TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TortillaTC]

Also I find it hilarious that Orrick’s Get Hired page on Chambers mentions that a “2.1 isn’t a deal breaker” HAHAHA excuse me?? I really hope it isn’t given that these are their academic requirements)

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

out of interest, has anyone here ever done a mini-pupillage?

 

[shroomie]

wait have cooley given out ACs?

no! this is from last year!

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

If Vantage has a million haters I’m one of them. If Vantage has 1000 haters I’m one of them. If Vantage has 1 hater it’s me. If Vantage has 0 haters it means I have left this world. If the world is against Vantage I am with the world, if the world is for Vantage, I am against the world

 

[trainee4u]

Also I find it hilarious that Orrick’s Get Hired page on Chambers mentions that a “2.1 isn’t a deal breaker” HAHAHA excuse me?? I really hope it isn’t given that these are their academic requirements)

Speaking of this, I saw someone with a first in LLB from Trinity Oxford selling application coaching on LinkedIn. Also has a training contract at a US firm, and got around 7 VS last year.... Anyway yeah for only £50/hour you can be coached on this.

And I'm thinking "you know the law prizes and having the best possible law degree from the best possible college at the best possible university might just be a key to your success as much as your leet application skills".

Some partner from Kirkland commented and was like "so, to clarify are you doing this for free, I'd love to help if so", and the reply was like "nooooooo, you must payyyyyyy".

 

[TortillaTC]

Ngl a quick scan on LinkedIn shows majority of their current and future trainees graduated with a 1st from Oxbridge/UCL/LSE/Durham…

It seems those of us who don’t fit into this mould will get an automatic PFO. They also want us to have legal experience of some kind lmao.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP - True Picture - Chambers Student Guide

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP - True Picture. The student’s guide to careers in the law.

www.chambersstudent.co.uk

I think so tbh. It was worth a try though. I also did their open day so a bit hopeful that my academics will be fine.

 

[trainee4u]

Ngl a quick scan on LinkedIn shows majority of their current and future trainees graduated with a 1st from Oxbridge/UCL/LSE/Durham…

It seems those of us who don’t fit into this mould will get an automatic PFO. They also want us to have legal experience of some kind lmao.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP - True Picture - Chambers Student Guide

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP - True Picture. The student’s guide to careers in the law.

www.chambersstudent.co.uk

I got confused and wrote about Yorick instead

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Speaking of this, I saw someone with a first in LLB from Trinity Oxford selling application coaching on LinkedIn. Also has a training contract at a US firm, and got around 7 VS last year.... Anyway yeah for only £50/hour you can be coached on this.

And I'm thinking "you know the law prizes and having the best possible law degree from the best possible college at the best possible university might just be a key to your success as much as your leet application skills".

Some partner from Kirkland commented and was like "so, to clarify are you doing this for free, I'd love to help if so", and the reply was like "nooooooo, you must payyyyyyy".

lol the way that's a friend of mine

 

[Maria56]

lol the way that's a friend of mine

Tell them they are a legend

 

[shadowbaklava]

I think so tbh. It was worth a try though. I also did their open day so a bit hopeful that my academics will be fine.

Their intakes allow them to be extremely picky. Your application needs to standout elsewhere but defo not a dealbreaker to have a 2:1.

 

[elle.brokovitch]

Are there any vac scheme deadlines open in feb or is that pretty much it going forward?

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Are there any vac scheme deadlines open in feb or is that pretty much it going forward?

Lot of City firms have deadline in Feb, Browne Jacobson is today.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Are there any vac scheme deadlines open in feb or is that pretty much it going forward?

These are the firms still taking VS apps but I’m not sure if they’re rolling or non rolling tbh:

Russell Cooke (deadline 6 Feb)
Simmons Bristol (deadline 15 Feb)
Bevan Brittan (deadline 17 Feb)
Michelmores Bristol/Exeter (deadline 17 Feb)
Brabners Liverpool/Manchester (deadline 26 Feb)
Faegre Drinker (deadline 28 Feb)
Pinsent Masons Dubai (deadline 1 Mar)
Moore Barlow (deadline 29 Mar)
Ashfords Bristol/Exeter (deadline 31 Mar)
Express Solicitors Manchester (deadline 17 May)​

 

[trainee4u]

These are the firms still taking VS apps but I’m not sure if they’re rolling or non rolling tbh:

Russell Cooke (deadline 6 Feb)
Simmons Bristol (deadline 15 Feb)
Bevan Brittan (deadline 17 Feb)
Michelmores Bristol/Exeter (deadline 17 Feb)
Brabners Liverpool/Manchester (deadline 26 Feb)
Faegre Drinker (deadline 28 Feb)
Pinsent Masons Dubai (deadline 1 Mar)
Moore Barlow (deadline 29 Mar)
Ashfords Bristol/Exeter (deadline 31 Mar)
Express Solicitors Manchester (deadline 17 May)​

Re PM Dubai

To be eligible for this programme, you must :

• Have a long-term connection to the Middle East (i.e. a long term resident or national of a Middle East country)
• Have full right to work in the UAE

 

[Novaa]

apparently R&G would like headings lmao

Sooo… I feel asleep at 10pm and had submitted at 6pm.

Unfortunately for them, they’re going to have to like my aesthetic today. No headings, just sentence starters.

 

[Novaa]

Vantage after freezing up before the deadline for the nth time

I KNEW IT!

 

[lawyersum]

Couldn't agree more.

I got rejected after an AC from an MC firm earlier this cycle and was absolutely kicking myself about it, particularly as the feedback was really positive.

Afterwards, I thought about what they said and thought about the firm itself and realised it simply was not a good fit for me as a character. It was also something I remember feeling when talking to GR, the partners, and the trainees.

This!! There's been so many times where I felt like I did everything right and still didn't progress, and on reflection, it's clear it was just not meant for me. I really do feel like what is meant for you will not pass you by and the circumstances will align in your favour. Not to get philosophical but it's a healthy way to view things imo.

I really appreciate this and it has actually given me a lot of peace of mind! As some of the others have said that is a great way of thinking about it and will keep that in mind going forward

Wishing you the best for your applications!!

Woke up to all these replies to my post - so glad I was able to help and resonate! Admittedly, I probably should practice what I preach a little bit more as I do obsess over outcomes as much as the rest of us, but this has really been a useful way of shifting my mindset recently. Thank you @c.t.tc for the well wishes and I wish you (and everyone else on the forum) the same!!

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Does anyone have some insights into the below. Interested to hear everyone’s thoughts in prep for interviews etc;

- What are some threats facing law firms?
- What are sone threats facing their clients?
- What are some opportunities for clients currently?

Thanks all!

 

[Dannie]

Good morning! Happy to help with V&E VI if anyone can give insights on W&C WE from last year/this one!!

 

[Dannie]

summer or spring? and may I ask when you've completed the VI

Hey im not sure summer or spring but i did the VI on Dec 24