TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[radicaloptimist]

and has anyone heard from weightmans manchester office?

 

[LH4]

Same, for the first question she stopped me mid way saying to move on

SAME

 

[lawyersum]

just told i failed my Sidley HR call. i'm lowkey convinced im just unlikable because i've failed 2 ACs and couldn't pass this call. i did so much research so idk where im going wrong atp.

also they don't even give feedback?

you are not unlikeable - you are a strong, ambitious and intelligent queen. if a firm can't see that, stuff them. chin up you've got this.

 

[Raquelle's Legal Drama]

just told i failed my Sidley HR call. i'm lowkey convinced im just unlikable because i've failed 2 ACs and couldn't pass this call. i did so much research so idk where im going wrong atp.

also they don't even give feedback?

Hi lovely, I just want to give my two cents.

First, this is not a reflection of you. Building off what summersun said, there are so many arbitrary factors that play into decisions. Sometimes it really is a question of fit, luck, and timing.

To give you an example, I myself have failed multiple assessment centres in the past. But guess what? In between those failures, there were also firms who “liked” me (to put it in your words). Had I only applied to a limited range of firms, I might be in the same position as you today. I’m not saying this to compare our situations, but to hopefully show you that there is still hope, heaps of it.

So I hope you take encouragement from this and know that there are firms out there for you, and that sometimes it’s really not you. I trust that you will find the firm for you!

But I’d also like to preface that sometimes it is also a combination of technique rather than your “likability”. To stand out nowadays, interview technique is super important and I personally struggle with it myself! The more your practice though, the better you will get. So take this opportunity as a lesson and I’ve no doubt you will thrive next time

They're going to be sad they missed out on a gem though! You'll be onwards to better!

 

[Prudentia]

just told i failed my Sidley HR call. i'm lowkey convinced im just unlikable because i've failed 2 ACs and couldn't pass this call. i did so much research so idk where im going wrong atp.

also they don't even give feedback?

I am so sorry. It may not seem like it now, but you'll look back on this rejection and be glad it went this way. Life has a funny way of working out as it should, even if it means you don't get the job you (thought you) wanted.

 

[ManifestingTC2026]

is thos for vac scheme or direct tc

Vac Scheme

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

OMG SIDLEY TI!! After waiting 78 days this is the biggest plot twist of my app cycle so far wtf…

@privateequitywarrior you were wrong so I’m gna sit and wait for my chocolates now. ​

 

[oliviabeijing]

Hey guys, I wanted to ask for some advice.

Is anyone doing the LLM Legal Practice course with ULaw at either of the London Campuses? I just wanted to ask about timetables as I am unsure whether to do it in London (home) or the city where I have my TC.

PM me if you have advice! Thank you! x

 

[DennyCrane]

has anyone heard back from browne jacobson manchester office after online test?

or nottingham office?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Since I’ve gotten an update I might as well post a newer version of this league table now too:

Sadly Orrick didn’t make it past 7th place! I wish them the best of luck for the next app cycle…
​

1st place: Freshfields (58 days) RECORD HOLDER
2nd place: Sidley (57 days) CATCHING UP??!!
3rd place: Milbank (38 days) RUNNER UP??!!
4th place: Travers Smith (37 days) [PFO post app]
5th place: Covington (30 days) [PFO post app]
6th place: Ropes & Gray (27 days) [AC invite]
7th place: Orrick (24 days) [PFO post WG]
8th place: Faegre Drinker (6 days) [NEW ENTRY]

Since there have been some changes to this I’ve decided to revive the league table once again:

1st place: Freshfields (79 days) UNDEFEATED CURRENT RECORD HOLDER - waiting post VI…
2nd place: Sidley Austin (78 days) RUNNER UP and finally at last post app outcome - TI invite
3rd place: Milbank (38 days) PFO post SJT
4th place: Travers Smith (37 days) PFO post app
5th place: Covington (30 days) PFO post app
6th place: Faegre Drinker (27 days) PFO post app
7th place: Orrick (24 days) PFO post WG

Unfortunately Faegre didn’t make it past 6th place but I wish them the best of luck for the next app cycle! Now we wait for FF DTC post VI…​

 

[DennyCrane]

Since there have been some changes to this I’ve decided to revive the league table once again:

1st place: Freshfields (79 days) UNDEFEATED CURRENT RECORD HOLDER - waiting post VI…
2nd place: Sidley Austin (78 days) RUNNER UP and finally at last post app outcome - TI invite
3rd place: Milbank (38 days) PFO post SJT
4th place: Travers Smith (37 days) PFO post app
5th place: Covington (30 days) PFO post app
6th place: Faegre Drinker (27 days) PFO post app
7th place: Orrick (24 days) PFO post WG

Unfortunately Faegre didn’t make it past 6th place but I wish them the best of luck for the next app cycle! Now we wait for FF DTC post VI…​

I think you should run a parallel table with your successes though!