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 - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
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).

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 - Waiting post passing SOVA on 08/12
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 - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
09/01/2026 Morgan Lewis - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
19/01/2026 Stephenson Harwood - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
26/01/2026 Winston & Strawn - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
30/01/2026 K&L Gates

Direct Training Contract

31/10/2025 McDermott Will & Schulte - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
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 WG).
28/11/2025 Slaughter and May - Waiting after holding email on 15/01
03/12/2025 Linklaters - Waiting post SJT & WG on 07/12
10/12/2025 Fieldfisher - Waiting after holding email on 18/12
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 WG on 04/01
05/01/2026 Lewis Silkin - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email, est. heard back by 13/02
09/01/2026 Greenberg Traurig - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
09/01/2026 Gibson Dunn - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
13/01/2026 Proskauer Rose - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email, est. heard back by 12/02
13/01/2026 Charles Russell Speechlys - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
19/01/2026 Hogan Lovells - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
21/01/2026 Dentons - Waiting/No communications other than confirmation email
02/02/2026 Arnold & Porter
06/02/2026 Browne Jacobson
09/02/2026 Ashurst
13/02/2026 Orrick
16/02/2026 Farrer & Co
27/03/2026 King & Spalding
31/03/2026 Penningtons Manches Cooper
31/03/2026 Shoosmiths
31/03/2026 Mayer Brown

Withdrawn/Unsubmitted Apps due to ineligibility:

• Davis Polk
• Brown Rudnick

Planning to Apply if no TC offers until April

• Burges Salmon
• BCLP
• Baker McKenzie
• White & Case
• Haynes Boone
• HFW
• Fried Frank
• Eversheds Sutherland
• Paul Hastings
• Sullivan & Cromwell
• RPC
• K&L Gates

WISH ME LUCK EVERYONE!