TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[coolwizard22]

Does anyone know what online test Ashurst is using for the vacation schemes this cycle?

It is the same as the one described in the TCLA directory. Got an email about it today.

 

[Jaysen]

Do people think that applying for Sidley on 1 September for Winter Vac. Scheme is too late, given they assess them on a rolling basis

I wouldn’t say so. I suspect they’ll be reviewing up to the deadline given how early it is in the year.

 

[an03]

Does anyone know if you can apply for both winter and summer vac schemes at White & Case, in the same cycle?

 

[jojo23]

Does anyone know if you can apply for both winter and summer vac schemes at White & Case, in the same cycle?

You can apply for all 3, it let's you pick a preference order. Note that winter has an earlier deadline though.

 

[Chris Brown]

Does anyone know if you can apply for both winter and summer vac schemes at White & Case, in the same cycle?

You can only apply for either the Winter, Spring or Summer vac scheme in the same cycle (so one vac scheme per application cycle).

If you apply for the Winter vac scheme, I don’t think you would be able to apply for the Spring or Summer vac schemes in the same cycle.

If you apply for either Spring or Summer, I think you can select both options, or a preference of one of the two and they allocate one of them.

If you apply for the Winter, Spring or Summer vac scheme and are unsuccessful, you are able to apply to the direct TC in the same cycle.

I’m not sure if this will be the case in this cycle but it was for the last one. Best of luck in your White & Case vac scheme application!​

 

[an03]

You can only apply for either the Winter, Spring or Summer vac scheme in the same cycle (so one vac scheme per application cycle).

If you apply for the Winter vac scheme, I don’t think you would be able to apply for the Spring or Summer vac schemes in the same cycle.

If you apply for either Spring or Summer, I think you can select both options, or a preference of one of the two and they allocate one of them.

If you apply for the Winter, Spring or Summer vac scheme and are unsuccessful, you are able to apply to the direct TC in the same cycle.

I’m not sure if this will be the case in this cycle but it was for the last one. Best of luck in your White & Case vac scheme application!​

Thank you!

 

[c.t.tc]

Does anyone know when Macfarlanes Spring Scheme ACs were held last year?

 

[The Boy]

Does anyone know when Macfarlanes Spring Scheme ACs were held last year?

Late January - mid feb. If successful in the AC, you could pick between summer or spring depending on your availability.

 

[Popsmoke]

Will review this - I suspect the HL profile page needs updating. Thank you for flagging!

No worries!! Thank you for responding

 

[rain2801]

Hi, I'm a final year student from a law school in India. I have not been educated in the UK and would require a right to work there. I tried for VS and DTCs last year, but didn't make it past the application stage. I applied to Links, HSF, AOSS, Freshfields, Milbank and CC. I want to apply for VS and DTCs more seriously this year and apply to more firms as well, since I didn't have any guidance when applying last year. If there's anyone who can assist me in how best to approach the applications as an international applicant, please let me know. Would appreciate your insights as well @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu, thank you!

 

[jfb]

It is the same as the one described in the TCLA directory. Got an email about it today.

where do you find this info on the directory?

 

[anonymous_assessment]

Hi, I'm a final year student from a law school in India. I have not been educated in the UK and would require a right to work there. I tried for VS and DTCs last year, but didn't make it past the application stage. I applied to Links, HSF, AOSS, Freshfields, Milbank and CC. I want to apply for VS and DTCs more seriously this year and apply to more firms as well, since I didn't have any guidance when applying last year. If there's anyone who can assist me in how best to approach the applications as an international applicant, please let me know. Would appreciate your insights as well @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu, thank you!

Hey,

I thought I'd pitch in with some advice on this. As you're somewhat restricted to applying to the top international law firms, the competition will also be a lot greater.

For the firms you have mentioned, they will receive thousands of applications, and so you will really need to stand out. I think firstly that means applying to fewer firms but with a greater amount of time spent on research. Maybe around 15 firms.

Start an application draft early as possible in the cycle for those firms, prioritising those firms that have earlier deadlines. This will allow you to do more research, and also add to your application after attending events with those firms. I think attending events is really important, because those larger firms definitely run a lot of events and will expect serious applicants to have taken the time to go to a few of those.

An example might be the upcoming Bright Network FESTIVAL event. Then speaking to representatives from those law firms you can show a genuine connection with the firm, and proper motivation to join. This can also be helped by attending more than one event, explaining how going to one event/webinar/etc then drove you to attend the next.

 

[anonymous_assessment]

where do you find this info on the directory?

I believe they are talking about this page on the TCLA Directory. I'll copy in the relevant part of the page:

"Psychometric assessments​

Comprising of three psychometric assessments. Cognify assesses your problem solving and analytical skills using online games. Values fit looks at the importance you give to key work factors, to ensure Ashurst is a good cultural fit for you. Emotify assesses your interpersonal skills. Complete these tests within seven days of receiving them."

 

[James Wakefield]

I believe they are talking about this page on the TCLA Directory. I'll copy in the relevant part of the page:

"Psychometric assessments​

Comprising of three psychometric assessments. Cognify assesses your problem solving and analytical skills using online games. Values fit looks at the importance you give to key work factors, to ensure Ashurst is a good cultural fit for you. Emotify assesses your interpersonal skills. Complete these tests within seven days of receiving them."

Ashurst recently stopped using Cognify, and have switched to Cappfinity.

 

[rain2801]

Hey,

I thought I'd pitch in with some advice on this. As you're somewhat restricted to applying to the top international law firms, the competition will also be a lot greater.

For the firms you have mentioned, they will receive thousands of applications, and so you will really need to stand out. I think firstly that means applying to fewer firms but with a greater amount of time spent on research. Maybe around 15 firms.

Start an application draft early as possible in the cycle for those firms, prioritising those firms that have earlier deadlines. This will allow you to do more research, and also add to your application after attending events with those firms. I think attending events is really important, because those larger firms definitely run a lot of events and will expect serious applicants to have taken the time to go to a few of those.

An example might be the upcoming Bright Network FESTIVAL event. Then speaking to representatives from those law firms you can show a genuine connection with the firm, and proper motivation to join. This can also be helped by attending more than one event, explaining how going to one event/webinar/etc then drove you to attend the next.

Hi, thank you so much for this! In terms of profile, I will graduate with a first class from a rigorous university in my country. I have interned with tier-1 firms in my country across the dispute resolution, capital markets and m&a pe/vc practice areas.

 

[Shahenshah]

Has anyone received a response from Sidley about their WVS?

Yes, got my rejection a few days ago - hey ho

 

[Sachin Chandra]

Hi all - does anyone know if Kirkland & Ellis review on a rolling-basis?

 

[User138756]

Does anyone know if you can apply for both winter and summer vac schemes at White & Case, in the same cycle?

Hi! Just following up on the responses from other users - they are correct that you can only apply for one per cycle, and will be asked to rank the schemes in order of your preferences. You are also able to apply for the direct TC route in the same cycle should you be unsuccessful in your vacation scheme application. However, the GR team only recommends doing so if something there has been a substantial change in your application. Hope this helps, and Best of luck!

 

[Maddy]

Yes, got my rejection a few days ago - hey ho

If you don't mind me asking, when did you apply?

 

[User138756]

Thank you that's extremely helpful. I am worried that I don't have a tremendous amount of experience since I'm doing a PGDL and full time job so I'm unsure how much experience firms want listed in applications.

Hi RaniaH062002,

No need to worry! From my experience, the other users that have replied to you are correct in that you don't need loads of work experience to be successful in applications, and it certainly doesn't need to be legal. When I applied, all I had in my section were two part time jobs that I had previously worked during summer holidays, and some tutoring that I was doing online during university. The most important thing I found was making sure that I described the role in a concise manner, highlighting all of the tasks that I completed and linking them to relevant skills that firms are looking for in trainees such as teamwork and time management. Best of luck with your applications!