This looks great! As someone that applied to a large number of firms before seeing any progress, I just wanted to say don't be too hard on yourself with any rejections that start coming in midway through the cycle. Keep applying to the later ones at the same pace and treat each rejection (if any) as practice. The right firm will surely come around sooner or later. And if you succeed at a lot of initial applications but plateau midway or find it tough to get through intermediate stages, don't be disheartened by that either! There isn't a specific graph or trajectory that the application journey follows - there are unexpected ups and downs. Just keep seeking feedback, learning from errors and shortcomings, and most importantly, believe in yourself. All the very best!This is my first proper vacation scheme application cycle. I’m a bit late to the game as I’m already full-time employed, but thought I’d post here to hold myself accountable and wish everyone else applying the best of luck!
SUBMITTED
Slaughter and May
Macfarlanes
A&O Shearman
Ashurst
Jones Day
Sidley Austin
TARGETING IN SEPTEMBER
Reed Smith
Dechert
Hogan Lovells
Freshfields
Paul Weiss
HSF Kramer
Milbank
Skadden
Mayer Brown
Gibson Dunn
Latham & Watkins
Goodwin
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Hey Guest, applications for Reed Smith’s Vacation Scheme Open Day close at 5pm on 28 September. Apply for the Open Day.
Applications for its 2027 Vacation Schemes close at 5pm on 18 December. Apply for the Vacation Schemes.
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27
- Thread starter Abbie Whitlock
- Start date
Hi, based on what I observed last cycle, firms usually treat all their vacation schemes equally. So you wouldn't be at an advantage or disadvantage by applying for one scheme over another. Additionally, both are usually similarly competitive. However, one thing to note is that winter/spring vacation schemes (December ones) are usually attended exclusively by those who are NOT on a student visa, since visa holders are barred from working during term time (which these schemes often coincide with). Summer schemes on the other hand, allow them to attend since they are usually on summer break. That being said, I would say base your choice on your availability during each window, your prioritisation of firms (i.e. people often apply to different schemes for their top choice firms to avoid a situation where they have to drop out of one scheme for another in case they make it to both), and how many options firms provide (i.e. if one of your top choice firms only provides a summer scheme and another offers three schemes, you could choose an alternate scheme for the other firm).
Hope this helps, all the best!
Hi! As for your first question, I have seen that firms are generally asking this from a genuine standpoint. They really like getting a glimpse into candidate's personality and interests, because they are also assessing whether a candidate is a positive addition to the office that colleagues will actually enjoy working with and being around. So it's really good to talk about diverse interests that you might have! Additionally, firms want to see how you can communicate about things that are of interest to you. They might assess whether you can engage a reader or listener through your words and delivery.Not to be suspicious of firms…. BUT are the questions about hobbies really about our hobbies/personality, or are they trying to see how they relate to the skills we’ll need as trainees?
Also, is there such a thing as a generic skill for those “What skills do you think are important as a trainee?” questions? I put commercial awareness as one, but I’m convincing myself Grad Rec will think that’s expected? But then so are communication, organisation and time management?
You can tell a deadline is looming when I start second-guessing my complete answers.
There are some skills that almost all firms look for, but it is usually a good idea to check their grad rec websites to see which they particularly emphasise. For example, while teamwork, adaptability, creativity, and resilience are all key skills, some firms might emphasise collaboration (UK firms for the most part) while others focus on resilience or proactivity (US firms, for example).
Hey, thanks for your response!Hi, congratulations!! I would personally wait to include it as currently Graduate Recruitment will not be able to see our tangible responsibilities and impacts.
Would you still recommend the same for rolling apps? I am planning to Hogan Lovells, and the deadline is first week of October. I plan to follow what you said for apps that are no rolling and at later dates.
Hi! I had a question about how law firms are likely to view my grades, particularly firms that place a lot of emphasis on academics.
I graduated from a top-3 UK university with a First, despite fairly severe mitigating circumstances throughout my undergraduate degree. My first-year average was 65; I did receive one 2:2 that year, but it was not counted towards my average because the university used a best-of-four system. In second year, I averaged 65, with one First, two 63s and one 2:2. In third year, I averaged 69, with five Firsts. My overall undergraduate average was 67.
I then completed the PGDL and averaged 81%, with no mitigating circumstances during that course.
For firms that are particularly focused on academics, would you say my grades should generally be fine given that I graduated with a First and an overall average of 67, alongside the mitigating circumstances, clear upward trajectory and 81% PGDL result?
I also received an assessment centre invitation from Ropes & Gray, which I understand places quite a lot of weight on academics, so I’m not sure how concerned I should realistically be about this.
@Antoni Trochimowicz
I graduated from a top-3 UK university with a First, despite fairly severe mitigating circumstances throughout my undergraduate degree. My first-year average was 65; I did receive one 2:2 that year, but it was not counted towards my average because the university used a best-of-four system. In second year, I averaged 65, with one First, two 63s and one 2:2. In third year, I averaged 69, with five Firsts. My overall undergraduate average was 67.
I then completed the PGDL and averaged 81%, with no mitigating circumstances during that course.
For firms that are particularly focused on academics, would you say my grades should generally be fine given that I graduated with a First and an overall average of 67, alongside the mitigating circumstances, clear upward trajectory and 81% PGDL result?
I also received an assessment centre invitation from Ropes & Gray, which I understand places quite a lot of weight on academics, so I’m not sure how concerned I should realistically be about this.
@Antoni Trochimowicz
Congrats! Is it just an SJT or does it include the written assessment? Trying to work out if it’s automatic or screened
It’s got a written assessment too. From just meeting the firm at a law fair, I think they said that they screen your grades and work experience before sending the test
What's happened the past few years? It seems there's a trend for law firms to be much stricter on modular consistency; I mean six years ago even HSF just said they prefer a 2:1 overall.
Firms are inundated with applicants nowadays so it's an easy way for them to screen out large amounts
I think it depends tbh, hsfk have been very unique in their shift but it seems to be a heavy influence from the US law firm merger. I see firms putting emphasis on work experience a lot
I think firms are just inundated with applications so have to make requirements tighter where possible. I was invited to an HSF open day in 2023 and I defo didn’t meet the 63% in every module requirement, I think I had one or two modules off. I also didn’t meet the AAB requirement. I think also pinsent masons have increased their requirements to ABB now. It used to be BBB.
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