TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[elle woods]

Links rejection post-AC.

They said my competency interview went well, but basically my commercial awareness interview, which I thought went well, was really poor.

The feedback indicated an anxious presentation, unclear structuring of answers, and insufficiently articulated reasoning. It also noted limited responsiveness to interviewer prompts and an overreliance on legal terminology at the expense of clear, commercially grounded analysis.

I thought I wasn't anxious and I really tried to show my thought process, however it seems that I tried to show legal knowledge and that wasn't what they wanted at all.

Really demoralised by this and am wondering if I just come off poorly as a person.

First of all, it is NOT a reflection of you AT ALL. I know it can feel extremely demoralising and like it's an attack on you as a person, but trust me, they've only had like 4hrs to see you, that is NOT you at all. And remember, different firms look for different things - perhaps your legal reasoning and use of jargon would've impressed partners at a US firm for example.

I am really proud of you for getting this far - take some time off for yourself and push on forward soldier! Rejections do not define you - like I said earlier today, applying to firms is like dating - if you're not a match for each other, then it would be a disservice for both you and them to continue the relationship - I trust you will find the one (law firm) for yourself!!

And a lot of the times, these outcomes are a result of a mixture of luck, timing, and mood etc. You could get lucky and get a partner that resonates well with you, or the opposite could happen too. Don't hinge your self-worth on these things - it's not accurate at all. You are clearly really bright to have made it to the AC, and it sounds like you did really well overall! Good job, and use this opportunity as an experience to take forward with you in the future - whether as motivation, improvement, or overall personal growth.

This hits home for me too, I also got PFOed post AC today - let's both do our best going forward okay? 💗

 

[RJ Ruban]

HSF K summer PFO 🥲

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

HSF Kramer Summer PFO

 

[TCLA0322]

Joining the HSFK pfo community

 

[Maria56]

HSFK pfo 2
Dream firm and been to so many events

 

[silonthesofa]

Has anyone heard anything from Bristows post VI? I wonder if they will let us know whether our VI reached partner review stage or just progress successful applications to WE

Nothing yet. Based on past years, it seemed like people would hear back quite quickly if they didn't make it to partner screening – and I THINK would also be explicitly informed if they did, so I was hoping to hear from them late last week. However, given the lack of PFO posts, I have to assume they just haven't sent anything out yet because it does seem that at least in the earlier stages, they send decisions out all at once in one go and do not stagger them.

 

[BobThebIlly]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back from the following:

Goodwin post vi
Sidley post app
Paul Weiss summer vac scheme post app

 

[SubpoenaColada]

Joining the HSFK pfo community

same

 

[lividowl03]

Has anyone heard anything from Bristows post VI? I wonder if they will let us know whether our VI reached partner review stage or just progress successful applications to WE

I asked about timelines at a workshop, and they weren't too specific with dates, but basically said the whole process takes a few months and final outcomes will be April time most likely and to expect interviews from March onwards, so I would imagine WE will be pretty soon. I think they might like to progress everyone at once though so

 

[Jennifer2003]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back from the following:

Goodwin post vi
Sidley post app
Paul Weiss summer vac scheme post app

Still waiting on Sidley

 

[BobThebIlly]

I only have 3 firms left out of 16. I’m planning to apply to 2-3 direct training contracts but I gen feel so stuck. This was my second cycle and I did everything I shoukd have. Ik most ppl are in the same boat as me lmao I thought I’d end up with a TC before graduating 😔

 

[MONA23]

HSF Summer PFO:|

 

[lawstudent2]

I only have 3 firms left out of 16. I’m planning to apply to 2-3 direct training contracts but I gen feel so stuck. This was my second cycle and I did everything I shoukd have. Ik most ppl are in the same boat as me lmao I thought I’d end up with a TC before graduating 😔

I'm in the exact same position as you, it is so difficult idk what to do anymore

 

[Dannie]

I only have 3 firms left out of 16. I’m planning to apply to 2-3 direct training contracts but I gen feel so stuck. This was my second cycle and I did everything I shoukd have. Ik most ppl are in the same boat as me lmao I thought I’d end up with a TC before graduating 😔

exact same situation here!!

 

[TCLA0322]

I only have 3 firms left out of 16. I’m planning to apply to 2-3 direct training contracts but I gen feel so stuck. This was my second cycle and I did everything I shoukd have. Ik most ppl are in the same boat as me lmao I thought I’d end up with a TC before graduating 😔

Literally crossing out the firm from the list one by one...

 

[elle woods]

Literally crossing out the firm from the list one by one...

I keep track on Notion...and the amount of grey tabs is depressing lol

 

[Madison Pinewall]

I only have about 3 firms left too.. plus I didnt pass one AC and don't feel the best about the interview I just did... sigh

 

[Madison Pinewall]

I keep track on Notion...and the amount of grey tabs is depressing lol

I delete them ahhaahaha

 

[BobThebIlly]

I delete them ahhaahaha

Yep! As soon as I received the white and case rejection I deleted that shit asap

Don’t need any more negativity

 

[wqueens8]

I'm personally never applying there again. This is the second time the firm has wasted my time.

For what it's worth, my flatmate was on the Diversity Access Scheme last summer in London (now the Pathways to Practice), and she had very little good to say. From what I gather, the firm itself was perfectly fine, lawyers were nice, culture was good etc. But she said it was extremely disorganised from start to finish. E.g for converting to a TC they did a few things on the scheme, but they had to have a separate partner interview an unknown amount of time after the scheme. She got about two days notice to go back down to London about 4 weeks after the scheme had ended, but ultimately was unsuccessful and encouraged to reapply for direct TC. She has not reapplied lol.