TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[iwatchsuits]

VI for ES!! Please any advice on this?

Omg yay!! So happy for you!! Good luck, I was planning to do mine today but will do it tomorrow morning as I feel like I need more time to prep. Another member emphasised that it is mostly strengths-based so ensure you prepare for these questions more than the typical ‘why law’.

 

[boots pharmacy]

Genuinely wondering what I could be doing wrong at this point. For reference re written applications, I have been told by University careers advisers that I have very strong answers, so this doesn't appear to be the problem.

At undergrad I had one of the top-3 degree scores in one of the top business schools in the country. Now at PGDL, I was similarly top of the class in almost all mock examinations (haven't got any real grades from it yet). I was a national level sportsperson, President of a university sports team, took part in loads of Forage programmes, open days, career dinners, and feel confident with VIs as have done loads of prep and done lots of public speaking in the past. I also have work experience at law firms, as well as across varying fields which should show being well-rounded.

I just can't understand how the rejections can be piling up as much as they are - is luck really as much of a factor as it seems to be?

You have a strong profile, but unfortunately yes--luck seems to play an immensely large role even when it comes to top 1% candidates. I have multiple anecdotes of friends or acquaintances who ended up with 4+ VS's and TC offers at absolute top of the market firms (Kirkland, Latham, Davis Polk, W&C, All the MC, etc.) getting 10-20 rejections from 'less competitive' shops.

Application quality also seems hit or miss, had one friend who was a megafan of HSF; attended 3 Open Days/Events, came top in a HSF sponsored negotiations competition, spoke to grad rec, spent ages crafting the best possible app, got trainees and alumni to review (with great feedback), passed the SJT.

Rejected at the first review stage.

By contrast, that same person made an application to Milbank on a whim, barely submitting minutes before the deadline. Spent probably less than an hour on the application. Eventually got the TC there (and at 3 other super tier US/MC firms most would consider more competitive than HSF).

Same guy also got rejected from other US/MC firms, large national firms, SC firms, etc.

Persevere.

Edit: I will emphasise that this guy also gained a 1st from a target university, and so academics weren't an issue. Certain firms have soft 'auto-rejects' based on academics, no matter how strong the rest of your profile is, so that is certainly something to take note of as well.

 

[Goingtogetatc]

Has anyone here done a BCLP AC before? I have a few questions. If you could PM it would mean a lot. I have lots of other insights I can offer

 

[firmfirm]

Anyone heard back post Kirkland VI?

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

You have a strong profile, but unfortunately yes--luck seems to play an immensely large role even when it comes to top 1% candidates. I have multiple anecdotes of friends or acquaintances who ended up with 4+ VS's and TC offers at absolute top of the market firms (Kirkland, Latham, Davis Polk, W&C, All the MC, etc.) getting 10-20 rejections from 'less competitive' shops.

Application quality also seems hit or miss, had one friend who was a megafan of HSF; attended 3 Open Days/Events, came top in a HSF sponsored negotiations competition, spoke to grad rec, spent ages crafting the best possible app, got trainees and alumni to review (with great feedback), passed the SJT.

Rejected at the first review stage.

By contrast, that same person made an application to Milbank on a whim, barely submitting minutes before the deadline. Spent probably less than an hour on the application. Eventually got the TC there (and at 3 other super tier US/MC firms most would consider more competitive than HSF).

Same guy also got rejected from other US/MC firms, large national firms, SC firms, etc.

Persevere.

I can back this. Luck of the draw whether they like you or not. Could be the sound of your opening sentence that puts people off. Can't read the mind of GR, just keep swimming. Flip enough coins and you'll land on heads once.

 

[llblawstudent]

Any invites from Kirkland today?

Anyone heard from the following:

Latham Post stage 2
Goodwin Post app

I genuinely cannot cope with the wait haha🥹

Think Goodwin said four weeks post the deadline which was last week so at least we know there’s max a 3 week wait haha

 

[c.t.tc]

@uhfwejdj @Mike Ross 2025 I apologise, I genuinely didn't realise that it was inconveniencing people. I'll be more mindful from now on.

Honestly your posts make me feel far less insane throughout this process so please don’t feel you’re inconveniencing people! Part of the point of this forum is to go insane together❤️

 

[yk1906]

Anyone who applied to Kirkland on the deadline and received a VI?

 

[Madison Pinewall]

HSFK: PFO post SJT this Monday, so no news is good news! Best of luck!
DLA: Pre TI stage, completed WGT 2 days ago.
RS: Applied yesterday, no news
Links: Applied in Oct, no news since WGT
MoFo: Applied in Nov, no news

do you mind me asking when you passed the benchmark for HSFK?

 

[Donuttime]

It really isn’t
Cheers us on! A lot of messages are not relevant to many people and they can be ignored (example I might not be applying to a firm and people are discussing updates on it so I simple ignore it)

I think a balance must be struck. This is a community so we need to listen to eachother and understand different perspectives as mentioned by @uhfwejdj @Mike Ross but at the same time I love the energy and vibrancy @elle woods brings to the community. lets all be mindful of each-other and most importantly kind. sending peace and love

 

[c.t.tc]

OC PFO

Sorry about this - slightly confused though isn’t their deadline in Jan and non-rolling?

 

[oneskillfc]

HSFK PFO, buuuut Reed Smith WVS offer!!! Absolutely over the moon!

May I ask your application for HSFK is spring or summer?

 

[boots pharmacy]

do you mind me asking when you passed the benchmark for HSFK?

Sometime around the 1-7th Dec I reckon.

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Funny really, you can't base your success off of anyone else's. When you do x SJT, when other people got their confirmation email, blah blah blah doesn't really impact anything. Keeping this message board to solely comparisons of success and the occaisional informational message from future trainees / GR / mods would be really quite useless. If you want to be included in an open messaging board that aims to share the stories of different people and draw comradery from comparison you have to be open to running commentaries.

If you're here seeking genuine application information/networking/niche technical advice perhaps you have been misguided to the wrong forum page and are better off directly contacting people.

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Sometime around the 1-7th Dec I reckon.

I got it on the 8th. So scary hahahah

 

[FutureLawyer_]

Omg yay!! So happy for you!! Good luck, I was planning to do mine today but will do it tomorrow morning as I feel like I need more time to prep. Another member emphasised that it is mostly strengths-based so ensure you prepare for these questions more than the typical ‘why law’.

Thank you so much! I was seriously doubting myself at the end haha. Thanks for the advice- I will do. Good luck for yours too!

 

[boots pharmacy]

 

[yk1906]

View attachment 7489

God I love this forum so much already 😂 😂

 

[stilltrying]

Does anyone have any insights into Jones Day first interview. Can provide insights into latham and HSFK AC along with many VI's

 

[oneskillfc]

Sometime around the 1-7th Dec I reckon.

sorry to ask. I wanna know if you got rejected despite passing the SJT? And is it for their spring VS?