TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[StickyToffeePud]

Looking for some advice please - you are all really good at that on here!

I am in the final year of my law degree so will be graduating next summer. I did a VS earlier this year but unfortunately did not convert it to a TC. I am applying again for VS and direct TCs but I am anxious about work after uni. I cannot afford to not have a full time job, so will be looking to paralegal. I cannot afford to live in London on a paralegal salary, so would have to work at a more local firm. Is this looked down upon by city and US firms? Because I am not paralegalling in a commercial law firm setting?

It just seems as though everyone already lives in London and can paralegal at firms they hope to eventually train at. This is simply not viable for me, so any insights would be appreciated please!

 

[p2bv]

Looking for some advice please - you are all really good at that on here!

I am in the final year of my law degree so will be graduating next summer. I did a VS earlier this year but unfortunately did not convert it to a TC. I am applying again for VS and direct TCs but I am anxious about work after uni. I cannot afford to not have a full time job, so will be looking to paralegal. I cannot afford to live in London on a paralegal salary, so would have to work at a more local firm. Is this looked down upon by city and US firms? Because I am not paralegalling in a commercial law firm setting?

It just seems as though everyone already lives in London and can paralegal at firms they hope to eventually train at. This is simply not viable for me, so any insights would be appreciated please!

I paralegal at a mid tier firm in Manchester not in a commercial department and have gotten to interview stage at Travers and HSF, I don’t think they really care too much as long as you highlight your transferable skills etc. If you can get a paralegal role in corporate or commercial even better but I don’t think it’s essential.
If your firm allows you to do VS at other firms whilst paralegalling there I think personally you’re in an even better position, you’re competing with law students who don’t have any real world experience whereas you have actual knowledge and experience with solicitors.

 

[Trophy]

Looking for some advice please - you are all really good at that on here!

I am in the final year of my law degree so will be graduating next summer. I did a VS earlier this year but unfortunately did not convert it to a TC. I am applying again for VS and direct TCs but I am anxious about work after uni. I cannot afford to not have a full time job, so will be looking to paralegal. I cannot afford to live in London on a paralegal salary, so would have to work at a more local firm. Is this looked down upon by city and US firms? Because I am not paralegalling in a commercial law firm setting?

It just seems as though everyone already lives in London and can paralegal at firms they hope to eventually train at. This is simply not viable for me, so any insights would be appreciated please!

No firms will not look down on it. Experience is experience whether that's a waiter, barista or cleaner. A paralegal role that does not require years of prior experience before applying is hard to come by if you can get one closer to home I'd go for it!. Once you have a few months/a year in a smaller firm you can always move up from there.

A lot of firms do not prioritise paralegals over new applicants as it would not be fair unless they held a TC at the firm prior to being a paralegal and need a job before their TC starts. (I know this is the case for Kirkland, Milbank and Akin)

Would you consider other jobs that are not being a paralegal? tons of grad jobs pay better than paralegal jobs. You could work in compliance, legal analyst, risk and consulting these are all similar to law and the client exposure some of these roles offer would be insanely good!

 

[Trophy]

I applied for VS. Radio silence since the test (like a month, I think)

Thanks, is the test selective or automatic?

 

[manifestingthetc]

i just prefer cappfinity so much more to arctic shores

 

[axelrod901]

hi guys, anyone who has passed Mayer Brown's immersive test - could you please give me any insights? Thank you!

 

[annalise.joyn]

Congratulations! If you do not mind sharing, when did you apply and take the test?

i applied on the 5th, took test on the 6th/7th and got to second stage on the 8th!

 

[SamiyaJ]

Is this after the Watson glasser?

Yup! After the SJT

 

[Bree]

Hello anyone heard anything from Sullivan & Cromwell and Davis Polk?

 

[SamiyaJ]

WFW rejection post app. 3 PFOs since yesterday.. please excuse me whilst I go and hide under a rock 😭😭

 

[summersun]

WFW rejection post app. 3 PFOs since yesterday.. please excuse me whilst I go and hide under a rock 😭😭

Hi
just wanted to say that I have seen how amazing you have been doing so far with applications and I am sure you will have great results soon !!

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hi
just wanted to say that I have seen how amazing you have been doing so far with applications and I am sure you will have great results soon !!

That is so kind of you 🥺 thank you!! And likewise of course 🫶🏾🫶🏾

 

[Applicant3728299643]

Would still deeply appreciate this, especially since there are many more applicants who are also curious!

Applied to Freshfields October 19th, received and completed stage 1 October 19th, received stage 2 November 6th and completed November 8th. Was called to AC November 28th. They told me they're running 5 ACs of 6-7 people per AC in December (mine is the 3rd AC, held this Thursday) and 2 in January, but this might just be for the specific summer scheme I applied for (20 July 2026 - 7 August 2026) and not for both. And I did include extra-curriculars in the work experience section! I found stage 2 really hard, and honestly didn't think I would be called to AC at all (I literally didn't watch the video tutorial as I assumed all video questions would be in that section, so when I inevitably was faced with a VI, I waffled incoherently for 30 seconds and then didn't know how to end the video lol.) So don't lose hope!

 

[wooliewoo]

Hi! Does anyone have any insights on the Macfarlanes VI? Happy to provide some insights on Mayer Brown, FF, Latham, and Bird & Bird in return

 

[AP2000]

FYI, I did Latham stage 1 assessment yesterday evening and got the invite for stage 2 invite just now. I know some people were asking yesterday, so please don't get too stressed if you don't immediately get the invitation to stage 2. I had pretty much ruled myself out of this process, but it's a good reminder not to read into what people are saying in online forums like this.

 

[Bree]

Hello, would anyone have inputs on Latham Stage 2 as in whether the questions are competency based or what kind? Can help with Macfarlanes Stage 1, FF Stage 2

 

[Rads]

Hello, would anyone have inputs on Latham Stage 2 as in whether the questions are competency based or what kind? Can help with Macfarlanes Stage 1, FF Stage 2

FYI, I did Latham stage 1 assessment yesterday evening and got the invite for stage 2 invite just now. I know some people were asking yesterday, so please don't get too stressed if you don't immediately get the invitation to stage 2. I had pretty much ruled myself out of this process, but it's a good reminder not to read into what people are saying in online forums like this.

Congratulations! Would you mind sharing when you applied? Is Stage 2 automatic if anyone knows?

 

[User2640]

Does anyone know whether Clyde & Co's online assessment includes a vi/written Qs component, or if it's purely a test? Thanks so much!

 

[Lovelaw77]

Hey! Can anyone provide any insights to CMS VI? I'd really appreciate ittt - I am more than happy to do the same for NRF, HSF, LL

 

[hawkins19]

did anyone else horrifically run out of time on the Taylor Wessing WE