TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Donna Paulsen]

hellur ppl just a little check-in has anyone heard from:
Cooley Spring
Withers Summer (post test)
HFW spring post app
Addleshaw London VS post VI
TW spring post WE
Dechert Summer post app
WFW spring post VI
OC post test

I’ve not heard from OC post test

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

hellur ppl just a little check-in has anyone heard from:
Cooley Spring
Withers Summer (post test)
HFW spring post app
Addleshaw London VS post VI
TW spring post WE
Dechert Summer post app
WFW spring post VI
OC post test

Cooley said we’d hear back by mid Jan (15th), so we’ll all defo have heard back by next Fri!​

 

[Donuttime]

Congratulations! As far as I know, they read your app first and then shortlist for the test. Could I ask when you submitted your application?

18th Dec!

 

[boots pharmacy]

hellur ppl just a little check-in has anyone heard from:
Cooley Spring
Withers Summer (post test)
HFW spring post app
Addleshaw London VS post VI
TW spring post WE
Dechert Summer post app
WFW spring post VI
OC post test

Received Dechert WE today

 

[johnsmith]

Cooley said we’d hear back by mid Jan (15th), so we’ll all defo have heard back by next Fri!​

Thanks for sharing this informatiion Harvey 💪

 

[James Wakefield]

Thanks for sharing this informatiion Harvey 💪

Cooley got back to people around 9pm on the Friday last year so don’t panic if you’re still waiting on the day too!

 

[maylawwww]

Received Dechert WE today

omg well done huge congrats!! I assume this is summer also but could I ask when you applied?

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

It’s so interesting because the applications I spent the least time on, and that weren’t particularly well researched, ended up getting the most positive responses. Meanwhile, the ones where I really took my time, did loads of research, completed FYS, attended open days, etc., haven’t been successful at all.

I do think quality is important, but I don’t think it matters all the time. That definitely hasn’t been the case for me, and I think quite a few other people have experienced the same thing.

I also wonder if luck plays a huge role. Maybe it’s not always about how many applications you submit or how strong they are, but factors outside your control, like applying at the right time, your application being read by the right person, or even mentioning a detail that happens to resonate with the reviewer.

Luck plays a role, but also writing style and demonstrating your qualities. The content does matter of course, but so does how you present the content, particuarly for the ones with many long form questions.
Edit: I also imagine creativity plays a (small) part both in chosen content, subjects etc. Especially as many copy/paste or AI applications will inevitably be super similar to each other.

 

[Marble_Moth]

Hi guys, is it safe to assume WFW deadline is 6th Jan at 11:59pm as opposed to 11:59pm tonight? Thanks

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Received Dechert WE today

Hiya
Is this for summer? If so, can I ask when u applied?

 

[WillKitchen]

hellur ppl just a little check-in has anyone heard from:
Cooley Spring
Withers Summer (post test)
HFW spring post app
Addleshaw London VS post VI
TW spring post WE
Dechert Summer post app
WFW spring post VI
OC post test

I've not yet heard from Cooley or TW.

 

[shadowboxer909]

Yay, Eversheds Cambridge AC.

Gibson Dunn better give me an AC as well.

 

[M85672]

It’s so interesting because the applications I spent the least time on, and that weren’t particularly well researched, ended up getting the most positive responses. Meanwhile, the ones where I really took my time, did loads of research, completed FYS, attended open days, etc., haven’t been successful at all.

I do think quality is important, but I don’t think it matters all the time. That definitely hasn’t been the case for me, and I think quite a few other people have experienced the same thing.

I also wonder if luck plays a huge role. Maybe it’s not always about how many applications you submit or how strong they are, but factors outside your control, like applying at the right time, your application being read by the right person, or even mentioning a detail that happens to resonate with the reviewer.

My only two AC's ever were for:
1) a firm that I completed the app for 30 mins before deadline
2) a firm I started and completed the day before the deadline

Makes me want to just deliberately rush every app lol

 

[tc2026]

Does anyone know Latham AC dates?

 

[boots pharmacy]

Hiya
Is this for summer? If so, can I ask when u applied?

Spring, 16 Oct

 

[boots pharmacy]

omg well done huge congrats!! I assume this is summer also but could I ask when you applied?

Thank you! Spring sorry, I thought I had applied for summer but I've just checked. 16 Oct.

 

[boots pharmacy]

I think i'm a bit too careful when i'm writing apps. I sit there going over wordings etc and always take ages finding the best deals to talk about. A simple why this firm can take me like 1-2 hours and even tho i have a couple commercial stories im following i always try and be uber specific to why it impacts their practice area by naming a deal they've worked on and how transactions similar to this would be impacted

This sounds like a generally good approach to take. As long as you can get 20+ apps out I'd continue with this.

 

[abc124]

Starting to lose hope for a willkie vi given the written exericse is in 2 weeks...What's taking so long :')

 

[WillKitchen]

Thinking about my career in the long-term, I am interested in gaining experience as a part-time judge. You can't start official applications or mentoring schemes with the judiciary until 5-7 years PQE, of course; but I'm still researching and exploring options that might be available to me in the meantime, e.g., tribunal roles, unofficial judge shadowing.

I think sitting as a part-time judge would be fantastic experience for a commercial solicitor, especially on the road to partnership, and allow me to see processes, cases, clients, etc. from a fresh point of view. Once established as an Associate, I think it would be great to sit as a judge for a few days a year. A valuable learning and professional development experience that would make me a more rounded lawyer.

However, I wonder about whether I should mention any of this in VS/TC applications. It would only be one or two sentences in my application, to demonstrate long-term plans and passion for the law. But might this kind of thing be off-putting for some law firm recruitment teams?

Thanks for any thoughts about this.

 

[stillherejustabout]

For anyone who is stressed they haven’t written enough applications most trainees I’ve spoken to submitted under 20, and lots submitted fewer than 10. I’ve only submitted 8 this year, and have an AC at HL (not heard back from the others yet). Obviously the process is VERY luck based, and the more apps you do the better your odds, but spending more time on fewer apps is a just as valid route to pick. Ultimately, it just comes down to personal preference and the time you have available.