TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Trophy]

Can someone give insights into whether it's too late to apply to Dechert, Jones Day, W&C, and Bakers?

Go for it but I will say dechert is very rolling. A friend went to their open day and they said to apply to spring not winter as they have already started to send WE out to people (this was in October) I know they’ve sent out spring WE already but obvs can send more. I applied early oct and not heard a word but hopefully you’re more successful than I am 😭

 

[johnsmith]

Has anyone here done a BCLP AC before? I have a few questions. If you could PM it would mean a lot. I have lots of other insights I can offer

I did in 2012 😆 (definitely not worth messaging me)

 

[Trophy]

hahah yes you right!! I am in desperate need of good news like any news!! I am so anxious I am procrastinating Weil VI 🫩 Queen of self- sabotage

The longer you take the longer you take to hear back! Get it done, you got this 🙌

 

[AngelB]

A number of people on this forum have already been invited to ACs last week and have been offered the VS already. 5 ACs have already happened and 2 more are set to be held in January. All of the people who attended the ACs last week seemed to have applied around the time that applications opened, so the January ACs are most likely for those who applied closer to the deadline. Not to mention the people who applied for the DTC are yet to hear anything from the firm according to this forum.

very informative, thanks!!!

 

[JasmineM9]

The longer you take the longer you take to hear back! Get it done, you got this 🙌

Thank you so much Trophy!! I will do it on Monday and prep over the weekend 🤞🤞🤞

 

[ninarosee]

Gibson Dunn interview!!

 

[Unknowncabbage]

yep! checked my allhires and it's in response to my vs

edit: idk actually i might email them

did you do stage two?

 

[johnsmith]

hahah yes you right!! I am in desperate need of good news like any news!! I am so anxious I am procrastinating Weil VI 🫩 Queen of self- sabotage

Just get it done! 💪💪💪

 

[Icantstopeatingfood]

Gibson Dunn interview!!

well done. can I ask when you applied please.

 

[Trophy]

Are there anymore future trainees lingering about?
Still stuck between Gibson Dunn TC or VS application. My CL is drafted just need to send it off.
Why is best? Will I be cooked if I do TC app? I ask this as I’ve not seen ppl really get DTC from there but maybe you know ppl whilst studying SQE/PDGL?
Or anyone that’s gone to an open day have info?

 

[fbtrainee]

Does anyone know if DLA is still sending out invites for TIs?

I really wonder because I’m also yet to receive anything since passing the wg

 

[londonlawyer]

Slightly random question but what times do firms generally back to people? I’m refreshing my emails like a madman these days but it just dawned on me that post 5pm they’re unlikely to send them since it’s out of office hours anyway lmao. Unless: has anyone received anything at random times from firms???

Received an AC invite at 11:45PM last year. It was a US firm of course

 

[yk1906]

Received an AC invite at 11:45PM last year. It was a US firm of course

At least it was good news hahaha

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Are there anymore future trainees lingering about?
Still stuck between Gibson Dunn TC or VS application. My CL is drafted just need to send it off.
Why is best? Will I be cooked if I do TC app? I ask this as I’ve not seen ppl really get DTC from there but maybe you know ppl whilst studying SQE/PDGL?
Or anyone that’s gone to an open day have info?

Depends on your personal circumstances. The VS is designed to be a first entry into the legal profession, like a stepping stone to help both you figure out if the firms KPA and culture is for you and for the firm to assess if you fit what they want/expect. If you have quite a lot of litigation, corporate advisory, and or competition law experience either through other VSs or paralegal work then I'd say the TC is more for you. Some argue that the VS is less competitive because career-changers/paralegals and all those who fall into the latter of the above don't apply but you really don't know. Both processes are very competitive and will demand a different logic to your CL for applying. If you have already demonstrated desire to work at GD and corporate law generally through previous experience then I'd say TC is better.

 

[Trophy]

Depends on your personal circumstances. The VS is designed to be a first entry into the legal profession, like a stepping stone to help both you figure out if the firms KPA and culture is for you and for the firm to assess if you fit what they want/expect. If you have quite a lot of litigation, corporate advisory, and or competition law experience either through other VSs or paralegal work then I'd say the TC is more for you. Some argue that the VS is less competitive because career-changers/paralegals and all those who fall into the latter of the above don't apply but you really don't know. Both processes are very competitive and will demand a different logic to your CL for applying. If you have already demonstrated desire to work at GD and corporate law generally through previous experience then I'd say TC is better.

I think I fall into the latter. I’ve done two vacation schemes and I have a corporate job which is very transactional and advisory.

Thank you

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

I think I fall into the latter. I’ve done two vacation schemes and I have a corporate job which is very transactional and advisory.

Thank you

Best of luck, they're a good firm and are sharks. Your experiences sound up to the task!

 

[adekuku]

Latham PFO

 

[Z48]

Depends on your personal circumstances. The VS is designed to be a first entry into the legal profession, like a stepping stone to help both you figure out if the firms KPA and culture is for you and for the firm to assess if you fit what they want/expect. If you have quite a lot of litigation, corporate advisory, and or competition law experience either through other VSs or paralegal work then I'd say the TC is more for you. Some argue that the VS is less competitive because career-changers/paralegals and all those who fall into the latter of the above don't apply but you really don't know. Both processes are very competitive and will demand a different logic to your CL for applying. If you have already demonstrated desire to work at GD and corporate law generally through previous experience then I'd say TC is better.

I’d normally agree with this but Gibson Dunn has this on their FAQs:

To secure a training contract you should first apply for our vacation scheme but training contract will be open for those unable to participate in the programme.

I’d take that as the majority of offers going to VS participants - not sure if you’re not available for their scheme? @Trophy

 

[johnsmith]

Has anyone here done a BCLP AC before? I have a few questions. If you could PM it would mean a lot. I have lots of other insights I can offer

I joked about 2012 but I also have an AC with them coming up in January - exciting times!

 

[Winter]

Latham PFO

Hii, is this for Post-2nd stage test? Sorry to hear about that.