TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

As I move to DTCs, I have a question about firm research… how often are people spending on it and do you feel like you KNOW the firm pre-AC stage?

Because I came into this cycle thinking five well researched firms would come in clutch 🫣 #QualityOverQuantity?

@Abbie Whitlock - would also appreciate any advice on how thorough you were with research

Ngl I was under the impression that quality over quantity was the way to go, until I made it to the Orrick WG cos I wrote that entire app, including researching and everything, in like 6-7 hours spread across 2 days lmao. The app had like 5 questions too so it was quite long…

Meanwhile I spent like a week on my Covington app and that’s pretty much a guaranteed PFO…

However, I’m gna assume DTCs are substantially more competitive than VS apps, so I’d try to take time on those apps. I guess it depends on which firm it is and how many trainees they’re taking in via the DTC route. Ashurst and Bakers do take a lot more via DTC than Fried Frank for example…​

 

[Mvla]

Quantity over Quality without even thinking about it! These application cycles are brutal so fancy your chances as much as possible I have progressed with law firms I have researched for 3 hours

SECOND THIS! Quality over quantity worked for me for my first year schemes - I did 7 applications, got 2 offers. Vac schemes/DTC's are a different beast altogether and that conversion rate deffo hasn't been my story for vac schemes! For my dtc apps though, I have 11 firms. Trust there would've been more if my interests were still open/allowed multiple apps in the same cycle! Finally, and sorry for the mini- essay haha - definitely still tailor your applications as much as possible and max out those chances!! xx

 

[ilikelaw]

Ngl I was under the impression that quality over quantity was the way to go, until I made it to the Orrick WG cos I wrote that entire app, including researching and everything, in like 6-7 hours spread across 2 days lmao. The app had like 5 questions too so it was quite long…

Meanwhile I spent like a week on my Covington app and that’s pretty much a guaranteed PFO…

However, I’m gna assume DTCs are substantially more competitive than VS apps, so I’d try to take time on those apps. I guess it depends on which firm it is and how many trainees they’re taking in via the DTC route. Ashurst and Bakers do take a lot more via DTC than Fried Frank for example…​

6-7 hours did you say

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

6-7 hours did you say

 

[tc2026]

Hi everyone! could anyone please send linklaters grad rec email? I cannot find it anywhere :/ tysm

 

[givemeajob]

I completed the W&C WE last week and I’ve just been invited to another one is this supposed to happen or do I need to email grad recruitment on my allhires it’s assigned me another written exercise I’m so confused

The same thing happened to me, I've emailed grad rec to ask why I have another invite

 

[EfficientBag123]

Bakers PFO

 

[SophiaW]

How long does white and case usually take to get back to you after final interview?

 

[tc2026]

sooooo.... has no one heard from perkins?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

sooooo.... has no one heard from perkins?

Post app or post interview? I know a few people who did interviews at Perkins Coie recently. Idk if they’ve heard back post interview though.​

 

[gmmd1012]

For anyone who has done the Goodwin AC or is aware - is the interview going to be competency/motivational or commercial? They haven't specified but my intuition says motivational/competency as its done by the Early Careers Team.

Hi! Have you managed to receive any answers ?

 

[James Wakefield]

For anyone who has done the Goodwin AC or is aware - is the interview going to be competency/motivational or commercial? They haven't specified but my intuition says motivational/competency as its done by the Early Careers Team.

Hey- it’s not the early careers team, the interview is 2 members of their early careers panel which is mainly made up of senior fee earners.

 

[gmmd1012]

Hey- it’s not the early careers team, the interview is 2 members of their early careers panel which is mainly made up of senior fee earners.

Hi! Can I know where you got this information from? Thank you

 

[gmmd1012]

To add to this I think they mentioned at the open day they offer 5 TCs per scheme so 10/14 offers are given to VS’ers and the remaining 4 TCs are generally given to Direct TC candidates.

Ofc this can change but this is what grad rec said at the open day so it’s like a 25% chance of conversion from VS to TC. I read somewhere that Goodwin receive 2,000+ applications…​

Insane... I wonder how many DTC AC offers they send out then.

 

[AryanAgg]

Im curious if it would be good to just discuss 2 reasons with personal experience for a why this firm answer? Or is 3 more of a necessity for a dtc application?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Insane... I wonder how many DTC AC offers they send out then.

I’d assume it’s probs 1,600 apps for the VS, 160 get to VI, 80 get to the AC, 40 VS slots, 10 TCs.

Then for the DTC route, maybe 400 apps, 40 get to the VI, 20 get to the AC and then 4/5 TCs.

This is just a rough estimate idk the acc numbers but they do get c2,000 apps per year for VS/TCs.​

 

[madso]

Has anyone heard from Bird & Bird post AC ?

 

[User2640]

I wonder the % of apps grad rec teams usually progress to the VI stage

 

[uraijom]

Congratulations! Is your Dechert AC for summer or spring?

its for summer! the email said 'We have now concluded interviews for our spring vacation scheme'

 

[Wanda Maximoff]

Bakers PFO

Sorry to hear! Is this post AC?