TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[radssss]

I'm so sorry. I know this is insensitive but can I ask when you applied. I think from what I've seen they give PFOs first and are screening the earlier applications. I didnt apply til the day before the deadline.

I’m in the same boat as you

 

[Harvey Specter]

To those who’ve applied to Weil, I just had my VI over zoom with early careers. They confirmed in the call that they haven’t made decisions yet but will send AC outcomes early in the new year. The team are currently reviewing SJT and VI and will update people over the coming weeks. I imagine this means ACs go out early Jan.​

 

[yuhhhh]

To those who’ve applied to Weil, I just had my VI over zoom with early careers. They confirmed in the call that they haven’t made decisions yet but will send AC outcomes early in the new year. The team are currently reviewing SJT and VI and will update people over the coming weeks. I imagine this means ACs go out early Jan.​

🐐

 

[elle woods]

To those who’ve applied to Weil, I just had my VI over zoom with early careers. They confirmed in the call that they haven’t made decisions yet but will send AC outcomes early in the new year. The team are currently reviewing SJT and VI and will update people over the coming weeks. I imagine this means ACs go out early Jan.​

Thank you for confirming for us Harvey!! Hope your VI went well!!

 

[abhuzaifa02]

Hey everyone,

I am currently working as a paralegal, and I hold a training contract at a global firm. I have completed a mixture of internships and vacation schemes across UK, US and boutique firms.

I am a Russell Group law graduate. My GCSE results were not my strongest, but I achieved solid A-level grades. I am from an ethnic minority background, attended a state school, and grew up in one of the most disadvantaged boroughs in the UK, so I understand first-hand how challenging the path into corporate law can feel.

I started applying for training contracts in my final year at university and faced repeated rejections without a single interview. After graduating, I kept going while working first as a sales assistant and later as a paralegal. After over 100+ applications, I eventually secured a vacation scheme and converted it into a training contract this summer (I used all my annual leave to attend the scheme, which was dreadful, but worth it).

Happy to help where I can and share anything useful from my own experience!

 

[elle woods]

Has anyone got an ac invite from HSF Kramer post passing the test? I’m very anxious as it’s one of my top choice firms

I don't think anyone has, they're probably working on cutting down the number of applications they have rn - I would expect them to get back in the new year

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Milbank AC wtf lol

 

[abhuzaifa02]

Hi all! Is there any list on TCLA yet about firms that sponsor international candidates for vacation schemes? I do understand that Reed Smith does, are there any others that have expressly mentioned/with prior history of sponsoring or indicating to any candidate that they are sponsoring? Thanks!!


@Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

Hi @yuktiverma96

The link below should be helpful in determining which firms sponsor international candidates. However, I would advise that it is always a good idea to reach out to the firm directly and explain your situation to graduate recruitment for the most accurate answer.

https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2025-26.9717/post-219702

Hope the above helps!

 

[Amgrad]

Milbank AC wtf lol

Congrats! For spring or summer?

 

[elle woods]

Milbank AC wtf lol

yayyy well doneee!!

 

[maylawwww]

milbank ac !
relatedly- when vac schemes clash what are firms’ general response for moving to a scheme later in the year? I know this will vary firm to firm but does anyone have any idea?

 

[Assessment Account]

Hi,

For Sidley Austin's work experience section, it only allows a maximum of four work experiences to be filled. I wonder if it’s better to list all four legal work experiences, or is it more recommended to fill in the four most recent or substantial work experiences?

In most cases, it is best to prioritise your four most relevant and substantial legal experiences, rather than simply the four most recent roles. This means selecting experiences that best demonstrate:

exposure to high-quality legal work;
responsibility, analytical skills, or client interaction; and
alignment with Sidley’s practice areas or international profile.

If your most recent roles are also your strongest, then recency and relevance will naturally coincide. However, if an older role was materially more substantive or better evidences your suitability for Sidley, it is entirely appropriate to include it instead of a more recent but lighter-touch experience.

I'd also add one non-legal experience if it was particularly interesting or carries several transferable skills.

In short: quality, relevance, and impact should guide your selection, not chronology alone.

Hope this helps!

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Congrats! For spring or summer?

Spring. Traditional Track.

 

[Amgrad]

Spring. Traditional Track.

I applied for summer, Lev finance track, fingers crossed

 

[Assessment Account]

If your written application was successful in the last cycle and the questions are the same, can you submit same application but with a few changes?

Yes, you can submit an application that is largely similar if the questions are unchanged, but I'd recommend making meaningful updates rather than resubmitting it verbatim.

Firms expect returning applicants to demonstrate reflection and progression since the last cycle. At a minimum, you should:

• refine answers for clarity and concision;
• update examples to reflect any new experience, skills, or responsibilities; and
• sharpen your commercial and firm-specific reasoning where possible.

That being said, most firms (to my knowledge) don't keep your application on file and therefore are unlikely to catch you out if you do copy and paste last year's answer

Hope this helps!

 

[londonlawyer]

Does anyone know if Paul Hastings VS leads to a TC? I feel like I remember reading somewhere that you still have to apply separately if you attend their VS...

 

[Harvey Specter]

Thank you for confirming for us Harvey!! Hope your VI went well!!

Tbh it was awful lmao. That’s gotta be a straight up automatic PFO. I was nervous asf but idk how they are gna assess the responses. 😬​

 

[abhuzaifa02]

Bakers VI - any insights would be much appreciated 🙏 🙏

Hi @Sharkfin

My advice is not specific to Bakers video interview (VI) however, you may find it helpful for VIs more generally.

By way of context, I struggled a lot with VIs and it was probably the stage that I found the most difficult to overcome (even more than assessment centres).

For me, improving in VIs came down to three key things:

• Create a question bank – Create a list of questions including situational, competency, and motivational and practise these regularly. This will allow you to develop confidence in speaking about your personal/ work experiences. This will also prepare you for VIs for almost every firm and also assist you in preparing for assessment centres.
• Focus on delivery – VIs are timed so there is only so much you can talk about. What will set you apart is being clear, natural, and structured in your response. Do not memorise answers (I made this mistake). Rather, get comfortable talking about your experiences in different ways. The more naturally it comes out, the more easily your personality will shine.
• Practice, practice, practice – Leading on from point [2], it is uncomfortable and awkward speaking to a screen. To overcome this, simply open your camera and just start recording yourself answering questions. Watch these back and note where you can improve. This is probably the one step that helped me the most.

Hope the above helps and good luck with your Bakers VI. 👍

 

[spongebob]

I applied for summer, Lev finance track, fingers crossed

When did you do your second stage assessment?

 

[DavidJC]

I thought Milbank was non-rolling, grats to the AC invitees! 🥳