TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TortillaTC]

Wondering if its too late to submit dechert and sidley spring/summer considering the rolling nature of both

I’d say Sidley definitely yes, they probably won’t start assessing spring and summer apps until after the winter scheme

 

[emily3827]

Wondering if its too late to submit dechert and sidley spring/summer considering the rolling nature of both

my friend secured a vac scheme and tc at sidley last year and literally applied the day of the deadline, so I think they defo review every application even if they're rolling, also with dechert I applied a week before the deadline for winter and got an ac so I would recommend applying to both if you care about the firms

 

[maylawwww]

Omg bird & bird virtual AC??? i stg never count yourself out because i have never passed a VI before and i thought that one in particular was a bit of a car crash

 

[Andrei Radu]

Would you say a similar thing for slaughters? Their deadline is 05/12 and I’m almost ready but I feel I’m cutting it a bit fine…

Yes - although it is closer to date, Slaughter and May has never had a reputation for caring a lot about how early an application was submitted. If anything, the firm is know to look for a particular "type" of academics-focused applicants and to often depart from common recruitment practices when targeting them. As such, if the firm sees you as having a desirable candidate profile, I doubt they would reject you simply because you have not submitted your application earlier.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Omg bird & bird virtual AC??? i stg never count yourself out because i have never passed a VI before and i thought that one in particular was a bit of a car crash

Huge congratulations @maylawwww 🥳 🥳 🥳 ! I also definitely agree with your sentiment, having been progressed after some VIs I thought I had completely flunked. I believe a general principle people should try to internalise is that if you are finding an assessment really difficult, it is likely that so are many other people; and that even quite imperfect efforts to deal as well as you can with such nerve-raking experience can show a firm many of your desirable qualities even you may be unaware about.

 

[Andrei Radu]

thank you so much this is really helpful, in my planned answer i talked about how it would be difficult to organise and co-ordinate with laywers in offices in different time zones and these lines of communications might not always be smooth but said how this is a challenge that excites me - would you say this is steering too far from the q and it should literally focus on something that wouldn't be enjouable

I think you should indeed try to actually pick out a feature that you believe would not feel very enjoyable to experience, at least when comparing it to the other features of working in commercial law. I do not think your example is necessarily implausible, as I have heard a number of lawyers complain about the way cross-border communication on some deals would really mess up their schedules and require them to pull all-nighters. Thus, I think you can make this point work for you, but you need to ensure you actually "sell" the idea that this would not be something you will enjoy; as you want to avoid making the impression you are just dodging the real question and make yourself look like you like everything about commercial law.

 

[msclm]

Wondering if its too late to submit dechert and sidley spring/summer considering the rolling nature of both

I applied an hour before the deadline for the Sidley winter vac scheme … and I’m doing the wvs in a few weeks. They 100% will look at your app.

 

[user55998384]

I think you should indeed try to actually pick out a feature that you believe would not feel very enjoyable to experience, at least when comparing it to the other features of working in commercial law. I do not think your example is necessarily implausible, as I have heard a number of lawyers complain about the way cross-border communication on some deals would really mess up their schedules and require them to pull all-nighters. Thus, I think you can make this point work for you, but you need to ensure you actually "sell" the idea that this would not be something you will enjoy; as you want to avoid making the impression you are just dodging the real question and make yourself look like you like everything about commercial law.

thank you!!

 

[i-want-a-tc]

For those who go Pinsent London AC invite, are you free to share the wording of your feedback? Eg, how many traits did they say you did well and how many did they say you need to work on. Also your verbal and numerical scale.


Any insights will help, I am waiting to hear back and I did the test on 5th November. My friends who did it on 5th and 4th got rejection, and some are still waiting to hear back.

 

[NLegal]

Mishcon chat based interview invite.

Congrats! How did it go if you don't mind me asking?

 

[hanahana]

Bird & Bird AC!!!

 

[BobThebIlly]

Hi Andrei Radu, I hope you’re well. I had a question for you as a future trainee at Davis Polk regarding their cover letter. The cover letter has an 800-word limit and asks applicants to address: why you are specifically interested in Davis Polk, why you are attracted to the work that the firm carries out, and the skills you have developed that would contribute to your success in the role.

I’m not sure how to structure this. Should I split it roughly 50/50 — for example, around 400 words on why Davis Polk and their work, and 400 words on my skills and attributes? Or would it be better to merge these sections? For instance, I plan to discuss a four-week internship as part of the “why Davis Polk” section, but that experience also helped me develop relevant skills. I’m a bit unsure how to balance this, so any guidance would be appreciated!

 

[Trophy]

People that got Pinset AC, please PM me if you are interested in Intray exercise practice. I learnt that it constitutes a huge chunk of their AC! I will create a group chat and we can meet maybe once a week virtually to practice? (No need to turn your cameras on , you can stay anonymous)

I have been to their AC before and can confirm it is heavily weighed.

I passed every component of their AC but did not finish the intray due to strict timings. I was told if I had finished that it would’ve been a different outcome.

Partner interview is pretty easy… why the firm, why London. It is a very rigid format everyone is asked the same exact questions across all offices. They will ask you a commercial question. I can’t remember it.it is one partner in the interview 1 partner in the commercial case study. They will mostly be looking down taking notes so don’t be too nervous. Friendly firm for sure. I know someone who got a TC offer from a VS AC as they were very good and passed all aspects of the AC.

Please don’t send me lots of messages asking for tips just giving my two pence above 🫡

 

[Kirsty Wilkins]

Has anybody heard back from Weil or Willkie yet who applied in November? Been almost 3 weeks since I applied to Weil and over a week since I’ve sent off my Willkie application.​

Hi @Harvey Specter

We have received hundreds of applications so far this month, so we are reading through each of them one by one and will get back to you. As a reminder the Willkie Grad Rec 'Team' is just one person, so it does take a long time to read each of them fully and get back to everyone.

Thanks!

Kirsty

 

[Diana54]

Is the Pinsent Masons London scheme closed? - Their website shows the scheme as closed but according to other websites, it should still be open

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Is the Pinsent Masons London scheme closed? - Their website shows the scheme as closed but according to other websites, it should still be open

Closed on 5th November

 

[Chelsea101]

Is the Pinsent Masons London scheme closed? - Their website shows the scheme as closed but according to other websites, it should still be open

closed 5th nov

 

[Kirsty Wilkins]

Has anyone heard from Willkie in a while?

Hi @Goodbyetc

I'm making my way through all applications received one by one, so you will hear from us.

Thanks,

Kirsty

 

[yk1906]

TW test invite!! Was a bit stressed it wasn’t coming in

 

[Donuttime]

is there anywhere i can find imminent deadlines for law firm applications?