TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Received Dechert WE today

Hiya
Is this for summer? If so, can I ask when u applied?

 

[WillKitchen]

hellur ppl just a little check-in has anyone heard from:
Cooley Spring
Withers Summer (post test)
HFW spring post app
Addleshaw London VS post VI
TW spring post WE
Dechert Summer post app
WFW spring post VI
OC post test

I've not yet heard from Cooley or TW.

 

[shadowboxer909]

Yay, Eversheds Cambridge AC.

Gibson Dunn better give me an AC as well.

 

[M85672]

It’s so interesting because the applications I spent the least time on, and that weren’t particularly well researched, ended up getting the most positive responses. Meanwhile, the ones where I really took my time, did loads of research, completed FYS, attended open days, etc., haven’t been successful at all.

I do think quality is important, but I don’t think it matters all the time. That definitely hasn’t been the case for me, and I think quite a few other people have experienced the same thing.

I also wonder if luck plays a huge role. Maybe it’s not always about how many applications you submit or how strong they are, but factors outside your control, like applying at the right time, your application being read by the right person, or even mentioning a detail that happens to resonate with the reviewer.

My only two AC's ever were for:
1) a firm that I completed the app for 30 mins before deadline
2) a firm I started and completed the day before the deadline

Makes me want to just deliberately rush every app lol

 

[tc2026]

Does anyone know Latham AC dates?

 

[boots pharmacy]

Hiya
Is this for summer? If so, can I ask when u applied?

Spring, 16 Oct

 

[boots pharmacy]

omg well done huge congrats!! I assume this is summer also but could I ask when you applied?

Thank you! Spring sorry, I thought I had applied for summer but I've just checked. 16 Oct.

 

[boots pharmacy]

I think i'm a bit too careful when i'm writing apps. I sit there going over wordings etc and always take ages finding the best deals to talk about. A simple why this firm can take me like 1-2 hours and even tho i have a couple commercial stories im following i always try and be uber specific to why it impacts their practice area by naming a deal they've worked on and how transactions similar to this would be impacted

This sounds like a generally good approach to take. As long as you can get 20+ apps out I'd continue with this.

 

[abc124]

Starting to lose hope for a willkie vi given the written exericse is in 2 weeks...What's taking so long :')

 

[WillKitchen]

Thinking about my career in the long-term, I am interested in gaining experience as a part-time judge. You can't start official applications or mentoring schemes with the judiciary until 5-7 years PQE, of course; but I'm still researching and exploring options that might be available to me in the meantime, e.g., tribunal roles, unofficial judge shadowing.

I think sitting as a part-time judge would be fantastic experience for a commercial solicitor, especially on the road to partnership, and allow me to see processes, cases, clients, etc. from a fresh point of view. Once established as an Associate, I think it would be great to sit as a judge for a few days a year. A valuable learning and professional development experience that would make me a more rounded lawyer.

However, I wonder about whether I should mention any of this in VS/TC applications. It would only be one or two sentences in my application, to demonstrate long-term plans and passion for the law. But might this kind of thing be off-putting for some law firm recruitment teams?

Thanks for any thoughts about this.

 

[stillherejustabout]

For anyone who is stressed they haven’t written enough applications most trainees I’ve spoken to submitted under 20, and lots submitted fewer than 10. I’ve only submitted 8 this year, and have an AC at HL (not heard back from the others yet). Obviously the process is VERY luck based, and the more apps you do the better your odds, but spending more time on fewer apps is a just as valid route to pick. Ultimately, it just comes down to personal preference and the time you have available.

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Has anyone who applied early to Kirkland heard back? I’m starting to think they are only replying to people who applied closer to the deadline 🥺

 

[maylawwww]

For anyone who is stressed they haven’t written enough applications most trainees I’ve spoken to submitted under 20, and lots submitted fewer than 10. I’ve only submitted 8 this year, and have an AC at HL (not heard back from the others yet). Obviously the process is VERY luck based, and the more apps you do the better your odds, but spending more time on fewer apps is a just as valid route to pick. Ultimately, it just comes down to personal preference and the time you have available.

100% agree- while I am one to say more is more in terms of applications because of how horrifically competitive it is, this is only the case IF you have enough time to send quality applications to lots of firms. When I was at uni I had much less free time (v intense course) and I think I rushed lots of applications because I thought I had to submit lots and they were under-researched and bad quality. Surprise surprise got rejected! This is especially the case if this is your first cycle- as quality applications take much less time now than they used to.

While the convos about the rushed applications being more competitive is rlly interesting, for most people if you spend more time researching and perfecting applications, you will have a much higher chance of success. Everyone is different so take ppls advice, but you don't have to have the same application strategy as anyone else!

 

[Prudentia]

For anyone who is stressed they haven’t written enough applications most trainees I’ve spoken to submitted under 20, and lots submitted fewer than 10. I’ve only submitted 8 this year, and have an AC at HL (not heard back from the others yet). Obviously the process is VERY luck based, and the more apps you do the better your odds, but spending more time on fewer apps is a just as valid route to pick. Ultimately, it just comes down to personal preference and the time you have available.

I’m applying to less than 10 this year. I know it’s partly a numbers game, but I can’t just apply to any firm for the sake of a training contact. I have to genuinely like the firm, otherwise I won’t spend the time applying. It’s a waste of my time as I know I’ll put in a weak application if I’m applying for the sake of numbers.

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

That OC test made me want to rescind my application 😪

 

[yasmars]

That OC test made me want to rescind my application 😪

What’s so bad about it 😭

 

[xMontmorency]

Thinking about my career in the long-term, I am interested in gaining experience as a part-time judge. You can't start official applications or mentoring schemes with the judiciary until 5-7 years PQE, of course; but I'm still researching and exploring options that might be available to me in the meantime, e.g., tribunal roles, unofficial judge shadowing.

I think sitting as a part-time judge would be fantastic experience for a commercial solicitor, especially on the road to partnership, and allow me to see processes, cases, clients, etc. from a fresh point of view. Once established as an Associate, I think it would be great to sit as a judge for a few days a year. A valuable learning and professional development experience that would make me a more rounded lawyer.

However, I wonder about whether I should mention any of this in VS/TC applications. It would only be one or two sentences in my application, to demonstrate long-term plans and passion for the law. But might this kind of thing be off-putting for some law firm recruitment teams?

Thanks for any thoughts about this.

It does sound nice, but sitting as a recorder in the commercial court or chancery court is not the kind of thing you typically get near to unless you're a KC. If you're interested in becoming a commercial judge, you should be thinking about the bar (or the BCL). Though I would recommend the judicial assistant scheme they have at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, which is accessible to NQ disputes solicitors.

Though if you're talking about being a judge/magistrate at family, criminal or county courts, then I can see your point about different perspectives. Kind of like doing pro bono work at a law firm.

Regarding VS applications: if I were a recruiter I wouldn't really care. The fact that you would like to be a judge doesn't really make you stand out, or show them why you're a good fit for the firm. Worst case they might think you don't really know whether you want to be a solicitor.

 

[Prudentia]

Thinking about my career in the long-term, I am interested in gaining experience as a part-time judge. You can't start official applications or mentoring schemes with the judiciary until 5-7 years PQE, of course; but I'm still researching and exploring options that might be available to me in the meantime, e.g., tribunal roles, unofficial judge shadowing.

I think sitting as a part-time judge would be fantastic experience for a commercial solicitor, especially on the road to partnership, and allow me to see processes, cases, clients, etc. from a fresh point of view. Once established as an Associate, I think it would be great to sit as a judge for a few days a year. A valuable learning and professional development experience that would make me a more rounded lawyer.

However, I wonder about whether I should mention any of this in VS/TC applications. It would only be one or two sentences in my application, to demonstrate long-term plans and passion for the law. But might this kind of thing be off-putting for some law firm recruitment teams?

Thanks for any thoughts about this.

Personally, and this is just a very unwashed opinion, I’d keep it out of VS/TC applications and save it for a point in your career where it clearly complements, rather than competes with, your commitment to the firm.

At VS/TC stage, firms are focused on whether you’re fully committed to private practice and to building your early career with them. Even a brief mention of judicial ambitions (however distant or part-time) can be read, fairly or unfairly, as signalling that private practice is a stepping stone rather than the destination. Some recruiters are relaxed about that, but others can be quite cautious.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

For anyone who is stressed they haven’t written enough applications most trainees I’ve spoken to submitted under 20, and lots submitted fewer than 10. I’ve only submitted 8 this year, and have an AC at HL (not heard back from the others yet). Obviously the process is VERY luck based, and the more apps you do the better your odds, but spending more time on fewer apps is a just as valid route to pick. Ultimately, it just comes down to personal preference and the time you have available.

Thank you for this! I spoke to a trainee at a networking event who applied to five firms and got two VS offers. Of course, there will be people who applied to 100 and got 1, and there will be people who applied to 10 and got 5. It’s different for everyone. However, I don’t think it’s an absolute must to apply to 50+ firms if you are putting a lot of time and effort into each application.

 

[Madison Pinewall]

For anyone who is stressed they haven’t written enough applications most trainees I’ve spoken to submitted under 20, and lots submitted fewer than 10. I’ve only submitted 8 this year, and have an AC at HL (not heard back from the others yet). Obviously the process is VERY luck based, and the more apps you do the better your odds, but spending more time on fewer apps is a just as valid route to pick. Ultimately, it just comes down to personal preference and the time you have available.

are HL sending ACs already o.o!!! congrats!! trainees gave me similar numbers and I think I've sent off 15 apps in total, I just dont see how it's possible to do loads properly they take me a while!! especially when friends are checking them and stuff