My TC Journey - (Non-Law International & Career Changer)

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Dear all,

I have been waiting for the end of January to write this post. Technically, this is my second cycle, but last cycle I joined late in mid July for only applying to one TC and got an AC which was surprising as just testing for my ability.

This cycle, I'm so curious... I started my first day of cycle in late September, by applying to one WVS and 20+ Open days:

Winter Vacation Scheme:

28/09/2025: Paul Weiss, PFO: 31/10/2025 (post app).

Selective Open Days:

01/10/2025: Taylor Wessing, Offer: 03/10/2025
06/10/2025: Cooley, Offer: 10/11/2025
13/10/2025: Goodwin, Offer: 20/10/2025
04/11/2025: Stephenson Harwood, Offer: 24/11/2025
07/11/2025: Penningtons Manches Cooper, Offer: 26/11/2025
WFW: PFO in December
Gibson Dunn: PFO in December
Charles Russell Speechlys: PFO in December
King & Spalding: PFO in January

Non-selective Open Day/Insight events:

Skadden, Reed Smith, Willkie, Fieldfisher, Clyde & Co, Shoosmiths, Hogan Lovells, Winston & Strawn, Orrick, Farrer & Co, RPC, Macfarlanes, Lewis Silkin Glaisyer ETL, etc (and many in virtual law fair).

Then, I decided to apply multiple firms after identifying some firms only offer VS route with limited visa sponsorship or low chance to get alternative TC based on case by case basis (Though I really like them 💔 and got into their selective open days).

Spring Vacation Scheme:

06/10/2025 Sidley Austin - PFO: 16/02/2026 (post App).
11/10/2025 Weil, PFO: 16/01/2026 (post Amberjack).
16/10/2025 Macfarlanes, PFO: 16/01/2026 (post Cappfinity Stage 2 VI)
01/12/2025 Skadden, PFO: 16/12/2025 (post App)
08/12/2025 Willkie Farr, PFO: 19/12/2026 (post VI).
19/12/2025 Reed Smith, PFO: 21/01/2026 (post Amberjack).
26/12/2025 Cooley, PFO: 28/01/2026 (post app after 2 holding emails).
26/01/2026 Winston & Strawn, Invited to Pearson WG, due 18/02 (rescheduled to spring)

Summer Vacation Scheme

20/10/2025 Milbank, PFO: 16/01/2025 (post SHL stage 1 SJT).
28/11/2025 Taylor Wessing, PFO: 21/01/2026 (post passing TP WG).
01/12/2025 HSF Kramer, PFO: 03/02/2026 (post passing SOVA).
12/12/2025 Kirkland & Ellis, PFO: 23/01/2026 (post app)
15/12/2025 Dechert - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
21/12/2025 Cleary Gottlieb, PFO: 22/01/2026 (post app).
22/12/2025 Freshfields - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
23/12/2025 Morrison Foerster - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
05/01/2026 Travers Smith, PFO: 20/02/2026 (post app).
09/01/2026 Morgan Lewis, PFO: 05/02/2026 (post app).
19/01/2026 Stephenson Harwood - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
30/01/2026 K&L Gates - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
04/04/2026 Haynes Boone -

Direct Training Contract

31/10/2025 McDermott Will & Schulte, PFO: 17/02/2026 (post app).
14/11/2025 A&O Shearman, PFO: 16/12/2025 (post Amberjack).
18/11/2025 Gowling WLG, PFO: 11/12/2025 (post Arctic Shores).
19/11/2025 Clifford Chance, PFO: 04/12/2025 (post passing Pearson WG).
28/11/2025 Slaughter and May - Waiting after holding email on 15/01
03/12/2025 Linklaters - Waiting post SJT & Pearson WG on 07/12
10/12/2025 Fieldfisher, PFO: 03/02/2026 (post app after holding email, position filled).
12/12/2025 Goodwin, PFO: 09/01/2026 (post app).
22/12/2025 Clyde & Co, PFO: 16/01/2026 (ineligible).
24/12/2025 Addleshaw Goddard - Waiting Post TP WG on 04/01
05/01/2026 Lewis Silkin, PFO: 20/02/2026 (post app after holding email)
09/01/2026 Greenberg Traurig - PFO: 12/02/2026 (post app).
09/01/2026 Gibson Dunn - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
13/01/2026 Proskauer Rose - PFO: 06/02/2026 (post app).
13/01/2026 Charles Russell Speechlys - Waiting after holding email on 20/02
19/01/2026 Hogan Lovells - Invited to Stage 2 VI/WE/JS, due 23/02
21/01/2026 Dentons - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
02/02/2026 Arnold & Porter - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
04/02/2026 Orrick - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
09/02/2026 Faegre Drinker - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
11/02/2026 Mayer Brown - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
27/02/2026 Withers
01/03/2026 Baker McKenzie
23/03/2026 Ashurst
25/03/2026 Farrer & Co
27/03/2026 Penningtons Manches Cooper
29/03/2026 Shoosmiths
31/03/2026 King & Spalding

Withdrawn/Unsubmitted Apps due to ineligibility & portal error:

• Davis Polk
• Brown Rudnick
• Browne Jacobson
• Simmons & Simmons
• Mishcon de reya

Planning to Apply if no TC offers until April

• White & Case
• Fried Frank
• Wiggin
• WFW
• BCLP
• TLT
• Sullivan & Cromwell
• Eversheds Sutherland
• Burges Salmon
• RPC
• Paul Hastings
• HFW

Eligible Reapplications in one cycle (TC):

• Stephenson Harwood
• Morgan Lewis
• Macfarlanes
• K&L Gates

WISH ME LUCK EVERYONE!

 

[elsieee0410]

As a non-law international student as well, im seriously wishing you good luck!!

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

As a non-law international student as well, im seriously wishing you good luck!!

Thank you @elsieee0410! Wish you all the best too

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Update this week after the last post

REJECTION:

• Fieldfisher (DTC, app filled)
• HSF Kramer post passing SOVA
• Morgan Lewis post app
• Proskauer Rose post app

ASSESSMENT INVITE:

• Hogan Lovells

Gonna reapply Morgan Lewis for DTC, now I truly believe my apps that sent between mid December and mid January are all garbage 🥲

0 success rate for VS AC so far

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Update in the past 2 weeks:

REJECTIONS:

• Sidley Austin
• McDermott Will & Schulte
• Travers Smith
• Lewis Silkin

PROGRESSIONS:

• Hogan Lovells Stage 2 -VI/SJT/WE
• Winston & Strawn WG

Holding email:

• Charles Russell Speechlys