I wanted to ask whether people think there is any point in applying directly for TCs at places like covington or kirkland and ellis, I know that they fill most of their training contract through the VS but I missed those deadlines and the VS that I had planned for this summer was cancelled and unfortunately I wasn't able to pass the TC interview. These are a few 'last minute' applications, but was wondering the chances of them even getting back to me, and also whether it will affect an application in the next cycle esp if its so soon for example for the winter vac schemes?
Probably a waste of time to send an application to those kinds of firms you have mentioned above as they almost always exclusively hire from their vacation scheme pool of candidates. For example, I know for a fact after speaking to grad rec at both Skadden and Kirkland that even though they have a direct TC application option, they almost never recruit through this way. This is quite common for US firms with smaller intakes that want to be sure they are recruiting the right people and feel a vacation scheme is the best way to test their candidates to see if they are a right fit for the firm.
It is not too early to be thinking about winter vacation scheme applications. Now is the perfect time to do your research of the firms you want to apply for and build up your commercial awareness. Applications open as early as August for firms like A&O. However, generally speaking, most firms will open their applications in September/October time. Highly recommend you get them in as soon as possible once the applications do officially open as I have a feeling the winter vacation schemes will be a lot more popular/competitive given how some firms have already allocated quite a few places because of cancelling spring and summer schemes (HSF and Hogan Lovells).
I also have a feeling more firms will hold winter vacation schemes than usual due to the fact that the in person spring and summer vac schemes were cancelled this year.