TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[summersun]

Advice needed! I have been fortunate enough to receive a direct TC offer from a firm, with only 1 week to accept the offer. I have another vacation scheme coming up next month with my dream firm. I really want to try my luck with my dream firm, but also don't want to turn down a guaranteed TC at the other firm (I have asked and they are unwilling to extend the offer deadline). Any advice on how to proceed ? @Abbie Whitlock

Hi first congratulations !!! That's amazing

Does your TC contract mention you can't do a VS and vice versa? If not I would say accept the TC and do the VS.
Otherwise that might be more complicated and Abbie might be able to answer better

 

[amcronin30]

Has anyone heard back from Irwin Mitchell post AC yet? Have a feeling they will wait to the end of the month!

 

[soph107048]

Heyy can anyone advise on which firms genuinely recruit from DTC route? Ive been told to check trainee/vs intake but this isnt very telling as it is not always precisely disclosed, and even the firms which recruit 90% from VS advertise the TC as realistic which it likely isn’t. For those applying to DTC, which would you say genuinely recruit a substantial number from this pathway?

 

[AryanAgg]

Heyy can anyone advise on which firms genuinely recruit from DTC route? Ive been told to check trainee/vs intake but this isnt very telling as it is not always precisely disclosed, and even the firms which recruit 90% from VS advertise the TC as realistic which it likely isn’t. For those applying to DTC, which would you say genuinely recruit a substantial number from this pathway?

Some firms only have a dtc route like fried frank, king & Spalding among others

 

[amcronin30]

Heyy can anyone advise on which firms genuinely recruit from DTC route? Ive been told to check trainee/vs intake but this isnt very telling as it is not always precisely disclosed, and even the firms which recruit 90% from VS advertise the TC as realistic which it likely isn’t. For those applying to DTC, which would you say genuinely recruit a substantial number from this pathway?

Irwin Mitchell don’t have a vacation scheme anymore so they recruit all from direct applications

 

[AryanAgg]

Harbottle and lewis is another one

 

[cb6056]

Has anyone heard pfo/offer from CRS cheltenham?

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Slaughter & May PFO. Yay so happy

 

[trainee4u]

Heyy can anyone advise on which firms genuinely recruit from DTC route? Ive been told to check trainee/vs intake but this isnt very telling as it is not always precisely disclosed, and even the firms which recruit 90% from VS advertise the TC as realistic which it likely isn’t. For those applying to DTC, which would you say genuinely recruit a substantial number from this pathway?

honestly I'd be very wary of the VS vs DTC stats. For example, I applied to CRS DTC on the basis here that

50%-100% from direct TC applications

CRS

Plus:

"No, we recruit from both the placement scheme and direct training contract route. A placement scheme is useful if you also want to gain some legal work experience as part of your application process but isn’t required. We equally recruit our trainees from both routes, so we recommend applying for the route that best suits you. "

However, in reality

"
Thank you for your patience as we review your application.

We appreciate that it has taken longer than we hoped to get back to you. We experienced a significant increase in applications this year and reviewed our Placement Scheme applications first as these take place before our Direct Training Contract assessment days. We are still making decisions and appreciate your understanding."


Best IMO is to assume that unless there is no VS route, then VS is preferred.

 

[alanshore]

They have an arcade in their office for a reason lol

Kirkland & Ellis’ latest financials are insane they’re miles ahead of everyone except Latham wtf:

View attachment 8181​

 

[Raquelle's Legal Drama]

So grateful to have embarked on this journey. It's had its tough times, but truly, the people I've met throughout this journey have made it worth it! I came into this field dreading the networking, but now, I am ecstatic whenever I make a new friend or have the opportunity to attend an event Here's to many more peaks and troughs, as well as new friendships along the way!

 

[fitzer401]

Freshfields DTC offer. Latham SVS offer. Been applying for three years. If you’ve just started this year or feel it’s all hopeless, just know that I fumbled my Ashurst AC last year and didn’t have a single other AC. Think it’s fair to say my options this year have turned around. Keep applying - it’ll come eventually!