TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Ancika]

Hi! Does anyone remember the video interview questions asked for A&O Shearman last year? Also, how many minutes did you have to answer them?

 

[tosin4774]

Has anyone previously applied to Sidley Austin? Is the firm very strict with their candidates having top score?

This "Our minimum criteria is AAA at A-level and a 2:1 degree in any discipline. Applications are not screened automatically, and mitigating circumstances are taken into account" is what I found out in the frequently asked questions from the firm’s website.

 

[TortillaTC]

This "Our minimum criteria is AAA at A-level and a 2:1 degree in any discipline. Applications are not screened automatically, and mitigating circumstances are taken into account" is what I found out in the frequently asked questions from the firm’s website.

Any idea how strict they are on the 2:1?

 

[tosin4774]

Any idea how strict they are on the 2:1?

Not sure about that. Probably would be best to ask the trainees in tcla tomorrow

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

Hi everyone!

I need some advice about the next application cycle and would appreciate any insights. I'm an international student about to start my LLM (SQE1&2) course at ULaw this September. However I've just realised that being under a student visa, I wouldn't be able to apply for vac schemes as my term time lasts from September - October 2026. This means that I will only be able to apply via the Direct TC route. I also have a scholarship for this LLM course. Another reason why I'm leaning towards this option is because an LLM may look better to employers than just a diploma alone. I'm really hoping to secure a TC next year and now I'm thinking if I should switch to BPP's 8 month SQE 1 & 2 Diploma course that would enable me to apply to both vac schemes and Direct TCs. I'm not to keen on BPP since I've not heard good things about its teaching and support and obviously my main priority is passing the SQE.

Would it be best to pursue Option 1 (LLM at ULaw) or Option 2 (Diploma at BPP) in order to both pass the SQE and get a TC next year? I'd appreciate any advice as I'm really worried about this situation. Also for context- I've done a couple ACs for Direct TC routes (I've always been more successful at this route compared to the vac scheme route, not sure why), have 4 legal internships (outside the UK), 30+ insight days/workshops at London law firms, Law Clinic work experience and a 2:1 from a RG uni.

Many thanks!

 

[ghost08]

Hi all - with Sidley's application form giving space for 4 work experiences, I am unsure what to put for my fourth option. I could go for open days (of which I have attended a substantial number), an insight week at a sports marketing firm, coaching at school football clubs or an initial shadowing experience at a city firm in 2019.

For context, the other three are work at a high street firm, work as a barista and a vac scheme.

Would appreciate any thoughts

 

[legal18]

Hey all, would people recommend TCLA gold?

 

[dannyp123]

Hi! Don’t worry at all! Applying a few weeks after an application window has opened will not disadvantage you
In fact, I’d say whether you applied on the first day, or half way through the window, you have an equal chance. No advantage or disadvantage either way.

Both rolling and non-rolling firms typically receive 50% of all applications during the last 2 weeks (before their deadlines close).

As long as you submit a strong application, it doesn’t really matter when you submit it for 99% of firms.
This is even more true given your intention to submit only a few weeks after an application window has opened.

———

(Most firms aren’t fully rolling-basis, even if they claim to be. However, there are one or two firms that genuinely recruit on a first-come, first-served basis. But, we’re so early into the application cycle that I wouldn’t worry. If a winter scheme was hypothetically full because you were the last person to apply, you’d be considered for the spring and summer schemes instead.
What therefore matters is submitting a strong application, rather than the timing of when you submit).

Alright thank you so much!

 

[iklawapps]

Out of curiosity would anyone happen to know if graduates can still apply for A&O Shearman's winter vac scheme or do they have to apply for the direct TC? Thank you!

 

[lawyergal101]

For the Sidley app, are we capped to only 4 work experiences? I was hoping there was a way to add more

 

[Hanzeeb]

Out of curiosity would anyone happen to know if graduates can still apply for A&O Shearman's winter vac scheme or do they have to apply for the direct TC? Thank you!

Ive emailed a&o for clarification, so will let you know

 

[yueyueer]

Ive emailed a&o for clarification, so will let you know

Yeah was just wondering the same as the eligibility for both their winter and summer schemes seem to exclude graduates…

 

[tobywstress]

Does anyone know how strict Ashurst is with the 2:1? Unfortunately I had a bad module that dragged my average under 64 and wonder if it’s worth the effort

 

[floral.tcla]

normally a&o Shearman recruits on a rolling basis, I'm surprised that they've said they've changed it

 

[rapunzel]

I made a new account as I announced where my vacation scheme was on my other one and don’t want to be identified.

Happy to announce I was offered a TC a few weeks ago. This has not been an easy road at all. This was not my first cycle. I am not an A* student. Non Russell group law degree. I have failed in converting vacation schemes previously so this was not my first rodeo. I did not make 5 applications nor did I do 40.

I don’t have a detailed application strategy. Having attended multiple schemes I can say luck plays a massive factor. As well as the resources your university offers you. A low 2:1 LSE applicants has more exposure to the process than a 1st class non law applicant (in which 0 top firms attend their law fair if they have one or do dinners).

The biggest advice I have for those still pushing is to have hope. Hope and determination is what will push you through. I have cried numerous times this cycle. I have wanted to quit many a times. I didn’t because I had an ounce of hope left in me. All you need is one yes.That one yes ultimately saved me going down another route and being extremely unhappy and feeling like a failure.

The legal route is tough. Anyone who opens their laptop to apply to vacation schemes, open days and training contact is a fighter in my eyes. Fight for the career you want, fight for the type of firm you want to work at. If you’re rejected fight back and apply again. Post vacation schemes rejections are by far the worst but just know if you’ve experienced this feeling you are deserving of a training contact because that firm would’ve never took you on if they didn’t believe it.

Keep applying and keep fighting!!!

I’m sure we’ll all be sipping cocktails on our firms roof Terraces one day ❤️

Huge congratulations, so well deserved 🥳

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Thank you I appreciate this! I was only thinking the forage experience, as I have no vac scheme or law firm experience and wanted to show some interest into being a solicitor

You could potentially reference it in one of your answers eg why law, why this firm you might say during a Forage course with [firm name] I experienced ......

 

[futuresolicitor2028]

In terms of application strategy is the advice less and better quality apps vs more. I've condensed an initial list of 30 to 9 firms I want to apply to, of which there is 1 star firm that I want, but they offer no vacation scheme! I feel like it's risky applying to only 9 (VS/TCs) but I've never done this so!

 

[futuresolicitor2028]

not yet, they said early august so im presuming next week? did you apply to the London office?

London office yes, did you? And I guess we will find out in a few days! Really interesting that there was no interview for this scheme

 

[ilovegardening1111]

hi everyone, if we are asked to write about any topic we want to apart from a legal one do you think it would be best to keep it to 'professional' topics so something in the news or can it something just tied to our hobbies

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Spoke with recruitment:
Just found out that all law and non-law graduates, PGDL, and SQE students/grads aren’t eligible to apply for A&O Shearman vac schemes 😱
Can only apply directly to their TC. Wow!