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Hi all - returning to TC applications after a 2-year break

BubbleTeaFan
Hi everyone,
as it says above in the title, I've decided to return to making TC/VS applications after 2 years with no applications, following 3 cycles of no offers & only one interview/AC secured.
Briefly about me:
  • I'm an international student and a top 10/RG Law graduate (2024) with a 2:1
  • Secured an Insight Scheme at a SC firm in my first year, then an internship with a MC firm in my home country in Europe; no UK-based vac schemes so far
  • After graduation I worked in compliance in London for a year, then completed an LLM in Europe (just graduated)
Following all the rejections over 3 cycles, including the fact that I only got past the application stage once across 19 applications, I was feeling really demotivated. As a result, I ended up making exactly 0 applications between 2024 and 2026, even though I had told myself that I would keep applying – I just couldn't bring myself to write anything because I felt it would not be good enough anyway.

Now after finishing my Master's degree, I've built my confidence back up and I'm feeling super motivated again. I am in a fortunate enough position to be able to take a break and live at home for the next few months, so that I can focus 101% of my time and energy on TC applications.
I'm hoping to submit between 20-30 applications this cycle, as I think one of my mistakes in the past few years had been making too few applications (among other things).
I feel like over the last 5 years I've accumulated a huge breadth of knowledge about the application process, as well as the work of a lawyer and commercial law itself, so I'm hoping to properly use that to my advantage this cycle :)
My main goals are:
  • submitting 20-30 applications in 2026/27
  • improving my application writing skills
  • actually submitting applications even if I don't feel like they're "perfect"
  • improving my Video Interview skills by practising a few times a week
  • improving my overall interview skills & confidence while speaking
  • keeping up to date with the news across 3 topics to improve my commercial awareness
As a long-time (mostly) lurker of the forum, I'm looking forward to posting more and chatting to other candidates :) hoping this will be my last cycle applying! 🤞
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Unsuccessful Summer VS -> Applying again?

thedonnabrief
Hi @Abbie Whitlock !

I hope you're doing well!

I'm an international law student and will be entering my final year this September. This summer, I completed a vacation scheme at a top US law firm but was unfortunately unsuccessful in converting it to a training contract.

As I prepare for the next application cycle, I would be grateful for any insight you might have. My academic profile currently stands at 64% in Year 1 and 59% in Year 2. My second-year performance was affected by significant mitigating circumstances, including documented mental health difficulties and a close grandparent's emergency hospitalisation.

In terms of other positions, I do volunteering at legal clinics and mentoring, I have attended multiple first year schemes, I'm a committee member of 2-3 societies and have done legal wex at local law firms. I might also be doing an internship at a startup this summer.

Given my position as an international student, I am conscious that the process can be particularly competitive. If you have any advice on how I can strengthen my applications over the coming months, I would really appreciate it. I was quite devastated after the rejection and seeing my grades, I'm not sure if applying this year will get me anywhere.

Thank you!
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NEW: Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2026-27

Abbie Whitlock
Hi all!

Vacation Scheme application season is here!

Here are the firms that have announced their application open and closing dates for Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes 2026/27 so far:

(This list is dynamic and will be updated as firms release their application windows) LAST EDITED: Friday 24th July 2026

Autumn Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2026/27:

Opening DateClosing DateScheme DatesFirm NameRolling/Non-Rolling
15 July 202627 August 20262 November - 13 November 2026Simpson Thacher & BartlettNon-Rolling

Winter Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2026/27:

Opening DateClosing DateScheme DatesFirm NameRolling/Non-Rolling
15 July 202613 September 202630 November - 11 December 2026Simpson Thacher & BartlettNon-Rolling
3 August 20267 September 2026 (5pm)30 November - 4 December 2026A&O ShearmanNon-Rolling
24 August 202625 September 202630 November - 11 December 2026Paul, WeissNon-Rolling
17 August 202625 September 20267 December - 11 December 2026Sidley AustinRolling
1 September 20265 October 202630 November - 11 December 2026Hogan Lovells CadwaladerRolling

Spring Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2026/27:

Opening DateClosing DateScheme DatesFirm NameRolling/Non-Rolling
15 July 202620 December 20265 April - 16 April 2027Simpson Thacher & BartlettNon-Rolling
24 August 202614 December 20265 April - 16 April 2027Paul, WeissNon-Rolling
1 September 20264 December 202612 April - 23 April 2027Mayer BrownRolling
28 September 20268 January 20275 April - 16 April 2027Sidley AustinRolling

Summer Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2026/27:

Opening DateClosing DateScheme DatesFirm NameRolling/Non-Rolling
15 July 202620 December 202614 June - 25 June 2027Simpson Thacher & BartlettNon-Rolling
28 August 202615 January 202728 June - 9 July 2027CovingtonN/A
1 September 20264 December 202621 June - 2 July 2027Mayer BrownRolling
1 September 202610 December 2026Scheme 1: 21 June - 9 July 2027
Scheme 2: 19 July - 6 August 2027		Hogan Lovells CadwaladerRolling
14 September 20269 November 2026 (5pm)5 July - 16 July 2027A&O ShearmanNon-Rolling
28 September 20268 January 202721 June - 2 July 2027Sidley AustinRolling

I will keep this thread updated as firms announce their application windows, so feel free to bookmark this thread and check back regularly.

If you notice any firms I have missed or have any suggestions for improving the thread, please let me know. Best of luck with your applications, and don't forget to keep us updated on how you get on!
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Grades and TC future

N
Hi all,

I just graduated with a 2:1 from a top RG university. Unfortunately I have one module where I have dippped to 54.6 whereas the rest are in 60s range, with one first 72%.

Really worried that this will be viewed negatively and that whilst I wont be disqualified outright it will be harder for me as grads with first class grades and just better grades generally will eventually secure the spot( relative to them grades being used as a filter to differntiate candidates).

Would appreciate some opinions on this!
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