TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Trophy]

Could someone advise me on firms that do a one week vacation scheme?

Also are there any direct TC applications open now that make a decision before summer? I know many decide in the summer but would rather live than drown in assessments in summer.

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

hi all, when mentioning a transactions in an application how far back are we allowed to go? Would it be safe to say that transactions completed 3 years ago is improper to mention?

 

[firmfirm]

Could someone advise me on firms that do a one week vacation scheme?

Also are there any direct TC applications open now that make a decision before summer? I know many decide in the summer but would rather live than drown in assessments in summer.

For DTC, I know Kirkland is still open and they make their decisions in the winter

 

[WeGotThis!]

From the email saying I got to the first test, i don't think it’s automatic. They implied they had looked over my application but whether that was just a requirements check or something more (like looking at work experience), I don’t know. Im pretty sure the test is a quick turn around, maybe a week or slightly less.

Thank you! After how many days did you receive the test invite on submitting your application? I'm trying to gauge how I can space out my app submissions.

 

[noahsmiit01]

Hi everyone, can someone please tell me on whether Bakers is rolling or non-rolling? Have anyone been progressed to AC yet?

 

[msclm]

Could someone advise me on firms that do a one week vacation scheme?

Also are there any direct TC applications open now that make a decision before summer? I know many decide in the summer but would rather live than drown in assessments in summer.

I think one week schemes are kinda rare. The only one I’ve came across is the Sidley wvs.

 

[Trophy]

I think one week schemes are kinda rare. The only one I’ve came across is the Sidley wvs.

Definitely more than one firm, just didn’t know if there were more.

Sidley, Goodwin, withers, Milbank (spring), Addleshaw (spring), PMC, forsters to name a few

 

[Trophy]

For DTC, I know Kirkland is still open and they make their decisions in the winter

Thank you, do you know the process for them? The website is terrible.

 

[Wompycapy]

Would also appreciate insight into this! I applied on Oct 22, received the WG on Oct 30, and passed it on Nov 3 with my report saying I scored very highly, but I haven’t heard back from them since. Now I’m wondering whether my application was the issue and if I should expect a PFO soon, but they haven’t rejected me yet, so is it still early days?

I don't think you should expect PFO at all. DLA reviews your APPLICATION FIRST and then decides whether they want to give you WG. So if you scored higher than their WG benchmark, you should expect an interview. Just a matter of time. How well do you think you did on the WG?

 

[gmcaolaw]

Does anyone know what is considered a good score on artic shores test?

 

[gmcaolaw]

Is DLA's wg 5 working days or normal days it says in one place working but unsure whether to go by working days and prep more?

 

[firmfirm]

Thank you, do you know the process for them? The website is terrible.

Yes, so for Kirkland you submit your written application (there are 5 questions this year, all ranging from 200-400 words). If you’re successful, they’ll invite you to complete their VI. If you pass that, you’ll be invited to their first AC, and if you do well there, you’ll move on to the final AC. From what I’ve been told (I know someone who reached the final stage last year), the first AC includes a Q&A where you’re in a group speaking with partners, and a group exercise, both of which are assessed. The final AC includes a written exercise and an interview with partners. I call it an “AC,” but I think they refer to theirs as assessment/insight days, but don’t be fooled, they’re definitely still assessed.

Please don’t take my word as gospel though, because they seem to change the process slightly each year (for example, in previous years you had to submit a CL, but that was removed this year). But overall, that’s the general structure. Hope that helps!

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

Does anyone know what is considered a good score on artic shores test?

I think I got 2/4 and 4/4 for the rest and i passed!

 

[firmfirm]

I don't think you should expect PFO at all. DLA reviews your APPLICATION FIRST and then decides whether they want to give you WG. So if you scored higher than their WG benchmark, you should expect an interview. Just a matter of time. How well do you think you did on the WG?

Thank you, I’m hoping that’s the case! You find out your results on the report they send you after and mine said “strength to leverage” for everything so I'm hoping for good news

 

[msclm]

Definitely more than one firm, just didn’t know if there were more.

Sidley, Goodwin, withers, Milbank (spring), Addleshaw (spring), PMC, forsters to name a few

Makes sense lol I’ve only looked at wvs so far 💀

 

[user55998384]

for freshfields, is the deadline just for the application or do you have to progress for the test too?

 

[SemperParatus]

i just got my freshfields stage 1 results back, top strength: we thrive as a team; thriving under pressure and delivering extraordinary outcomes. less developed skills: challenging ourselves and embraching transformation. Really concerned I'm not going to progress to stage 2, am i cooked?

 

[Amgrad]

Wrap up from Legal Cheek Law Fair today 🎉:

• Clifford Chance: They didn't attend the booth though it's advertised
• Gibson Dunn: All invites for Open Day have been sent, even though it's virtual, it's competitive and if you don't get the invite, that means PFO, but don't discourage to apply VS.
• A&O Shearman: DTC result will be announced in next/second week of December and AC will be held a week before Christmas. There is an option for Virtual AC for international candidates outside of the UK, but not for those in holiday.
• Kirkland & Ellis: Recruitment is almost the same as previous year, they don't set the fixed date scheme yet and encourage international students to apply VS and will be happy to offer DTC if its VC cancelled again or unable to attend VS due to work/college commitment.
• Morgan Lewis: Same as Kirkland, the dates have not been set yet, but allow candidates to reapply to DTC if unsuccessful in the VS app stage in the same cycle.
• Slaughter & May: Grade thresholds are fixed, they will prioritise to screen first those who submitted app with breakdown of module and attach final transcript or unofficial one.
• Charles Russell Speechlys: Open Day invites have not been shared yet for both In-person and virtual! Good news for us as they will send it as early as this Friday depending on your chosen date.
• Travers Smith: They will finalise the 2027 DTC and VS app first, then start reviewing 2028 DTC next year after the deadline. They'll happily sponsor visa for VS, and allow to reapply to 2028 DTC if failed in the app stage for VS this cycle, but if failed in 2027 DTC, you can't reapply for 2028 in the same cycle.
• Fried Frank: App is not open yet and it's Non-rolling, you have plenty of time to apply.
• Eversheds Sutherland: DTC conversion rate is around 33%, last year 25 came from VS, among them 10 in London. There's VI after app no SJT/WG
• MoFo, Dentons, Ashurst, Greenberg, AG, Baker McKenzie: Run out of time, it was supposed to be 4 hours fair, but due to rescheduling seems to be 2 hours only (Happy to share here if you were attending their booths, please!)

 

[Trophy]

Yes, so for Kirkland you submit your written application (there are 5 questions this year, all ranging from 200-400 words). If you’re successful, they’ll invite you to complete their VI. If you pass that, you’ll be invited to their first AC, and if you do well there, you’ll move on to the final AC. From what I’ve been told (I know someone who reached the final stage last year), the first AC includes a Q&A where you’re in a group speaking with partners, and a group exercise, both of which are assessed. The final AC includes a written exercise and an interview with partners. I call it an “AC,” but I think they refer to theirs as assessment/insight days, but don’t be fooled, they’re definitely still assessed.

Please don’t take my word as gospel though, because they seem to change the process slightly each year (for example, in previous years you had to submit a CL, but that was removed this year). But overall, that’s the general structure. Hope that helps!

You’re a star! Thanks

 

[Bread]

• Gibson Dunn: All invites for Open Day have been sent, even though it's virtual, it's competitive and if you don't get the invite, that means PFO, but don't discourage to apply VS

Ngl the recruitment at that firm is really putting me off applying cause wdym i have to write an entire cover letter for an open day (which takes place after you’ve already offered vacation scheme places!!!) and you don’t even respect me enough to send a rejection