TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[emily3827]

Sidley closes in 2 days and it’s rolling - would it be a very bad idea to apply tomorrow and I should rather wait to apply for the spring/summer schemes? Got carried away w other things but would submit a very tailored, high quality app

if it helps I know someone who applied in the last few days last cycle and ended up with a tc after the vac scheme!

 

[confusedbird]

Sidley closes in 2 days and it’s rolling - would it be a very bad idea to apply tomorrow and I should rather wait to apply for the spring/summer schemes? Got carried away w other things but would submit a very tailored, high quality app

I'd say given you have options - its completely up to you!
I'd shoot my shot regardless because I assume given they haven't gotten back to anyone yet there's still a chance

 

[yuk0n]

Is anyone yet to hear back for the Willkie/TCLA open day?

 

[Joey green]

To anyone and everyone who has already done the Jones Day interview: if you have a tip or advise for me I’ll forever be grateful and I’ll happily reciprocate. I really want this to go well!

 

[FAS444]

anyone heard back from Macs?

 

[CupOfTea17]

Hey guys, does anyone know if we are able to apply to Sidley Austin's other Vacation Schemes if we are unsuccessful in the Winter Scheme. I haven't applied to the Winter Scheme yet and as it is due tomorrow, I am just wondering if it is worth waiting or if I will be able to apply multiple times.

Also - does anyone know if the Sidley Austin application closes at midnight tonight or midnight tomorrow night?

 

[JasmineM9]

Hello, who is yet to hear back from Jones Day? I submitted my application on Monday evening so I am not very hopeful given they respond very quickly 💔

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Please describe a challenging situation you have faced and explain how you approached it. - for this question, is it all right to mention a situation in which a customer got angry at you and you resolved the situation/ would it better to focus on some other situation like how you dealt with a medical condition. Thank you!

Hey @FutureTraineeMaybe,

I actually think that discussing how you dealt with an angry customer is a great idea. There are likely to be situations where clients won't be 100% happy with your work or may get frustrated during a challenging time in practice, too, so showing how you've dealt with a similar issue in the past will be highly relevant.

I would approach this question as follows:

1. Describe the situation, placing a particular emphasis on why you found it challenging. This shouldn't take too much space in your answer - no more than a third.
2. Dedicate most of the answer to explaining how you dealt with the situation - what were the specific steps you took to resolve it?
3. At the end, you can briefly reflect on what lessons this situation gave you and what you'd change moving forward.

Hope this helps!

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Hello, who is yet to hear back from Jones Day? I submitted my application on Monday evening so I am not very hopeful given they respond very quickly 💔

I wouldn't worry too much yet! The applications just opened and there is more than a month before they close! Good luck

 

[libertad seoane]

Should I include information about things other than work (f.e. student society roles, etc.) on a work history section of application forms if there is nowhere else to detail them (or the provided word limit is very limited)?

 

[fbtrainee]

Has anyone registered for Dentons Next Talent? I'm having issues with their application form but there seems to be no resolution

 

[londonlawyer]

Has anyone heard back from Dechert for the WVS?

 

[ZNadeem]

Should I include information about things other than work (f.e. student society roles, etc.) on a work history section of application forms if there is nowhere else to detail them (or the provided word limit is very limited)?

Yes, definitely! I’d recommend including all relevant experiences — even student society roles or things from school — if there isn’t another section to capture them. They still show skills and commitment that matter for applications.

 

[ZNadeem]

Hey guys, does anyone know if we are able to apply to Sidley Austin's other Vacation Schemes if we are unsuccessful in the Winter Scheme. I haven't applied to the Winter Scheme yet and as it is due tomorrow, I am just wondering if it is worth waiting or if I will be able to apply multiple times.

Also - does anyone know if the Sidley Austin application closes at midnight tonight or midnight tomorrow night?

Hi! I’d double-check Sidley’s website or email their graduate recruitment team, since many firms only allow one application per cycle — so you’ll want to clarify whether submitting the Winter scheme means you can’t apply to other schemes later.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Those who have been reapplying to firms and been successful, did you keep your application mostly the same or did you change it immensely?

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Yes, definitely! I’d recommend including all relevant experiences — even student society roles or things from school — if there isn’t another section to capture them. They still show skills and commitment that matter for applications.

Agreed! I included society positions and volunteering roles in my work experience section. It shouldn't be a problem at all

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Hey guys, does anyone know if we are able to apply to Sidley Austin's other Vacation Schemes if we are unsuccessful in the Winter Scheme. I haven't applied to the Winter Scheme yet and as it is due tomorrow, I am just wondering if it is worth waiting or if I will be able to apply multiple times.

Also - does anyone know if the Sidley Austin application closes at midnight tonight or midnight tomorrow night?

Hey there!

I would imagine that you can only apply to one vacation scheme per application cycle, as is the case with most law firms. However, I do suggest double-checking with the firm's graduate recruitment team to confirm!

As for the application deadline, given that the website states the closing date is 12 September, I would treat this time conservatively and aim to submit the application before 23:59 on the 11th of September (so, today). Good luck!

 

[tobywstress]

Does anyone know if Stepenson Harwood's online assessment contains a video interview at the end like the other firms using Amberjack? Their website only mentioned the SJT, numerical and verbal reasoning sections but I cannot find more information.

 

[Jamtaz12]

Hey @vera.mekhonoshina, do you have any advice on how to approach this question. Like can it be completely unlaw realted, what do you think there looking for here
If you could witness any event, past, present, or future firsthand, what would it be and why?

 

[dannyp123]

Hey everyone, I went to a networking event recently and spoke with a trainee from a firm I’m interested in applying to. I only realised afterwards that I’d forgotten their name, and I’ve had no luck finding them on LinkedIn or the firm’s website. Do you think there’s still any point in referencing the conversation in my application (e.g. ‘when speaking to a trainee at X event I realised…’), or would that come across as uncredible?