TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Milbank post stage 2 PFO...I'm actually getting worried now

I asked for feedback so we'll see if they respond

 

[maylawwww]

Hello everyone, I thought it might be a good idea to have a place to discuss some commercial issues - how they affect law firms and clients especially. Feel free to drop anything that has caught your eye in the news and let's discuss!:

Commercial Discussion 2026

Hello everyone, I thought it might be a good idea to have a place to discuss some commercial issues - how they affect law firms and clients especially. Feel free to drop anything that has caught your eye in the news and let's discuss!

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

LOVE this idea

 

[BealMcAlly]

I asked for feedback so we'll see if they respond

Probably going to get a 'we can't provide feedback at this stage' email.

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

what is the difference between a skill, a characteristic, a trait, a culture etc etc.. Trying to write my answer to the Ropes&Gray question but I am not sure how broad to go in defining a characteristic. Should I mention more basic things like collaboration, communication or excellent client service or be more precise with things like expertise and value of AI or analytical precision?

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

any updates from:
Simmons & Simmons
Paul, Weiss
Mishcon de Reya
Sidley Austin
Kirkland & Ellis
White & Case
MoFo
From anyone?

 

[Alfredo1234]

Probably going to get a 'we can't provide feedback at this stage' email.

Kinda fair though. Can you imagine being apart of a grad rec team and getting hundreds of these emails from people who have already been rejected.... must take up alot of time and energy to provide feedback so from a more uanaced standpoint its only fair.

 

[amb303]

Still not heard from Withers post SJT - I completed it 31 December - should I assume a PFO?

I think a lot of us haven’t heard, who applied in the past month and did SJT

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

If I completed an assessment for a firm with a rolling deadline a month ago and they have not gotten back to me, should I assume its probably a PFO? By which I mean has anyone heard from White & Case? I'm sick with anxiety.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Kinda fair though. Can you imagine being apart of a grad rec team and getting hundreds of these emails from people who have already been rejected.... must take up alot of time and energy to provide feedback so from a more uanaced standpoint its only fair.

Well, I'm just asking for my critical thinking skills score. Not detailed feedback. Obviously, I don't assume they will go through my application with a fine toothed comb.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Also I still haven’t gotten my Milbank PFO so wtf is going on over at Milbank it’s been 5 weeks…​

I’m pleased to announce that after waiting 36 days I have finally received the long awaited PFO from Milbank post stage 1 for Summer Trad VS.

Grad rec probs saw my post and were like oops we forgot to send that Harvey lad his PFO. Glad it’s over and done with now though haha.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

I’m pleased to announce that after waiting 36 days I have finally received the long awaited PFO from Milbank post stage 1 for Spring Trad VS.

Grad rec probs saw my post and were like oops we forgot to send that Harvey lad his PFO. Glad it’s over and done with now though haha.

 

[YYmasterTC]

any updates from:
Simmons & Simmons
Paul, Weiss
Mishcon de Reya
Sidley Austin
Kirkland & Ellis
White & Case
MoFo
From anyone?

I think someone did do an assessment centre with Simmons on the 15 January for the summer VS. I am assuming to get a PFO

 

[BealMcAlly]

Kinda fair though. Can you imagine being apart of a grad rec team and getting hundreds of these emails from people who have already been rejected.... must take up alot of time and energy to provide feedback so from a more uanaced standpoint its only fair.

When they're automating a lot of internal processes already, they can automate generating feedback per applicant.

Unless they just tick reject, I can't imagine they make 0 notes on rejected candidates. They are not being transparent because rejections are completely arbitrary lot of the time and a lot of GR don't even know who they're really looking for.

Also, on the fairness aspect, most firms refusing to share your test scores is dodgy to me. It shows again how arbitrary rejections can be.

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

For those with Cleary PFOs - Are these summer or spring? I applied summer but don't get the WG yet

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

Congrats! Can I ask when you applied?

thank you!! i applied on the deadline and had my interview last week

 

[Alfredo1234]

Well, I'm just asking for my critical thinking skills score. Not detailed feedback. Obviously, I don't assume they will go through my application with a fine toothed T

When they're automating a lot of internal processes already, they can automate generating feedback per applicant.

Unless they just tick reject, I can't imagine they make 0 notes on rejected candidates. They are not being transparent because rejections are completely arbitrary lot of the time and a lot of GR don't even know who they're really looking for.

Also, on the fairness aspect, most firms refusing to share your test scores is dodgy to me. It shows again how arbitrary rejections can be.

Agree compleltey on releasing automated test scores 100%. however i don't agree at all that not sharing them is dogdy.

 

[BealMcAlly]

Agree compleltey on releasing automated test scores 100%. however i don't agree at all that not sharing them is dogdy.

That's your prerogative to disagree.

I don't see how the process is fair, any other test you take you get the result. Something as simple as an SJT and a WG test, you should be privy to your score.

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Agree compleltey on releasing automated test scores 100%. however i don't agree at all that not sharing them is dogdy.

For rolling firms, the score requirements might be increasing as it goes along depending on who they've accepted. I guess they don't want people complaining about it being unfair and not understanding the entire picture (e.g. contextualise recruitment, application form). In the end, by releasing everything and personalised feedback it just results in more complaints and more headaches for them.

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

bclp ac, if anyone has any insights i'd be so grateful

Congrats! Do you mind me asking when you received a response please? And whether this is for the spring or summer as I am still waiting for a response for spring

 

[M123]

Sorry to ask again but has anyone heard back from DLA Manchester (post-wg) or AddleShaw Goddard Manchester post-app? They are my last 2 apps so i’m stressing !!