TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

dla piper assessment centre rejection!

I was thinking maybe it’s because I’m 27 I have feedback in two weeks. I just feel so sad because I really vibed with the partner. He smiled continuously and said I asked super thoughtful questions and said I did well, but maybe they said this to everyone during the interview. No one from our group interview passed; we did have a dominant leader who lead the group and failed to keep the time and spoke over other people. I don’t know if it’s that, but I will wait for feedback.

It is what it is, we keep moving forward. eh maybe this is my 5th rejection post VI of the year but can’t do anything just to keep going.

Seriously questioning if there is something wrong with me. But then I remember before this forum, I’d get no interviews at all. Since I joined on here I get interviews. I also got an interview coach, im doing the most I possibly can. I can’t do more than I am already doing. It only takes ONE YES. Now I will just ask myself “ is this really the firm for me? Do I want this? “ instead of “ will they like me? What if they don’t”

we keep pushing forward. Hang in there everyone. Better days are coming.

Hey. Firstly, congratulations on making it to the AC. This is in itself a huge achievement.

Apologies in advance for the unsolicited advice that I am about to give.
Firstly, this is your first AC and they take practice. It's good that you're getting feedback as this is ofc going to give you a road map for how to improve going forward.

It is difficult to assess on your own how you did so I would say don't stress about it in the meantime.

I have had a similar situation where someone took control of the group. I have no idea of how they did outside of that and this may be incorrect advice but my thinking is that it is important to know how to navigate situations like this. You can try and be direct and say hey, I haven't heard from xyz or we need to move on to abc. Things like timekeeping shouldn't be relied on one person as if they are like this or make a mistake, it negatively affect everyone. At the end of the day, firms want to see how you work with people which includes collaborating with difficult personalities.

I hope this helps.

P.S. how do you know how people did?

 

[boots pharmacy]

What is going on with Gibson Dunn? Have they reached out for summer post assessment?

They were one of my first applications back in Sep IIRC. No news since then! 5 months! I've emailed to chase & will share results.

 

[boots pharmacy]

Not Abbie or Andrei, but The Lawyer podcast is great. Law Disrupted also great, hosted by John B Quinn; managing partner of Quinn Emannuel. He gets some serious heavy hitters on for guests.

Feels like there should be a secret forum achievement for gaining likes from both Harvey & Donna on the same post...

 

[boots pharmacy]

Any updates on MoFo and Dechert post-app or Hogan Lovells post-job sim?

PFO'd by Dechert late Jan. Their grad rec team is small and so they take a while. No news is good.

 

[boots pharmacy]

Over a month for the most generic (pathetic) pfo from Bakers post AC

Ridiculous. One month is terrible form. You will move on to better firms!

 

[boots pharmacy]

really idk I have 2.2 Bec of few mit circumstances...

I was very, very worried about grades; 2.2. first year with mit circumstances (physical health). Didn't grad with a 1st, and am non-Oxbridge. Managed to get VS's from SC, US, and large international firms so can confidently say it's a barrier, but not unsurpassable. US firm GR even said they try to look for candidates with consistent 64+'s; I applied to try my luck and ended up with the vac. Can empathise with you very well, as I had this exact fear. Don't worry about it and make your apps as good as possible.

 

[ADhillon01]

The plan to research Faegre Drinker is still yielding minimal results...

 

[boots pharmacy]

i received a pfo over the phone earlier and i was too upset to continue the conversation about my feedback so I asked for a call back later. Is it rude if I just ask to receive my feedback via email, just really upset and can’t be asked for a conversation tbh.

Would strongly advise you to schedule the call & wait a few days to cool down. Completely understandable to be upset, but you may end up applying to them again next cycle. Writing an email is more work for gradrec, and taking it on the chin shows resilience.

 

[ADhillon01]

Would strongly advise you to schedule the call & wait a few days to cool down. Completely understandable to be upset, but you may end up applying to them again next cycle. Writing an email is more work for gradrec, and taking it on the chin shows resilience.

exactly right, agree

 

[boots pharmacy]

 

[aliiiisonxooox]

Hey. Firstly, congratulations on making it to the AC. This is in itself a huge achievement.

Apologies in advance for the unsolicited advice that I am about to give.
Firstly, this is your first AC and they take practice. It's good that you're getting feedback as this is ofc going to give you a road map for how to improve going forward.

It is difficult to assess on your own how you did so I would say don't stress about it in the meantime.

I have had a similar situation where someone took control of the group. I have no idea of how they did outside of that and this may be incorrect advice but my thinking is that it is important to know how to navigate situations like this. You can try and be direct and say hey, I haven't heard from xyz or we need to move on to abc. Things like timekeeping shouldn't be relied on one person as if they are like this or make a mistake, it negatively affect everyone. At the end of the day, firms want to see how you work with people which includes collaborating with difficult personalities.

I hope this helps.

P.S. how do you know how people did?

Thank you so much! Yes, I can’t wait to hear the feedback and improve. Sometimes it’s hard as firms don’t give specific feedback, but this is a 15 minute call with HR, so I know it will be as specific as possible. Now I’m going to be disappointed if they say anything about my partner interview because we really vibed (( and I hate when they give me false hope and I definitely agree with you. She did apologise for failing to timekeep, but still.. it’s fine we live and learn and for sure I could’ve said something like “ we have 3 minutes left etc” but I didn’t thank you !

I kept in contact with two of the members, very nice people, I was gutted they didn’t get it. They had reasonable adjustments as well. ( we were 4 people with me in total) and they informed me they didn’t get it! One of them kept in contact with the leader of the group because they are from the same university, so that’s how I know about the people in my group interview!

 

[aliiiisonxooox]

DACB critical test post VI

 

[boots pharmacy]

Has anyone heard from Michelmores / been in contact with Gibson Dunn grad rec for a timeline?

Have emailed GD & will share results.

 

[elle.brokovitch]

Hi guys, kind of a random question but has anyone ever gotten a VS offer after feeling like you bombed part of an AC/an AC?

YES! Oh my goodness yes! For my first AC I had a fantastic time, I got along with everyone very well and I really loved the interview. I had been preparing for weeks because I really wanted the firm.

Case study rolled around and I'd never done one before. My notes were messy as I was getting to grips with the task, and my presentation was nervous and jumbled. I felt like I was giving awful answers to the questions. It completely deflated me to the point that at the end I didn't ask more than one question and forgot to shake the hand of the interviewer on the way out. I wanted to cry and I left completely heartbroken because I thought that I had really messed the day up after working so hard in the application process and before the AC. I then was called with an offer!

What I will say is, we are our own harshest critic. You will always be more critical on yourself than others may be! So definitely do not lose hope I think just as long as you put your best foot forward and try hard things will work out.

 

[elle.brokovitch]

guys I wanted to ask, how much do firms consider extenuating circumstances when it comes to individual module grades? I have a 2:1 and everything but I had genuine unfortunate circumstances which systematically impacted my time and studies at university. Am I safe to believe that top firms will understand that?

I also got a 2:1 overall but have some poor module grades also due to extenuating circumstances, from my experience, as long as you declare what those circumstances were they should be understanding. if not you have to ask whether that is somewhere you would want to work, because you deserve an employer who understands and supports you when life sends its curveballs <33

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

What are the biggest commercial news topics I should absolutely know before an AC? Thanks so much!

@Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock

 

[Maria123]

I also got a 2:1 overall but have some poor module grades also due to extenuating circumstances, from my experience, as long as you declare what those circumstances were they should be understanding. if not you have to ask whether that is somewhere you would want to work, because you deserve an employer who understands and supports you when life sends its curveballs <33

Couldn’t have worded that better myself, tysm for the insights & kind words

 

[helenaskelton]

Congrats! Any idea if they send them out all in one email chain, or in batches?

Same - anyone interviewing for Winston and know this?

 

[flamingocelot]

For firms where you can tick to apply to the vac scheme and the TC at the same time, what are some reasons a firm would have for thinking you're not right for the vac scheme, but still not rejecting you for the TC? For context, I am a final year Law undergrad, so I kinda understand if I were a paralegal for years and years that my experience would probably be too significant to do the vac scheme, which is more targeted to uni applicants, but otherwise idrk

 

[HAHAHA]

Hi, I have an AC coming up for a firm that didn't have an SJT, so I'm expecting a few situational questions during the interview portion. I normally do quite poorly at interviews when situational questions are thrown at me. Does anyone have any tips on how to structure answers and what firms are looking for in your answers? I was looking at example questions, and one of them said what would you do if a supervisor made an error during a client meeting, I don't really know what the best course of action would be in that situation.