TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Lamosophia4]

ACs are running this week and next, going into the first week of Feb. Perhaps you guys are all on a waiting or reserve list. So if current AC’ers don’t do well (likely for me lmao), then they’ll send out more AC invites to fill in those extra VS slots? I’m just hazarding a guess idk Weil’s GR process at all.​

That would make sense tbh and good luck I hope it goes well for you!

 

[kukubird]

I did the GD stage 1 test in November, should I just assume PFO?

 

[Miss Elli]

ACs are running this week and next, going into the first week of Feb. Perhaps you guys are all on a waiting or reserve list. So if current AC’ers don’t do well (likely for me lmao), then they’ll send out more AC invites to fill in those extra VS slots? I’m just hazarding a guess idk Weil’s GR process at all.​

Have they already filled all the AC slots for next week?

Good luck with your AC!!

 

[vweewcvew]

Thinking of doing last min apps to Cleary, Orrick, Hogan Lovells (TC), and Ropes & Gray?

How strict are the academic requirements, like does a 67% average meet what they say 'academic excellence'?

Also for Clearly, do you think a low RG (i.e. Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Sheff) = 'leading university'? or are they thinking more about London/oxbridge?

 

[trainingcontractoffer]

anyone who has received neither OA nor PFO from Bakers? Maybe I submitted too late. Should I assume pfo?

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

Has anyone else still not heard anything from Weil yet?

They said we’d all hear back end of last week… last week. I’m apprehensive of how many they’re inviting to ACs. Is it 30 or 100. I prefer ACs with a smaller pool of candidates as you know you did exceptional to get to that stage. Being in this waiting ibis of no rejection and no AC is worse. Are they prioritising those who put scheme 1 or those who put both schemes? Ugh.

What’s worse is Weil is my top firm I didn’t apply last year and this year I’ve done their forage course and given it my all. Disappointed is an understatement.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Have they already filled all the AC slots for next week?

Good luck with your AC!!

I think so yeah cos they’ve invited around 60 for the ACs for up to 30 VS slots. They sent out three separate AC batches last week and new AC slots yesterday. Idk if they sent more invites out at the same time cos nobody posted about it. I can try rem to ask grad rec when I’m there?

Edit: I chose both vac scheme dates so idk if they have prioritised people who chose 1 or 2. 🤷🏾‍♂​

 

[Lamosophia4]

They said we’d all hear back end of last week… last week. I’m apprehensive of how many they’re inviting to ACs. Is it 30 or 100. I prefer ACs with a smaller pool of candidates as you know you did exceptional to get to that stage. Being in this waiting ibis of no rejection and no AC is worse. Are they prioritising those who put scheme 1 or those who put both schemes? Ugh.

What’s worse is Weil is my top firm I didn’t apply last year and this year I’ve done their forage course and given it my all. Disappointed is an understatement.

I think I read somewhere they invite a lot of people but im not 100% sure though. Its one of my top firms as well I got a very good amberjack score as well and was pleased with how the VIs went so its so frustrating.

 

[kukubird]

They said we’d all hear back end of last week… last week. I’m apprehensive of how many they’re inviting to ACs. Is it 30 or 100. I prefer ACs with a smaller pool of candidates as you know you did exceptional to get to that stage. Being in this waiting ibis of no rejection and no AC is worse. Are they prioritising those who put scheme 1 or those who put both schemes? Ugh.

What’s worse is Weil is my top firm I didn’t apply last year and this year I’ve done their forage course and given it my all. Disappointed is an understatement.

Last years thread someone said they invited 60 to assessment centre and I believe they're taking on more people for VS this year due to new lateral hires/expansion.

 

[Miss Elli]

I think so yeah cos they’ve invited around 60 for the ACs for up to 30 VS slots. They sent out three separate AC batches last week and new AC slots yesterday. Idk if they sent more invites out at the same time cos nobody posted about it. I can try rem to ask grad rec when I’m there?

Edit: I chose both vac scheme dates so idk if they have prioritised people who chose 1 or 2. 🤷🏾‍♂​

Please ask grad rec when you're there! Thank you so much for the current info tho, it helps manage my expectations *sigh*...

 

[xyttrkop]

Has anyone heard from Kirkland post-AC?

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

Has anyone heard from Kirkland post-AC?

Have not even heard from them post app.

 

[kukubird]

Have not even heard from them post app.

Same, I think US firms are more prone to ghosting.

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

I think I read somewhere they invite a lot of people but im not 100% sure though. Its one of my top firms as well I got a very good amberjack score as well and was pleased with how the VIs went so its so frustrating.

I did fairly well on the amberjack also and I did the vi to a good enough standard though I could’ve come better imo. I should’ve asked for a Ti instead. They didn’t even apply the extra time to the vi and it caught me so off guard nonetheless would’ve been better to do that.

Last years thread someone said they invited 60 to assessment centre and I believe they're taking on more people for VS this year due to new lateral hires/expansion.

If they have 60 people over 3 weeks they most likely do 20 people a week 4/5 people per AC.

If they’ve given out 3 batches of ACs already I assume that’s the original 60 spots gone. Now it’s a waiting game for people to “not do well” and get an invite I guess. which truly sucks if you’re working full time as you’d need to take time off in advance. 🥲

 

[EL2003]

Has anyone heard from HFW yet?

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

Have not even heard from them post app.

Same, I think US firms are more prone to ghosting.

I think Kirkland have ghosted anyone that applied early. As all the VI and AC invites seem to be from those that applied in the last week or so of the deadline. Odd approach to recruitment but yeah I’ve been ghosted also.

Only firm that has explicitly said they ghost is Paul Hastings.

 

[lawstudent2]

I did fairly well on the amberjack also and I did the vi to a good enough standard though I could’ve come better imo. I should’ve asked for a Ti instead. They didn’t even apply the extra time to the vi and it caught me so off guard nonetheless would’ve been better to do that.

If they have 60 people over 3 weeks they most likely do 20 people a week 4/5 people per AC.

If they’ve given out 3 batches of ACs already I assume that’s the original 60 spots gone. Now it’s a waiting game for people to “not do well” and get an invite I guess. which truly sucks if you’re working full time as you’d need to take time off in advance. 🥲

They do 8 people per day for their ACs. I am not sure how many days they have filled, but ik this week is booked up and I believe potentially next week too, or at least some of it

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

They do 8 people per day for their ACs. I am not sure how many days they have filled, but ik this week is booked up and I believe potentially next week too, or at least some of it

Woah so 32-40 people per a week🤯

That’s about 96-120 people over 3 weeks!! As people may drop out etc etc. that’s a fair amount of ACs. Not as crazy as macfarlanes who have 250 AC spots.

 

[FutureTrainee100]

highkey panicking ahead of my Skadden interview next week!! I have never made it past an AC and I am seriously desperate at this point. If anyone has insights/ advice, pls pls pls pm me. I have done A LOT of ACs and VIs and am happy to trade

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

There are 2 to 3 days of ACs per week, so it’s 16-24 people per week, 60-65 across all ACs.

Each day has a morning and afternoon slot, with 4 people per slot, so 8 people a day for ACs.

This week’s slots were filled and when I selected my Weil AC for a later slot most had been filled.

They have up to 30 VS places (12-15 per scheme), so I don’t think there’ll be 100+ people on ACs.​