnt respond.

i cannot input my mc because i am on track for a 2:1 technically and i am so lost as to how to provide them with context. there is no place else i can put this and im just wondering why they are not replying to me haha this si so frustrating what should i do in this case?

Hi!

I can understand why this is frustrating, especially since you want to make sure the firm has the full context around your circumstances.

If you have already emailed the graduate recruitment team twice and haven't received a response, I probably wouldn't keep following up for now. It doesn't necessarily mean they are ignoring you, it might just be that they are in a particular busy period and your emails have unfortunately been missed.

As you are currently on track for a 2:1, I would submit the application as normal rather than worrying about trying to force the mitigating circumstances into a section where they don't fit. Once you have submitted the application, though, I would consider sending the graduate recruitment team one further email to say that you have submitted your application but there wasn't an appropriate section to provide details of your mitigating circumstances. You could then briefly outline what happened and explain that you wanted to make sure the context was on their radar when reviewing your application.

I would keep that email concise and factual rather than going into lots of detail. You have made a reasonable effort to contact them already, so you have done as much as you can. I would also keep a record of the emails you have sent, just in case you need to refer back to them later.

I definitely wouldn't read too much into the lack of response, as frustrating as I imagine it is! Graduate recruitment teams can be incredibly busy, particularly around the start of application season, and it doesn't necessarily indicate anything about how they'll view your application

 

[user55998384]

hi @Abbie Whitlock i hope you are well!! in my first year i recieved a 55 in one of my modules but feel i had genuine mc but i always wonder whether disclosing it makes the firm look less favourably. would it be possible to personal pm you the description as i would feel a lot more confident disclosing it knowing that it is genueinyl valid and is to the point

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

hi @Abbie Whitlock i hope you are well!! in my first year i recieved a 55 in one of my modules but feel i had genuine mc but i always wonder whether disclosing it makes the firm look less favourably. would it be possible to personal pm you the description as i would feel a lot more confident disclosing it knowing that it is genueinyl valid and is to the point

Hey!

I am doing well, thank you - I hope you are too!

Yes of course, please feel free to PM me

 

[awatling1]

I got a TC offer!!!!!!

Honestly can't believe it. When I say I couldn't have done it without TCLA I really mean that. All the support and insight on this forum has been invaluable to me. Thanks so much to everyone, there are so many current and past TCLA staff who have been so helpful. I used to have no clue what was going on and didn't even know the difference between a sector and a practice area hahaha!! I am so glad I chose to keep persevering.

I would be grateful for any and all pgdl advice

 

[sagekensuke]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, do you have any advice on delineating between whether something is work experience or a hobby?

For context, I began doing something as a hobby and it would typically be regarded as a recreational activity, but eventually started earning money (not a huge amount, but roughly around £5,000) from it which is why I’m unsure how to categorise it.

Some application questions ask us to discuss our extracurricular activities etc. so for those I think I would benefit from not including it as a work experience, but where the application form doesn’t mention this, I might as well include it as a work experience entry? Or do you think it’s better to just save it until interview instead of potentially mischaracterising as a work experience

 

[Enyonam]

Hi all,

I am one year post grad from a non RG and working as a paralegal in house. I have done one vac scheme at HSFK which was unsuccessful. I have decided that I want this to be the cycle that I secure a training contract and I will work as hard as it takes to make it happen.

I will be documenting my journey here to hold myself accountable, hopefully this will be the community I need to keep me pushing.

This week, I’m applying for Macfarlanes’ Winter Vac Scheme… it opened so early!!