TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Afuturetrainee]

Has anyone who applied early to Kirkland heard back? I’m starting to think they are only replying to people who applied closer to the deadline 🥺

 

[maylawwww]

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.

100% agree- while I am one to say more is more in terms of applications because of how horrifically competitive it is, this is only the case IF you have enough time to send quality applications to lots of firms. When I was at uni I had much less free time (v intense course) and I think I rushed lots of applications because I thought I had to submit lots and they were under-researched and bad quality. Surprise surprise got rejected! This is especially the case if this is your first cycle- as quality applications take much less time now than they used to.

While the convos about the rushed applications being more competitive is rlly interesting, for most people if you spend more time researching and perfecting applications, you will have a much higher chance of success. Everyone is different so take ppls advice, but you don't have to have the same application strategy as anyone else!

 

[Prudentia]

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.

I’m applying to less than 10 this year. I know it’s partly a numbers game, but I can’t just apply to any firm for the sake of a training contact. I have to genuinely like the firm, otherwise I won’t spend the time applying. It’s a waste of my time as I know I’ll put in a weak application if I’m applying for the sake of numbers.

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

That OC test made me want to rescind my application 😪

 

[yasmars]

That OC test made me want to rescind my application 😪

What’s so bad about it 😭

 

[xMontmorency]

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.

It does sound nice, but sitting as a recorder in the commercial court or chancery court is not the kind of thing you typically get near to unless you're a KC. If you're interested in becoming a commercial judge, you should be thinking about the bar (or the BCL). Though I would recommend the judicial assistant scheme they have at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, which is accessible to NQ disputes solicitors.

Though if you're talking about being a judge/magistrate at family, criminal or county courts, then I can see your point about different perspectives. Kind of like doing pro bono work at a law firm.

Regarding VS applications: if I were a recruiter I wouldn't really care. The fact that you would like to be a judge doesn't really make you stand out, or show them why you're a good fit for the firm. Worst case they might think you don't really know whether you want to be a solicitor.

 

[Prudentia]

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.

Personally, and this is just a very unwashed opinion, I’d keep it out of VS/TC applications and save it for a point in your career where it clearly complements, rather than competes with, your commitment to the firm.

At VS/TC stage, firms are focused on whether you’re fully committed to private practice and to building your early career with them. Even a brief mention of judicial ambitions (however distant or part-time) can be read, fairly or unfairly, as signalling that private practice is a stepping stone rather than the destination. Some recruiters are relaxed about that, but others can be quite cautious.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

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.

Thank you for this! I spoke to a trainee at a networking event who applied to five firms and got two VS offers. Of course, there will be people who applied to 100 and got 1, and there will be people who applied to 10 and got 5. It’s different for everyone. However, I don’t think it’s an absolute must to apply to 50+ firms if you are putting a lot of time and effort into each application.

 

[Madison Pinewall]

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.

are HL sending ACs already o.o!!! congrats!! trainees gave me similar numbers and I think I've sent off 15 apps in total, I just dont see how it's possible to do loads properly they take me a while!! especially when friends are checking them and stuff

 

[stillherejustabout]

are HL sending ACs already o.o!!! congrats!! trainees gave me similar numbers and I think I've sent off 15 apps in total, I just dont see how it's possible to do loads properly they take me a while!! especially when friends are checking them and stuff

Sorry, should have clarified, I got it through the lift off programme.

 

[BobThebIlly]

Reed Smith PFO post app lmao. At least I finally got an update from a firm. Maybe applying on the day of the deadline wasn’t such a bright idea.

Damn I’m waiting for mine. Also applied on deadline

 

[AGB2060]

Jones Day VI 🥳! I really didn't expect it as I overheard some talking about ACs already

 

[Fred_Stuart]

I was wondering if anyone thinks I have got a PFO for these applications:

Hogan Lovells - Stage 2 (2/12) - nothing since
Linklaters - completed tests (3/12)
Freshfields - Stage 2 (15/12)
Latham Watkins - Stage 2 (6/12)
HFW - nothing post application
Travers Smith - nothing post application
CC SPARK - nothing post application

This is all I have applied to as a non-law second year. Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I’m applying to less than 10 this year. I know it’s partly a numbers game, but I can’t just apply to any firm for the sake of a training contact. I have to genuinely like the firm, otherwise I won’t spend the time applying. It’s a waste of my time as I know I’ll put in a weak application if I’m applying for the sake of numbers.

I think it depends on people’s backgrounds too to some extent. It’s easier to apply to less firms when on paper you’re a pretty strong candidate (all As and A*s at GCSE, AAA or above A-levels, a gained or predicted high 2:1 or first from a top RG like Oxbridge/London RG/Durham/Warwick, a bunch of legal and finance internships, etc). You don’t need to worry as much about those parts of your apps so can spend more time on each of the apps and the app questions instead. Coming from this background means having the privilege of being selective with the firms you apply to.

For others, (esp if they’re socially mobile or from low income backgrounds), they’re not gna have the same credentials. They might have a mix of As, Bs and Cs at GCSE and A-level and probs have less professional experience. So they have to apply to more firms cos it’s less likely they will be progressed in the first place (simply due to the sheer competition of VS/TCs). A lot of these trainees will fit into the first category which we’ll often not know when speaking to them. I’d say it therefore depends but both strategies have their merits imo! Do what works for you individually.

This is just my opinion. I’ve applied to around 20 firms and plan on doing 6-7 more. It’s not too many apps but not too little either.

This is across Winter, Spring and Summer VS and Direct TC apps so idk if that makes a difference.

I’ve had mixed results surprisingly. Reed Smith sent me a PFO but Skadden, Willkie and Akin all progressed me, who are imo more competitive?

Edit: this post is looong asf so apologies to anyone that reads this enormously long mini essay! 😂​

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

I was wondering if anyone thinks I have got a PFO for these applications:

Hogan Lovells - Stage 2 (2/12) - nothing since
Linklaters - completed tests (3/12)
Freshfields - Stage 2 (15/12)
Latham Watkins - Stage 2 (6/12)
HFW - nothing post application
Travers Smith - nothing post application
CC SPARK - nothing post application

This is all I have applied to as a non-law second year. Thanks for the help in advance.

If it makes you feel better I got nothing (so far 🤞) for Travers smith or HFW...

 

[shadowboxer909]

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

All my cover letters are so generic.

I'm relying on the strength of my resume as opposed to any cover letter strength or knowledge of firms (because I don't have a particular passion for any firm except for Gibson Dunn and Eversheds ..).

Everyone else seems to have detailed specific reasons for the firms they're applying to. I just went by NQ salaries and the ones that had no Critical Reasoning test.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

I think it depends on people’s backgrounds too to some extent. It’s easier to apply to less firms when on paper you’re a pretty strong candidate (all As and A*s at GCSE, AAA or above A-levels, a gained or predicted high 2:1 or first from a top RG like Oxbridge/London RG/Durham/Warwick, a bunch of legal and finance internships, etc). You don’t need to worry as much about those parts of your apps so can spend more time on each of the apps and the app questions instead. Coming from this background means having the privilege of being selective with the firms you apply to.

For others, (esp if they’re socially mobile or from low income backgrounds), they’re not gna have the same credentials. They might have a mix of As, Bs and Cs at GCSE and A-level and probs have less professional experience. So they have to apply to more firms cos it’s less likely they will be progressed in the first place (simply due to the sheer competition of VS/TCs). A lot of these trainees will fit into the first category which we’ll often not know when speaking to them. I’d say it therefore depends but both strategies have their merits imo! Do what works for you individually.

This is just my opinion. I’ve applied to around 20 firms and plan on doing 6-7 more. It’s not too many apps but not too little either.

This is across Winter, Spring and Summer VS and Direct TC apps so idk if that makes a difference.

I’ve had mixed results surprisingly. Reed Smith sent me a PFO but Skadden, Willkie and Akin all progressed me, who are imo more competitive?

Edit: this post is looong asf so apologies to anyone that reads this enormously long mini essay! 😂​

This is so true!!

P.S

Couldn’t help myself x

 

[tc2026]

have CMS already given out all London AC offers?

 

[Prudentia]

I think it depends on people’s backgrounds too to some extent. It’s easier to apply to less firms when on paper you’re a pretty strong candidate (all As and A*s at GCSE, AAA or above A-levels, a gained or predicted high 2:1 or first from a top RG like Oxbridge/London RG/Durham/Warwick, a bunch of legal and finance internships, etc). You don’t need to worry as much about those parts of your apps so can spend more time on each of the apps and the app questions instead. Coming from this background means having the privilege of being selective with the firms you apply to.

For others, (esp if they’re socially mobile or from low income backgrounds), they’re not gna have the same credentials. They might have a mix of As, Bs and Cs at GCSE and A-level and probs have less professional experience. So they have to apply to more firms cos it’s less likely they will be progressed in the first place (simply due to the sheer competition of VS/TCs). A lot of these trainees will fit into the first category which we’ll often not know when speaking to them. I’d say it therefore depends but both strategies have their merits imo! Do what works for you individually.

This is just my opinion. I’ve applied to around 20 firms and plan on doing 6-7 more. It’s not too many apps but not too little either.

This is across Winter, Spring and Summer VS and Direct TC apps so idk if that makes a difference.

I’ve had mixed results surprisingly. Reed Smith sent me a PFO but Skadden, Willkie and Akin all progressed me, who are imo more competitive?

Edit: this post is looong asf so apologies to anyone that reads this enormously long mini essay! 😂​

This does make sense. I’m a career changer with a very average grades. I work for one of the major banks and make very good money already, so if I didn’t land a TC I would be more than okay. I also work a demanding job, so I don’t have much time to dedicate to applications and attending events.

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Does anyone know what pillars or skills are being assessed on Akin’s online assessment based on feedback report received? Also is there any video element please?