TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Vasil2004]

I’m pleased to announce I’ve received my 21st PFO of the cycle: Willkie PFO post AC.

Tbf it was expected cos the case study was quite hard. I’m hoping for good news soon lmao…

Don’t let this defeat you, Harvey! Keep up the work and the two ACs this week will come through

 

[jagath]

does anyone know if the commercial law handbook by jake schogger has the same content as commercial law academy/ if the latter has the content of the former?

 

[ellamai0]

Does anyone know when the last mayer brown ACs are?

The last ACs are this week. 3500 applications (a record number for them).

This is a common theme with firms this cycle, HSFK also told me they received a record number of applications this year.

Could be because people are leveraging AI so they can complete more applications than they used to? but it’s gotten more competitive, so to anyone out there who is struggling with self-doubt it’s not that you’re not good enough: firms are ridiculously oversubscribed!!!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

The last ACs are this week. 3500 applications (a record number for them).

This is a common theme with firms this cycle, HSFK also told me they received a record number of applications this year.

Could be because people are leveraging AI so they can complete more applications than they used to? but it’s gotten more competitive, so to anyone out there who is struggling with self-doubt it’s not that you’re not good enough: firms are ridiculously oversubscribed!!!

How do you even begin to shortlist 3,500 apps esp for a firm that only hires 15 trainees…

They have a VS and DTC route. How many people do they give ACs, VSs and post VS TCs to?

Mayer Brown grad rec picking who gets the VS/TC like this I can alr picture it in my mind:

​

 

[theres.a.TC.out.there]

I have an AC at Mills & Reeve soon, it is my first AC and I am pretty stressed! If anyone has any wise words of advice for a M&R AC or can point me in the direction of useful information I will be forever grateful <3

 

[M_m]

Hi everyone!
I have a first round interview for Bristows coming up on Friday with a partner and senior associate and would LOVE any tips you guys have on approaching preparing for the interview
.
I'm excited for this one as this is my dream firm and has been for many years now. Hoping to just enjoy the process and speaking to the team face to face, but would appreciate any advice on the commercial discussion and what the problem-based scenarios might look like. Thanks

Hi, If you don’t mind me asking, when did you submit your WE?

And all the best for your interview!

 

[lawstudent2]

How do you even begin to shortlist 3,500 apps esp for a firm that only hires 15 trainees…

They have a VS and DTC route. How many people do they give ACs, VSs and post VS TCs to?

Mayer Brown grad rec picking who gets the VS/TC like this I can alr picture it in my mind:

​

They didn’t give too many details but they did say that they gave 80 people ACs which I believe were for both spring and summer

 

[PrayingforaTC2026]

How many applications did most people do this cycle? I only managed 6 😢

I’m pleased to announce I’ve received my 21st PFO of the cycle: Willkie PFO post AC.

Tbf it was expected cos the case study was quite hard. I’m hoping for good news soon lmao…

Rooting for you Mr Specter

 

[lawcool]

Any rpc news?? Post ac😭🙏

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Congrats! Did you apply close to the deadline or early on?

On the deadline

 

[Applicant7874652]

Any rpc news?? Post ac😭🙏

I think we’re cooked

 

[GKT]

I have an AC tomorrow at a firm I'm not really too keen on. How bad would it be if I just ghosted it?

 

[user55998384]

havent been on here for a while - has anyone heard back from simmons bristol or still nothing.............

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

havent been on here for a while - has anyone heard back from simmons bristol or still nothing.............

Nothing so far - I wonder if they're waiting for everyone to complete the SJT/VI before progressions (I'm delusional)

 

[georgelau]

I have an AC tomorrow at a firm I'm not really too keen on. How bad would it be if I just ghosted it?

is it FF lol

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

K&L Gates holding email at 4 am for Summer VS, what a shock!

 

[Hannah_Willkie]

Did everyone who got rejected post interview from Willkie get a second email saying that you can reapply next year?

Hi @Bread - yes that's right, you can re-apply for our 2027 vacation schemes from September. Do reach out to me if you want to discuss your application next round.

Thanks,
Hannah

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

thank you! my concern lies in the commercial element; i want to assume it'll be a short commercial article and not a written exercise since i reckon they would outright state that, but i'm also wondering if it could be open-ended commercial questions with no article or case about trends and so am unsure about how to divide my time in preparation, any thoughts?

Hey!

I would say that the safest approach is to prepare for both without splitting your time too rigidly! It might make sense to focus mainly on strengthening your general commercial awareness, and making sure that you understand the key trends affecting the firm’s core sectors, why they matter to clients in those areas, and how lawyers add value. Alongside that, you could practice quickly analysing a short news article by identifying the main issues, the business impact and the legal implications.

Ultimately, they’ll likely be looking for you to show structured thinking and commercial awareness. As long as you have an understanding of the factors affecting the firms clients, and can analyse a business problem, you should be in a strong position. Best of luck!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I have an AC tomorrow at a firm I'm not really too keen on. How bad would it be if I just ghosted it?

Hello!

It is totally fine to not go to the AC if you are not that keen on the firm. However, I would avoid ghosting the firm and just send them a quick email to let them know you can no longer attend - it is always best to avoid burning bridges, plus it shows respect to the graduate recruitment team who might have to let interviewers know

 

[meredithgrey]

does anyone know if the commercial law handbook by jake schogger has the same content as commercial law academy/ if the latter has the content of the former?

Yeah I've got both and they have the same content pretty much word for word