TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[SBD total 1000lbs (and an applicant)]

Out of interest, how soon after it opened did you apply? I haven’t heard yet and the person I know who got it applied on the day it opened.

also have not heard, did they not say they would check apps after the deadline?

 

[veek30]

STB 12th August Open Day!

hi, can i ask how many days after applying you heard back?

 

[Topdog0073]

also have not heard, did they not say they would check apps after the deadline?

Yeah, I’m just wondering if they are replying in batches based on app date though

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi Abbie,

Thanks for such a detailed response, I really appreciate it!

Just one more question, did having vac schemes on your CV improve your applications for the next cycle? I’m in two minds about whether not converting will worsen my applications or whether it’ll strengthen them. Thanks!

Hey!

Of course, no problem at all!

In my case, I actually secured my direct TC in the same cycle as my vacation schemes. I applied for the DTC before I had completed my summer schemes, so they weren't actually on my application and I hadn't heard back from one of them by the time I did my DTC AC (so it's tricky to say whether they had an impact).

However, I would absolutely include any vacation schemes on future applications. Even if you don't convert, they are still fantastic commercial experience and give you so much to talk about in applications and interviews. You'll have a much better understanding of how law firms operate, stronger commercial awareness, and plenty of examples to draw on when demonstrating skills and motivation.

I definitely wouldn't see not converting as something that automatically weakens future applications. Plenty of people don't convert one (or several) vacation schemes and still go on to secure TCs elsewhere (myself included!). I know lots of people that I met on my vacation schemes who were brilliant and didn't end up converting, but still got TC offers from other top US and MC firms. Firms all have different criteria and are looking for slightly different things, so not converting at one firm doesn't mean another firm won't see you as an excellent fit.

Graduate recruitment teams are also aware that the process is still extremely competitive, even once you make it onto the VS, so they're unlikely to think you aren't capable based on just that. There are so many reasons why someone might not convert a vacation scheme, and sometimes it is about tiny margins rather than someone not performing well. As long as you can show how you have taken on the feedback you were given and improved, I can't imagine they'll view it negatively

 

[WillKitchen]

Now that SQE1 is finished, it’s back to the firm research and applications prep.

I’ve been making the most of my mentor at Mishcon de Reya and visiting the firm’s London office at least once a week for the last month. I’ve been booking meetings with lawyers from various departments - coffee, lunch, etc. - building a mental map of the firm and its various practice areas, teams and groups. If I make it to interview, I want to know people by name, really understand what they do, and know how they work together.

There is still a lot of prep to do before drafting the Autumn applications, but just gaining as much exposure to commercial law environments as possible seems like a great use of the summer.

 

[lauramw36]

Is anyone taking part in the aspiring solicitors commercial awareness competition? If so, would love to create a support group.

Just signed up for it. Definitely would love go be involved in a support group if you get one going

 

[sagekensuke]

Out of interest, how soon after it opened did you apply? I haven’t heard yet and the person I know who got it applied on the day it opened.

I applied the day before the deadline, so I’m guessing they’re just checking applications in a random order

 

[user55998384]

hi guys, for the work exp section how do you normally fill out the insight/open day section. i have been to about 8 now so do i have to like write a line about each of them or should i literally just put Competitive Open Days include: x,y,z - unsure how much detail i need to go into for this section

 

[Novaa]

Idk if I’m just looking for loopholes , but if a firm says its entry requirements are AAA (or the UCAS equivalent), and my A Levels alone aren’t AAA, but my AS Level means my total UCAS points meet the equivalent, is it still worth applying? Or do firms usually expect the UCAS equivalent to come from full A Levels?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

hi guys, for the work exp section how do you normally fill out the insight/open day section. i have been to about 8 now so do i have to like write a line about each of them or should i literally just put Competitive Open Days include: x,y,z - unsure how much detail i need to go into for this section

Hey!

I don't think there is a single "right" approach here and people tend to add open days in different ways, but personally I would keep it fairly concise.

If it is just an insight day or open day where you attended presentations, networking sessions, workshops, etc., I would probably group them together under something like "Competitive Open Days include..." followed by the firms. You don't necessarily need a separate bullet point for each one, particularly if you are struggling to think of a substantive point for each.

If there was an open day where you did something more substantive (e.g. a case study, group exercise, skills workshop, or you gained particularly relevant experience that you refer back to in your application), then that might be worth listing separately with a brief description.

Generally, the graduate recruitment team will be more interested in your more substantial work experience, so I wouldn't let eight open days take up too much space, particularly if they don't add too much value to your application by themselves

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Idk if I’m just looking for loopholes , but if a firm says its entry requirements are AAA (or the UCAS equivalent), and my A Levels alone aren’t AAA, but my AS Level means my total UCAS points meet the equivalent, is it still worth applying? Or do firms usually expect the UCAS equivalent to come from full A Levels?

Hi!

It's a fair question! I can't say for certain how every firm interprets it, so I wouldn't want to give a definitive answer either way.

My understanding is that if a firm explicitly says "AAA (or the UCAS equivalent)", then it is worth applying if your qualifications do meet the published UCAS tariff, unless they have specifically stated that the equivalent must come from three full A-Levels.

However, firms can interpret their requirements differently, so if you are unsure, it may be worth sending the graduate recruitment team a quick email to clarify how they assess UCAS equivalents. They'll be able to give you the most accurate answer for their specific process!

 

[user55998384]

does anyone know ppl who did a vs at orrick have heard back yet?

 

[LaDiva]

I'd really appreciate some input on the following please, @Abbie Whitlock ?
This past cycle made me realise that my real strength lies in directly working with individuals rather than with businesses. So this cycle, I'll be applying for firms providing legal services to individuals, I'm open-minded on practice areas, although private wealth doesn't sound like me. I'm more interested in helping individuals facing challenging personal situations, eg fitness to practice investigation, medical negligence, employment dispute, challenges against public auhtorities etc.... I'd also be open to working with charities etc..

It'll be straightforward with firms like Irwin Mitchell (legal services for individuals), Kinglsey Napley, or Leigh Day as my interest in working with individuals matches their practice areas.

But I'm not sure how to approach firms with a mix of legal services across both individuals and corporates?
I think it'd be a waste of time to apply to heavily corporate firms with a few practice areas I'd be interested in, eg Fieldfisher (Legal 500 1 ranking in medical negligence), what do you think?

Thanks!