TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TCLAuser2002]

I feel you, had a 50 min call on my TI and it was mostly the grad member that kept conversation going. Waiting around 5/6 weeks for a reply and was really hopeful on it being successful. You live and you learn I guess

I'm so sorry to hear that Can I ask when did you do your TI?

 

[sadlawyer01]

Deb and Plimpton Open Day! Is this essentially their AC?

 

[yasmars]

Update- PFO after the Akin TI.

Genuinely gutted, I thought Akin was the best match for my Asset management/PE background.

I suspect it was the "What do you do to stay commerically aware" question I panicked, (edit: and forgot to mention I just did an MBA) because my life and job is current commercial awareness...I said I was studying for CFA level 2 and read the FT every day....and then remembered my actual commercial awareness is talking to my clients who are trying to raise funds. I don't know if that came through or was too non standard an answer.

I honestly wasn't prepared for situational questions like that, I prepared for more of a partner level interview about my motivations and fit. Oh well.

So sorry to hear this. I really doubt that answer would have lead to the rejection. Last year, I answered in a similar way and said that I read the FT and was invited to AC. So don’t beat yourself up too much

 

[yasmars]

I hope mishcon will stick to their promise and we'll hear back today or tomorrow...

Did they promise that?

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Deb and Plimpton Open Day! Is this essentially their AC?

It's their AC, only 100 places maximum for their open day for 40-45 VS places so quite selective.

 

[LawAspirer]

Deb and Plimpton Open Day! Is this essentially their AC?

Congrats!
When did you apply if I may ask?

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Deb and Plimpton Open Day! Is this essentially their AC?

Got it as well!!

and yes - its less formal and structured than other AC's, but it is the only path to the a vac scheme, and they do run interviews

 

[sadlawyer01]

Congrats!
When did you apply if I may ask?

day of deadline!

 

[anon78365222111]

I'm so sorry to hear that Can I ask when did you do your TI?

Like early December

 

[sadlawyer01]

It's their AC, only 100 places maximum for their open day for 40-45 VS places so quite selective.

the AC or the VS? 45/100 seems much less selective than others...

 

[LawAspirer]

the AC or the VS? 45/100 seems much less selective than others...

Yeah but 100 for Open Day is quite selective. They probably get 5000 applicants.
50 VS for Summer + Spring

 

[LawAspirer]

Got it as well!!

and yes - its less formal and structured than other AC's, but it is the only path to the a vac scheme, and they do run interviews

Did they tell you by when you have to confirm attendance?

 

[abc124]

Did they promise that?

Yep they said they'd get back to everyone 'in late January' (at least for spring)

 

[Maria56]

Anyone heard from Clyde and Co, HL, HSFK today?

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

the AC or the VS? 45/100 seems much less selective than others...

Some places will be more selective oc, but for 100 people invited, 40-45 will get a VS. Every firm is different, of course. I've heard of some that offer 5 assessment centre places per VS spot - usually it's 2-5 AC per VS from what I've read, some firms are much more selective with who they give AC spots to though.

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Did they tell you by when you have to confirm attendance?

Yes -- 5th of Feb

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

I’m assuming Debevoise don’t send their open day invites in batches?

 

[LawAspirer]

I’m assuming Debevoise don’t send their open day invites in batches?

I imagine they send out invites today, see how many people respond/don't respond etc. then invite the rest. Could also be wrong and they just send in batches, but given that the ones that got it today have until the 5th Feb... idk

 

[Maria56]

I imagine they send out invites today, see how many people respond/don't respond etc. then invite the rest. Could also be wrong and they just send in batches, but given that the ones that got it today have until the 5th Feb... idk

Have they sent out ACs already?? I thought they will in February..

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Some places will be more selective oc, but for 100 people invited, 40-45 will get a VS. Every firm is different, of course. I've heard of some that offer 5 assessment centre places per VS spot - usually it's 2-5 AC per VS from what I've read, some firms are much more selective with who they give AC spots to though.

Debevoise also has one of the longest applications I have seen, so they know a bit more about you before AC than firms that ask you for extracuriculars and an SJT. (perhaps most importantly, they know you want to work there, if you are willing to spend so much time for an application)