TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Milbank, Latham and Macfarlanes Second stage rejections all in the space of 16 hours what a day 😋

If it's any consolation, the fact that Macs are sending ACs the same day as PFOs might mean we were shortlisted then didn't make the cut at the very last second. Happened to me a few years back with HSF and grad rec confirmed it when asked in person.

 

[ArthurWeasleyLaw]

I reached the AC stage for Latham & Watkins last year and was told I could reapply this cycle. This year I’ve completed the first online assessment, but haven’t been invited to a second assessment and haven’t been rejected either. Does anyone know whether Latham roll candidates forward in batches or delay second-stage invites, or whether no update at this point usually means a hold?

 

[Winter]

Milbank, Latham and Macfarlanes Second stage rejections all in the space of 16 hours what a day 😋

Hii so sorry about this did you apply for Spring or Summer with Latham?

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

ES VI completed!! Was a bit nervous for the first question and almost ran out of time so didn't get to say everything I planned, but the next questions (situational questions) went really well. Good luck to everyone else! It was not as bad as I thought

Hey, congrats! May I know if you can take a break between questions or you have to proceed straight after?

 

[Winter]

I reached the AC stage for Latham & Watkins last year and was told I could reapply this cycle. This year I’ve completed the first online assessment, but haven’t been invited to a second assessment and haven’t been rejected either. Does anyone know whether Latham roll candidates forward in batches or delay second-stage invites, or whether no update at this point usually means a hold?

From this cycle, I believe second stages were sent relatively quickly if you passed first stage, either the day after or a few days after. If you havent heard by now, I would assume PFO unless of course you're awaiting reasonable adjustments or something of that sort.

 

[TortillaTC]

I completely get the anxiety. Did mine end of Nov and they still haven't got back to me so I think we should take the no news as good news for now.

Also today is the deadline so we should start hearing back from next week, if not then next year💀

Agreed, I think we definitely passed the SJT as we haven't got a PFO so it's probably up to the VIs now - best of luck!!

 

[DoNotRedeem]

Milbank WG invite. Does anyone know if this is automatic? I don't see how it could be with the nature of the first test and I did my test yesterday morning and got it just now.

 

[elle woods]

Just had my feedback call! Feeling a lot more reassured now haha 🤞

 

[elle woods]

OK LMAO just got PFO from HSF Kramer - devastated

Edit: Just got an email from Links (event ads) but thought I was going to get 2 PFOs from my fave firms at the same time and same day and was about to have a heart attack

 

[adh3]

HSFK Spring PFO (passed benchmark early Dec)

 

[Amgrad]

Just had my feedback call! Feeling a lot more reassured now haha 🤞

What it was? We missed your profile picture lol I almost caught off guard

 

[TortillaTC]

Milbank WG invite. Does anyone know if this is automatic? I don't see how it could be with the nature of the first test and I did my test yesterday morning and got it just now.

Congrats!! I did my first test almost 2 weeks ago so i guess its a PFO now

 

[Harvey Specter]

Milbank WG invite. Does anyone know if this is automatic? I don't see how it could be with the nature of the first test and I did my test yesterday morning and got it just now.

It’s probs not automatic cos I did my first test on Wed (late night) and have heard nothing. Although I did apply for Summer VS so idk whether that’s the reason for it.​

 

[T. Rainee]

hi guys, can anyone recall whether you received an email confirmation upon completing the CMS watson glaser? Thanks

 

[elle woods]

What it was? We missed your profile picture lol I almost caught off guard

Lol hahah sorry

it was my AOS AC feedback call, feeling reassured cos they said that it would take something really really bad or dramatic for one not to convert the VS
But now my mood has been dampened... man I wasn't expecting HSF Kramer like this

 

[Trophy]

Milbank WG invite. Does anyone know if this is automatic? I don't see how it could be with the nature of the first test and I did my test yesterday morning and got it just now.

Whattttttt

I’ve still not heard back from milbank for 3 weeks after doing stage 1.

I applied for lev fin is anyone else that’s waiting also lev fin 😭😭 or those progressed what did you apply for.

 

[elle woods]

HSFK Spring PFO (passed benchmark early Dec)

Hey sorry about that ( me and you both

Can I ask if the email you got mentioned that they look highly upon grades and then also prizes and scholarships etc. too? I think it might've been my grades that let me down... sigh I should've went to less open days last year and focused more on school 😭

 

[Amgrad]

Sorry to hear that. Hope you get better ones. I applied HSF for summer, fingers crossed!

 

[iwatchsuits]

Hey, congrats! May I know if you can take a break between questions or you have to proceed straight after?

Thank you!! Yes, you do get a break! There's a button you press when you're ready to proceed to the next question, so you can take the time you need before moving on

 

[Madison Pinewall]

I also just got HSF. My dream firm. I've got a first from Oxbridge and did a 6 week internship as a legal research intern for a charity, also did a week as a legal intern in house and i volunteer for a pro bono clinic. Their feedback felt like a slap in the face ! I'm also a first gen uni and grew up in social housing with a single parent. What more can I do??!