TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[marshall]

do people generally know what the exact dates are for the Debevoise vac schemes? Anyone know what they were last year?

I emailed them previously and these are the dates: 13th to 24th April, 15th to 26th June, and 6th to 17th July.

 

[soph107048]

hi guys, would appreciate any insights on this:
ive been fortunate to get an AC with one of top choice firms, which was initially scheduled for mid February, but that I had to reschedule as I had my final exams during that exact date. They've kindly rescheduled for an AC in march, but they've been holding ACs in the meantime and have already sent out many offers for the VS. I can't help but feel super discouraged seeing as I'm not sure how many places there will be by the time I get to do my AC, and that my chances are lower just because its one of the later ones (my assumption being that they will be more picky as they've given out a handful of offers already and spots are filling up). has anyone else been on one of the later ACs and ended up getting the VS? is it usually an even spread between recruiting from ACs? seeing as quite a lot of offers went out im lowkey a bit disappointed to have gotten this far in the process to then have my chances be significantly lower because the firm doesnt wait til everyone's completed ACs to give decisions :/ now debating if theres even a point of me relying on the AC to score a place if my chances by then will be basically nonexistent: theres about 15 vac scheme places per scheme (ACs for both spring and summer), and I've seen at least 5 be given out just from this forum...

 

[Novaa]

Bro this app cycle is lowkey so stressful

As I like to say, it’s “wicked and bad”!!!

Honestly, I just want to say as someone who has seen a couple of cycles and done multiple ACs (*Sigh*🫣). This cycle has honestly been so difficult, especially with the amount of changes to different firms recruitment process. And I’ve really seen how the advice of “quality over quantity” may no longer be applicable. 💀

But, I just want you and everyone else to know that you’re honestly doing amazing with the effort you’ve put in. I really do hope some good news comes our way soon!!

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Womble Bond Dickinson PFO. How stupid is that.

I applied to the firm two years in a row. In both applications they had an online test, but this year was different so thought they improved the process. I must say I often pass tests so this came again as a surprise.

I also spent time attending their insight event and the early careers team said they wanted to do telephone interviews with many candidates to really get to know them instead of making people write long answer questions.

But how it plays out now really disappoints people. I mean, VWV or other firms that use such short tests would at least review applications alongside the test. If, according to what the early careers team said, the initial application only served as a registration form, then why made us write all the work experience entries? Just follow what Clyde & Co, Mills & Reeve or Irwin Mitchell to create really short forms.

I also wasted time researching which office to apply to and got an unhelpful reply from the early careers team. What a huge shame.

 

[hanz123]

i hope so

same here hopefully

 

[aria_d]

Hello! Has anyone heard from the following firms post app?

Paul Weiss
MoFo
Sidley
Vinson& Elkins
Covington
Greenburg

I'm also waiting on Ashurst, Dechert and Gibson Dunn but I think they already sent out AC/VS offers so I have low hopes lolol

 

[sqe4676]

Video interview for CPS trainee solicitor scheme!!🎉

If anyone's done it before could you please drop me a message xx

 

[Ernesto]

How did WBD decide who to reject based on the test..

Yeah icl us successful applicants are just lucky. I’m glad it’s been easy to progress but it’s kind of a joke.

 

[Legalfreak212]

Video interview for CPS trainee solicitor scheme!!🎉

Well done!!! Is CPS Crown Prosecution service out of curiosity?

 

[trainee4u]

Womble Bond Dickinson PFO. How stupid is that.

I applied to the firm two years in a row. In both applications they had an online test, but this year was different so thought they improved the process. I must say I often pass tests so this came again as a surprise.

I also spent time attending their insight event and the early careers team said they wanted to do telephone interviews with many candidates to really get to know them instead of making people write long answer questions.

But how it plays out now really disappoints people. I mean, VWV or other firms that use such short tests would at least review applications alongside the test. If, according to what the early careers team said, the initial application only served as a registration form, then why made us write all the work experience entries? Just follow what Clyde & Co, Mills & Reeve or Irwin Mitchell to create really short forms.

I also wasted time researching which office to apply to and got an unhelpful reply from the early careers team. What a huge shame.

I find them weird - like they've got the worst name in the industry following the stuff they got up to in the Post Office scandal, and then you find them pulling stunts like this, like "oh we're soooo non-discriminatory we don't even care what you did at school", as if putting everybody through a test they ordered from Temu after watching a Tiktok is more probative than, say, my evidence of academic achievement.

 

[trainee4u]

How did WBD decide who to reject based on the test..

the test claims to decide if you are an unemployable moron or a genius based on how you move the mouse across the screen (no word on whether this works for people like me, with a trackpoint on my laptop) with 99.999999% accuracy.

It gives them a score from say 0 to 100, and they reject below a certain figure.

I went over it in some detail at the time:

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Did anybody get Dechert PFOs after WE?

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[wil_low]

K&E post-AC PFO finally … knew it was coming not even upset just annoyed they took more than three weeks lmaoo

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Hello! Has anyone heard from the following firms post app?

Paul Weiss
MoFo
Sidley
Vinson& Elkins
Covington
Greenburg

I'm also waiting on Ashurst, Dechert and Gibson Dunn but I think they already sent out AC/VS offers so I have low hopes lolol

From what I’ve seen on the forum and messages I’ve received privately it’s baso like this so far for all the firms that you’ve listed here:

Paul Weiss: Spring VS offers have gone out but it seems Summer VS apps are still being reviewed?
MoFo: nothing for anyone yet it seems post app.
Sidley: TIs have gone out for Spring and Summer VS but for people that applied much earlier.
Vinson: VIs have gone out but not sure about ACs.
Covington: ACs were sent end of Jan but nothing else since so either more ACs or PFOs post app.
Greenburg: idk tbh haven’t seen anything yet.
Ashurst: WEs and ACs seem to be going out atm.
Dechert: Spring and Summer WEs and ACs have gone out but mostly for Spring so far.
Gibson Dunn: ACs and VS offers for both Spring and Summer have gone out (quite a lot tbh).

I’m still waiting for Sidley and Covington post app and my Gibson Dunn AC is in a few weeks. I just got a PFO from Dechert post WE for Spring.​

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Yeah icl us successful applicants are just lucky. I’m glad it’s been easy to progress but it’s kind of a joke.

I find them weird - like they've got the worst name in the industry following the stuff they got up to in the Post Office scandal, and then you find them pulling stunts like this, like "oh we're soooo non-discriminatory we don't even care what you did at school", as if putting everybody through a test they ordered from Temu after watching a Tiktok is more probative than, say, my evidence of academic achievement.

I also wanted to vent that during the online insight session which was just a few days before the deadline they still hadn’t finalised what the test would be about but said they’re improving and stuff. That meant no one could ask questions about the test or make decisions on whether to apply or even to attend insight events based on the test! I think this is somewhat important given some people decide whether to apply depending on whether the firm has an intermediate pre-recorded video interview or some type of online tests.

 

[Afuturetrainee]

does anyone know if GD will do more VI? For summer at least? Also for sidley, most progressions have been for spring. Has there been any summer progressions?

 

[CharlesT47]

How does one ask for feedback post AC failure? Kirkland rejection but they don’t offer any precise reason. Do you just email back and ask?

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Yeah icl us successful applicants are just lucky. I’m glad it’s been easy to progress but it’s kind of a joke.

Don't put yourself down, though - obviously, grades and candidate profile are also important (even if we don't agree with the objectivity of the test itself). You were obviously a strong enough candidate to get the invite, it's just that the test is bs.

 

[TCGrad1642]

How does one ask for feedback post AC failure? Kirkland rejection but they don’t offer any precise reason. Do you just email back and ask?

Hiya, yes just email. Most firms are more than happy to provide pretty detailed feedback with some even offering brief calls to do so!

 

[Mikeross750]

hi guys, would appreciate any insights on this:
ive been fortunate to get an AC with one of top choice firms, which was initially scheduled for mid February, but that I had to reschedule as I had my final exams during that exact date. They've kindly rescheduled for an AC in march, but they've been holding ACs in the meantime and have already sent out many offers for the VS. I can't help but feel super discouraged seeing as I'm not sure how many places there will be by the time I get to do my AC, and that my chances are lower just because its one of the later ones (my assumption being that they will be more picky as they've given out a handful of offers already and spots are filling up). has anyone else been on one of the later ACs and ended up getting the VS? is it usually an even spread between recruiting from ACs? seeing as quite a lot of offers went out im lowkey a bit disappointed to have gotten this far in the process to then have my chances be significantly lower because the firm doesnt wait til everyone's completed ACs to give decisions :/ now debating if theres even a point of me relying on the AC to score a place if my chances by then will be basically nonexistent: theres about 15 vac scheme places per scheme (ACs for both spring and summer), and I've seen at least 5 be given out just from this forum...

@Abbie Whitlock / @Jaysen would love to know as well, I am in the same position, thankful for any insights 🙏

 

[sbbusybee]

From what I’ve seen on the forum and messages I’ve received privately it’s baso like this so far for all the firms that you’ve listed here:

Paul Weiss: Spring VS offers have gone out but it seems Summer VS apps are still being reviewed?
MoFo: nothing for anyone yet it seems post app.
Sidley: TIs have gone out for Spring and Summer VS but for people that applied much earlier.
Vinson: VIs have gone out but not sure about ACs.
Covington: ACs were sent end of Jan but nothing else since so either more ACs or PFOs post app.
Greenburg: idk tbh haven’t seen anything yet.
Ashurst: WEs and ACs seem to be going out atm.
Dechert: Spring and Summer WEs and ACs have gone out but mostly for Spring so far.
Gibson Dunn: ACs and VS offers for both Spring and Summer have gone out (quite a lot tbh).

I’m still waiting for Sidley and Covington post app and my Gibson Dunn AC is in a few weeks. I just got a PFO from Dechert post WE for Spring.​

Re Paul, Weiss, based on what they said on their thread last week, I think summer applicants can expect to hear back within the next two weeks (hopefully). Not sure if they’ve gotten back to all spring apps though.