TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[ADhillon01]

Marriott Harrison In-Person Assessment Centre 😍

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

anyone heard back from Willkie post interview/AC?

Someone got told we’d hear back by end of February, which would mean sometime next week.

 

[Jennifer2003]

I’m pleased to announce that after 37 days post app, I’ve received a PFO post app from Travers! I’m still looking forward to nothing here!

Unfortunately this means Travers Smith failed to surpass Milbank on the league table. I wish them the best of luck in the next app cycle though!

This is the updated version of the league table:

1st place: Freshfields (43 days) RECORD HOLDER
2nd place: Sidley (42 days) CATCHING UP??!!
3rd place: Milbank (38 days) RUNNER UP??!!
4th place: Travers Smith (37 days) [PFO post app]
5th place: Ropes & Gray (22 days) [NEW ENTRY]​

Me when I’ve been waiting since October 28th for my Simmons PFO. It’s been 115 days. I fear I’ll never see the day they send it

 

[AryanAgg]

Does anyone know which firms can switch to virtual AC if you have to travel internationally to get to London?

 

[Bbhu19]

Does anyone know which firms can switch to virtual AC if you have to travel internationally to get to London?

I don’t think any firms that offer in person AC allow you to switch to virtual as it would cause disharmony and really disadvantage you being the only virtual candidate, especially if they do a group exercise

 

[PrayingforaTC2026]

Does anyone know which firms can switch to virtual AC if you have to travel internationally to get to London?

I think it really depends on the firm and the sort of AC it is. I've had two firms which usually host in person ACs accommodate for virtual ones. That said, they were partner interviews rather than group exercises so I guess I didn't really need to be present in the office!

 

[Novaa]

Does anyone know which firms can switch to virtual AC if you have to travel internationally to get to London?

I don’t think there’s a list, but I think it depends on the firm.

So I know someone who had to fly in for a MC assessment centre. But I’ve heard another firm at an Open Day offer to let someone I know sit their assessment centre at their office in France.

So it’s worth just reaching out and asking them.

 

[Legalfreak212]

Still nothing from TS…

 

[ddalki]

LATHAM VACATION SCHEME OFFER! I can't believe it, it's my dream firm!!! 😭😭😭

 

[summersun]

LATHAM VACATION SCHEME OFFER! I can't believe it, it's my dream firm!!! 😭😭😭

Congratualtions !!!!!!!!

 

[Deleted member 44323]

Anyone else not heard from MH?

 

[lucy_p]

Does anyone know when we can expect to hear from WBD post TI? They weren’t sure at the time I had my TI but not sure if anyone else got an idea?

 

[Prudentia]

I don’t think this person was insinuating discrimination. Travers has a disability confident scheme you can request to be considered under, if you have a disability and meet the minimum requirements you are guaranteed an interview.

We just don’t know what the minimum requirements are, e.g. what they look for in cover letter

The Disability Confident Scheme doesn’t guarantee an interview to someone with a disability just because they meet the minimum criteria. The actual wording usually says something like a “a fair and proportionate number of candidates.” If 400 applicants said they wanted to be considered under the scheme and met the minimum criteria it wouldn’t be feasible for the firm to interview all of them.

 

[Willgetatc]

Surely Links could just send PFOs already since ACs end this month (for VS)😭

 

[ttso]

Has anyone heard back from Hogan Lovells after doing stage 2? I did my test on 12th January and have heard nothing from them. The silence is killing me

No and I did it 3rd December haha (if you're talking about job sim), it seems to just be an endless wait.

 

[lawcool]

Has anyone heard from shoosmiths discover?

 

[georgianprincessmwuah]

Gateley AC invite!! Reading Office wohooooo

 

[Legalfreak212]

Does anyone know when we can expect to hear from WBD post TI? They weren’t sure at the time I had my TI but not sure if anyone else got an idea?

I had mine on Tuesday and they said they’re letting us know next week

 

[lucy_p]

I had mine on Tuesday and they said they’re letting us know next week

Thank you!

 

[Z48]

The Disability Confident Scheme doesn’t guarantee an interview to someone with a disability just because they meet the minimum criteria. The actual wording usually says something like a “a fair and proportionate number of candidates.” If 400 applicants said they wanted to be considered under the scheme and met the minimum criteria it wouldn’t be feasible for the firm to interview all of them.

I don’t want to derail VS discussions, but I don’t see that on Travers’ website, do you have a reference for that? The Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) more generally doesn’t necessarily include the guaranteed interview process. A lot of firms are part of the DCS but only a few specify that they offer the interview guarantee and I haven’t seen that wording for those. e.g. Travers, NRF, Stephenson Harwood

I don’t think there would be a case where all 400 meet the ‘minimum criteria’. Firms decide what this criteria is, so it’s very subjective imo, they could change it based on the pool of applicants at any time

Here’s what Travers says:
The firm is currently accredited under Level 3 of the Government's Disability Confident employer regime. As a result, where candidates tell us they have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role, they will be invited to interview. Further information on the support and adjustments candidates can receive can be found on this link.