TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TCGrad1642]

Had my Willkie partner interview today! If anyone who has already done theirs wants to discuss, I would be very grateful to do so!

 

[SueD]

tysm!! i hope yours went well

Thank you! We hear from tomorrow…

 

[helenaskelton]

When was your AC and TI if you don’t mind me asking?

It was 2 days ago and telephone week before

 

[helenaskelton]

When is the faegre scheme actually taking place?

 

[bloodorange20]

Just received my offer for a vac scheme at a firm i like. Really delighted obviously, but ive also done ACs for other firms and awaiting their responses. Would posting on linkedin that i got an offer from X firm negatively impact the other firms' applications if they see it? Dont wanna look like im not interested in their firms by accepting a diff VS, so deciding if i should just hold off from posting

 

[TortillaTC]

Do we have any info on Orrick’s WG? I assume it’s timed but anything else? Is it a regular WG or expected to be hard?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Do we have any info on Orrick’s WG? I assume it’s timed but anything else? Is it a regular WG or expected to be hard?

It’s a WG on steroids but maybe I’m biased cos me and the WG don’t get along at all it seems…

I’m alr assuming it’s a PFO for Orrick cos there’s no way I’m passing that WG at all lmao.​

 

[TortillaTC]

It’s a WG on steroids but maybe I’m biased cos me and the WG don’t get along at all it seems…

I’m alr assuming it’s a PFO for Orrick cos there’s no way I’m passing that WG at all lmao.​

Ohh no way, is the time too little or are the questions that hard??

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Ohh no way, is the time too little or are the questions that hard??

Hmm probs more so I found the questions harder than other WGs I did, but I’m sure others will have found the Orrick WG super easy. 🤷🏾‍♂️​

 

[wqueens8]

Does anybody know roughly how many places Reed Smith has on their vac schemes total? Considering they have 26 TCs, but also have the direct TC route and placement year students.

 

[susie897]

Hi!

No need to apologise at all!

I am really sorry to hear this - that's such a frustrating situation, especially when it is out of your control.

It is highly unlikely that they would hold this against you next year, particularly if you have been transparent about the situation. If there is genuinely only one AC date, that is a logistical issue that is out of your control.

If you do withdraw, I would thank them for the opportunity, briefly explain the unavoidable work commitment, and reiterate your interest in the firm and reapplying. The graduate recruitment team understand that people have other commitments alongside the process, so they'll be understanding!

Getting to the AC stage shows that you are a strong candidate - I'm sure you'll have plenty more success moving forward

Thank you so much for replying, really appreciate it

 

[BeanaGoalGetter]

WHY DOES EVERYONE HAVE ACs AND OFFERS EXCEPT FOR ME?? MY INBOX IS SO DRYYYYY 😭 😭 😭 Excuse the crash out, I've been at this for months and I'm losing brain cells in the process of selling my soul to several different firms for a mere chance of an internship

**Now back to the routine all night grind to finish YET ANOTHER 1,500 word app for a 5 DAY WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT 😭😭😭

 

[GKT]

Just received my offer for a vac scheme at a firm i like. Really delighted obviously, but ive also done ACs for other firms and awaiting their responses. Would posting on linkedin that i got an offer from X firm negatively impact the other firms' applications if they see it? Dont wanna look like im not interested in their firms by accepting a diff VS, so deciding if i should just hold off from posting

Congrats! I'm in the same boat as you and decided I'm going to wait till I hear back from the other ACs - but don't let that deter you lol

 

[Moo&mak]

How did it go? I've got mine in a fortnight. Dreading it.

did you do the written exercise? If so, how did you find it?

 

[赐给我tc]

does anyone know if paul weiss started sending out summer vac scheme acs yet?

 

[HopefulTC]

Is it now time to assume PFO for HL Summer VS? VI was completed in November, but no further communication has been made since. Seen offers on LinkedIn.

And PFO it was

 

[Olivia1234]

Did my Reed Smith AC about a whole three weeks ago and no news Never heard of a firm making candidates wait this long post-AC

I waited 4 weeks, finally heard back today but didn’t get through. I hope you have better luck! 🍀

 

[cooked5678]

Congrats! I'm in the same boat as you and decided I'm going to wait till I hear back from the other ACs - but don't let that deter you lol

Same boat here, decided on a media blackout until I know my options 🤣

 

[Ernesto]

Hi guys I have three years of paralegal experience and I have been trying to get a training contract since my final year of university. I work a remote paralegal role where the office is based in London (I am midlands based) and so it is difficult for me to find a better paying paralegal role in the midlands but I am so drained. I am sick of working remotely, sick of a lack of salary progression and sick of applying to VSs in a hope of a TC at this point. I think this is the lowest I’ve felt about it and I just wanted to vent and have some reassurance if any 🤣

Name the firm ffs this is the dream job!

 

[BelleOfTheLawBall]

Hi guys, I'm a penultimate yr non-law international student. I applied to 4 vac schemes and got a PFO from 3 and a rejection post-AC from 1 this year. I want to secure work experience for the summer to build my CV before applying to vac schemes next year, and was thinking of applying to consulting/finance/macro analysis summer internships bc i feel extremely lost and hopeless tbh. What do you think? I honestly feel like law is so competitive and want to increase my chances for next year

I would say go for it if you believe you can manage it/have a realistic chance at those diff internships - but keep in mind that if you're applying to law again next year this might be something the interviewers will question you about.

If experience is all you're looking for, there are actually still some vacation schemes open at the moment - they're not massive firm names, but they're commercial law vac scheme experiences nonetheless! You can find them on legal cheek's deadline tracker. Best of luck, I feel very much the same as you, I've very much given up however haha, I admire your strength to continue!~