TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Im curious if it would be good to just discuss 2 reasons with personal experience for a why this firm answer? Or is 3 more of a necessity for a dtc application?

Hey!

Two well-developed reasons that you can link to your personal experiences will work well! I would always aim for depth over number, and if you feel that the third point isn’t necessary, it is absolutely fine to stick to two. I would just make sure that you can:

1. Clearly link each reason to the firm (i.e. avoid generic points), and
2. Tie them to your own personal experiences or motivations

If you can do that and fill the word count, that should make a strong answer! Best of luck

 

[sbbusybee]

How long does white and case usually take to get back to you after final interview?

Last year took them nearly 2 months for me… obviously was a pfo

 

[AryanAgg]

Hey!

Two well-developed reasons that you can link to your personal experiences will work well! I would always aim for depth over number, and if you feel that the third point isn’t necessary, it is absolutely fine to stick to two. I would just make sure that you can:

1. Clearly link each reason to the firm (i.e. avoid generic points), and
2. Tie them to your own personal experiences or motivations

If you can do that and fill the word count, that should make a strong answer! Best of luck

Would a firm having rankings in both contentious and transactional work be a unique enough selling point if I can relate it to my personal choices? And also include an interesting deal and a case in the same?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey @Abbie Whitlock! I have an AC tomorrow and the case study is "strategy based" not M&A what should I focus on! Thank you in advance

Hello!

Congratulations on being invited to the AC!

If it is strategy-based, I would focus on:

• Commercial Awareness: they want to see that you understand that businesses don’t operate in a vacuum. I would have a think about things such as market conditions, competitors, industry trends, etc., and apply them to the scenario you have been given. Even more basic points such as inflation and ESG pressure show that you are thinking commercially.
• Client’s Objectives: focus on what the business is actually trying to achieve. This might be growth, entering a new market, reducing costs, reputation management, diversifying, etc. If you are asked to make recommendations, they should always relate back to these goals. You are essentially being asked to provide legal advice that aligns with the business’ wider commercial strategy
• Risk Analysis: strategy will also involve showing that you can spot and weigh risks in a situation. This might be financial risks, reputational risks, regulatory risks, or operational risks. You won’t necessarily be expected to eliminate the risks - just make sure that you show that you can spot them and prioritise them accordingly.
• Clear Structure: as a more general tip, I would ensure that you construct your points in a clear and structured way. A simple structure could be: identify objectives, analyse options (i.e. the pros and cons), assess the risks, and make a recommendation.
• Practical and Decisive Recommendations: when you make recommendations at the end of the exercise, try to avoid sitting on the fence. It is completely fine to not give a completely definitive answer if the situation is unclear, but I would weigh up the options, choose one, and justify why you have chosen it. The best advice I was given during my placement year is that partners don’t want trainees to just highlight problems, they want trainees who can offer solutions and make decisions too.

You don’t need any specialist knowledge on commercial strategy - I would say it is all about being logical and structured to reach a practical solution that makes sense based on the situation.

Best of luck with the AC tomorrow - I’m sure you’ll do great!

 

[Partcore22]

Has anyone heard from DWF who applied to the Birmingham office post application? Haven’t heard anything but my friends who applied to other offices have

 

[user397485]

Bakers PFO

pre or post ac

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Does anyone also have difficulty accessing some pages of Clyde & Co - not partiuclar articles but some of their services pages - my AC is tomorrow e.g.,
https://www.clydeco.com › services › cyber-risk-expertise

 

[adf43256]

Does anyone have insights on the WFW AC? Is there no partner interview??

 

[marshall]

Still waiting for HSF Kramer

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

Still waiting for HSF Kramer

same LMAOAO

 

[justagirl23]

Does anyone also have difficulty accessing some pages of Clyde & Co - not partiuclar articles but some of their services pages - my AC is tomorrow e.g.,
https://www.clydeco.com › services › cyber-risk-expertise

so is mine lol cant even get myself to sleep

 

[SamiyaJ]

so is mine lol cant even get myself to sleep

Best of luck to you both!

 

[justagirl23]

Best of luck to you both!

thank you girl!!

 

[Sr. Maybe]

V&E partner interview stage as well! If anyone has any insights into this stage from previous cycles, I'd be happy to exchange insights with other US and UK firms, including Dechert, Addleshaw Goddard, CMS, Sidley Austin, Latham & Watkins, Kirkland & Ellis, Forsters, Mills & Reeves, White & Case, etc!

 

[abc123333]

Has anyone who did an AC at Latham last week heard back yet?

 

[EfficientBag123]

pre or post ac

Pre

 

[Afuturetrainee]

5 months since I applied to Gibson Dunn. The ghosting feels personal tbh. I was also ghosted last cycle too. Why review apps on a rolling basis but ignore those who apply early.

@Novaa please add them to the shaming list

 

[Gregglt]

Has anyone who did an AC at Latham last week heard back yet?

Was literally about to ask the same question! which day did you do yours?

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

5 months since I applied to Gibson Dunn. The ghosting feels personal tbh. I was also ghosted last cycle too. Why review apps on a rolling basis but ignore those who apply early.

@Novaa please add them to the shaming list

Wait what? Did you apply to VS and not hearing back? RIP DTC

 

[susie897]

Hello!

Congratulations on the AC invite, that is fantastic news!!

I would try not to worry - this is a relatively common issue, and firms are generally very understanding as long as you let them know promptly (which you have done!). I had a similar issue when I was invited to the Reed Smith AC last cycle as I couldn't attend any of the original dates, and was able to move to a later one with no issue - as long as you are polite and flexible, it shouldn't count against you at all.

Hopefully they should come back to you with a new date soon - you have done everything right here, so try not to panic

Best of luck with the AC!

Hi Abbie, sorry to bother you but I wondered if you might know how best to handle this situation. IM came back to me and said they are only running one AC date for the stream I applied to. I have a situation with work that unfortunately cannot be missed. Feeling gutted that I might have to withdraw from the process. Do you know whether they might hold this against me if I decide to reapply next year?