TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[llblawstudent]

I am currently harrassing ChatGPT because I am so conflicted on whether I do more applications (and to which firms) or else I try protect my next term for my academics as much as possible. I feel that the uncertainty with all my current ongoing applications is not helping because realistically I want to plan my time next term, but who knows if I will get everything or get nothing so applying to more rn can either (give me more chance of getting something next term, or end up overwhelming me).

How do students approach this conflict!? I'm at a uni where if you fall behind you are basically almost doomed since the teaching moves so fast (I'm already behind in term 1 because I was working on applications). I plan on using this week to finish applying (but not sure to how many more) and then the next few weeks of the break to try catch up and study for my mocks

How many are you on? You could take a break from apps, focus on studies, and then try and knock a few direct TC ones out in a couple of months because their deadlines are much later

 

[angdps]

Does anyone know the timings for Baker Mckenzie VI?

 

[EfficientBag123]

Does anyone know the timings for Baker Mckenzie VI?

30sec prep 90 sec delivery

 

[spamelinazoid]

Anyone deadline-y applicants get a Reed Smith test invite today?

 

[llblawstudent]

ooh I didn't think about DTCs
Do you think I have enough experience to even consider DTCs? :0 I feel like most firms would expect penultimate year students to apply to their vacs LMAO

Honestly not a clue. But here’s my logic (albeit slight mental gymnastics). DTCs are open for penultimate years onwards, which implies they’d accept penultimate years. A penultimate year law student isn’t likely to have much legal experience under their belt, so why offer it to them?

 

[Deleted member 43292]

Honestly not a clue. But here’s my logic (albeit slight mental gymnastics). DTCs are open for penultimate years onwards, which implies they’d accept penultimate years. A penultimate year law student isn’t likely to have much legal experience under their belt, so why offer it to them?

true! you have a point haha - I'll look into it then, thank you!

@ any community admin - on this note, I was wondering what your thoughts on including "future" work experience in the work experience section are? For example, can I put any future vac schemes I am to do in there to help substantiate my lack of legal work experience in DTC applications? On one hand, it seems wrong since I haven't actually done the experience yet, but on the other, this experience is confirmed and will be something I will have undertaken by the time my TC starts (if I am successful that is) and can help make the application more competitive right?

 

[AS24]

2023

Thank you

 

[Kakaboo]

@Kakaboo not sure if this has been answered yet, but you should base any commercial awareness topic around the firm you're applying to and it's specific departments/client base - just so you can link it back to the firm and highlight what this means for them as a service provider or for their clients more generally. Basing it off that, I would run a quick google search on the department e.g. competition law and see if the search engine can return a recent business article e.g. RyanAir getting fined £250M for market abuse and decide if it there is anything interest piquing or impactful (where you can link back to the firm/its department/its clients) e.g. Italian authorities seemed to approach the legal threshold of a 40% market share more flexibly BUT what was their rationale for doing so? Does this signal a wider threat to the airline market who attempt to stifle travel agents commission? And so on...

All I know is, I seem to feel a little better about RyanAir's hidden charges.

Good luck and if you're struggling to find resources, this post has some good tips: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/commercial-awareness-sources.7696/

AMAZING thanks

 

[yk1906]

true! you have a point haha - I'll look into it then, thank you!

@ any community admin - on this note, I was wondering what your thoughts on including "future" work experience in the work experience section are? For example, can I put any future vac schemes I am to do in there to help substantiate my lack of legal work experience in DTC applications? On one hand, it seems wrong since I haven't actually done the experience yet, but on the other, this experience is confirmed and will be something I will have undertaken by the time my TC starts (if I am successful that is) and can help make the application more competitive right?

I’m actually putting mine to tell how competitive it was to get it + what kind of clients I’ll be working with !! Don’t know if it’s the right thing to do, but I feel like a “prestigious” name can’t harm

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey guys, quick question about Farrer, are you assessed for a TC on the vac scheme? I know it seems slightly odd to ask, but the website states that the training contract and VS processes are separate but I can see a large proportion of their trainees were recruited through their VS

Hello!

I completed the Farrers vacation scheme last year, so can confirm this for you! During the vacation scheme, you complete an interview with a partner which assesses whether they invite you back for a final TC interview. Therefore, it is possible to continue to be considered for a TC, but not all vacation schemers are offered a final interview.

From my experience at the final TC interview last cycle, and from what I heard on my scheme, it’s usually a pretty even split between DTC / post vacation scheme TC offers.

I hope that clarifies

 

[Legal12345]

I have ABC at a-level and have progressed with firms both AAB and ABB. I do have mitigating circumstances, but to be honest they are quite weak circumstances and I'm not sure how much they're being considered. Definitely worth applying if you really like the firm, and depending on how they word their requirements.

If they say they strictly require AAB, unless you have mitigating circumstances, then it is probably not worth it. If they "We typically look for AAB/ABB at a-level, but we review every application holistically" or something like that then then definitely go for it.

Thanks so much this is very helpful. Do you have any examples of firms that are lenient and that you progressed with?

 

[llblawstudent]

Hello!

I completed the Farrers vacation scheme last year, so can confirm this for you! During the vacation scheme, you complete an interview with a partner which assesses whether they invite you back for a final TC interview. Therefore, it is possible to continue to be considered for a TC, but not all vacation schemers are offered a final interview.

From my experience at the final TC interview last cycle, and from what I heard on my scheme, it’s usually a pretty even split between DTC / post vacation scheme TC offers.

I hope that clarifies

Lifesaver, thanks a bunch Abbie! I’m just in two minds as to whether to apply for VS v DTC considering the VS deadline is next week and the TC deadline is in 3 months, just because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do a vac scheme if I had to go through the same DTC process anyway (like at Paul Hastings) so it’s good to know they at least fast track you to an interview if they like you and don’t make you submit another app lol

 

[Deleted member 43292]

Sorry if this has been answered before - but I'm looking at applying to Milbank since there isn't a VI - does anyone know what OT they use? Cappfinity? Amberjack?

 

[maylawwww]

Sorry if this has been answered before - but I'm looking at applying to Milbank since there isn't a VI - does anyone know what OT they use? Cappfinity? Amberjack?

neither! its a SJT on 'shortlister' itself so its a little different but imo much nicer than either cappfinity or amberjack (much much shorter as well!)

 

[alphabravocharlie]

Anyone know about Ropes & Gray Vac scheme application, I can't find the 2026 one?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Anyone know about Ropes & Gray Vac scheme application, I can't find the 2026 one?

Candid Applicant Tracking System

Rare Candid Applicant Tracking System

ropesgray.app.candidats.io

I think it’s this link here. You do have to scroll down towards the bottom of their GR webpage for it tbf.​

 

[cookedlawstudent]

It is officially one month since I've heard from Freshfields after doing the stage 2 assessment. Imagine waiting this long to hear back about whether you got to the Assessment Centre for a Vacation Scheme with a low conversion rate .

 

[wqueens8]

Thanks so much this is very helpful. Do you have any examples of firms that are lenient and that you progressed with?

For sure. Either this year or last I've progressed with Taylor Wessing (AAB), Goodwin (AAB), Bird and Bird (AAB), Fieldfisher (ABB) and Eversheds (ABB).

 

[noahsmiit01]

Did anyone go to the Paul Hastings insight day? Do you mind sharing your notes/ can you share what the PHirst steps scheme even is? Is it just one week long experience where you get to see one of their core practice areas? Then you have to separately apply fr a TC?

Yeah, Phirst is like the First-year scheme; applying for their TC is a different app, and you don't get fast-track. However, they've been advised only to submit one application.

 

[llblawstudent]

Hey guys, general question here. What is generally the lower limit for an application response? Like at what point do you think you stop being really concise and verge on not being detailed enough