TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Unknowncabbage]

Mayer Brown PFO . I guess that wraps up my application season.

5 total applications
3 ACs
1 Summer internship offer

I’ll probably be back because I’m not sure if the internship has the opportunity to convert to an offer? I am also now 100% going on a year abroad which gives me an extra year haha catch you all on the flipside!!

Sorry to hear that, I am sure you will be back even stronger and secure that offer! I was just curious, was the Mayer Brown PFO post AC and if so, when did you do the AC? I am pretty certain I am getting a PFO as I have not heard back for ages.

 

[legallybrunnette]

Hi everyone I just finished my interview for a vacation scheme and I wanted your thoughts on something. At the end, she mentioned that ultimately it was not her decision whether she was going to take me or no and that she is only responsible for completing the feedback form. Grad rec is the decision maker something like that?? I thought the interviewers had greater decision making power. Now I am wondering whether this was her kind way of telling me I got rejected or whether it is something that she/they say to everyone. What are you thoughts? Am I spiralling lol?

Update on me spiralling- I got the vac scheme offer in the end. Thanks for the emotional support chat!!!!

 

[marshall]

congrats! when was your ac

thank you! it was yesterday

 

[Arv_329]

has anyone heard from Slaughter non law yet.

 

[elizabethkate]

Yes I got it! It was kind of weird that they sent that but I guess they are trying to adhere to their diversity stats.

On another point, I dont find their website as helpful as other firms.. I feel like it’s a bit harder to really justify the “why Blake Morgan” question.

i’ve seen some period get pfos so is that a good thing ? i don’t get it and yeha defo harder than others

 

[trainee4u]

I don't usually comment on things like this, but this sounds intriguing. What was the outcome?

So just had my feedback call (PFO) and they said that I was steering the group away on several occasions and I should instead summarise the groupthink rather than doing that to ensure it's a group decision.

I felt this was a bit unfair, as the task was for a specific client base and this girl was waffling on very generally, but I guess thems the breaks if you're in a group that's not particularly effective.

I think I was probably PFOed more on the interview, but they said it was "holistic", not a score per component, so you couldn't really tell.

 

[Saul_specter]

Anyone hear from travers post interview?

 

[jagath]

has anyone heard from Slaughter non law yet.

my portal has changed from application under consideration to interview confirmed

 

[Isabel709]

Has anyone had any positive news (recently) from Simmons & Simmons Bristol post SJT/VI?

haven't had any news

 

[tc2026]

hey, does zip law also talk about tasks on a vac scheme and how to convert specific vacs into TC's?

 

[silonthesofa]

So just had my feedback call (PFO) and they said that I was steering the group away on several occasions and I should instead summarise the groupthink rather than doing that to ensure it's a group decision.

I felt this was a bit unfair, as the task was for a specific client base and this girl was waffling on very generally, but I guess thems the breaks if you're in a group that's not particularly effective.

I think I was probably PFOed more on the interview, but they said it was "holistic", not a score per component, so you couldn't really tell.

Ugh, that really sucks. I'm sorry to hear! Sounds a lot like what someone I know got for their feedback too post group exercise. In that case, he strongly felt the group was making a mistake, but didn't manage to persuade them politically, so he went along with the group think and then for the feedback call, said all the rest of the performance was all great, it was just that one aspect of the group exercise that was wrong.

There's no winning in that case and you just take the bad luck of having gotten stuck with a bad group.
At the very least, I hope that girl didn't get an offer either!

 

[AryanAgg]

Ugh, that really sucks. I'm sorry to hear! Sounds a lot like what someone I know got for their feedback too post group exercise. In that case, he strongly felt the group was making a mistake, but didn't manage to persuade them politically, so he went along with the group think and then for the feedback call, said all the rest of the performance was all great, it was just that one aspect of the group exercise that was wrong.

There's no winning in that case and you just take the bad luck of having gotten stuck with a bad group.
At the very least, I hope that girl didn't get an offer either!

So they wanted him to persuade the group more?

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

Has anyone heard from Russel Cooke since the original batch of PFOs/Zoom invites?

 

[floral.tcla]

is the law saville assessment a standard verbal reasoning test?

 

[a1289]

Has anyone emailed Kennedys and heard anything back yet on when they will let us know? thanks

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, I hope you’re well! I had a couple ofquestions as I’m preparing for my W&C interview, if that’s okay.

For my “Why W&C” answer, my first reason currently focuses on the firm’s strength in Corporate/M&A and its investment in private equity. Do you think that’s a sensible angle, given that it’s an area that the firm is actively building out and growing in, or would it be better to focus on areas it is stronger in and already particularly known for, such as project finance or capital markets?

My second reason focuses on the firm’s global reach and platform. Do you think two reasons are sufficient for this question, or would you recommend adding a third? For example, I was considering mentioning the guaranteed international secondment - would it make sense to include that within the global platform point, or is it better framed under training philosophy as a separate reason?

Also, when asked about practice areas I’m interested in, would it be better to stay aligned with my “Why W&C” answer and say Corporate/PE, or is it fine to say something different such as energy and litigation/arbitration? I’m just conscious of whether that might come across as inconsistent.

Sorry for the multiple questions, and thank you so much in advance for your help!

Hey!

I am well, thank you - hope you are too! Of course, more than happy to answer any questions

I'd say that focusing on Corporate / M&A and PE is a sensible angle, especially if you frame your answer around the firm's growth and investment in that area. You don't have to default to project finance or capital markets just because they are well known, and it shows that you are thinking about its long-term strategy, not just its historic strengths.

Two strong reasons should usually be enough! I'd keep global platform as one point and include the guaranteed international secondment within that, as evidence of how the global reach translates into training. Including more depth in your answer is more important than adding a third reason for the sake of it.

On practice areas, some alignment helps, but I wouldn't say it is completely necessary. You don't have to be rigid, but your interests should feel coherent alongside your reasons for choosing the firm. However, if you are able to explain why you are interested in energy or litigation / arbitration and can link this to your past experiences or what you hope to do in your future career, then I don't think this would come across as inconsistent. Ultimately, you will do multiple seats in your training contract, so it is a good idea to show that you are open-minded and interested in a few different areas.

Best of luck with your application!

 

[ChambersLoading]

Hey!

I am well, thank you - hope you are too! Of course, more than happy to answer any questions

I'd say that focusing on Corporate / M&A and PE is a sensible angle, especially if you frame your answer around the firm's growth and investment in that area. You don't have to default to project finance or capital markets just because they are well known, and it shows that you are thinking about its long-term strategy, not just its historic strengths.

Two strong reasons should usually be enough! I'd keep global platform as one point and include the guaranteed international secondment within that, as evidence of how the global reach translates into training. Including more depth in your answer is more important than adding a third reason for the sake of it.

On practice areas, some alignment helps, but I wouldn't say it is completely necessary. You don't have to be rigid, but your interests should feel coherent alongside your reasons for choosing the firm. However, if you are able to explain why you are interested in energy or litigation / arbitration and can link this to your past experiences or what you hope to do in your future career, then I don't think this would come across as inconsistent. Ultimately, you will do multiple seats in your training contract, so it is a good idea to show that you are open-minded and interested in a few different areas.

Best of luck with your application!

This is so sooo helpful!! Thank you very much )

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Addleshaw Goddard PFO post-app.

same

 

[haribolover]

Update on me spiralling- I got the vac scheme offer in the end. Thanks for the emotional support chat!!!!

omg yay! Well done!! Never doubt yourself!!

 

[veek30]

Hi, for people who got the W&C interview/VS, how long after the written exercise did you get an interview invite? Thanks!