TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[nonliquetagain]

Does anyone know Kirkland & Ellis’ policy on reapplying after failing at AC stage?

“For candidates who have reached the assessment day stage (or later) we do not accept any applications for the following year’s recruitment cycle.”

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I need to drink whatever water these people are drinking

Ngl I see their posts and I’m just sat there like a melon thinking save some for the rest of us man we’re all struggling to get even one VS offer…

 

[kukubird]

just saw someone (law student) announce a slaughters vs while i’m waiting to hear back they already have davis polk and skadden and hogan lovells

I saw this too, it feels largely discouraging that people who are often so successful come from elite private / international schools.

 

[Hanzeeb]

Is macfarlanes strict with grades? 2.1 across every module?

 

[Gabri3l]

If someone had their Proskauer ac on the 12th, please please dm me

Did you get a response by any chance ?

 

[SueD]

Anyone has insights for Hogan Lovells VI? I can trade with Macfarlanes, Stephenson Harwood, Penningtons Manches Cooper, Winston & Strawn, and Orrick! Feel free to message me.

Ah! Have you been progressed by PMC this year? I’ve applied for VS and heard absolutely nothing….

 

[Madison Pinewall]

just saw someone (law student) announce a slaughters vs while i’m waiting to hear back they already have davis polk and skadden and hogan lovells

they just came up on my feed too. i only interviewed like 2 weeks ago and the wait is brutal

 

[Madison Pinewall]

I saw this too, it feels largely discouraging that people who are often so successful come from elite private / international schools.

it's highly discouraging. i'm from a v disadvantaged background and yet managed to get essentially the same stats despite the fact and don't have a VS yet. what do they know?!

 

[Shaky_Pete]

it's highly discouraging. i'm from a v disadvantaged background and yet managed to get essentially the same stats despite the fact and don't have a VS yet. what do they know?!

The partners interviewing them often went to similar, elite schools. Birds of a feather. I think another factor that shouldn't be disregarded is the perception that candidates who attended such schools will have a stronger network than those who didn't, which, as they become senior, can help them bring clients to the firm. Britain still deeply elitist.

 

[helenaskelton]

The partners interviewing them often went to similar, elite schools. Birds of a feather. I think another factor that shouldn't be disregarded is the perception that candidates who attended such schools will have a stronger network than those who didn't, which, as they become senior, can help them bring clients to the firm. Britain still deeply elitist.

Aspiring solicitors can help. Massive advantage, especially if you’re low income / state comp. I tend to go for the AS partners when I apply and have had good results with them. I think you really have to pick and choose which is so unfortunate because all firms should be inclusive.

 

[sbbusybee]

I saw this too, it feels largely discouraging that people who are often so successful come from elite private / international schools.

Plus RG unis, and they most likely had no mitigating circumstances at A-Levels. Of course to get into those unis is a huge achievement, but it does feel discouraging and like there is no diversity in applicants who are successful with VS/TCs.

 

[kukubird]

The partners interviewing them often went to similar, elite schools. Birds of a feather. I think another factor that shouldn't be disregarded is the perception that candidates who attended such schools will have a stronger network than those who didn't, which, as they become senior, can help them bring clients to the firm. Britain still deeply elitist.

100% but I wish firms would stop selling us false hope. I don’t mean to be entirely pessimistic but as someone who has done a lot of social mobility work experience at these firms when you actually get on the programs / see their vac scheme or trainee intake. It is still predominantly people from well off backgrounds. Public schools and private international schools especially.

It seems that the social mobility push has just been lip service from firms to check off what the Equality Act says they should do.

 

[user24710026]

TW rejection after WE - frustrating one here as I thought I was certain to get through after noticing a mistake in the court documents used for the WE, which the grad rec specifically called to congratulate me on.

Ah well, onwards.

 

[summersun]

TW rejection after WE - frustrating one here as I thought I was certain to get through after noticing a mistake in the court documents used for the WE, which the grad rec specifically called to congratulate me on.

Ah well, onwards.

same just got the PFO.. expected as poeple heard back last week but was still very much in denial

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Aspiring solicitors can help. Massive advantage, especially if you’re low income / state comp. I tend to go for the AS partners when I apply and have had good results with them. I think you really have to pick and choose which is so unfortunate because all firms should be inclusive.

Aspiring Solicitors has been my saving grace for this cycle and I’ve used them in preparation for my upcoming AC which is with a partner firm.

People can arrange mock interviews and contact mentors, who are usually associates or partners from those firms, who can provide advice too!

AS also have a bunch of coaching and mentoring programmes too which are great! I did AS Aspire in July to October 2025 and it was so good!

I think it’s gna be a long while before firms start to be inclusive. Maybe when we all become partners of the future we can bring change!​

 

[ssch7]

wtf was that SBP VI…

 

[Novaa]

The partners interviewing them often went to similar, elite schools. Birds of a feather. I think another factor that shouldn't be disregarded is the perception that candidates who attended such schools will have a stronger network than those who didn't, which, as they become senior, can help them bring clients to the firm. Britain still deeply elitist.

Great point!! You’ve just reminded me of a Reddit post I saw which said:



Makes me wonder what the mindset truly is amongst senior associates & partners nowadays who were trained on this mentality.

 

[LawAspirer]

When do DTCs usually open?

 

[WeGotThis!]

For those who applied for the Bakers VS, after the application stage, was there a WG or an SJT? And also, is it automatic? I am applying for the DTC, so needed some information to plan my app.

 

[floral.tcla]

it's highly discouraging. i'm from a v disadvantaged background and yet managed to get essentially the same stats despite the fact and don't have a VS yet. what do they know?!

I saw this too, it feels largely discouraging that people who are often so successful come from elite private / international schools.

Yeah sometimes it feels like the goalpost is always shifting..