TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[shadowboxer909]

Bringing it back on topic, I guess this is why nobody should be relying on AI to complete their applications. Haha!

 

[Lawlawland]

Bringing it back on topic, I guess this is why nobody should be relying on AI to complete their applications. Haha!

Generative AI, Yes! I agree!

I used Comet Browser once and automated the process of manually entering the module grades and work experiences in allhires. That did save me a huge chunk of time! And it was accurate (with all the entries!)

Task automation by augmenting the AI seems to be efficient, especially for such repetitive tasks.

 

[DavidJC]

Bringing it back on topic, I guess this is why nobody should be relying on AI to complete their applications. Haha!

<---- certainly my face when I saw Simmons' app form ask how I've used AI and stating that it's encouraged!

 

[LegalLigase]

Hi everyone, I'd appreciate advice on allocating vacation scheme applications between Spring and Summer.

My Situation:

• 3 firms offer both Spring & Summer: Firm A (Top Choice), Firm B (Strong Alternative), Firm C (Good, but lower tier).
• 7 other firms are Summer-only, some of which I prefer over Firms B and C.

The Dilemma:

• Strategy 1 (Focused): Apply only to Firm A for Spring. Apply to B, C, and others for Summer.
• Pro: Maximises chance with my top choice.
• Con: If I fail with A, I've "wasted" the Spring period.
• Strategy 2 (Maximised): Apply to A, B, and C for Spring. Apply to the 7 others for Summer.
• Pro: Maximises my chance of getting any Spring scheme and an early TC.
• Con: Risks a "Forced Early Decision":
  • Best Case: Get Firm B's offer. I'd be happy to accept, even if it means withdrawing from A's process.
  • Worst Case: Get a TC from Firm C in May. I'm then forced to either accept a TC from a less-preferred firm or gamble it by declining to pursue my preferred Summer firms.

My Question:
Is the security of Strategy 2 worth the "Worst Case" risk of being locked into Firm C? Or is the focused approach of Strategy 1 ultimately safer for aiming higher?

(This is a theoretical scenario, not assuming I'll get these offers! Just planning strategically.)

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[awatling1]

could anyone give me some advice on how to approach this question? i'm being asked 'focus on a situation where you had to think critically to solve a problem or make a decision. in your response, please cover
-how you identified the key issues
-what information you sought to complete your research
-how you involved others
-the outcome of your actions or decision
-how the experienced influenced the way you have approached similar situations since'

the word limit is quite long (500 words). feeling a bit intimidated because i'm only a recent graduate with limited work experience haha

 

[arbitrationfan]

Hi everyone, I'd appreciate advice on allocating vacation scheme applications between Spring and Summer.

My Situation:

• 3 firms offer both Spring & Summer: Firm A (Top Choice), Firm B (Strong Alternative), Firm C (Good, but lower tier).
• 7 other firms are Summer-only, some of which I prefer over Firms B and C.

The Dilemma:

• Strategy 1 (Focused): Apply only to Firm A for Spring. Apply to B, C, and others for Summer.
• Pro: Maximises chance with my top choice.
• Con: If I fail with A, I've "wasted" the Spring period.
• Strategy 2 (Maximised): Apply to A, B, and C for Spring. Apply to the 7 others for Summer.
• Pro: Maximises my chance of getting any Spring scheme and an early TC.
• Con:Risks a "Forced Early Decision":
  • Best Case: Get Firm B's offer. I'd be happy to accept, even if it means withdrawing from A's process.
  • Worst Case: Get a TC from Firm C in May. I'm then forced to either accept a TC from a less-preferred firm or gamble it by declining to pursue my preferred Summer firms.

My Question:
Is the security of Strategy 2 worth the "Worst Case" risk of being locked into Firm C? Or is the focused approach of Strategy 1 ultimately safer for aiming higher?

(This is a theoretical scenario, not assuming I'll get these offers! Just planning strategically.)

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

This is assuming you get the schemes lol. Just apply to all of them and be mindful. I would do A and B spring and the rest summer/

 

[Amgrad]

Hi everyone, I'd appreciate advice on allocating vacation scheme applications between Spring and Summer.

My Situation:

• 3 firms offer both Spring & Summer: Firm A (Top Choice), Firm B (Strong Alternative), Firm C (Good, but lower tier).
• 7 other firms are Summer-only, some of which I prefer over Firms B and C.

The Dilemma:

• Strategy 1 (Focused): Apply only to Firm A for Spring. Apply to B, C, and others for Summer.
• Pro: Maximises chance with my top choice.
• Con: If I fail with A, I've "wasted" the Spring period.
• Strategy 2 (Maximised): Apply to A, B, and C for Spring. Apply to the 7 others for Summer.
• Pro: Maximises my chance of getting any Spring scheme and an early TC.
• Con:Risks a "Forced Early Decision":
  • Best Case: Get Firm B's offer. I'd be happy to accept, even if it means withdrawing from A's process.
  • Worst Case: Get a TC from Firm C in May. I'm then forced to either accept a TC from a less-preferred firm or gamble it by declining to pursue my preferred Summer firms.

My Question:
Is the security of Strategy 2 worth the "Worst Case" risk of being locked into Firm C? Or is the focused approach of Strategy 1 ultimately safer for aiming higher?

(This is a theoretical scenario, not assuming I'll get these offers! Just planning strategically.)

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I have different strategies. Usually, I don't mind about spring or summer as most firms do not specify exactly which scheme dates (especially between spring and summer) you could choose, it will eventually decided after you pass the assessment day or final recruitment stage before VS. The exceptions are Milbank, Weil, and few others.

Instead, I'd be more focused on:

• The scheme deadlines: All firms provide different deadlines, whilst scheme dates might be still TBC like Kirkland & Ellis. I'd rather focus on this first among all. Based on my overall observations, UK firms (city, magic and silver circle firms) are closing their recruitment timeline earlier than international and the US counterparts.

• Your calendars: Whether you are students or professionals, you might have clashed schedule with the scheme dates, so be aware to look at which dates you can't attend, particularly during exam week or critical day when you can't take a leave. For example, not all UG and PG university students both local or overseas can attend summer schemes on 8-19 June 2026 as it's still in your term dates, precisely among RG universities, except Bristol, QMU, Kings, UofM, and few.

• Their open days: If the firms among your top choices, it's highly recommended to attend their ODs, before submitting your final VS applications. It's unlikely the Open Day will fall after the deadline (except for winter), so don't rush your submission. OD isn't essential to secure VS, but it gives you glimpse of views about the firms and industries, especially if you are non-law that helps you in the written to mid application stage.

• The firm's recruitment stages and ACs: The only thing you could consider is the recruitment stage, if the firm's rolling and has shorter phase (without VI, SJT), then you should apply earlier than those non rolling with bunch of tests and later ACs.

• The firm's rolling and rolling: This is the last thing to consider, I've seen many asked for the methods of evaluating candidates. As Abbie said, don't worry too much. I started to relieve after each submission and pause I made.

Why am I thinking like this?

• After PW PFO, I don't care if my app takes days even weeks to complete, as long as it's quite polished and confident, I should not be worried.

• If you are able to create a list of your top firm, now you should do what I suggested to check their dates and your calendar, so you would not missed any classes or potentially turn down offer because of clashed schedule or multiple VS at the same dates.

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Generative AI, Yes! I agree!

I used Comet Browser once and automated the process of manually entering the module grades and work experiences in allhires. That did save me a huge chunk of time! And it was accurate (with all the entries!)

Task automation by augmenting the AI seems to be efficient, especially for such repetitive tasks.

Please explain the comet browser cuz I’m tired of manually inputting my work experience 🥹

 

[oliviabeijing]

the women's one, did you apply?

Yes I applied to the womens one as well, but was supposed to hear back yesterday and didnt... oh well

 

[lawstudent2]

Will Hogan Lovells send out more ACs for the winter vac scheme?

 

[johnsmith]

Please explain the comet browser cuz I’m tired of manually inputting my work experience 🥹

You don't need to do this though? AllHires allows you to centrally add all your grades - mine were in there from when I last applied in 2013!

 

[silonthesofa]

You don't need to do this though? AllHires allows you to centrally add all your grades - mine were in there from when I last applied in 2013!

Work experience is the issue. You can update education, but for some reason in their portal, they're missing the option to update your work experience too so you end up having to input it manually each time. It only saved my work experience from the first time I used it I think, so this year, it's been a lot of manual inputting.

 

[johnsmith]

Work experience is the issue. You can update education, but for some reason in their portal, they're missing the option to update your work experience too so you end up having to input it manually each time. It only saved my work experience from the first time I used it I think, so this year, it's been a lot of manual inputting.

I definitely have this issue with Vantage but with AllHires it seems to remember for me - odd you don't have the same. They're all a bit clunky andinconsistent though. Feels like a business opportunity…

 

[Alturistic whale]

Hey @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock I have an AC coming up and wanted to ask if you guys had any advice on how to tackle the case study elements? There will be 2 x case studies- one where I'm given a bundle and have to present for 10 mins followed by questions where they act as the client. [Here, I'm looking to structure my presentation as issue- impact - solution but do share if you think of alternative structures]

I believe there will also be a contract so apart from familiarising myself with contracts terms, is there anything else you suggest, as these always throw me off!

The second is a little difficult- here, the Partner [from any dept] will verbally disclose a project they are/have worked on. I'll take notes, and after, they will quiz me what I would do in their position on matters x,y,z

I've read Andrei's post on the best resources for AC prep which has been incredibly useful, along with Jacob's post. Was wondering if you had any other thoughts? I've been told the Partners will also challenge me too, so I imagine it's about striking a balance here with justifying my positions or, considering alternatives if they suit better.

 

[apap]

Work experience is the issue. You can update education, but for some reason in their portal, they're missing the option to update your work experience too so you end up having to input it manually each time. It only saved my work experience from the first time I used it I think, so this year, it's been a lot of manual inputting.

I think this is due to firms doing it differently. Some want the most recent first, some want the oldest first. Some have extra inputs like adding how many years and months you have worked at company x despite having a drop down with the dates...

 

[Bread]

I definitely have this issue with Vantage but with AllHires it seems to remember for me - odd you don't have the same. They're all a bit clunky andinconsistent though. Feels like a business opportunity…

Re this, does anyone know how to edit the work experience section in vantage? It fills out automatically for me but it’s outdated and id like to change it instead of having to manually edit it each time
Thanks 🙏🏻

 

[Trophy]

Bringing it back on topic, I guess this is why nobody should be relying on AI to complete their applications. Haha!

I don’t rely on AI. I didn’t understand your original post. Your last explanation should’ve been your first !
Thank you anyway.

 

[silonthesofa]

Re this, does anyone know how to edit the work experience section in vantage? It fills out automatically for me but it’s outdated and id like to change it instead of having to manually edit it each time
Thanks 🙏🏻

Therein lies the problem. I'm yet to figure it out. Was hoping it'd update itself to whatever the latest version I entered was, but no such luck. So have a Word document with all of my work experience formatted and have to copy paste each time.

 

[silonthesofa]

I think this is due to firms doing it differently. Some want the most recent first, some want the oldest first. Some have extra inputs like adding how many years and months you have worked at company x despite having a drop down with the dates...

Sure, but if you input all of the information a firm could possibly ask for into the centralised system, then in theory, it's not hard to only autofill the information actually asked for in that particular form.
In theory... the frustration is that it DOES save work experience. There's just no clear option to update it.

 

[Amgrad]

I think this is due to firms doing it differently. Some want the most recent first, some want the oldest first. Some have extra inputs like adding how many years and months you have worked at company x despite having a drop down with the dates...

Not exactly, but because some firms define work experience distinctively. Some recognise volunteering, open days, and forage as a job opportunity whilst some don't and quite strict. Even, fulltime jobs like cashier at shop or waitress at McDonald's aren't job they want.

Willkie is the example, they provide their own bar to explain forage outside of work experience section. That's why maybe Vantage wouldn't allow candidates to save this part as it's more dynamic than the grades which is permanent.

Also, the style to answer whether bullet point or pros, American firm is more direct than British. I've seen magic circle and City firms prefer pros or combined with bullet point whereas the other prefer bullet points to show metrics and concise words.