TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TCLAuser2002]

I took some time to process everything but I’m so happy to share I received VS offers from 2 US firms this cycle (Gibson Dunn and Debevoise)!

Yous have seen the highs and lows so I thought I would post about this too. Thanks to everyone on the forum for all the advice and guidance!​

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi does anyone have any advice concerning converting US firm VS? Also advice on coffee chats? Within two weeks, how many are you expected to do? What do you really talk about?

Hi!

Congratulations on the vacation scheme!! I have made a few previous posts on the feedback that I received post-VS that might help you give an idea of what firms are looking for, so I have quoted them below.

In terms of coffee chats, I would agree with what others have mentioned and would definitely suggest using them as an opportunity to learn more about the firm and its work, rather than treating them as a tick-box exercise. I found that my schemes went better when I was more selective about who I arranged coffee chats with, rather than trying to speak to as many people as possible.

I would also encourage you to reach out to people at all levels of the firm, not just senior associates and partners. Some of the most insightful conversations I had on vacation schemes were with solicitor apprentices, so it is definitely worth speaking to a wide range of people.

In terms of how many, it really depends on your schedule and the length of the scheme, but I would generally only plan a handful per week. Otherwise, you might find yourself rushing around and not having enough time to focus on the work you have been given.

I also found it quite difficult to come up with questions beforehand, but it often works better to go in with a few prompts and let the conversation flow naturally. In my experience, lawyers (usually!) enjoy talking about their work and career path, so if you show genuine curiosity about what they do, the conversation tends to develop quite easily.

Best of luck with the scheme, I'm sure you'll smash it!!

Hi!

Congratulations on the VS!!

It is completely normal to feel nervous about lower conversion rates, but I would try not to focus on it too much as you might psych yourself out.

My main advice would be to really use the scheme to engage as widely and proactively as possible. Ask lots of questions - about the work, about the firms strategy, about how matters fit into the wider deal, and about people's career paths. In my feedback call after being rejected post-VS for one of my schemes, one of the main points that was brought up was that I hadn't engaged with my supervisor enough and I should've asked more about their career path. You could speak to a wide range of associates, partners, and trainees, not just the people that you are directly sitting with. It shows genuine interest and will help you understand how the firm actually operates, which is handy for any interviews on the scheme.

Additionally, I would try to be proactive in asking for work and, just as importantly, feedback. If you finish something, let your supervisor (or whoever gave you the task) know and ask whether there is anything else you can help with. At the same time, it's important to be mindful of your tone - definitely try to avoid coming across as pushy or transactional. The key is to be enthusiastic and helpful, rather than adding more tasks to your supervisors workload!

One thing that is often overlooked is how you treat other vacation schemes. I would focus on supporting those around you, and ensuring that you are collaborative rather than competitive. Whilst you are technically "competing" with those around you, firms notice how you behave in a cohort, and being someone who contributes positively to the group says a lot about how you would be as a trainee. Graduate recruitment teams notice those who are being overly competitive on the scheme, and it often doesn't reflect well on them!

Overall, it is generally important to approach the scheme with a good attitude. Things such as being reliable, responsive, calm under pressure, and easy to work with are all key traits that they will be looking for. People will be thinking about whether you're someone they'd trust on a busy deal at 10pm, particularly at a US firm - competence definitely matters, but so does being someone that people enjoy working with!

Low conversion rates doesn't mean that you have low chances - if you focus on being engaged, proactive, and a good team player, you'll give yourself the best possible shot!

Best of luck with the VS, and I hope you enjoy it too!

Hi!

My top tip (based on my feedback post-VS) would be to be as engaged as possible throughout the scheme.

Ask lots of questions - not just about the task that you have been set, but about the wider deal, the client, and why certain decisions are being made. That shows curiosity in the work and how it fits into the wider picture, and demonstrates that you are genuinely interested. On my vacation scheme, I think I was worried that asking too many questions would look like I didn't know how to do the work - this isn't the case at all, and I'd just try to learn as much as you can through the tasks!

Additionally, I'd make an effort to speak to people in departments that you are interested in, even if you are not sitting with them. This doesn't necessarily have to be a partner or senior associate either - I was particularly interested in the Rail department at Stephenson Harwood, and I had a really lovely chat with a solicitor apprentice in the team who gave me great insights that I could speak about in my interview!

Try to have lunch or grab a coffee with your supervisor(s) at some point during the scheme too, if you can! Take the time to ask about their career path, why they chose the firm, and what they enjoy or find challenging. This builds rapport and shows that: (a) you'd be a good person to work with, and (b) that you are genuinely interested in learning about the firm and why people were drawn to it.

I would also:

• Be proactive about asking for work (without being pushy). If you finish something early, just let people know that you have capacity. Sometimes you can get work from people in the wider team, rather than just from your supervisor!
• Actively ask for feedback on the tasks that you complete, and make sure that you actually implement it throughout the week.
• Before asking your supervisor a question, make sure to have a go at looking for the answer using all available resources first! This way, if you can't find the answer, you can briefly outline the steps you took to find the answer when you ask your supervisor, and it shows that you have been proactive.
• Stay positive and professional at all times - a vacation scheme can be very tiring, but remember that you have to make the best impression in a short amount of time (so try to power through!).
• Support the other vac schemers rather than seeing them as competition - the graduate recruitment team will notice these things, and it won't reflect well if you are being overly competitive at all times.

Ultimately, lots of different factors go into conversion so it can be difficult to plan every step in advance. However, it comes down to: would people be happy to work with you for two years, and do you have a genuine interest in the firm and its work? If you are engaged, reliable, curious, and easy to work with, that helps put yourself in the best position to convert.

Best of luck!!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

how do I choose a department for my vac scheme? I have no experience in either of them which ones tend to be the hardest departments for vac schemers generally

Hey!

Congratulations on the vacation scheme!

I wouldn't say that there is necessarily harder departments for a vacation scheme. In my experience, the difficult usually depends more on the specific task and supervisor, rather than the practice area itself. Whilst I did notice that some teams were busier during vacation schemes that I completed, so the candidates in those teams usually ended up staying slightly later, supervisors generally know that you'll have limited experience and will try to set work that is appropriate for that level.

If you don't have experience in any of the teams, I would simply choose the one that sounds most interesting to you or that you are most curious to learn about! One of the purposes of the scheme is to explore different areas of practice, so firms don't expect you to already have knowledge of the department you choose. I also would try not to be disappointed if you are placed in a department that you didn't have a pre-existing interest in! During my Stephenson Harwood vacation scheme, I was in Regulatory Litigation for part of the scheme, and I had convinced myself I was not a litigious person in any way. However, I really enjoyed my time in the team and found the work super interesting - so you might be surprised!

 

[Diana54]

I think it depends on whether you can do both scheme.
If the dates enable you to do so and you want to go, do that AC!
If you can't do the VS dates because they are the same as your scheme it is worth cancelling as they likely have a reserve waitlist and could invite someone else (not fully sure for Ropes but I think they have one)

Congratulations on both schemes !!

That’s what I was thinking as the dates for my summer scheme and the ropes summer scheme is exactly the same so I won’t be able to do both.

Just hoping that they can still offer my place to someone else on the reserve list given the very short notice.

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

This is my first post here but I'm happy to announce I just received a SVS offer from W&C!

Thanks for everything the forum has done (been a silent anon stalker for a while)!

hi congrats! when did you do your interview + when did you hear back? also is this summer or spring

 

[Egco]

Does anyone know whether Baker McKenzie assesses the AC holistically, or if they place more weight on certain parts (e.g., the case study) over others (e.g. the document review exercise)?

 

[Diana54]

Does anyone know whether Baker McKenzie assesses the AC holistically, or if they place more weight on certain parts (e.g., the case study) over others (e.g. the document review exercise)?

I did their AC in the last cycle and I was told in my feedback call that the most emphasis is put on the case study interview

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Wow you are killing it! Major congratulations, I've seen you on the forum a lot, you definitely deserve it

Congratulations !!! That's amazing !!!!

amazinggg, congratulations!!

This is so inspiring to see! Truly shows to never count yourself out. Best of luck on your schemes

Congratulations!!! - never been happier for a stranger. You have been so helpful to everyone here and you deserve all the success

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Thank you guys i appreciate all the kind words!!