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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
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Hi Madison,
Applying around a month in advance is generally fine, even for rolling firms. Being earlier can help at the margins, but it isn’t the case that applications submitted slightly later are automatically discounted. Strong and well-thought applications are still read and progressed throughout the cycle.
For reference, I applied to White and Case a day before their deadline and despite timings, the quality of the application itself was enough to get me through to the AC stage.
On numbers, there really isn’t a magic figure. For most people, something in the 10–15 range is very normal, and 11 is already a solid spread. The fact that 15 felt right is probably a good sign that you’re thinking about your own capacity rather than forcing a number because others are doing more or less.
What matters far more now is whether you can keep the same level of quality across the rest of your applications, and whether your firm list makes sense for you. If that’s the case, you’re not under-applying, and you’re definitely not behind.
It’s easy to second guess at this stage, especially when you hear lots of conflicting advice, but from the outside this sounds like a sensible and well-balanced approach!
Nah it’s an adjustment for the VI. Idk if there is a separate TI but mine is just to replace the VI.
Hey,
I'm sorry to hear about this, rejections can be really frustrating
But it is also an incredible achievement to have gotten to that stage in the process. I would recommend scheduling a call with graduate recruitment to receive feedback on how you performed during the AC. From my experience, this was always really helpful in highlighting the areas that I needed to focus on for my next one. I would also recommend putting together a bank of interview questions while it's still fresh in your mind as this will help you prepare for your next assessments and will likely to be useful for other firms too. You could also reach out to any successful candidates at Freshfields, e.g future trainees, to ask them how they approached their assessed tasks. You are still such a strong candidate for getting to the AC and I trust that with all the lessons learned from this one, you'll be in an even stronger position for your next one!
Skadden PFO. Caught me pretty off guard as it was my best application so far and sent it to get reviewed. I also have a decent amount of legal experience and hold a few positions of responsibility
Really sucks. That’s my 5th rejection out of the 8 firms I’ve applied to currently
I’m really sorry to hear that, especially when it was the application you felt strongest about.
However, a rejection from Skadden doesn’t mean your application wasn’t good. Their process is extremely competitive and can be quite unpredictable, with plenty of candidates with strong experience being rejected every year. It’s also surprisingly common for the application you’re most confident in not to be the one that progresses, simply because each firm is looking for something slightly different.
Five rejections out of eight feels heavy right now, but it’s still early and well within the range of what a lot of successful candidates experience at this stage. It took me 4 ACs and over 50 applications to finally land my TC.
One firm’s decision doesn’t define your cycle. Keep going with the same standard and the same intent, you’re still very much in this!
What would it mean if i haven't heard back from Eversheds today even if some received a VI invite and PFO? (help)
Completed NRF Arctic shores last week and got 12/16, haven't heard back from them yet. Anyone received VI invite?
I applied around mid November and received an AC invite on the 28th. They also have AC's running in January as well.
Huge congratulations!!! I'm sure it is super well deserved, and I hope you take some time to celebrateSidley tc offer
Hi Madison,
I agree with you, a month in advance seems like a good amount of time. With rolling deadlines, I would always recommend getting your application in as soon as possible as you never really know how fast they are processing applications. From my experience with Gibson Dunn last year, I applied six weeks before the VS deadline and had my first interview a few days after that. My final interview was actually the week that applications closed. So I would definitely prioritise getting those applications in sooner rather than later.
As for your second concern, I would say find a number that works for you which allows you to send off good quality applications at firms you have a genuine interest in. I found that the firms I received AC/VS offers from where the ones I had put extra effort into (e.g gone to open days, attended webinars, listened to podcasts etc) and that felt aligned with my interests. I applied to around 11 firms and received 3 VS offers. So don't feel pressured by what others are doing, you just have to make sure you feel confident that you've put in a strong amount of effort into each one that you send off. 15 sounds like a good number to me
Wishing you all the best!Incredible achievement!!!!! Really happy for youSidley tc offer
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