TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[summersun]

Does anyone have any insights on the Katten AC? Please PM me

congratulations ! Can I ask when you apply and if you heard back today?

 

[ADhillon01]

Is this Browne Jacobson Amberjack automatic?

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

Does anyone have any insights on the Morrison Foerster interview? This is so unexpected because my application was really rather last-minute! I am happy to help out with a range of other firms in exchange - just pm me and let me know what would help most.

 

[RJ Ruban]

Does anyone know if there is a commercial awareness forum?

 

[AryanAgg]

generally failing the WG is an automatic PFO, but they won't necessarily send it automatically.

WG is not very selective in the sense that if you set your threshold at say 36/40 then you exclude people who are actually 36/40 candidates but scored 32/40 due to the inherent variability between tests. That means it makes sense to reject people automatically who fall below a certain threshold that you've chosen but you don't want to necessarily automatically accept the higher candidates as there's too much randomness. So it's a "rejection-only" filter, and that filter will likely to be set a a "competent" rather than "amazingly outstanding" level, because by rejecting below "competent" most of the candidates you reject will indeed be unsuitable for the job, as opposed to the baby with bathwater approach where you reject people purely to filter out as quickly as possible because you're lazy and don't want to consider a larger set of criteria.

(I know that WBD used their magic mouse moving game they got from Temu after watching a Tiktok as the sole means of selecting candidates, but relying on one data point to select the best candidates is really bad practice.)

i know that clifford chance immediately sends the pfo if the threshold for progress is not met, dont know about winston & strawn though.

 

[AryanAgg]

Does anyone have any insights on the Morrison Foerster interview? This is so unexpected because my application was really rather last-minute! I am happy to help out with a range of other firms in exchange - just pm me and let me know what would help most.

how were you informed of the progression?

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

how were you informed of the progression?

I received a missed call earlier today and a follow-up email.

 

[Cece176]

guys, not heard back from Linklaters summer VS yet, should I assume PFO??

Neither have I. Last correspondence was in Dec LOL

 

[TortillaTC]

Does anyone know roughly when Orrick conduct their ACs?

Last year people posted on the thread that they got their WG invites 10 February (so same as this year), and people got post-WG AC invites on 28 February. Someone posted that theirs was held at the end of March so I'm assuming ACs this year will be around that time too. There could be delay though.

 

[dednedred]

OC AC (Bristol)

 

[TCComingSoon]

Browne Jacobson test invite got to celebrate the small wins 🎉

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Haven't heard back from W&C post-VI on Jan 26 for Summer. Should I assume PFO?

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock (@Jaysen and for others generally),

I am getting the feeling that this year's cycle has been more complex and challenging than before, especially with so many post AC rejections. I can't understand if this is due to firm's offering more ACs, just a reporting bias where more people are sharing unsuccessful AC experiences, if any application process changes are contributing to this, or some other reason.

If people have an AC coming up what's the best way to get it right ? I am feeling an increased amount of pressure due to a past failure to convert vacation schemes and unsuccessful ACs. I am assuming many others like me have developed a slight fear of failure where the joy of progressing is often overweighed by the fear of failing at that stage, staking everything on it and all the pressures that come with it, also the paralysis that follows from all this stress but also uncertainty, constant changes to the process, and maybe even increased post AC rejections. I am grateful to have an AC but as I only have one at the moment, I am increasingly afraid that is my only shot at this. I have wasted quite about bit of time in this paralysis and fear of failure before an interview. I was wondering how to make the most of the time I have left so that I feel confident enough in how I perform during the AC regardless of the result ?

I think someone also pointed out that they had contrasting feedback from ACs which messed up their subsequent AC. I had similar experiences, where either an extremely minor point or previous feedback really messed up another interview. How do I get out of my own head, and really focus on this specific interview or AC, without being overly conscious about previous feedback, and also how should I address any questions about why I was unable to convert previous schemes without it seeming like a redflag in terms of my skills or potential ?

I would also appreciate any tips on group exercises as I have not done one for an AC before, and they always seem to be a bit intense!

PM me if you would like some advice

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Haven't heard back from so many firms...

 

[TortillaTC]

Last year people posted on the thread that they got their WG invites 10 February (so same as this year), and people got post-WG AC invites on 28 February. Someone posted that theirs was held at the end of March so I'm assuming ACs this year will be around that time too. There could be delay though.

On this note, do we know how many people make it to AC? Since they have 5-6 TC spots and 18 will attend the vac scheme, maybe double that so 36-40 would get the AC?

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

gonna hope MoFo is rolling because...
Why is no one responding to me!!!!

 

[radssss]

gonna hope MoFo is rolling because...
Why is no one responding to me!!!!

Sameeeee and I only gave the assessment 2 hours before the deadline😭😭

 

[kukubird]

Throughout this application process (not just for VS/TC, but for jobs in general) I've learnt how essential confidence really is. Confidence to believe you deserve the opportunity. Confidence in what you could bring to the role. Confidence to articulate yourself clearly and unapologetically.

Some people grow up with that confidence instilled from a young age, and others have to learn it along the way. Often it isn’t the most qualified or the most eager person who gets the role - it’s the person who shows up with the confidence and audacity to take up space - the person who recognises their worth.

If you’re struggling with this, you’re definitely not alone. I’m learning to feel proud about how far I’ve come in terms of my confidence, and to acknowledge the resilience it takes to keep improving and refusing to give up despite the rejection.

But just like any other skill, confidence can be built.

I recently received a rejection email after my first paralegalling interview with a big firm. I still need to ask for feedback, but I have a feeling my confidence played a part - which is what inspired this little think piece

This is so beautifully written and you're so right

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

No response from DWF since 18 Dec deadline. Has anyone been progressing with them? (VacSch)

A friend of mine was progressed to VI last week

 

[AryanAgg]

Does anyone know how long winston & strawn takes after WG for either progression or rejection?