TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[tc2026]

Hi! similar to a recent post - does anyone have top tips for conversion? or some things they wish they knew when they did their first VS? would really appreciate it.

 

[AmazonPelican29]

The SQE would be done in Sept 27 and would last a year before commencing the TC in 2028. I think the timeline would look like this:

July 2026: graduate from university
Sept 2027: start the SQE
Aug 2028: finish the SQE
September 2028: start the TC
September 2030: qualification

Some larger firms tend to have spaces for earlier intakes so you could start the SQE in Sept 2026 and the TC in Sept 2027, but it’s not guaranteed.

But if you’re a non-law student, you’d be doing the GDL from Sept 2026 to July 2027, before the SQE in Sept 2027 to Aug 2028. Then TC Sept 2028.​

Thank you!

 

[trainee1012]

I reached AC for the Freshfields direct TC this cycle but wasn’t successful. Does anyone know whether they allow reapplications in the next recruitment cycle after an AC rejection, or is it uncommon?

Hi! I wonder if you have any insights on how an AC for the DTC route differs from the VS route? And any advice you may have?

 

[panda1989]

does anyone know how to check if you applied for summer or spring with sidley (or if there even was an option)? I have checked the copy of my app and the cvmail portal and can't find anything

 

[panda1989]

does anyone know how to check if you applied for summer or spring with sidley (or if there even was an option)? I have checked the copy of my app and the cvmail portal and can't find anything

because im just going off of a vague distant memory of choosing summer lol

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Is Baker DTC rolling?

 

[Saul_specter]

Anyone know when slaughters started giving non law vs offers last year?

 

[flower1]

Does anyone know if Ropes & Gray provides London-Tokyo TC? It mentions it on Legal Cheek, but can't find it on their website

Thank you

 

[Partcore22]

No response from DWF since 18 Dec deadline. Has anyone been progressing with them? (VacSch)

Heard nothing, what office did you apply for

 

[Partcore22]

A friend of mine was progressed to VI last week

Do u know what office

 

[sadlawyer01]

had an AC at a US firm...during the group exercise, 3 ppl kept talking and dominating the conversation and i could barely get a word in...it was really hard to find opportunities to speak because i didn't want to interrupt, will i be marked down heavily cos of this?

 

[rynpin]

Anybody ever got Dechert PFOs?

Same question

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

Do u know what office

Glasgow

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

Same question

PFO'd post app for the Spring VS on 2nd Feb

 

[Ayhxm_14]

Hi, has anyone heard back from VWV post-presentation?

Not yet, they told me they’d reply around the end of Feb so maybe give it another week or two

 

[Ayhxm_14]

I have an AC coming up and includes a debate / group exercise and I have never ever done such a thing esp in assessed AC environment. Does anyone have any insights or advice pretty please

I did a negotiation for Macfarlanes which was pretty tough but in the feedback they said that I excelled in it even though I thought I did trash. I guess from my experience the best advice would be to just say things. Anything that comes to mind say it in a way that is professional, well structured, and concise. If you know of any technical terms or contractual terms etc the be sure to sprinkle those in to your speech as well. Just make sure whatever you do that you are never sitting there for silence for longer than say 30-60 seconds. It’s really important that you make all your points heard, but still also allow others to speak. Acknowledge when somebody makes a good point, and build on their point if you find it appropriate — but of course don’t do that every time you speak, you should bring something original to the table too.
If you follow all that you should be fine. Don’t overthink it, don’t over prepare, just learn your key commercial terms inside out and you’ll be fine

 

[legalbanana]

Travers SVS post-app PFO

 

[Dannie]

travers pfo!

 

[Twenty]

Travers pfo

 

[SamiyaJ]

Joining the Travers PFO post app gang! 😭