TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I think it going over time isn't always a good thing, I wonder what you guys think but if it goes super over time maybe the answers weren't as concise as they wanted (not saying this is what Harvey did) just find it really interesting. Were they answering your questions a lot and having a conversation when you ran over or were they still asking questions. Sorry to hear about the pfo regardless.

Tbf the grad rec person was picking up on a lot of the things I said, giving her follow up thoughts so it was quite conversational in that sense.

Also at the end I had the chance to ask questions. I asked 3 and she gave really detailed answers those took about 10 mins combined.

Even for responses which were much longer she’d said thanks for the comprehensive answer but is that code for thank god he’s finished yapping ffs…

 

[kukubird]

Yeah it was an email. It baso said the following:

Dear Harvey,

Many thanks for taking the time to speak with us during your recent telephone interview.

After careful consideration, unfortunately we are not able to progress your application on this occasion.

As you may appreciate, we receive an exceptionally high number of applications each year for a limited number of positions and our recruitment process is highly competitive. Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we are unable to offer feedback at this stage.

We were impressed with your performance and would like to encourage you to re-apply in the next recruitment cycle.

May we take this opportunity to thank you for your time and interest in Akin, and to wish you every success with your future legal career.

Many thanks
The Akin Graduate Recruitment Team



Idk tbh cos I’ve seen someone post they also got an Akin PFO post TI and theirs was 50 mins. I also saw @Shiv Lawy mention they felt it was more of a box ticking thing than anything, which I’d also felt too. Perhaps the grad rec team are nice so they didn’t want to cut the TI short. Oh well.​

If it’s any consolation I think the email is personalised to some degree as this is what I got following my TI for the first year scheme:


Telephone Interview Outcome

Many thanks for taking the time to speak with us during your recent telephone interview.

After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we are unable to progress your application on this occasion. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to offer feedback at this stage.

May we take this opportunity to thank you for your time and interest in Akin, and to wish you every success with your future legal career.

Many thanks,
The London Graduate Recruitment Team

 

[DoNotRedeem]

Tbf the grad rec person was picking up on a lot of the things I said, giving her follow up thoughts so it was quite conversational in that sense.

Also at the end I had the chance to ask questions. I asked 3 and she gave really detailed answers those took about 10 mins combined.

Even for responses which were much longer she’d said thanks for the comprehensive answer but is that code for thank god he’s finished yapping ffs…

Really interesting, I don't think I've seen anyone pass the Akin TI yet so not sure what they're looking for tbh

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Akin PFO post TI. A bit disappointed cos I thought the TI went reasonably well.

I’m thinking it’s cos it went over by 20 mins. They said it should be 25 mins mine was 45…

I applied 15 Dec, sat the SJT and WG on 5 Jan, got the TI on 8 Jan and sat the TI 22 Jan.

Lowkey think Weil is gna be a PFO post AC. Oh well it is what it is on to the next I guess!

Noooooo

 

[T. Rainee]

did anyone attend the Burges salmon food for thought assessment centre event today? If so could you please share some notes as I was in class and couldn’t attend. Also could anyone let me know if it was recorded? Thanks !

 

[Topdog0073]

Still not heard anything from Freshfields regarding VS AC’s, anyone else in this position?

 

[Chak]

Has anyone done Trowers Hamlins AC before? Please message me, if that’s possible

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

Goodwin PFO for summer post VI. Honestly disappointed, thought I did really well

 

[SamiyaJ]

Goodwin PFO for summer post VI. Honestly disappointed, thought I did really well

Likewise!

 

[Mvla]

Goodwin PFO post spring vi. Fair game tbh - first one, absolutely bombed it haha
This entire process has been a fever dream and I so desperately need it to be over!

 

[Bob142]

Has anyone heard from Paul, Weiss this week post-interview?

 

[Elsie07777]

Anyone heard from Ashurst post-WE for ACs w/c 9th Feb?

I’m wondering the same. Has anyone who has done Ashurst WE on 22/1 and 23/1 received AC invite?

 

[law5tudent]

Hi, anyone here know how long Pinsent Masons generally take to get back to candidates following AC?

 

[kukubird]

Has anyone still not heard back from Debevoise, Goodwin (post VI), Weiss, V&E, Covington AT ALL.

 

[Chelsea101]

For those who have graduated and are in work, how would you go about taking time off for a vacation scheme? Especially if you don't have enough annual leave....

 

[yasmars]

For those who have graduated and are in work, how would you go about taking time off for a vacation scheme? Especially if you don't have enough annual leave....

Could you take it as unpaid leave ?

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

Has anyone still not heard back from Debevoise, Goodwin (post VI), Weiss, V&E, Covington AT ALL.

I haven't heard back from V&E or Covington post-application. Worried I may have a PFO incoming.

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

Has anyone still not heard back from Debevoise, Goodwin (post VI), Weiss, V&E, Covington AT ALL.

Debevoise (haven’t heard but I think it’s a PFO because I don’t think they do their open day AC invites in batches)
V&E- Invited to video interview to be completed by Sunday
PW- PFOed on Tuesday
Goodwin - Silence post VI

 

[alphabravocharlie]

When they ask if you have internal contacts, does a zoom call with an associate count?

 

[lawcool]

Has anyone still not heard back from Debevoise, Goodwin (post VI), Weiss, V&E, Covington AT ALL.

Nothing off PW, trying not to worry about V&E as they said 14th March by the latest so I guess it’s relatively early days plus I did apply on deadline