TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

just working through some GPT slop for an application, jeez once you notice "rule of threes" in the AI's output you can't unnotice it, absolutely bloody everywhere.

Application for what?

 

[soph107048]

W&C WE!

summer or spring? and may I ask when you've completed the VI

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Not that I am in any way in this position, but if you guys received loads of non-clashing vac scheme offers, would you do them all?

I just saw a linkedin post of a guy who received 4 vac scheme offers and intends to do them all. I think it was one spring scheme and 3 summer schemes. I can't even begin to imagine the exhaustion, especially of summer, 2-3 straight months pretty much of vac schemes. And honestly if the Spring firm offered me a TC I'd be so tempted to just accept and withdraw from the other three.

Depends on if I was set on one firm and they offered me a TC. If I was even slightly uncertain I would do as many as I could. I've worked full time before so I'd be down for back to back vac schemes & auditioning the firm.

 

[soph107048]

has anyone heard back from W&C earlier in the week/ today? I saw some people heard back on Friday but was wondering if anyone got a reply before/after to confirm WE invites were not sent in batches or if anyones gotten a PFO yet

 

[jj238]

baker mckenzie vi insights, can trade with weil, sidley, MB, paul weiss insights

I need Baker McKenzie VI insights too. Let me know if you receive any and I'm happy to trade insights from Hogan Lovells VI, Freshfields AC, A&O Shearman VI, Vinson & Elkins VI, and more.

 

[alphabravocharlie]

anyone else feel so defeated, legit thought my debs application was so good,

 

[trainee4u]

Application for what?

Ropes

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether Debevoise or HSF or Gibson Dunn or King & Spalding or W&C are better in international arbitration and also public international law? Thanks! What might be the subtle differences between them in these areas?

For arbitration you can look at a pretty solid analysis in GAR30. TL;DR; King & Spalding is top IA rn (but there is much more nuance -- if you are interested in IA, it's a good read.

 

[henry1050]

Any insights into Goodwin AC?

 

[Applicant7874652]

Debevoise PFOs on Monday then right lol

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Also is King & Spalding rolling, low-key cba at this point

K&S is non-rolling

 

[Hopeful applicant]

this is genuinely a serious question. the firm ive been offered a vac scheme at has an in house gym. they showed us at the AC. whats the scope for actually using it during the scheme? ... i dont wanna make it seem like all i care about is the gym but i also internally combust without exposure to the gym!

Just make sure you don't out-lift the partner.

 

[Chak]

Has anyone heard anything back from Katten post app?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Not that I am in any way in this position, but if you guys received loads of non-clashing vac scheme offers, would you do them all?

I just saw a linkedin post of a guy who received 4 vac scheme offers and intends to do them all. I think it was one spring scheme and 3 summer schemes. I can't even begin to imagine the exhaustion, especially of summer, 2-3 straight months pretty much of vac schemes. And honestly if the Spring firm offered me a TC I'd be so tempted to just accept and withdraw from the other three.

Hey!

I thought I'd offer my two cents on this as I think this is a really interesting question, and it wasn't something I'd considered last cycle. I completed one spring scheme followed by my final year exams and two summer schemes back-to-back, and I don't think you fully anticipate just how draining vacation schemes can be. I'm incredibly grateful for the experience at all of the firms, but by my final scheme I was genuinely burnt out, which was gutting as it was one of my favourites. In hindsight, I'm sure that fatigue probably meant I didn't perform quite as well as I could have.

On reflection, I don't think I would change anything and I would still complete all of the schemes. However, I do think it is really important to be realistic about the intensity of these programmes and try to factor in rest where you can. Vacation schemes require sustained energy and social engagement, which can really tiring - I remember speaking to other people on my VS' who said the most tricky part wasn't necessarily the work or assessments, but needing to be 'on' all the time, which I definitely agree with. Therefore, I think pacing yourself and looking after your wellbeing is just as important as preparing technically, and I wish I'd spent some of the free-time between schemes having a break rather than prepping. I think being mindful of this helps you get the most of the experience, and show your best self throughout.

I'd say my main takeaway would be to enjoy any experiences you can and to throw yourself into it, but not at the expense of your wellbeing. You'll get far more out of a vacation scheme if you are rested and present, so taking breaks and pacing yourself is just as important as working hard on the scheme itself

 

[Irishman11]

Freshfields DTC PFO

Did you get stage 2?

 

[Shaky_Pete]

Anyone else still waiting on a response from Osborne Clarke post test?

 

[Madison Pinewall]

How should I go forward after a post AC PFO. It was my first one and I thought it generally went well (asides having a tough time with my partner speaking over me a lot in the group exercise...). I have an interview on Monday before my feedback call and then thats it for me. I don't want to repeat the same mistakes.

 

[Deleted member 43292]

How should I go forward after a post AC PFO. It was my first one and I thought it generally went well (asides having a tough time with my partner speaking over me a lot in the group exercise...). I have an interview on Monday before my feedback call and then thats it for me. I don't want to repeat the same mistakes.

I understand that feeling so so much

My advice would be to give yourself the best chance going into your next interview. Since your feedback call is after your interview, try anticipate what you could've done better by yourself and implement them into your next performance as best as you can. Sometimes the external factors can have an effect too, so don't beat yourself up about it. Hopefully from the sounds of things that the next interview doesn't include a group exercise? Group exercises are so tough as you can't anticipate what type of teammates you will get...

But yea, I am in a similar situation too, I flunked my last few chances and now have one more left and that's it for me too I think. There's definitely a lot of pressure to do better in this one, but don't push yourself into burn out etc.! Go into that interview looking to enjoy yourself, and bring your best genuine self! I think all we can do from then on is pray our hearts out! Best of luck Madison, I'm cheering for you!

 

[c.t.tc]

I had an AC this week and am having a really hard time figuring out if it went okay or not. I know I should just put it out of mind for now because there’s nothing more I can do but does anyone have any thoughts on how I could approach gauging whether it went well and how to stop overthinking it?

 

[asplawyer100]

When is your AC? The email said we’ll receive a login at least 24 hours before our AC, and to email them if we haven’t received it by 12pm the day before

I just checked again and neither one of the emails they sent me say that, but thanks for letting me know. My AC isn’t for a few more days so I’m guessing it’s all fine.