TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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]

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?

 

[tc2026]

Does anyone know whether Osborne Clarke runs on rolling basis?

 

[elle woods]

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 💔