TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[tc2026]

Does anyone know whether Osborne Clarke runs on rolling basis?

 

[Deleted member 43292]

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.

Most people are waiting to hear back from Hogan Lovells and Latham post stage 2 tests. Linklaters said they will reply sometime in the new year, so, soon hopefully. Freshfields is a maybe since they do have 2 more AC slots left in January, but that means you should expect to hear back soon. And you won't be getting a PFO from CC post application unless you don't meet the eligibility requirements I assume. The watson glaser is basically the next step before they ever look at your application. As for HFW and Travers, I'm not sure sorry.

 

[johnsmith]

Does anyone know whether Osborne Clarke runs on rolling basis?

Non-rolling

 

[llblawstudent]

Most people are waiting to hear back from Hogan Lovells and Latham post stage 2 tests. Linklaters said they will reply sometime in the new year, so, soon hopefully. Freshfields is a maybe since they do have 2 more AC slots left in January, but that means you should expect to hear back soon. And you won't be getting a PFO from CC post application unless you don't meet the eligibility requirements I assume. The watson glaser is basically the next step before they ever look at your application. As for HFW and Travers, I'm not sure sorry.

Anyone got Freshfields’ Jan ACs btw?

 

[Mara]

Hi, does K&L Gates have a VS, and if so can anyone link it to me? I can't find anything on their website but I have a note that their deadline is Jan 21.

 

[lolololol]

any insight into w&c sjt? also does it have a vi element?

 

[radssss]

Those who heard back from ES (I think it was the regional office applicants who heard back), how was your vi? I’m getting stressed and have a feeling london applicants will also hear back this week.

 

[DavidJC]

any insight into w&c sjt? also does it have a vi element?

no VI in the SJT, next stage would be VI, it's just standard Cappfinity assessment (like FF/HL/Latham)

 

[user123987]

Those who heard back from ES (I think it was the regional office applicants who heard back), how was your vi? I’m getting stressed and have a feeling london applicants will also hear back this week.

My VI went well other than the fact my audio cut out in the last question, which I did inform grad rec of! I got pfod despite thinking it was my best lol 💔

 

[radssss]

My VI went well other than the fact my audio cut out in the last question, which I did inform grad rec of! I got pfod despite thinking it was my best lol 💔

I’m so sorry
I’m sure you’ll get many other offers!

 

[BealMcAlly]

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!

Even current trainees I've met say to always take advice from others with a grain of salt because we're all different and also all it takes is one firm to make you an offer. You could be applying to 40 firms and get 39 rejections and one offer. That's not really an indication of a strategy to me.

I only apply to firms I am genuinely interested in, engaged with or see myself building a career with and that helps when researching because I feel more motivated.

Each of us is different, it's not one size fits all.

 

[user123987]

I’m so sorry
I’m sure you’ll get many other offers!

That’s so kind, thank you and good luck to you too! 🤞

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Those who heard back from ES (I think it was the regional office applicants who heard back), how was your vi? I’m getting stressed and have a feeling london applicants will also hear back this week.

I also haven’t heard back yet and I applied to the Cardiff office. Nervoussss

 

[FutureLawyer_]

My VI went well other than the fact my audio cut out in the last question, which I did inform grad rec of! I got pfod despite thinking it was my best lol 💔

Did you receive feedback in the email?

 

[user123987]

Did you receive feedback in the email?

Nope “Unfortunately, due to the large volumes of applications we receive we cannot provide feedback at this stage”

 

[radssss]

Which firms recruit almost equally from vac schemes and dtc? Is there a list on here please?

 

[shadowboxer909]

Even current trainees I've met say to always take advice from others with a grain of salt because we're all different and also all it takes is one firm to make you an offer. You could be applying to 40 firms and get 39 rejections and one offer. That's not really an indication of a strategy to me.

I only apply to firms I am genuinely interested in, engaged with or see myself building a career with and that helps when researching because I feel more motivated.

Each of us is different, it's not one size fits all.

I think different strategies work for different people.

If you're very confident in your application or know there are only some firms you'd be happy with, it's worth it to focus and write detailed applications. The pay off is worth it because you're investing more time for better results.

If you're someone like me who genuinely wouldn't mind the firm they work at (I'm really, really interested in tax and so every corporate law firm has a tax team), you can apply everywhere and still end up with a reasonable result that you'd be happy with.

 

[Chelsea101]

Those who heard back from ES (I think it was the regional office applicants who heard back), how was your vi? I’m getting stressed and have a feeling london applicants will also hear back this week.

I haven't heard back... have people been pfod already? I applied to the Manchester office

 

[radssss]

People who applied to MoFo, did you upload a cover letter?

 

[user55998384]

Does anyone have any insights on the Fieldfisher VI ?!

hey congrats!! is this for thr pathway to practice? -when did you apply