TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Sidley AC invite!! This is unexpected cos literally a week ago I was assuming PFO post app lmao.

The turnaround post TI was rapid. This makes up for the Akin and Morgan Lewis post TI PFOs ig…​

 

[legallybrunnette]

For people coming from outside London and attending schemes, do you have tips on finding suitable accommodation? (Most of my friends work full-time and have flatmates, so there is no space lol!) The firm which I will be attending the scheme offered some accommodation advice, but most are either very far away or expensive. Genuinely curious as to where people stay during those things!!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I’m pleased to announce that 85 days post VI, I’ve finally received a PFO from Freshfields for the DTC. Glad that’s finally over and done with. I think this is my 24th PFO of the cycle…

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

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…​

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

1st place: Freshfields (85 days) UNDEFEATED CURRENT RECORD HOLDER - PFO post VI…
2nd place: Sidley Austin (78 days) RUNNER UP and finally at last post app outcome - AC 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

This will be the final league table post for a while now, but it’s official: FF are the undefeated record holders for slowest firm of the decade!​

 

[CupOfTea17]

Got an AC for Browne Jacobson London Office this morning!
If anyone has any insights to working at the firm in general I would be super grateful - their website doesn't have much of this!

(for the SVS)

 

[legal world]

Guys today’s the day we will ALL get SH summer VS offers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wait are you manifesting or did you find out from somewhere that they're giving out offers today haha

 

[Meg_Thee_Applicant]

wait are you manifesting or did you find out from somewhere that they're giving out offers today haha

Girl I know nothing, I’m going off pure vibes and manifestation x someone said their mate said they’ll get back to vs candidates this week tho and tomoz is bank holiday so

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock i wondered if you (and anyone else) have insights about the work experience section on the application form. When writing about our work experience, should we say how it impacted our skills, like "this contributed to my ability to prioritise and manage my time effectively" or is this not a good use of time. Also how many words should we be writing for each experience as lots of the time the forms dont have a word limit.
As a final question, should we write about very specific things (like if a customer was rude ina retail job and how we handled it) or is that elaboration better for video interviews etc.

Hello!

My overall approach to the work experience section has been pretty simple and consistent across all of the applications I made - I would aim to discuss:

1. What the role was
2. What you actually did
3. The skills and insights that you gained (ideally linked back to commercial law or the role of a trainee solicitor, if it fits naturally)

On your first point, I do think it is worth briefly mentioning how the experience developed your skills (e.g. your example on prioritisation and time management). The key is to just make sure that it is concise and relevant - a sentence or two that shows the impact the experience had is usually enough, and I'd avoid going into lots of reflective detail.

In terms of length, it really depends on the experience that you are talking about. If there is no word limit, I would use those three elements above as a guide and keep things concise where you can. Realistically, entries will vary quite a bit and shorter roles might be somewhere around 50 words, whereas more substantial entries could be closer to 250-300 words. The main thing is to avoid waffling and make sure that everything you include adds value to your application.

For your last question, I personally wouldn't go into very specific anecdotes (like a difficult customer situation) in the written application. I would keep it more high-level and focused on the overall role, as those kinds of detailed examples are much better saved for video interviews or ACs, where you can properly explain your actions and reflect on them

 

[Señora Abogada]

Hello! Has anybody heard back from Ropes?

Just checking on this

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

For people coming from outside London and attending schemes, do you have tips on finding suitable accommodation? (Most of my friends work full-time and have flatmates, so there is no space lol!) The firm which I will be attending the scheme offered some accommodation advice, but most are either very far away or expensive. Genuinely curious as to where people stay during those things!!

Hi!

I lived outside of London when I completed all of my schemes, and I definitely had the same worries - a lot of the hotels I looked at were really expensive, and VS pay often doesn't fully cover that much!

I actually had the most luck with student accommodation providers, as they often rent out rooms over the summer when students aren't there. For example, I stayed in student accommodation in Hackney for around £400 for two weeks, which was much more affordable than most other options I found. It was also quite convenient in terms of location and transport into central London, as it was quite close to the tube station. I stayed in another student accommodation for my other summer scheme and, whilst I had some issues with the provider themselves, the location was very convenient (I believe around Aldgate area?) and was also very affordable.

It can take a bit of digging, but there are definitely more affordable options out there beyond hotels!

 

[randomrhino]

Girl I know nothing, I’m going off pure vibes and manifestation x someone said their mate said they’ll get back to vs candidates this week tho and tomoz is bank holiday so

Another day, another disappointment (lack of news lol)

 

[Isobel.liddle]

Still no SH news…

 

[WillYouGiveMeATC]

A friend of mine got a call for SH VS today. They got the call at 5ish. There is still hope guys don't worry.

 

[Hector123]

A friend of mine got a call for SH VS today. They got the call at 5ish. There is still hope guys don't worry.

What did they say on the call?

 

[legal world]

A friend of mine got a call for SH VS today. They got the call at 5ish. There is still hope guys don't worry.

Hi! was this for the dubai or london scheme?

 

[EMB]

DAC DTC PFO, but I never actually submitted LOL, DWF PFO

 

[hanz123]

DAC DTC PFO, but I never actually submitted LOL, DWF PFO

same lol got the double PFO

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Does anyone have any insights into the Mayer Brown VI and Sidley AC. I can give insights into a few other firms. I’ve re-opened PMs if yous want to reach out that way. Any help would be appreciated cos idk what to expect for these.

 

[Isobel.liddle]

Surely law firms don’t respond on a bank holiday… right?

 

[adfs456]

Does anyone have any insights into the Mayer Brown VI and Sidley AC. I can give insights into a few other firms. I’ve re-opened PMs if yous want to reach out that way. Any help would be appreciated cos idk what to expect for these.

feel free to PM me about Sidley AC