TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Hi everyone — I’ve secured a vacation scheme with Burges Salmon and I’d really like to prepare properly to maximise my chances of converting to a TC.


I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who’s done their scheme (or a similar firm’s scheme):

1. What did you do before the scheme that helped the most?
   I’m a non-law student, so I’m a bit nervous and want to make sure I know the things people expect before day 1.
2. How did you build commercial awareness in a way that actually came up on the scheme/interview?
   Any recommendations for newsletters/podcasts and a simple routine (how often, how you took notes, etc.) would be amazing.
3. Any Burges-specific topics worth reading up on?
   E.g. key sectors, recent deals/cases, or anything about the firm’s strategy/culture that’s useful to know.
4. Training contract interview prep:
   If anyone has a list of questions that commonly come up in the final TC interview (especially post-vac scheme interviews), I’d be really grateful.

I’m particularly trying to improve my ability to talk about the news/current affairs in a clear, commercial way — so any practical tips/resources would be really appreciated.


Thanks so much — I’d be grateful for anything you wish you’d known before day 1.

Hey, I did a vac scheme at BS back in 2023 so happy to help, just PM me

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Anyone has insights for Hogan Lovells VI? I can trade with Macfarlanes, Stephenson Harwood, Penningtons Manches Cooper, Winston & Strawn, and Orrick! Feel free to message me.

 

[jagath]

just saw someone (law student) announce a slaughters vs while i’m waiting to hear back they already have davis polk and skadden and hogan lovells

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

just saw someone (law student) announce a slaughters vs while i’m waiting to hear back they already have davis polk and skadden and hogan lovells

I know exactly who you’re oab as well cos I’ve got them on LinkedIn. They’ve acc smashed it out the park. That Kirkland guy has some competition now he might get overtaken soon lmao.​

 

[FutureLawyer_]

Has anyone got any insight into hogan lovells job simulation assessment ? Would really appreciate it

 

[Bah Bah Pink Sheep]

just saw someone (law student) announce a slaughters vs while i’m waiting to hear back they already have davis polk and skadden and hogan lovells

I need to drink whatever water these people are drinking

 

[nonliquetagain]

Does anyone know Kirkland & Ellis’ policy on reapplying after failing at AC stage?

“For candidates who have reached the assessment day stage (or later) we do not accept any applications for the following year’s recruitment cycle.”

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I need to drink whatever water these people are drinking

Ngl I see their posts and I’m just sat there like a melon thinking save some for the rest of us man we’re all struggling to get even one VS offer…

 

[kukubird]

just saw someone (law student) announce a slaughters vs while i’m waiting to hear back they already have davis polk and skadden and hogan lovells

I saw this too, it feels largely discouraging that people who are often so successful come from elite private / international schools.

 

[Hanzeeb]

Is macfarlanes strict with grades? 2.1 across every module?

 

[Gabri3l]

If someone had their Proskauer ac on the 12th, please please dm me

Did you get a response by any chance ?

 

[SueD]

Anyone has insights for Hogan Lovells VI? I can trade with Macfarlanes, Stephenson Harwood, Penningtons Manches Cooper, Winston & Strawn, and Orrick! Feel free to message me.

Ah! Have you been progressed by PMC this year? I’ve applied for VS and heard absolutely nothing….

 

[Madison Pinewall]

just saw someone (law student) announce a slaughters vs while i’m waiting to hear back they already have davis polk and skadden and hogan lovells

they just came up on my feed too. i only interviewed like 2 weeks ago and the wait is brutal

 

[Madison Pinewall]

I saw this too, it feels largely discouraging that people who are often so successful come from elite private / international schools.

it's highly discouraging. i'm from a v disadvantaged background and yet managed to get essentially the same stats despite the fact and don't have a VS yet. what do they know?!

 

[Shaky_Pete]

it's highly discouraging. i'm from a v disadvantaged background and yet managed to get essentially the same stats despite the fact and don't have a VS yet. what do they know?!

The partners interviewing them often went to similar, elite schools. Birds of a feather. I think another factor that shouldn't be disregarded is the perception that candidates who attended such schools will have a stronger network than those who didn't, which, as they become senior, can help them bring clients to the firm. Britain still deeply elitist.

 

[helenaskelton]

The partners interviewing them often went to similar, elite schools. Birds of a feather. I think another factor that shouldn't be disregarded is the perception that candidates who attended such schools will have a stronger network than those who didn't, which, as they become senior, can help them bring clients to the firm. Britain still deeply elitist.

Aspiring solicitors can help. Massive advantage, especially if you’re low income / state comp. I tend to go for the AS partners when I apply and have had good results with them. I think you really have to pick and choose which is so unfortunate because all firms should be inclusive.

 

[sbbusybee]

I saw this too, it feels largely discouraging that people who are often so successful come from elite private / international schools.

Plus RG unis, and they most likely had no mitigating circumstances at A-Levels. Of course to get into those unis is a huge achievement, but it does feel discouraging and like there is no diversity in applicants who are successful with VS/TCs.

 

[kukubird]

The partners interviewing them often went to similar, elite schools. Birds of a feather. I think another factor that shouldn't be disregarded is the perception that candidates who attended such schools will have a stronger network than those who didn't, which, as they become senior, can help them bring clients to the firm. Britain still deeply elitist.

100% but I wish firms would stop selling us false hope. I don’t mean to be entirely pessimistic but as someone who has done a lot of social mobility work experience at these firms when you actually get on the programs / see their vac scheme or trainee intake. It is still predominantly people from well off backgrounds. Public schools and private international schools especially.

It seems that the social mobility push has just been lip service from firms to check off what the Equality Act says they should do.

 

[t2so]

TW rejection after WE - frustrating one here as I thought I was certain to get through after noticing a mistake in the court documents used for the WE, which the grad rec specifically called to congratulate me on.

Ah well, onwards.

 

[summersun]

TW rejection after WE - frustrating one here as I thought I was certain to get through after noticing a mistake in the court documents used for the WE, which the grad rec specifically called to congratulate me on.

Ah well, onwards.

same just got the PFO.. expected as poeple heard back last week but was still very much in denial