TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[bh.sa]

would it be better to apply to HL lift off or the vac scheme? has anyone who got rejected for lift off last year secured an AC for the vac scheme?

I would recommend Lift Off - if you're successful, you get fast-tracked to an AC anyways. But Lift Off will give you lots of insights and tips into the AC and how to be successful there. But it doesn't matter too much, as long as you make a strong application, you have a good chance. The picture below may also help you decide:

 

[a0]

guys for reed smith's vac scheme is does not mention final year students can i still apply

yup! it says penultimate year law students/final year non-law onwards.

 

[bh.sa]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could tell me what is considered a recruitment cycle?

I applied for Hogan's Direct TC and was rejected last month. However, I was wondering if this September is considered the beginning of the new cycle or is it an application per year?

Hogan Lovells says, "Our current application window runs from 1 September 2025-31 August 2026." So I assume that 1 Sep 2024 - 31 August 2025 was last year's cycle. You want to email grad rec and double-check though

 

[tenibankoleolusina]

for hogan lovells' application, they ask us to write about any open days and events in the legal sector. should i talk about the events i attended with HL in the previous application cycle or wait until the events this year before applying?
also any advice on whether i should apply to lift off or the vac scheme?

Hi there! Events attended in any cycle would be acceptable. I'm also pretty sure that Hogan Lovells say if you apply for Lift Off, your application will automatically be considered for a vacation scheme anyway, so if you have interest in both and are eligible for both I'd advise applying to Lift off.

 

[emily3827]

are graduates elligible for HL lift off?

 

[Chriss]

just got the confirmation email from macfarlanes, it takes about 2 days

 

[cbuck]

Heya! Yesterday I received an invitation for an HR telephone interview with Sidley which I'm really excited about. Although I'm a little confused because everything I've seen online suggests that the process is (1) Initial Application, (2) Interview, (3) Vac Scheme. I feel like a telephone interview can't be the only stage before a vac scheme but idk because I've seen no mention of it anywhere. Does anyone who has been through the process before know if this is the only interview, or is there a normal in-person one afterwards?

 

[Superfrozone]

Heya! Yesterday I received an invitation for an HR telephone interview with Sidley which I'm really excited about. Although I'm a little confused because everything I've seen online suggests that the process is (1) Initial Application, (2) Interview, (3) Vac Scheme. I feel like a telephone interview can't be the only stage before a vac scheme but idk because I've seen no mention of it anywhere. Does anyone who has been through the process before know if this is the only interview, or is there a normal in-person one afterwards?

Congrats! When did you submit your application?

 

[cbuck]

Congrats! When did you submit your application?

Thanks - I applied 13 August

 

[Joey green]

Anyone else heard back from Sidley, one way or another?

 

[dm_corporate]

Nothing from Sidley yet (applied two weeks ago).

 

[SamiyaJ]

yup! it says penultimate year law students/final year non-law onwards.

I have a non law degree but currently doing the PGDL part time (2nd/ final year), am I still eligible?

 

[dannyp123]

Just got Jones Day interview invite!

Congrats! May I ask if this was for Winter or the Spring/Summer Vac Schemes?

 

[bh.sa]

Congrats! May I ask if this was for Winter or the Spring/Summer Vac Schemes?

Thank you! This is for the winter scheme

 

[londonlawyer]

I was wondering whether commercial curiosity is a skill in the traditional sense? Would commercial curiosity be considered a skill which a commercial solicitor would require to succeed? I've included it as a skill in one of my answers, but I'm concerned that it sounds like a trait rather than a skill.

 

[dm_corporate]

I was wondering whether commercial curiosity is a skill in the traditional sense? Would commercial curiosity be considered a skill which a commercial solicitor would require to succeed? I've included it as a skill in one of my answers, but I'm concerned that it sounds like a trait rather than a skill.

I would personally say a commercial mindset is more appropriate as a skill (although don't quote me on this as I don't know if the application I used referencing this skill was successful yet). Being able to see commercial issues from your clients perspective (eg risks, opportunities) is the way I understand a solicitor's "commercial mindset" in practice.

Hope that helps

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

has anyone ever progressed far in a VS/TC process despite not having a clear idea of what practice you want to do? and not having a clear previous experience in one practice?

im afraid of my why commercial law answer being too generic without the above

Hi!

I actually think that having a crystal-clear idea about the one specific area you would want to practice in is not as common as you think!

Nevertheless, here's how I would approach this:

1. If you are applying to a more general, full-service law firm, it's actually great to demonstrate that you have an open mind and are open to exploring different practice areas - you never know if you like something until you actually try it in practice! I would still, however, get an in-depth understanding of one or two practice areas that have caught your attention and be prepared to explain why you are potentially interested in experiencing them during your training contract.
2. If you are targeting narrower, smaller firms with a clearly visible specialism (for example, PE), then I'd say having a clearly defined and well-evidenced interest in that practice is indeed necessary.

So, in short, I'd say that the degree of certainty in deciding which practice area appeals to you the most varies between firms. And, at the end of the day, one of the reasons that TCs with seat rotations exist in the first place is to provide you with an opportunity to make a conscious decision about where you qualify!

 

[londonlawyer]

I would personally say a commercial mindset is more appropriate as a skill (although don't quote me on this as I don't know if the application I used referencing this skill was successful yet). Being able to see commercial issues from your clients perspective (eg risks, opportunities) is the way I understand a solicitor's "commercial mindset" in practice.

Hope that helps

Thank you!

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

For someone who didn’t really used to attend events, I might have overcompensated and attended like six events for a firm in applying to. Is it bad to sprinkle all of them around my app? Like mention multiple events in a question even (like one per paragraph)? Or is that overdoing it? Thank you!!

Hi @iklawapps,

Attending this many events is very impressive! I am sure the firm will appreciate your dedication and commitment.

However, I also appreciate your concern regarding the best way to present these events in your application. To answer your question, I personally wouldn't concentrate all of the open days within one single answer or paragraph, as you'd also want to show how you conducted firm research outside of the events.

So, I'd probably choose two or three out of the six events that you found the most impactful, and reference those sparingly within your written answers. I would then go into more detail for all six events in the work experience section, where you can put all of them in one entry.

I hope this helps, and good luck!

 

[londonlawyer]

has anyone ever progressed far in a VS/TC process despite not having a clear idea of what practice you want to do? and not having a clear previous experience in one practice?

im afraid of my why commercial law answer being too generic without the above

I got a VS last year, having focused heavily on PE with a US firm. I discussed PE in both my motivation for a career with the firm and my commercial question, which I think definitely helped. But having said that, I also emphasised in my interviews that I am open-minded in exploring the other practice areas at the firm. I think, at least at the application stage, showing a clear interest in the practice area that generated the most revenue for the firm helped me secure an interview.