TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

just wondering how you guys keep track of commercial news and more so retain it effectively. for instance, those who have a watsons daily subscription, how do you guys make the most of it? I try to read it on and off but I don't think that's as effective as I do not retain everything I read. any tips would be appreciated!

I started a thread and I find it helpful discussing things with other people. Join us!

Commercial Discussion 2026

Hello everyone, I thought it might be a good idea to have a place to discuss some commercial issues - how they affect law firms and clients especially. Feel free to drop anything that has caught your eye in the news and let's discuss!

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[anna1289]

Anyone still waiting on RPC? seen some PFO's and Ac's given out

Yes I'm still waiting ah, did you apply for London?

 

[Legal12345]

Have an AC tomorrow that contains an individual research and discussion task. Does anyone have any insights into what this could entail? I was thinking it would be a contract review exercise but I’m not sure.

Wanted to boost this as kind of panicking about this as I have no idea hahah @Abbie Whitlock

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

New discussion on commercial topics. Today's issue is global trade. P.S. look up mercantilism if you haven't already!

Commercial Discussion 2026

Hello everyone, I thought it might be a good idea to have a place to discuss some commercial issues - how they affect law firms and clients especially. Feel free to drop anything that has caught your eye in the news and let's discuss!

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[LawAspirer]

Withers said they have concluded interviews for spring, and are just now starting their interviews for Summer (so expect more invites bc they are staggered)

Nice. Concluded for Spring yet they don't send PFOs?
I love it.

 

[flower1]

Has anyone not heard from White & Case since post-app/test?

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Sidley.. when will you get back to us? I'm waiting for you since October! https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....y-non-law-international-career-changer.10144/

 

[PinkZebra67]

Genuinely haven’t heard back from a firm in like a month this anxiety is awful

 

[Isobel.liddle]

Has anyone heard back from Mishcon de Reya after completing the SJT. I received my invite on the 19th of December and completed it on the 22nd. Still have yet to hear anything, they said information would be at the end of January.

 

[qwerty!]

if anyone's done the written exercise for the BBC trainee apprenticeship pls PM me 🫶

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

Has anyone not heard from White & Case since post-app/test?

I'm still waiting. I spoke to someone at the firm and apparently they are still working through applications. I think I applied for summer tho.

 

[HopefulTC]

Are Freshfields yet to send out VS AC’s? As I’ve only seen DTC AC invites on here. Getting a bit nervous as I’m yet to hear…

I was sent mine early Jan.

 

[Adnanlone]

Guys, btw, Hogan has started sending AC invites. However, A campus ambassador informed me that they don't send invites in bulk, so we don't need to worry. Idkkkk what to make of it.

 

[Maria56]

Guys, btw, Hogan has started sending AC invites. However, A campus ambassador informed me that they don't send invites in bulk, so we don't need to worry. Idkkkk what to make of it.

I wonder if they send PFOs in bulks😭😭 hopefully not

 

[fTS3002]

Milbank PFO

 

[wqueens8]

Are most sponsored SQEs masters level courses?

Thinking forward and manifesting that I'll get a TC. If I am able to live at home I will probably do that, but a lot of firms require study in London, and only offer a grant of 10-15k. In which case I would probably opt for the masters loan to top that up with another 12k, but of course would have to be a masters level SQE course.

Particularly thinking of this as if I dont secure a TC this cycle, I'm debating self funding the PGDL, for which I would need to use the masters loan instead.

 

[TCGrad1642]

Hi guys, do you think there is any benefit of applying to Stephenson Harwood VS over TC or vice versa?

 

[yasmars]

Has anyone heard back from Mishcon de Reya after completing the SJT. I received my invite on the 19th of December and completed it on the 22nd. Still have yet to hear anything, they said information would be at the end of January.

A few people received AC invites last week

 

[Adnanlone]

Guys, btw, Hogan has started sending AC invites. However, A campus ambassador informed me that they don't send invites in bulk, so we don't need to worry. Idkkkk what to make of it.

"They run ACs from Jan all the way through to March and they give them out on a rolling basis so some people hear back earlier than others"

 

[Legal12345]

Shouldn't you be provided with AC details by your firm?😂 And you don't even let us know which firm are you going to LOL

All they have said is research discussion and it’s at RPC