TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Heartofglass]

I just checked my notes from last year Latham's open day. They said that in 2024, they ran 3 AC per week from second week of January up to March (roughly about 20-25 AC in total). There will be 8 people per AC. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline and those who attended open days will have their applications reviewed first, then it will be us.

 

[EfficientBag123]

I just checked my notes from last year Latham's open day. They said that in 2024, they ran 3 AC per week from second week of January up to March (roughly about 20-25 AC in total). There will be 8 people per AC. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline and those who attended open days will have their applications reviewed first, then it will be us.

this is the best intel I’ve received on Latham so far. Thank you so much. Is there anything about doing ACs for spring or summer in any particular order?

 

[Heartofglass]

this is the best intel I’ve received on Latham so far. Thank you so much. Is there anything about doing ACs for spring or summer in any particular order?

She didn't say anything about separating the spring/summer cohort but logically the spring ppl should go first so that Latham can have their documents ready by April.

 

[EfficientBag123]

She didn't say anything about separating the spring/summer cohort but logically the spring ppl should go first so that Latham can have their documents ready by April.

Whilst I completely agree with you about the chronology, people who applied for summers have only been invited to ACs so far. Nothing about spring yet. That’s why I’m confused.

 

[Bree]

Im glad to hear it, as for your status, I don't think this is going to hinder your ability to stand out on the vacation scheme. So, lets reframe the question to focus more on what you (as a vac scheme like any other) can do to stand out.

Do
1. Be yourself - I know it sounds like a cliche, but it rings so true. You should bring your personality with you, whether thats a little humour or a little sarcasm. It's important to remember that the feedback your buddy and assessors will provide in the end of vac scheme washup* is cebtred around your performance and whether they can see themselves working with you in the future.
2. Be authentic - I've seen a few people try to be someone they're not e.g. asking over the top commercial questions, or faking an interest in something that is typically quite mundane and this is going to be obvious. You don't need to fake your enthusiasm if it is not there, but instead seek the opportunity to learn more about something from those around you e.g. reaching out to someone outside your department to learn a little more "Hey, I had not considered the Employment department before, and eventhough I'm sat in Real Estate, would you or anyone in your team have 15 minutes for a catchup sometime this week?"
3. Look at each assessment through the eyes of graduate recruitment - understand what they're assessing you on (if any exist) and approach it accordingly e.g. group exercises are assessing your ability to work well in a team, not overshadow others
4. Enjoy the opportunity - this opportunity is not one to waste, and even if it does not get to a TC, it will still improve your CV so look to it as a development experience and make sure to push yourself outside of your comfort zone e.g. asking for work that you probably hadn't done before and seek feedback following this.

*A washup is the final meeting of all assessors, where they get together on a call to essentially talk through the candidates and decide who they're going to award a TC to. It may take a different form across different firms, but the jist of the process is generally the same.

Don't
1. Be shy - I know its hard when you may be surrounded with people who tend to steal the limelight, but they're being assessed just like you and it will not reflect well. So, take deep breaths if you need to, and put yourself out there. Again, strike a balance between being too quiet and being too loud - you should just strive to be present and open.
2. Complain - you'd be surprised how many people have complained about the department they've been placed into for their vacation scheme, but remember your TC will have these moments too (you can't choose all your seats yourself) so be accepting, and show them that you're open to learning new things.

Hopefully that helps a little, but if there is anything more specific you need, then please let me know. I'm super excited for you! I really enjoyed my vacation scheme and I am sure you will too.

Thank you so much!! This is very helpful

 

[Novaa]

Hi!

Firms generally won't look at this sideways, and I would try not to worry about it too much - they know vacation scheme conversion rates are competitive and that non-conversion doesn't necessarily reflect performance. There are so many factors that go in to making TC decisions, including things such as business need and the overall competitiveness of that cycle - these are things out of your control, so firms aren't going to hold this against you!

It is absolutely fine to include the VS's you didn't convert (and I did for mine) - I would just make sure that you focus on what you did and learned rather than the outcome itself. If it was a couple of cycles ago, I would make sure to show how you have grown since then as they will be more interested in your overall development and reflection.

I hope that helps, and best of luck!

Thank you Abbie!!

This is really reassuring and I’ll focus on showing what I learnt from it

 

[user55998384]

I just checked my notes from last year Latham's open day. They said that in 2024, they ran 3 AC per week from second week of January up to March (roughly about 20-25 AC in total). There will be 8 people per AC. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline and those who attended open days will have their applications reviewed first, then it will be us.

this is super helpful thank u sm - they didnt mention this in this years open day though surprisingly so idk if thats changed - i got the impression that the OD didn't really give you an adv over the rest of the applicants

 

[Novaa]

Probably being too keen but has anyone heard anything from Mayer Brown post-test?

Nothing yet, but because they run ACs into February. I think people may start to hear back next week?

I think they have a quick turnaround from what I’ve seen in previous threads (seems to be about days from completing the immersive assessment), probably just waiting for the Christmas/New Years break to be done.

 

[Dannie]

Does anyone know when Links tends to reach out with ACs?

 

[sbbusybee]

this is super helpful thank u sm - they didnt mention this in this years open day though surprisingly so idk if thats changed - i got the impression that the OD didn't really give you an adv over the rest of the applicants

Same here, this year the only thing they told us was that because we attended the OD and passed the tests, we didn’t have to do them when applying for the vac schemes

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

for the bakers work exp section - finding the format weird. probs a stupid q but for this section would you inc societal roles or should you inc it in the work exp section beforre? View attachment 7541

Hello!

Not a stupid question at all!

I think either approach would work fine, but if I was approaching this application, I'd generally include society committee roles in the more general work experience section. This question looks like it is aimed at work experience and career events (e.g. open days, insight schemes, internships, shadowing, etc.), with the follow-up question asking you to outline responsibilities if relevant. Society roles are therefore more likely to sit naturally alongside other ongoing roles and positions of responsibility.

The only time I'd include a society committee role here is if it was clearly framed as a career-focused experience (e.g. organising firm events, liaising with sponsors, pro bono work, etc.) for a legal-based society, and you're short on other events to include.

Otherwise, I would use this section for formal experience and events, and use the general work experience section for any society committee roles.

I hope that helps!

 

[LaDiva]

Applied on the 27th, heard back an hour ago today!

Congrats!! I've applied 2 months ago and nothing, so it's safe for me to assume PFO and move on!

 

[Heartofglass]

Same here, this year the only thing they told us was that because we attended the OD and passed the tests, we didn’t have to do them when applying for the vac schemes

I actually learn this in the Q&A section with the grad rec team. So massive thanks to that person who asked the perfect question 😂😂😂

 

[llblawstudent]

Congrats!! I've applied 2 months ago and nothing, so it's safe for me to assume PFO and move on!

for me it’s a few weeks but have very much arrived at the same conclusion ha. Same for Freshfields and Dechert

 

[Ronaldo04]

Guys do you think that for the Debevoise question below it is necessary to mention a deal that they have worked on?: Please tell us about a recent commercial deal that has captured your interest. If you could represent a side, which would it be and why? (Max 300 words)

 

[Bread]

Does anyone else have a very hard time accessing the A&O amberjack practice test? It seems to never load, but id love some extra practice. Any advice?

Edit: nevermind, it was useless 😂
I think i saw someone on the forum who practiced on a test similar to the real thing, does anyone know what it is?

 

[Harvey Specter]

Guys do you think that for the Debevoise question below it is necessary to mention a deal that they have worked on?: Please tell us about a recent commercial deal that has captured your interest. If you could represent a side, which would it be and why? (Max 300 words)

Idk if it’s ‘necessary’ per se cos you can defo write about any deal you’re interested in, but if it does happen to be a deal Debevoise advised on, I’d go for it honestly. Their main focus seems to be on the second half of the question. I did write about a deal Debevoise advised on in my app (just sent it off early hours this morning).​

 

[Wagamamas]

I’m pretty sure Milbank has been rolling cos a lot of people have alr received AC invites for Spring and Summer VS (LevFin and Trad). Idk if they’re still actively considering apps but if tests are still being sent out I assume there’s a chance?​

People have got AC for spring Lev fin?

 

[TCGrad1642]

Is it worth applying to Baker today since they’re rolling?

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Is it worth applying to Baker today since they’re rolling?

Not rolling, apply!