TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[nonlawstudent98]

V&E PFO post-app finally! If only Simmons would put me out of my misery too!

 

[BelleOfTheLawBall]

❓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 😭

 

[ABC234]

Akin spring pfo finally

 

[ABC234]

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

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

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]??!!​

 

[hopingforamiracle]

just logged on- anyone got anything fron Lewis Sikin? 🙏🏼

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

Sidley, Links, Akin, and now V&E rejection. Send help please.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

Hey if you requested extra time and a firm stated they would give it to you but havent and the deadline is soon, would you go ahead and do the test anyway?

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Have people actually started to hear back from Travers today?

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Anyone who’s done the Willkie interview this week been told when we might expect to hear back? Something more specific than 15 working days post interview.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

Hey if you requested extra time and a firm stated they would give it to you but havent and the deadline is soon, would you go ahead and do the test anyway?

If it's anything like uni, I believe there is a fit to sit policy, that if you sit it you are agreeing to give it as it is. I would just carefully document all communication, and reach to them again with all the details and facts and point out that adjustments have not been made on the test and hence you have not attempted it yet, and are waiting for the firm's response on how you you should proceed. I had this issue with a test and another technical error with a test, and I ended up ignoring it and completing the test, but later heard from the firm saying that I shouldn't have completed it and just reported the issue and waited.

However, I fear that some firms have really been behind on adjustments, and may just auto reject if you don't finish the test by the deadline. Best bet is still to reach out to them.

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

Have people actually started to hear back from Travers today?

Someone mentioned that they got a call for an interview invite today.

 

[sagekensuke]

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]??!!​

Have ropes started giving out ACs?

 

[mrebeccafr]

Noo you’re not on your own!! I was thinking the same thing though 🥲🥲 It seems they’ve only communicated re London office atm!

No I haven’t!! Omg I thought I was the only one here who applied to Chelts hahaha

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

Have ropes started giving out ACs?

I haven't seen anyone on this forum say that (and it seems a lot applied to Ropes 😂).

My best guess (based off pure speculation tbh) is we will hear back either the week commencing the 23rd or the 2nd of March.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

If it's anything like uni, I believe there is a fit to sit policy, that if you sit it you are agreeing to give it as it is. I would just carefully document all communication, and reach to them again with all the details and facts and point out that adjustments have not been made on the test and hence you have not attempted it yet, and are waiting for the firm's response on how you you should proceed. I had this issue with a test and another technical error with a test, and I ended up ignoring it and completing the test, but later heard from the firm saying that I shouldn't have completed it and just reported the issue and waited.

However, I fear that some firms have really been behind on adjustments, and may just auto reject if you don't finish the test by the deadline. Best bet is still to reach out to them.

Yeah I reached out today. I am debating whether to go ahead or not. Maybe I'll just take a screenshot and wait until tomorrow to email again and call if I can.
Never mind lol. Just checked again and they changed it. YAY... I guess

 

[EfficientBag123]

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]??!!​

115 for Simmons.

 

[EfficientBag123]

Does travers give interview invites out in batches?