TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[WillKitchen]

Right... as of this week, my teaching semester is over (over 150,000 words of students' essays marked across two different departments!), and it's back to the applications. I'm still waiting to hear from several firms, but we can't take anything for granted, can we?

My strategy changes from season to season, based on the advice and feedback I receive from people in our community. For example, now that my first cycle is over and I understand the field a little better, I was planning to focus on only a handful of firms this year (6-8) - those with the best match for my profile, now I've met them (or most of them) at open days. But I've been having more success with the outliers or long-shots, weirdly. I also went over to Cooley again and had a fantastic chat with TCLA legend Ram, who emphasised that a broader approach is not necessarily a bad thing. So I'll probably still allocate some extra time to those firms that might be "less perfect" matches, as well. Always aim high - you never know!

Well done to everyone who has been getting VS/TC offers, that's always great to see.

Happy Easter (if you celebrate) and best of luck, everyone!

 

[EMB]

Sorry to hear about IM, which location was this for?

Well done on the Bevan stage! What office did u apply for IM? Can I ask as well if you were offered any more feedback then the generalised one we had?

Bristol and no might email to ask for more, but I doubt they'll give it, which is a shame

 

[Afuturetrainee]

@Jaysen please do you know if the Perkins Coke webinar for tomorrow will be recorded? as I may not be able to attend due to work commitments. Will really appreciate it.

 

[trainee4u]

@Jaysen please do you know if the Perkins Coke webinar for tomorrow will be recorded? as I may not be able to attend due to work commitments. Will really appreciate it.

 

[Afuturetrainee]

View attachment 8222

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, thank you for answering my question earlier! Please can I ask your opinion on the following question on white and case’s application form:

Please use the space below to provide details of any careers events you have attended e.g. insight days, workshops, presentations etc. These do not need to be White and Case specific.

Its 350 max words so it seems like an important question, but I haven’t attended any insight days or workshops with firms :/ I’m not sure if this means I shouldn’t apply?

Hello!

Of course, no problem at all!

I don't think this is a sign that you shouldn't apply at all! That question is focused on showing your interest in commercial law and how you have explored the career, rather than testing whether you have attended formal insight days. Lots of applicants haven't had the chance to attend firm events (+ I only went to 1 or 2 myself), so you are absolutely not at a disadvantage!

If you haven't attended any workshops or open days, you can still answer this question really well by broadening what you include and ensuring that you reflect on the insights they gave you. For example, you could mention:

• Virtual webinars or panel events
• Law fairs or university careers events
• Events such as the Legal Cheek virtual law fair

The key part is to reflect on what you learned and how it shaped your understanding of commercial law or firms like White & Case, rather than just listing events.

If you truly have nothing to include, it is still okay to apply - I would just encourage you to think creatively, as most people have done something that could fit into this question.

Best of luck with your application!!

 

[WeGotThis!]

For those that applied for the Bakers VS, was it an Amberjack or a WG? And also, when did you hear from them after the closing of their apps? Thank you!

 

[meredithgrey]

Any advice for Macfarlanes stage 2?

 

[hanz123]

For anyone that got to squire’s AC or online digital assessment stage, please could you message me just want to know what the digital assessment consists of!

 

[helenaskelton]

Hi! Is it still worth applying to Hogan Lovells direct TC or is it rolling?

 

[TortillaTC]

Orrick post-AC PFO

 

[Meg_Thee_Applicant]

Guys today’s the day we will ALL get SH summer VS offers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jaysen]

@Jaysen please do you know if the Perkins Coke webinar for tomorrow will be recorded? as I may not be able to attend due to work commitments. Will really appreciate it.

Yes! I'll send it out in an email straight after the event

 

[emily12]

Browne Jacobson AC for London :0 anyone has any tips would love you forever

 

[sooae]

Hey!

I would say that the written exercises don't tend to be too dissimilar from the written exercises that you would get at AC stage. In my experience, they are usually still quite commercially focused - for example, something such as acting for a PE firm and putting together a short report on which company to invest in from a range of options, based on the information you have been given. Usually, the way that you do well is by explaining your thought process and backing up the points that you make with the evidence provided - there isn't usually a right or wrong answer!

The main difference I found was the timing, and my VS written tasks were often slightly longer than AC ones - most of my AC exercises were around 30-45 minutes, whereas on a VS they were more like 1 to 1.5 hours. That extra time usually means that you are expected to go into slightly more depth or structure your answer a bit more clearly, rather than being a quick fire task under pressure.

Overall, if you are comfortable with AC-style written tasks, I'd say you'll be in a really good position going into the VS! Best of luck!!

Thank you so much abbie!! This is really helpful

 

[rachl_shep]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock i wondered if you (and anyone else) have insights about the work experience section on the application form. When writing about our work experience, should we say how it impacted our skills, like "this contributed to my ability to prioritise and manage my time effectively" or is this not a good use of time. Also how many words should we be writing for each experience as lots of the time the forms dont have a word limit.
As a final question, should we write about very specific things (like if a customer was rude ina retail job and how we handled it) or is that elaboration better for video interviews etc.

 

[Tintín]

Mayer brown DTC online assessment invite! i thinks it automatic ? Not sure

 

[DennyCrane]

DACB PFO. I'm surprised about that one. I thought my VI and my written exercise were both strong. Oh well.

 

[emily12]

Browne Jacobson AC for London :0 anyone has any tips would love you forever

The fact it’s considered a big accomplishment by us applicants to even get to AC stage is still crazy to me - law firms are making this process more and more difficult each year

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Sidley AC invite!! This is unexpected cos literally a week ago I was assuming PFO post app lmao.

The turnaround post TI was rapid. This makes up for the Akin and Morgan Lewis post TI PFOs ig…​