TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[SueD]

Have a Forsters AC in a few weeks and just wondering if anyone had any experience of ACs at private wealth firms? Can’t imagine that they’d do a group exercise or WE on an M&A deal but can’t think what type of thing they’d pick in terms of subject area. Any thoughts v appreciated.

 

[helenaskelton]

Have a Forsters AC in a few weeks and just wondering if anyone had any experience of ACs at private wealth firms? Can’t imagine that they’d do a group exercise or WE on an M&A deal but can’t think what type of thing they’d pick in terms of subject area. Any thoughts v appreciated.

Hi! Yes. Did an AC for direct TC at Sinclair Gibson. It involved an unrelated group exercise about a project you can’t prepare for, a competency interview and a written exercise which related to probate (drafting an email to a client and picking out key bits from legal documents). Forsters will deffo be similar.

 

[SueD]

Hi! Yes. Did an AC for direct TC at Sinclair Gibson. It involved an unrelated group exercise about a project you can’t prepare for, a competency interview and a written exercise which related to probate (drafting an email to a client and picking out key bits from legal documents). Forsters will deffo be similar.

This is brilliant! So so helpful. Thank you!

 

[SueD]

After PFO from TW I am nervously looking through my remaining options… Has anybody else heard nothing from AG (London office) after VI? Or should I assume that’s a no…

 

[Lawyergyal123!]

But the thing is, I got the rejection at exactly the same time. With the same content. Seemingly worded differently from everybody else? Is that usual?

what was different about yours?

i wouldnt say from everyone, again it is common for them to change it abit especially if you applied on the deadline our applications would have been some of the last so they were probably just trying to be nice

 

[BobThebIlly]

WHY DOES EVERYONE HAVE ACs AND OFFERS EXCEPT FOR ME?? MY INBOX IS SO DRYYYYY 😭 😭 😭 Excuse the crash out, I've been at this for months and I'm losing brain cells in the process of selling my soul to several different firms for a mere chance of an internship

**Now back to the routine all night grind to finish YET ANOTHER 1,500 word app for a 5 DAY WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT 😭😭😭

Sameeee I’m still waiting on sidley, Paul, Weiss and Goodwin but I’m assuming pfos for all of them man

 

[Saul_specter]

anyone still waiting on macfarlanes?

 

[RJ Ruban]

What office and when did you apply?

London and in Jan

 

[RJ Ruban]

I have no clue what to expect for the AC? Would it be okay if I email the grad rec to ask what it consist of?

 

[ABC234]

Has anyone heard from W&S after telling them you can't do the new dates?

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

what was different about yours?

i wouldnt say from everyone, again it is common for them to change it abit especially if you applied on the deadline our applications would have been some of the last so they were probably just trying to be nice

I applied around 24th iirc, I think the 5 or 6 other people on the forum got "Whilst your application was certainly impressive" and I got "We were certainly impressed with your application" apply next year, etc., etc.

It feels like there is virtually no difference in the context of rejection, which makes it feel weird to have two different rejection forms distributed on the same day. Thinking it through, maybe they had lined up rejections for some earlier applications, then reworded it for another batch and then sent them out on the same day? Still seems strange to me to make such a small change...

Either way, ignore me - I'm just overthinking it, at the end of the day it makes no difference 😅

 

[kukubird]

does anyone have an AC for summer vac at Goodwin?

 

[Lawyergyal123!]

I applied around 24th iirc, I think the 5 or 6 other people on the forum got "Whilst your application was certainly impressive" and I got "We were certainly impressed with your application" apply next year, etc., etc.

It feels like there is virtually no difference in the context of rejection, which makes it feel weird to have two different rejection forms distributed on the same day. Thinking it through, maybe they had lined up rejections for some earlier applications, then reworded it for another batch and then sent them out on the same day? Still seems strange to me to make such a small change...

Either way, ignore me - I'm just overthinking it, at the end of the day it makes no difference 😅

yeah youre definitely overthinking this if it told you reapply next year that is fully a positive thing and they definitely mean it 😭 they didnt say that in mine!

 

[Dannie]

Any tips on dealing with post-ac/interview waiting... and the anxiety...

 

[lawyer457892079§074]

Hi everyone — I’ve secured a vacation scheme with Burges Salmon and I’d really like to prepare properly to maximise my chances of converting to a TC.


I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who’s done their scheme (or a similar firm’s scheme):

1. What did you do before the scheme that helped the most?
   I’m a non-law student, so I’m a bit nervous and want to make sure I know the things people expect before day 1.
2. How did you build commercial awareness in a way that actually came up on the scheme/interview?
   Any recommendations for newsletters/podcasts and a simple routine (how often, how you took notes, etc.) would be amazing.
3. Any Burges-specific topics worth reading up on?
   E.g. key sectors, recent deals/cases, or anything about the firm’s strategy/culture that’s useful to know.
4. Training contract interview prep:
   If anyone has a list of questions that commonly come up in the final TC interview (especially post-vac scheme interviews), I’d be really grateful.

I’m particularly trying to improve my ability to talk about the news/current affairs in a clear, commercial way — so any practical tips/resources would be really appreciated.


Thanks so much — I’d be grateful for anything you wish you’d known before day 1.

 

[Dd26289293]

Does anyone know Kirkland & Ellis’ policy on reapplying after failing at AC stage?

 

[A worried paralegal]

London and in Jan

Thanks a lot

I didn’t apply for London thankfully

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Hi everyone — I’ve secured a vacation scheme with Burges Salmon and I’d really like to prepare properly to maximise my chances of converting to a TC.


I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who’s done their scheme (or a similar firm’s scheme):

1. What did you do before the scheme that helped the most?
   I’m a non-law student, so I’m a bit nervous and want to make sure I know the things people expect before day 1.
2. How did you build commercial awareness in a way that actually came up on the scheme/interview?
   Any recommendations for newsletters/podcasts and a simple routine (how often, how you took notes, etc.) would be amazing.
3. Any Burges-specific topics worth reading up on?
   E.g. key sectors, recent deals/cases, or anything about the firm’s strategy/culture that’s useful to know.
4. Training contract interview prep:
   If anyone has a list of questions that commonly come up in the final TC interview (especially post-vac scheme interviews), I’d be really grateful.

I’m particularly trying to improve my ability to talk about the news/current affairs in a clear, commercial way — so any practical tips/resources would be really appreciated.


Thanks so much — I’d be grateful for anything you wish you’d known before day 1.

Hey, I did a vac scheme at BS back in 2023 so happy to help, just PM me

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Anyone has insights for Hogan Lovells VI? I can trade with Macfarlanes, Stephenson Harwood, Penningtons Manches Cooper, Winston & Strawn, and Orrick! Feel free to message me.

 

[jagath]

just saw someone (law student) announce a slaughters vs while i’m waiting to hear back 😪 they already have davis polk and skadden and hogan lovells 😮