TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[e.jy336]

Hi!

I'm not sure about whether we have a definitive list, but there is this thread where individuals have shared information on firms with stricter grade requirements!

Thank you!

 

[DaemonBlackFyre]

Hi everyone, I'm fortunate to have been offered a paralegal position at a global law firm (think CMS, Dentons, DLA Piper), my concern is whether I would be able to attend vacation schemes should I be lucky to get one or more.

If i was to take annual leave, am I limited to just one vacation scheme?

Is a direct TC the better option? I fear there are less spaces for direct TC's so this will be a more disadvantageous route to take.

Would appreciate any advice, thanks!

 

[AS24]

Hi!

I don't think you necessarily need to connect your extracurricular activities directly to Simpson Thacher's expertise, strategy or culture. I would focus primarily on what skills the activity helped you develop and why those skills are relevant to a career in corporate law.

For example, if you played football, you could discuss how this developed your teamwork, communication, and ability to perform under pressure, and then explain how those skills would be useful when working collaboratively with colleagues and other parties on a transaction.

I would be slightly cautious about forcing a link to a specific type of Simpson deal (e.g. "this skill will allow me to work on X deal") unless there is a really natural connection. The key thing is to show that you understand why the skill matters in corporate law, rather than trying to make every extracurricular activity demonstrate why you want to work at Simpson specifically.

You could implicitly relate your answer to Simpson Thacher by finding the skills and traits they highlight on their website, and using examples that show those traits. However, I would keep this question focused on the development of relevant skills, rather than trying to force it to be a motivational answer

Thank you @Abbie Whitlock, you are a gem!

 

[Enyonam]

Hi everyone, I'm fortunate to have been offered a paralegal position at a global law firm (think CMS, Dentons, DLA Piper), my concern is whether I would be able to attend vacation schemes should I be lucky to get one or more.

If i was to take annual leave, am I limited to just one vacation scheme?

Is a direct TC the better option? I fear there are less spaces for direct TC's so this will be a more disadvantageous route to take.

Would appreciate any advice, thanks!

I am also a paralegal but in house, I’ve taken holiday to do vac schemes… it’s not convenient and it’s definitely a big sacrifice, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

My workplace has also allowed me to take unpaid leave to attend one. I also think let your manager know your plans, they may be more flexible than you think

 

[DaemonBlackFyre]

I am also a paralegal but in house, I’ve taken holiday to do vac schemes… it’s not convenient and it’s definitely a big sacrifice, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

My workplace has also allowed me to take unpaid leave to attend one. I also think let your manager know your plans, they may be more flexible than you think

Hi,

Thanks for responding, that's really encouraging to hear!

Can I also ask, how many applications did you make and how did you make time for prep in terms of writing and also video interviews?

 

[wooliewoo]

Hi everyone, I'm fortunate to have been offered a paralegal position at a global law firm (think CMS, Dentons, DLA Piper), my concern is whether I would be able to attend vacation schemes should I be lucky to get one or more.

If i was to take annual leave, am I limited to just one vacation scheme?

Is a direct TC the better option? I fear there are less spaces for direct TC's so this will be a more disadvantageous route to take.

Would appreciate any advice, thanks!

I am also in this position and I am quite lost! My plan atm is just saving up my holiday leave for vacs but ofc that's a big sacrifice, so I am planning to apply to some TCs where I can/feel more confident!

 

[wooliewoo]

Does anyone have any advice for Macfarlanes Stage 2? Happy to share any info from apps last year from various firms (B&B, Latham, Mayer Brown etc.,)!

 

[bristol rovers]

How do we access the application database?

 

[testing123]

Hi all! Does anyone have any advice on how long slaughters usually take to respond? thanks!

 

[fishy fish]

Hi,

It would be great if anyone has any advice here.

I am in my third and final year of a law degree, but I am looking to become a paralegal for a year after I graduate. After that year of paralegalling, I would go travel for another year while applying for vs or tc.

Is there a point to apply for vs this year? I have asked law firms if they could defer a tc for two years, but that seems like a long shot. And I heard being rejected by a law firm for their vs in the ac stage means it would be harder to reapply, so if I get many ac rejections this year that could jeopardise my application in two years time.

I feel like I am missing out not applying for vs this year, but at the same time, its unpractical to do so.

Any advice would be great

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

How do we access the application database?

Hi!

These can be found in the Workspace! If you have a look at the left-hand sidebar, and go to 'Experiences' under 'Track', you should find them there

Just shout if you have any trouble finding them!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi,

It would be great if anyone has any advice here.

I am in my third and final year of a law degree, but I am looking to become a paralegal for a year after I graduate. After that year of paralegalling, I would go travel for another year while applying for vs or tc.

Is there a point to apply for vs this year? I have asked law firms if they could defer a tc for two years, but that seems like a long shot. And I heard being rejected by a law firm for their vs in the ac stage means it would be harder to reapply, so if I get many ac rejections this year that could jeopardise my application in two years time.

I feel like I am missing out not applying for vs this year, but at the same time, its unpractical to do so.

Any advice would be great

Hi!

I think your instinct that applying this year may not be the most practical option is probably right, but ultimately it comes down to what you think is manageable. If you already know that you want to spend a year paralegalling after graduation and then travel for another year, I wouldn't feel pressured to apply for VS this year just because.

There can still be value in applying this year for the experience of going through the process, but I would weigh that against the time involved and, importantly, the fact that you may not actually be able to take up a TC from a VS if you are planning to defer for two years. I also wouldn't apply purely for the sake of having a VS on your CV if it means applying to firms that you are not genuinely in a position to join.

In terms of reapplying, firms have different policies, but I wouldn't be too concerned about one AC rejection automatically jeopardising a future application at the majority of firms. However, if you already know you are going to be in a much stronger position after a year of paralegalling, it could make more sense to use this time to build your experience and then apply when you are ready to commit to the process.

You can always use this year to prepare in other ways! For example, you could spend time researching the firms you might want to apply to, working out what type of firm and practice areas actually appeal to you, keeping up with commercial news and developing your commercial awareness, and gradually practising application questions and interviews. Then, when you are ready to apply after your paralegal year and travels, you won't be starting completely from scratch. You will also have the benefit of being able to draw on your paralegal experience when answering those questions, which could make your applications much stronger.

Ultimately, I would prioritise the route that makes sense for your longer-term plans rather than feeling like you have to follow a specific timeline. There's nothing wrong with applying when you are actually in a position to commit to the process, and there is plenty you can do in the meantime to prepare!

 

[fishy fish]

Hi!

I think your instinct that applying this year may not be the most practical option is probably right, but ultimately it comes down to what you think is manageable. If you already know that you want to spend a year paralegalling after graduation and then travel for another year, I wouldn't feel pressured to apply for VS this year just because.

There can still be value in applying this year for the experience of going through the process, but I would weigh that against the time involved and, importantly, the fact that you may not actually be able to take up a TC from a VS if you are planning to defer for two years. I also wouldn't apply purely for the sake of having a VS on your CV if it means applying to firms that you are not genuinely in a position to join.

In terms of reapplying, firms have different policies, but I wouldn't be too concerned about one AC rejection automatically jeopardising a future application at the majority of firms. However, if you already know you are going to be in a much stronger position after a year of paralegalling, it could make more sense to use this time to build your experience and then apply when you are ready to commit to the process.

You can always use this year to prepare in other ways! For example, you could spend time researching the firms you might want to apply to, working out what type of firm and practice areas actually appeal to you, keeping up with commercial news and developing your commercial awareness, and gradually practising application questions and interviews. Then, when you are ready to apply after your paralegal year and travels, you won't be starting completely from scratch. You will also have the benefit of being able to draw on your paralegal experience when answering those questions, which could make your applications much stronger.

Ultimately, I would prioritise the route that makes sense for your longer-term plans rather than feeling like you have to follow a specific timeline. There's nothing wrong with applying when you are actually in a position to commit to the process, and there is plenty you can do in the meantime to prepare!

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate the help