TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I still haven't heard back from Sidley... Should I be concerned? I applied back in November for the summer vacation scheme... I'm assuming I've been rejected but still 😬😬😬

I’m in the same boat but I applied in Jan for both Spring and Summer VS. I’m in two minds of what to expect from Sidley Austin honestly. ​

 

[madso]

BIRD AND BIRD SPRING VAC SCHEME!!!! Guys you really never know, never assume the worst I really felt this wasn't going my way.

Congrats - I’ve got spring too!!

 

[Bbhu19]

I did the virtual AC on Monday - they mentioned the earliest I'd hear back is mid next week. ACs are 3-4-5th if I remember well (that first week of March in any case).

How did you find out the AC dates?

 

[KuriTH]

Has anyone heard from Bakers post Spring AC?

Some people have been called with Spring VS invitations this afternoon

 

[Rads]

Anytime I am about to get rejected by a firm, their linkedin posts start popping up on my linkedin :')

 

[8law]

would anyone be able to provide insights into SPB VI ..

 

[EfficientBag123]

Out of my uni modules so far, I’ve got 2 2:2s. How bad will this look? The rest of my modules are 6 1sts (2 of which in 80s) and the last one is a 2:1. Reality checks are greatly appreciated.

 

[AP2000]

How did you find out the AC dates?

I asked Zoe during the virtual AC

 

[km20]

Sidley pfo 🙃🙃

 

[lowkeyloser]

Does anyone else question whether they really want to work at a firm that isn't able to respond in a reasonable timeframe, or within a deadline they themselves have set? I also question if firms truly understand how much work and effort is required to apply to these schemes.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Linklaters PFO it's over Jeff

 

[Bbhu19]

I asked Zoe during the virtual AC

Oh ok thanks for clarifying 👌

 

[V2002]

Some people have been called with Spring VS invitations this afternoon

When did you complete the AC? Thanks

 

[johnsmith]

Would love some advice. I recently emailed a firm post AC to ask about whether I’d got the VS, and I said I’d got an offer from elsewhere (they had said if this happened you could email them to speed up the process etc). They said they’d respond by the end of this week. Not much time left and they still haven’t messaged. Can I assume PFO?

Could just be chasing the feedback internally - participation by a lawyer in the AC will be a small part of their daily commitment and client work will always come first. They’ll be back to you for sure even if it’s first thing Monday. Is your VS with the other firm time limited for acceptance?

Once you get to an AC does the decision about offering a VC go purely based on performance at the AC or do they look back to application/VI etc? Or does it vary firm to firm? Thanks in advance for any info.

I would say so yes. Their decisions between applications will have been made so it’s then reflecting who you are as a person.

For commercial awareness, how far back should I be going? I am looking into events from this year so far but not sure if I will look outdated if I refer to incidents from the end of last year too

Focus on the topic and impact behind the example. Thats where the good stuff is so you can think more generally how would that impact a client. The real life event is just a good example of the underlying issue in practice.

 

[johnsmith]

I thought I needed to see an optometrist @Jaysen small hearts floating in my vision 😅

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

Really sorry to hear that, may I know when did you submit your app? Mine was sent in October and radio silence 😭

Hate to be that one guy right now but was this post app or TI and was it Spring or Summer? Did yous apply early or closer to the deadline?​

Post app & I applied closer to the deadline. No news is good news as I spoke to the team and there are only two of them going through apps (rolling).

 

[johnsmith]

Does anyone else question whether they really want to work at a firm that isn't able to respond in a reasonable timeframe, or within a deadline they themselves have set? I also question if firms truly understand how much work and effort is required to apply to these schemes.

Honestly, I think they do understand it. From an objective point of view they have to review all the amazing applications they receive.

In a couple of ACs I have attended this year the first have started the have have had between 1-2k more applicants than normal. Those sorts of volumes, particularly of quality applications with questions is going to cause delays.

The one thing that could improve is holding emails advising this as it at least shows applications are being reviewed carefully.

Subjectively your frustration is felt by everyone going through this process but I wouldn’t say it should reflect badly on the firm, just the volumes and competition involved.

Also worth considering, perhaps one of the team has flu or a sick child which has caused unexpected delays in the timeline. They are just human are all!

Grad rec will be feeling as much as you are as the trainee recruitment cycle isn’t there only daily responsibility, as most are also managing all their current trainees and apprentices.

Stay strong, you’ll hear soon!

 

[A worried paralegal]

Burges Salmon PFO post AC

 

[M_m]

Anyone else heard back from Bristows post VI partner review?

 

[Arv_329]

Linklaters pFO