TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[jagath]

is it right that HSF has sent rejections for summer vac scheme and no offers?

 

[Novaa]

I’ve been in that situation and gotten the vac scheme 😂

Oh Bread, my favourite household staple. The foundation of civilisation and everyone’s favourite snack. The most versatile food group!!

Feel like dropping a tutorial? 🙂

 

[Bottega_Veneta]

someone on linkedin received a VS offer and we are just waiting for a PFO or AC invite

Oh lawd…I did the AC last year, they invite people to the AC through to the entire month of Jan and even Feb but dunno if it is still the case 😟

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Congrats to everyone getting positive responses!
Commiserations to all those suffering from PFOs!

 

[Prudentia]

PFO from Milbank. I lowkey respect them for just getting to the point and not doing the patronising “we’ve had so many strong applications this year” spiel.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

I've just taken Foot Anstey's test but I'm planning to do the VI at a later date, will I get the feedback report after the VI? I swear when I did an Amberjack before I got the report straight after finishing the test (before the VI)

 

[Deleted member 43292]

Oh lawd…I did the AC last year, they invite people to the AC through to the entire month of Jan and even Feb but dunno if it is still the case 😟

they said they'll be running ACs all the way from Jan through till the end of Feb so you're correct!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

PFO from Milbank. I lowkey respect them for just getting to the point and not doing the patronising “we’ve had so many strong applications this year” spiel.

Sorry to hear, but yes - shortest PFO I've ever received! Just a 'sorry, we're not moving forward with your application' 😂

 

[Carrington Lane]

I love how there was a whole discussion about stopping memes and gifs being posted and yet so many of us are still posting them. Hoping we’re not gna get cancelled or banned for this lmao. Lowkey gna try slow down with them for a bit now.

I guess it's a very, I mean very bad time to ask how you guys upload gif on the forum. I tried to upload a hairflip gif the other day and it was so flop that I felt so low-tech and ancient

 

[Legal12345]

What commercial awareness should I prep for an AC?

 

[Novaa]

I guess it's a very, I mean very bad time to ask how you guys upload gif on the forum. I tried to upload a hairflip gif the other day and it was so flop that I felt so low-tech and ancient

My time to shine!

Click the 3 dots next to the image sign in the message box. There should be a “GIF” option. Click that, then type what you want. If the options aren’t giving you what you want, use similar words/emotions that convey it. 😍

 

[trainee4u]

It’s nice to have a cheeky scroll whilst at work to see if people have heard back but most of the time I’m battling trying to scroll through a load of other memes, topics etc whilst hoping my manager doesn’t see the 15 gifs that are most definitely not work related pop up 😭 that’s not to say we should ban them just minimise is possible 😃

chrome://settings/content/images
not allowed to show images -> add -> [*.]thecorporatelawacademy.com

or block giphy in your hosts file.

 

[Jaysen]

Thanks for the helpful posts on this. It's useful to see what you all think.

My sense at the moment is to stick to one thread. I think GIFs are fine. Many of you make me laugh with your posts, and I find it lightens up what is otherwise a very intense process.

I'd just be mindful not to overdo it. In short, please keep in mind that thousands of people read these threads, and if you *just* post back-to-back GIFs, it makes it hard for everyone to find useful information.

I'm also in the early stages of re-designing the forum. I know it's hard to find information in these very long threads, which I'm hoping to fix.

Finally, as one of you said, please also try not to argue. If there's something you don't like, please report it/message me. I'll always look into it and come back to you. Sometimes, you might not see an action right away, but that's always because we are reviewing it, not because we don't think it's an issue. The more you quote a post you don't like and argue back, the more it escalates the situation for everyone.

Thank you!

 

[Novaa]

What commercial awareness should I prep for an AC?

These will likely help in a case study interview:

- Issues impacting their priority sectors and clients (Case study will usually focus on an example, e.g., I did one with Freshfields where the clients were trying to use green bonds)

- Understand a current deal which interests you (Deal structure? What it’s aiming to achieve? Any challenges?)

- If ANYTHING major has just happened in the world, that’s perfect! (I guess…?) Understand what that means for the world and clients and how law firms might have to step in.

 

[Carrington Lane]

At the top of the text box there’s a row of icons to make the text bold or italicised. There’s an icon at the end of that row with three dots. Click that and it should show a new set of options, one of them being the gif icon. Boom you can now upload gifs on the forum:

View attachment 7750​

My time to shine!

Click the 3 dots next to the image sign in the message box. There should be a “GIF” option. Click that, then type what you want. If the options aren’t giving you what you want, use similar words/emotions that convey it. 😍

I love you all. You're beautiful, and never forget that everyone is a princess... hehe

 

[James Wakefield]

So how late do we think Milbank grad recruitment work then…

 

[Donuttime]

Thanks for the helpful posts on this. It's useful to see what you all think.

My sense at the moment is to stick to one thread. I think GIFs are fine. Many of you make me laugh with your posts, and I find it lightens up what is otherwise a very intense process.

I'd just be mindful not to overdo it. In short, please keep in mind that thousands of people read these threads, and if you *just* post back-to-back GIFs, it makes it hard for everyone to find useful information.

I'm also in the early stages of re-designing the forum. I know it's hard to find information in these very long threads, which I'm hoping to fix.

Finally, as one of you said, please also try not to argue. If there's something you don't like, please report it/message me. I'll always look into it and come back to you. Sometimes, you might not see an action right away, but that's always because we are reviewing it, not because we don't think it's an issue. The more you quote a post you don't like and argue back, the more it escalates the situation for everyone.

Thank you!

Thanks for this Jaysen!! Particularly this point I'd just be mindful not to overdo it. In short, please keep in mind that thousands of people read these threads, and if you *just* post back-to-back GIFs, it makes it hard for everyone to find useful information. I think I alongside others, that was my main qualm but happy you addressed this!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Did anyone apply to TLT, Osborne Clarke or Covington last year, and if so, around how long after the deadline did you hear back? I've just realised their deadlines have passed so we should hear back soon I imagine.

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

So how late do we think Milbank grad recruitment work then…

If it's anything like Milbank trainees, then the question is how early in the morning do they work until 🤣

 

[WillKitchen]

I’m on the train home after visiting the Cooley London office again this evening for an edtech event. It was very cool to get involved with tech startups and investors.

I spoke to many different clients and lawyers, from UK, US and European offices, including TCLA alumnus Ram Sabaratnam. Really nice to catch up again!

Cooley really went above and beyond to support me. Super impressed!