TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[watsonglazeddonut]

Anyone heard from Faegre Drinker, Morrison Foerster, or Vinson & Elkins post app?

I applied on the deadline, got my V&E VI on 27 jan and AC invite on 11 Feb, think they sent out a batch of PFOs last wed

 

[James Wakefield]

I don't know if there's anything to this, but I read a post where someone said they got a VS offer from RPC the day after their AC end of January which confused me as in the AC they told us they weren't getting back to us until around 23 February and there were still multiple AC cohorts to go over the next weeks. Had me utterly baffled.

Unfortunately a lot of firms are not 100% honest about when they get back after AC, especially because they don’t want people to worry and chase them.

But also maybe that person had another offer, and therefore asked RPC to get back to them early. You really can’t read into much.

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Some people have gotten ACs post WG, but then again Orrick sent several batches of WGs, so it’s a possibility they’ll send a few batches of ACs too.

I received the WG from the first batch and haven’t heard anything yet. I’m awful at the WG so I wasn’t exactly expecting much different lmao.​

I think multiple people have received AC invites? Why are you not taking their word for it?

Literally we know which one should be removed next, don't reply to any message to particular people for being delusional. Pointing out to one person when somebody said 'multiple' is clearly ignorant. Should I share more evidences, here is another ppl who claimed a connection who received an invite. https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2025-26.9717/post-248613

Sometimes timeline is changed, so last year is irrelevant to be benchmarked, I am triggered to use capslock by the tone he wrote, but I remember being a lawyer should be good at EI too, not just at WG 😌 treat it like giving an advice to a client who disbelieve the outcome of a court

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone have any advice for how to answer, " If given the opportunity to change or improve one specific aspect of the world, what would it be and why? Please discuss the significance of this change, the steps you would take, the potential benefits it could bring, and any challenges you anticipate."

Hey!

I would choose something that is specific and manageable (i.e. not "solve climate change" in the abstract). Picking one focused aspect (such as improving access to education in disadvantaged areas or increasing access to justice) makes your answer specific and credible. Then, I would structure it clearly - perhaps along the lines of:

• Introduction: define exactly what you would improve and why it matters
• Significance: explain the wider impact of making this change - this could be social, economic, legal, etc.
• Steps: outline the practical steps that it would involve. Would there need to be policy reform, funding, technology?
• Benefits: who gains from this change, and how do they benefit?
• Challenges: it is also important to be realistic and show that you understand the challenges you would encounter, as well as how you would manage them.

They likely want to see structured thinking and commercial awareness - a strong answer will balance both ambition with practicality, and acknowledges that trade-offs might need to be made (as a solution isn't always simple!).

I would pick something that you genuinely care about, as it is likely you'll find it easier to write passionately about (which will make it more convincing!). Best of luck

 

[Kenomy]

Unfortunately a lot of firms are not 100% honest about when they get back after AC, especially because they don’t want people to worry and chase them.

But also maybe that person had another offer, and therefore asked RPC to get back to them early. You really can’t read into much.

You're probably right. Its nowhere land to speculate blindly

 

[Applicant7874652]

I don't know if there's anything to this, but I read a post where someone said they got a VS offer from RPC the day after their AC end of January which confused me as in the AC they told us they weren't getting back to us until around 23 February and there were still multiple AC cohorts to go over the next weeks. Had me utterly baffled.

We got played lol

 

[Lamb7075]

I don't know if there's anything to this, but I read a post where someone said they got a VS offer from RPC the day after their AC end of January which confused me as in the AC they told us they weren't getting back to us until around 23 February and there were still multiple AC cohorts to go over the next weeks. Had me utterly baffled.

the offer is reall😭they also said the same thing during my ac that’s y I didn’t want to post at first. but i saw someone desperately asking so i decided to ans yst

 

[legalbeast]

Congrats!! Which office?

thanks, london!

 

[haribolover]

PFO from Withers finally

Same - lowkey expected it after the SJT when I think team player/collaboration/or whatever it was on the cappfinity, which they emphasised as being important to them, was my lowest. ugh - it's so annoying as I always struggle to answer SJTs. I know I am a team player, but answering these questions is such a balancing act and I don't want to seem like I am unable to just do a task myself when required

 

[Joey green]

Hi! I’ve been invited to Baker McKenzie’s AC. It’s my last shot this cycle, so if anyone here can share any insights, I’d be eternally grateful! I’m also happy to trade insights on other firms

 

[legalbeast]

well done! is this for spring or summer1

thanks - the offers are for either - u can choose

 

[Donna Paulsen]

No! We aren't even sure if ACs have actually been sent, I flagged this issue with @Jaysen . Also the 2nd WG batch has their deadline in 2 days, so I would stick to the facts for now and wait. People got AC invites on 28 February last year, I wouldn't assume anything just yet.

Yeah I’m mega confused lol apparently people have received invites but it’s all word of mouth? I think they’d at least wait until the 26th (the 2nd batch deadline). I can’t see them sending out invites before the 28th considering that they sent a second batch of test invites, which they didn’t do last year.

 

[AryanAgg]

Same - lowkey expected it after the SJT when I think team player/collaboration/or whatever it was on the cappfinity, which they emphasised as being important to them, was my lowest. ugh - it's so annoying as I always struggle to answer SJTs. I know I am a team player, but answering these questions is such a balancing act and I don't want to seem like I am unable to just do a task myself when required

I think it's more dependent on language of the question itself, if it says you're unsure, or have too much work, asking the team for assistance in one or another aspect isn't wrong and promotes collaboration.

 

[TortillaTC]

Yeah I’m mega confused lol apparently people have received invites but it’s all word of mouth? I think they’d at least wait until the 26th (the 2nd batch deadline). I can’t see them sending out invites before the 28th considering that they sent a second batch of test invites, which they didn’t do last year.

Exactly! All I’m saying is lets calm down, IF anyone got AC invites, it’s surely not all invites.

 

[AGB2060]

Sorry to butt into convo and I also recognise im probably getting a bit ahead of myself but does anyone know how firms are (if given a TC from a Spring VS) with waiting until all vs schemes (August) are done to accept an offer?
I'd realistically pick the spring firm but I definitely want to consider all my options. I know it is firm specific but does anyone know if theres a sorta standard or if specific firms are public about things

 

[haribolover]

I think it's more dependent on language of the question itself, if it says you're unsure, or have too much work, asking the team for assistance in one or another aspect isn't wrong and promotes collaboration.

I definitely need to work on reading nuances on questions then. I think every SJT I have done this year has gone abominably, to put it lightly. Thanks for the advice though 😀

 

[aspiringtrainee1]

This is my 7th AC and I’ve never experienced an interview like this one, at every single thing I said the interviewer interjected in some way to probe at. First it seemed fair, but it came to a point where they were just laughing at their own jokes poking fun at things I said. I don’t really care if I get an offer, I would never want to work with a partner like that but wow I knew law could be bad but I never anticipated that what a horror story!

 

[AryanAgg]

This is my 7th AC and I’ve never experienced an interview like this one, at every single thing I said the interviewer interjected in some way to probe at. First it seemed fair, but it came to a point where they were just laughing at their own jokes poking fun at things I said. I don’t really care if I get an offer, I would never want to work with a partner like that but wow I knew law could be bad but I never anticipated that what a horror story!

Im curious, which firm is this? (Upto you if you wanna answer this) and what type of interview? Scenario based or CV/motivation/commercial awareness based?

 

[Kenomy]

Same - lowkey expected it after the SJT when I think team player/collaboration/or whatever it was on the cappfinity, which they emphasised as being important to them, was my lowest. ugh - it's so annoying as I always struggle to answer SJTs. I know I am a team player, but answering these questions is such a balancing act and I don't want to seem like I am unable to just do a task myself when required

I'm struggling to find a way through those tests and try to avoid them altogether, I did the Withers one after the RPC one and thought I performed better on the Withers one but only progressed with RPC! the one I did with Shoosmiths was confusing as they put my weakness as adaptability, which confused me as I am sure I went to great pains to show that I am adaptable. Oh well.

 

[haribolover]

This is my 7th AC and I’ve never experienced an interview like this one, at every single thing I said the interviewer interjected in some way to probe at. First it seemed fair, but it came to a point where they were just laughing at their own jokes poking fun at things I said. I don’t really care if I get an offer, I would never want to work with a partner like that but wow I knew law could be bad but I never anticipated that what a horror story!

Honestly disgusting. The worst part is that they had to go through an interview to get where they are. The fact that they lack any sort of empathy having been in your shoes more disappointing. There will be better things around the corner, I am sure of it. Good luck with the rest of the application season ☺️