TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

V&E pfo

 

[174Tess9y3]

V&E post app PFO

Sorry to hear! Do you mind saying if this was for spring/summer?

 

[174Tess9y3]

V&E pfo

Sorry to hear! Do you mind saying if this was for spring/summer?

 

[corplawperson23]

Hey, has anyone heard back from K&L gates for their vacation scheme?

 

[walterwhite]

Travers, please - just say something...

 

[Bbhu19]

V&e spring pfo applied 10/01/26

 

[trainee4u]

Travers, please - just say something...

 

[DoNotRedeem]

Anyone heard from Vinson & Elkins post-VI?

Yes I and a few others did for Spring

 

[Dolphin270]

@Abbie Whitlock hey, I hope you are well! I’m sure you’ve already done a post on this but I couldn’t find it and wondered whether you had any advice prepping for written exercises? It is an American firm but they haven’t provided any clues as to what the exercise might be and just wondered if you had any insight! Thanks

 

[ababababba]

I’m thinking of applying for BCLP’s direct TC, I haven’t completed a VS at any other firm, would this disadvantage me in any way? For context though, I have completed a placement year and also have been working as a paralegal since Jan this year.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

I’m thinking of applying for BCLP’s direct TC, I haven’t completed a VS at any other firm, would this disadvantage me in any way? For context though, I have completed a placement year and also have been working as a paralegal since Jan this year.

no harm in applying in my book esp. as you have legal work experience. Just note that imo DTC should be a lot more tailored as the firm will not have as much of a chance to see why you in a VS

 

[Deleted member 44323]

I’m thinking of applying for BCLP’s direct TC, I haven’t completed a VS at any other firm, would this disadvantage me in any way? For context though, I have completed a placement year and also have been working as a paralegal since Jan this year.

I applied for the direct TC route and had the same questions but to be frank you have more relevant experience! I’m a bit of a career changer and work full time in a quasi-legal public sector area and cannot take time off for multiple vac schemes! I think go for it, their website says it’s a personal decision and they understand not everyone can take time off work to complete a vacation scheme.

 

[Lissa06]

I need to take the CC Watson Glaser for SPARK and I'm lowkey super nervous because I haven't done many WGs so far. I scored 90% for their practice one - would the real one be similar difficulty?

Yeah I’ve personally found it the same difficulty

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Travers, please - just say something...

"Say something I'm giving up on you"

 

[i_need_a_holiday]

V&E pfo post VI

 

[Bah Bah Pink Sheep]

it's so weird, I feel so empty without any more applications to wait on... it really speaks volumes for just how much of ourselves we throw into these cycles. I'm dying to receive any sort of communication from grad rec just to satiate this emptiness in me

 

[174Tess9y3]

Akin spring pfo finally

 

[174Tess9y3]

Does anyone know what V&E's application process is for their vac scheme? Can't seem to find it anywhere

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

A while ago someone sent me a book title or pdf about critical thinking skills or watson glaser tests. Stupidly I forgot to save it and have spent like an hour looking for it. By any chance does someone remember the title or have a pdf ?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I’m very pleased to announce that after waiting an incredible 30 days, I’ve finally received the long-awaited PFO from Covington at 11:32am today.

Unfortunately this means Covington has failed to make it past 4th place on the league tables. I wish them the best of luck in the next cycle.

Anyway as it stands now this is the league table:

1st place - Milbank (38 days) - RECORD HOLDER
2nd place - Freshfields (38 days) - CAUGHT UP
3rd place - Sidley (37 days) - RUNNER UP??!!
4th place - Travers (33 days) - HURRY UP??!!

I saw that the ultimate record holders on the forum are Gibson (165 days), Simmons (100-120 days) and Slaughters (80-90 days)…​

Thought I’d update this leaderboard cos there’s a few significant changes since the last update:

Firstly, Covington got booted off the league table (better luck to them next time though).

This is the current state of the league table (note, we have a new current record holder).

1st place: Freshfields (41 days) RECORD HOLDER
2nd place: Sidley (40 days) CATCHING UP??!!
3rd place: Milbank (38 days) RUNNER UP
4th place: Travers (35 days) HURRY UP??!!
5th place: Ropes (20 days) [NEW ENTRY]??!!​