TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[lawstudent2]

Oh gosh - why the certainty of a rejection I read a different post where somebody had gotten in contact with Grad Rec and were told that priority invitations went out on Fri so there may be some awaiting us today... maybe??? haha

Idk I think I am being a bit more pessimistic haha as it will be easier then if I do get rejected
I just feel like I've seen a fair few offers on multiple different days as people got offers on the tuesday and you say the Friday now as well which makes me think they can't have many left
I really do hope that isn't true tho but rather be surprised if i do then upset if I don't yk

 

[Lawyergyal123!]

Hey!

Congratulations on the offer!

In short: yes, it should be completely fine to email Bakers. They have explicitly stated that you can get in touch if you need an answer sooner, and this is a very normal reason to do so. It won't hurt your chances - if anything, it might show that you are a competitive applicant (as well as genuine interest in the firm).

I'd keep it polite and neutral, explain that you have received another offer with fixed dates, and ask if they have any updates on your application so that you can make a decision. Firms are generally aware that this is a possibility for candidates, as most schemes occur around the same time so there is bound to be overlap.

I would perhaps avoid pushing the first firm on dates again, as I'm sure they'll do all they can to accommodate your request

thanks so much Abbie!! really appreciate it

 

[M123]

Did mine on the 17th, still not heard back

Is this for the london office?

 

[trainee4u]

Say you have 100 candidates and 20 firms. They can write 5 apps each, so they will submit to the 10 firms they are a best fit for. For simplicity, let's say there is an equal distribution of applications to each firm. This means there are 500 applications for 20 firms, so each firm received 25 applications. They decide to take 5 candidates on, so they have a simple screening process to whittle 25 applications to 5.

With AI speeding up the research writing process, each candidate now decides to submit 20 applications. Each firm suddenly has to review 100 applications each. In addition, because of the economic outlook and AI integration, each firm is only taking 2 applicants. The process to reduce 100 applications to 2 candidates is a whole different challenge; they aren't able to use the same review system anymore.

I think you're right about more applications due to AI, but is there any evidence of a reduction in number of TC places this year/recently?

 

[Fauxfilm_]

Does anybody have an idea of what kind of written exercise Trowers would have at an AC? This includes preparation and writing time, so surely it rules things out?

Any help would be appreciated! Due to attend in a few days!

 

[elizabethkate]

dla piper PFO!

 

[sooae]

My friend got PFO post interview

Ahhh they’ve let people know already? Can I ask when your friend heard back?

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Anyone heard from Proskauer?

We should hear back by 12/02

Ahhh they’ve let people know already? Can I ask when your friend heard back?

He didn't tell me the exact date, but he said last week, think he picked the first day, so he got it early

 

[AbogadaAbocado]

Idk I think I am being a bit more pessimistic haha as it will be easier then if I do get rejected
I just feel like I've seen a fair few offers on multiple different days as people got offers on the tuesday and you say the Friday now as well which makes me think they can't have many left
I really do hope that isn't true tho but rather be surprised if i do then upset if I don't yk

Yeah - I completely understand. I have been checking my emails very frantically so a decision would indeed be nice. Let's see

 

[sooae]

We should hear back by 12/02

He didn't tell me the exact date, but he said last week, think he picked the first day, so he got it early

Oh I see! Ok thanks!
Just thought they release results after all interviews are done

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

I think you're right about more applications due to AI, but is there any evidence of a reduction in number of TC places this year/recently?

Redirect Notice

I'll start off by saying, obviously my numbers are exaggerated at a macro level, but might be the case for individual contractions in the demand for trainees.

Of course, it's partly due to TCs increasing up until 2024, it's a contraction/correction rather than necessarily being a decrease (only around 8% since 2024). Finance is another field lowering graduate intake (although more aggressively than law).

I do worry though this trend is more than a correction. The benefit of commercial law, is companies will need advice both during economic boom and recession (which is part of the 'stability ' of the profession), however the demand for legal services is not extremely elastic. If AI does make the job more efficient, it may not replace lawyers as such, but it might reduce the hiring rate (as with any field), and I do wonder if the contraction is partly due to this implementation.

Maybe I'm just worrying too much / too paranoid.

 

[CupOfTea17]

Prepping for my first AC ever at Mills and Reeve! If you have any insights into the firm or just how to prep for an AC please let me know!

Good luck everyone this week

 

[aleece]

Has anyone had an update from Milbank post AC?

 

[PermanentParalegal]

My friend got PFO post interview

Was this recently?

 

[marshall]

Is Gibson Dunn still going to send out interviews?

 

[radssss]

Anyone heard from Proskauer?

Should be soon, they said no later than 12 Feb.

 

[Hopeful applicant]

To all those panicking about an incoming Debevoise pfo, there is still a glimmer of hope. As far as I know, Debevoise have multiple open days - I've read 3. I'm hoping that they've only sent invites for the first open day, with invites for the other open days to follow. Any thoughts?

they gave applicants the ability to choose one of three. However, there is no reason to not send rejections, unless they are considering inviting more people.

 

[ABC234]

Withers pfo

 

[radssss]

Withers pfo

Sorry to hear that!

When did you do the online assessment?

 

[PermanentParalegal]

Was this recently?

I’m sure my PFO is just around the corner