TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

really idk I have 2.2 Bec of few mit circumstances...

I have a few 2:2s with mit circs but I managed to progress with several US firms e.g., Weil, Gibson Dunn, Skadden, Debevoise, Akin and others too.

There are several US firms that are probs much harder to succeed with if you have 2:2s like Jones Day, Davis Polk, Cleary Gottlieb and SullCrom.

If the rest of your written app is strong, I can’t see why a firm would pass over your app simply due to a few 2:2s. A strong 2:1 overall (65%) helps!​

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo sui]

Does anyone know how many people make it to Ropes AC and subsequently the vac scheme?

 

[flower1]

from what i recall so far:

- stephenson harwood
- weil
- milbank
- mayer brown
- mishcon de reya

Thank you

 

[QuillandCounsel]

Will AG be sending out any more offers for ACs? Or can we assume PFO now and move on?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Does anyone know how many people make it to Ropes AC and subsequently the vac scheme?

I believe it’s 80 people for the ACs (5 ACs total so probs 16 per AC), 30 VS spaces and 15 TCs.

So it’s like a 35-40% chance of converting AC to a VS, although it’s 8-9 hours long so it’s rough! 😬​

 

[Applicant7874652]

Does anyone know how many people make it to Ropes AC and subsequently the vac scheme?

From what I heard, 80 at AC, 35 at VS

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

Has anyone completed the second-stage interview for Morrison Foerster which includes a presentation and case study interview? Would really appreciate any insights anyone may have! I haven't done a presentation since I was at school lmao.

 

[kukubird]

Has anyone completed the second-stage interview for Morrison Foerster which includes a presentation and case study interview? Would really appreciate any insights anyone may have! I haven't done a presentation since I was at school lmao.

Hey, congrats! When did you hear back?

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

Hey, congrats! When did you hear back?

Thanks! ☺️ I heard back earlier today. Are you still waiting to hear back?

 

[kukubird]

Thanks! ☺️ I heard back earlier today. Are you still waiting to hear back?

Yeah I am! I dmed you

 

[ellischloe]

Has anyone heard from Gateley after online simulate? (Applied to Leeds) or DAC after VI? (Also Leeds)

 

[floral.tcla]

realistically how possible is it to get a vacation scheme as a graduate, especially at a magic circle + top US firm? I’ve had multiple
assessment centres at international firms, but I unfortunately haven’t got any, I only have a first-year insight scheme. Obviously I’d be so grateful for any training contract, but the fact that I have been profiled does show that I literally can become a trainee at the top firms (and pay off my student loans quicker!).

There is so much competition, of course, and I have heard that these top firms may prefer students who haven’t graduated yet - in general and especially on LinkedIn, it seems that most trainees got their training contract while they were still at university, a paralegal or changing to Law from another corporate career, but I literally don’t have anything lined up for when I graduate and I’m really worried. I hope this does not come across as negative or ungrateful but I just do you want to adjust expectations and think about future steps

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

realistically how possible is it to get a vacation scheme as a graduate, especially at a magic circle + top US firm? I’ve had a multiple
assessment centres at international firms, but I unfortunately haven’t got any, I only have a first-year insight scheme. Obviously I’d be so grateful for any training contract, but the fact that I have been profiled does show that I literally can become a trainee at the top firms (and pay off my student loans quicker!).

There is so much competition, of course, and I have heard that these top firms may prefer students who haven’t graduated yet - in general and especially on LinkedIn, it seems that most trainees got their training contract while they were still at university, a paralegal or changing to Law from another corporate career, but I literally don’t have anything lined up for when I graduate and I’m really worried. I hope this does not come across as negative or ungrateful but I just do you want to adjust expectations and think about future steps

I've recently graduated and I completed a vacation scheme with a US firm this winter and have ACs lined up with other US firms. On my vac scheme I would say that more than half of the people on the scheme were graduates. What's worked for me so far (bearing in mind I've not actually secured a TC yet) is to apply to as many firms as possible with quality applications so I don't think its unrealistic to apply to magic circle and top US firms. It is such a competitive process, I agree, but I think we've just got to keep on chipping away at it and hopefully we'll get where we want to be!

 

[user55998384]

Does anyone know the rate from AC to vac scheme for simmons (bristol office)

 

[TCchaser]

@Abbie Whitlock, I hope you're well!

If a firm asks why you want to train at that firm, and you want to talk about the breadth of experience you can get and the fact that you can work in more diverse areas like leisure and retail, how would you recommend approaching this? I was thinking of linking this to my modules this year at university and how I picked them to broaden my thinking and experiences, but I'm unsure if that would even work and, if so, how to write a cohesive answer. I hope this makes sense haha, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[maylawwww]

harbottle tc interview! i unfortunately cant do any of the dates bc of a vs lol

 

[floral.tcla]

I've recently graduated and I completed a vacation scheme with a US firm this winter and have ACs lined up with other US firms. On my vac scheme I would say that more than half of the people on the scheme were graduates. What's worked for me so far (bearing in mind I've not actually secured a TC yet) is to apply to as many firms as possible with quality applications so I don't think its unrealistic to apply to magic circle and top US firms. It is such a competitive process, I agree, but I think we've just got to keep on chipping away at it and hopefully we'll get where we want to be!

Thank you and congrats! This is so reassuring and I agree and it will be nice to not be switching mindsets between academic work and law firm research!! So you don’t need that much experience or internships to secure a VS as a grad?

 

[haribolover]

harbottle tc interview! i unfortunately cant do any of the dates bc of a vs lol

Any way they are willing to be flexible? Always worth asking; worst they can say is no. Congrats!!

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

Thank you and congrats! This is so reassuring and I agree and it will be nice to not be switching mindsets between academic work and law firm research!! So you don’t need that much experience or internships to secure a VS as a grad?

In my experience, law firms care more about the skills you have to offer rather than how much experience you have as I think lots of people know how difficult it can be to secure legal experience and internships in the first place! As you've had ACs at multiple international firms it sounds like you're in a strong position!

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo sui]

That Ropes test was insane! Has anyone attempted?