TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27
- Thread starter Abbie Whitlock
- Start date
Hi!
I was actually in a very similar position last cycle - I completed three vacation schemes and unfortunately didn't convert any of them, but I did end up securing a DTC offer later in the same cycle that I thought I had zero chance at.
I think it is worth reflecting on where your strengths lies in the recruitment process. If you generally perform well in assessment centres (e.g. interviews, case studies, group exercises, written tasks, etc.), then DTC applications could be a great option as they are ultimately the deciding factor in those processes.
On the other hand, if you feel you come across much better once you are actually in the firm and have a chance to build relationships over a few weeks, I'd definitely still apply for vacation schemes. Sometimes not converting a VS comes down to fit or circumstances out of your control rather than your overall potential, so I wouldn't let any unsuccessful schemes put you off completely.
There is also nothing stopping you from doing a mixture of both if the firm's you are interested in offer both routes, and you could decide whether to pursue the VS or DTC process based on the assessments involved. That way you are giving yourself multiple opportunities rather than relying on one recruitment pathway.
Best of luck with the next cycle!
Thank you so much. I think I have interviews nailed down, I score full marks on almost all my AC's for the competency/partner interviews etc. I just feel that with DTC the odds are much lower? In the sense that you are basically the scraps or leftovers of whatever is leftover from the vac schemers majority of the time.Hi!
I was actually in a very similar position last cycle - I completed three vacation schemes and unfortunately didn't convert any of them, but I did end up securing a DTC offer later in the same cycle that I thought I had zero chance at.
I think it is worth reflecting on where your strengths lies in the recruitment process. If you generally perform well in assessment centres (e.g. interviews, case studies, group exercises, written tasks, etc.), then DTC applications could be a great option as they are ultimately the deciding factor in those processes.
On the other hand, if you feel you come across much better once you are actually in the firm and have a chance to build relationships over a few weeks, I'd definitely still apply for vacation schemes. Sometimes not converting a VS comes down to fit or circumstances out of your control rather than your overall potential, so I wouldn't let any unsuccessful schemes put you off completely.
There is also nothing stopping you from doing a mixture of both if the firm's you are interested in offer both routes, and you could decide whether to pursue the VS or DTC process based on the assessments involved. That way you are giving yourself multiple opportunities rather than relying on one recruitment pathway.
Best of luck with the next cycle!
I don't really want to do another vac but I know that it probably increases my chances just from a law of averages perspective
No worries! I think it was a 650 word count, you paste it into allhires so no addresses etc. needed
This is super helpful. Thank you so much!Hey!
This is a really good question, and I think you have already identified two of the biggest things (i.e. networking and researching firms).
One thing I would add is to think about what genuinely matters to you, rather than just trying to identify the "best" firms. For example, you could consider things like:
I also found it really helpful to attend open days, insight events, and online events/presentations where possible. Speaking directly to trainees and associates often gives you a much better feel for the firm than the website alone, and you'll usually come away with insights that you can reference in your application.
- Practice areas you are interested in
- The type of clients and matters the firm advises on
- The firm's culture and training style
- International opportunities or secondments
- Seat structure and qualification process
- The size of the trainee intake and whether you'd prefer a larger or smaller cohort.
In terms of tailoring, I would focus less on trying to mention lots of firm-specific facts and more on explaining why those facts matter to you. For example, rather than simply saying a firm has a strong private equity practice or an international platform, explain why that aligns with your interests, previous experience, or the type of work that you want to do as a solicitor. The graduate recruitment team are usually looking for that personal connection, rather than a list of facts that you have found on the website (which may not be particularly unique on their own).
I also wouldn't be afraid to refine the list as you go. You might attend an event and realise a firm isn't quite what you expected, or discover another firm that is a much better fit. It is much better to submit 10 applications that you are genuinely enthusiastic about than to force applications to firms you don't have a particularly compelling reason for applying to
Sorry too late bro I think, had an AC yesterday with them doubt they gonna send out more invites.
Does anyone have a list of firms that offer winter vacation schemes this year? Or do I just have to wait for firms to announce them
Anyone got any advice for pre-recorded video interviews? They seem to be my weak spot.
How are people deciding how many direct tc applications to do compared to vs apps? I'm in my last year of a non-law degree and was just going to do vs this year but considering tc apps (I know it's dependent on the firms recruitment style tho ofc)
No worries at all!
I completely understand why you feel that way - I felt exactly the same when I applied for Reed Smith's DTC last year. It was their first year recruiting directly for training contracts, so I convinced myself that the odds were so low that I essentially had no chance. After joining, I spoke to the other people in my cohort who had come through the DTC route, and they all felt a similar way during the process. I think it is quite a common feeling as you are very aware that there are fewer places available than on the vacation scheme route.
That said, most firms do make a handful of direct TC offers every year, so the odds are never zero. Whilst the numbers might be smaller, someone has to receive those offers, so I always think it is worth applying if it is a firm that you are genuinely interested in. If you are consistently performing well in interviews and assessment centres, there is every chance you could be one of those people.
I do agree that, from a purely statistical perspective, applying to both vacation schemes and DTCs gives you more opportunities. However, if you are at the stage where you'd really rather not do another vacation scheme (which I do not blame you for, as I'm not sure I could do another one either haha!), I don't think that should automatically put you off applying directly. If the DTC route aligns better with where you are now, it is definitely still a route that can and does work.
Best of luck!!
Hi!
I have previously shared some advice on video interviews, which I have quoted below - I hope it is a useful starting point! Just shout if you have any further questions
Hello!
It's totally normal to feel nervous, especially if it's your first video interview - a bit of structure and preparation can make a huge difference! Whilst I have not completed the VI for Latham & Watkins before, I've copied some advice below that I have previously provided for approaching VIs, which is hopefully a useful starting point!
I would also really recommend this forum post by Andrei for approaching competency questions - there is a specific section for competency questions in VIs, which is super useful!!
In terms of what you should do in the 1 minute preparation time, i would use it to quickly outline your answer rather than trying to script it. For example, I'd try to:
Since you don't have a lot of time, I'd just jot mental notes like: "Group project - tight deadline - I organised tasks - finished early + communication improved". You should be able to fill in the gaps from memory once you start speaking!
- Identify the example you'll use (try not to overthink this - pick one and commit to it!)
- Map it to STAR in bullet form: what was happening (S), what was your responsibility (T), what you did (A), and what happened + what you learned (R).
There are a few ways to make your answer stand out - a strong video interview usually shows three things:
- Clear structure: using something such as STAR helps you stay focused and prevents rambling. This allows you to deliver your answers in a more clear and concise way, which allows the graduate recruitment team to follow along easier
- Personal insight: the graduate recruitment team want to understand why you made certain choices and what you learned. Adding reflection is what lifts a seemingly generic answer into something memorable and personal
- A real sense of motivation: this is where your genuine enthusiasm and research can come in. Show that you understand the firm, the role of a trainee, and that you've thought about how your skills and ambitions make you a good fit.
As some more general tips in order to stand out in video interviews, I always used to try to:
Overall, I think most successful answers will be structured, genuine, and reflective - I used to think of it as not being rehearsed, but clearly prepared!
- Prepare a bank of examples for each competency in advance: this meant that I was able to refer to them quickly if they were asked in a video interview, which made it easier to incorporate more of my own personal experiences when I didn't have loads of time
- Be specific, not vague: instead of simply saying "I worked well in a team", explain exactly what you did and what the impact was. This is where specificity is really key - using measurable results can really help hone this in!
- Bring energy and presence: I always found that in my earlier video interviews, I came across as slightly robotic and 'stiff' due to not being used to the VI format. However, this isn't necessarily how you would act in a normal interview - things such as good posture, eye contact with the camera, and natural tone make a big difference and really let the graduate recruitment team see your personality. Remember, whilst you have to have the skills for the role, they are also looking to hire trainees they can imagine would be a good fit!
- Link back to the role of a trainee: wherever you can, it's always useful to link how any skills or traits that you discuss will help you succeed as a trainee at their firm. Even a quick line such as "This is relevant to the role of a trainee at X because..." shows that you understand the role and the firm.
For video interviews in particular, structure is really important - using the STAR method can help keep your answers focused and prevents rambling (which I used to be guilty of!). It also really helped me to practice in advance, particularly making sure that you are speaking clearly and at a steady pace - don't be afraid to pause briefly to think before answering. I can totally understand how awkward video interviews can feel, but making sure that you are looking at the camera and treating it like you would a normal interview is really important.
It is also worth brushing up on a few recent commercial or legal developments that interest you so that you can demonstrate commercial awareness if prompted, particularly with the firm's key practice areas / sectors. I would try to show genuine enthusiasm and authenticity - this can feel tricky over VI, but they're assessing how you communicate and whether you'd be a good fit for their culture, so it's important that you are yourself!
I've linked the TCLA Wiki page on video interviews - there are a couple of resources here that might be useful to have a read over before your VI.
Lastly, it's totally normal to feel anxious before / during any kind of interview (and I know I definitely do!). I would keep water nearby, and make short bullet-point notes during the preparation time to give you something to refer to in case your mind goes blank. They're assessing communication and self-reflection, not perfection - it's completely fine if something goes slightly wrong!
I hope that helps - and best of luck with your VI, I'm sure you'll smash it!
Hey!
I can definitely relate, as video interviews were always my weakest point! I would really recommend checking out the TCLA Wiki page for video interviews - many of the posts (especially Andrei's competency interview advice) was super helpful for me last cycle!
In general for video interviews, it's really important to make sure that you are fully answering the question and that any examples that you use actually fit with the question. I used to have a tendency to want to use my strongest example and try and fit it to the question, however, the graduate recruitment team can usually tell and it'll look better to use an example that fits best (even if it is a less 'substantive' experience)
Another main thing I did was practice - it can be very weird to talk to a computer screen, so it really helped me to have a go at answering the most common interview questions in the mirror (even if it felt a little silly!). I had a tendency to ramble in my video interviews, so knowing roughly how long it would take me to cover my main topics was really helpful.
If you are given unlimited prep time, make sure that you utilise this, as it is really useful to have a clear idea of what you are going to say before you start recording. I would avoid writing a script as this can sound robotic and could reflect badly on your overall performance, but I stuck a post-it note with all the key points I wanted to discuss and used that when practising (and in the recording). If you are only given a minute or so to prepare, I would try to make a rough bullet-point plan that just highlights the main points you want to address and any specific examples - just in case your mind goes blank and you need to jog your memory!
Overall, just answer truthfully and be yourself. I think there's a tendency to think you have to come across as super composed and scripted for a video interview, but this isn't necessarily how you would behave in an actual interview. Take a moment to relax before recording, and try and come across as approachable and friendly - show them your personality and what your strengths are!
I hope that helps, and best of luck with the video interview!!
Hey!
I think it depends quite a lot on your circumstances and the firms you are targeting, as you said
If you are in your final year of a non-law degree, I wouldn't rule out direct TC applications! A lot of firms recruit through both routes, and the DTC route can be a good option if you already have enough experience to demonstrate your interest in the firm and commercial law (although lots of legal experience is not essential!).
During my last cycle, I applied through the DTC route for firms that I was genuinely interested in but hadn't had the opportunity to apply to for a vacation scheme that year. If you are looking to plan earlier in the cycle, I would look at each firm's recruitment process, whether they mainly recruit through VS conversion or make a substantial number of direct TC offers, and then decide which route makes the most sense for each firm.
I also think it is worth taking a balanced approach. Vacation schemes can be really valuable as they give you the chance to experience the firm first-hand, build relationships with lawyers and graduate recruitment, and (at many firms) put yourself in a strong position for a TC. However, I wouldn't dismiss DTC applications purely because they can feel or appear more competitive - DTC offers do exist, and someone will end up receiving them (+ there's no reason it can't be you).
If you have the time, I would probably consider applying to a mixture - prioritise VS applications at firms where that is the main route, but include DTCs for firms where you are particularly interested or where the recruitment process makes sense (for example, if the assessed tasks play to your strengths). The key thing is making sure you can still dedicate enough time to tailoring each application, as a smaller number of strong applications is usually better than lots of rushed ones.
Best of luck with your applications!
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