• Hey Guest, Have an interview coming up? We’ve opened new mock interview slots this week. Book here
  • TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.
    Join →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

I’m pleased to announce I’ve received my 21st PFO of the cycle: Willkie PFO post AC. :(

Tbf it was expected cos the case study was quite hard. I’m hoping for good news soon lmao…

Educate Use Your Brain GIF
 
I’m pleased to announce I’ve received my 21st PFO of the cycle: Willkie PFO post AC. :(

Tbf it was expected cos the case study was quite hard. I’m hoping for good news soon lmao…

Educate Use Your Brain GIF

Don’t let this defeat you, Harvey! Keep up the work and the two ACs this week will come through
 
Does anyone know when the last mayer brown ACs are?
The last ACs are this week. 3500 applications (a record number for them).

This is a common theme with firms this cycle, HSFK also told me they received a record number of applications this year.

Could be because people are leveraging AI so they can complete more applications than they used to? but it’s gotten more competitive, so to anyone out there who is struggling with self-doubt it’s not that you’re not good enough: firms are ridiculously oversubscribed!!!
 
The last ACs are this week. 3500 applications (a record number for them).

This is a common theme with firms this cycle, HSFK also told me they received a record number of applications this year.

Could be because people are leveraging AI so they can complete more applications than they used to? but it’s gotten more competitive, so to anyone out there who is struggling with self-doubt it’s not that you’re not good enough: firms are ridiculously oversubscribed!!!
How do you even begin to shortlist 3,500 apps esp for a firm that only hires 15 trainees…

They have a VS and DTC route. How many people do they give ACs, VSs and post VS TCs to?

Mayer Brown grad rec picking who gets the VS/TC like this I can alr picture it in my mind:

choosing peter greene GIF

 
Hi everyone!
I have a first round interview for Bristows coming up on Friday with a partner and senior associate and would LOVE any tips you guys have on approaching preparing for the interview
.
I'm excited for this one as this is my dream firm and has been for many years now. Hoping to just enjoy the process and speaking to the team face to face, but would appreciate any advice on the commercial discussion and what the problem-based scenarios might look like. Thanks :)
Hi, If you don’t mind me asking, when did you submit your WE?

And all the best for your interview!
 
How do you even begin to shortlist 3,500 apps esp for a firm that only hires 15 trainees…

They have a VS and DTC route. How many people do they give ACs, VSs and post VS TCs to?

Mayer Brown grad rec picking who gets the VS/TC like this I can alr picture it in my mind:

choosing peter greene GIF

They didn’t give too many details but they did say that they gave 80 people ACs which I believe were for both spring and summer
 

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.