TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[SM2001]

Nvm B&B post-VI PFO just came through. That's my top choice firm gone LMAO

Me too!!

 

[elle woods]

lowkey nervous for my feedback call haha like what do I even say other than "ohh I see, thank you" 🤣

 

[SM2001]

I did Simmons VI on the 13th of November. Please if anyone also did their VI around this time and have gotten AC invite , kindly let me know!

Congratulations! Have you had it yet?

 

[Bree]

Are you supposed to get an email after you finish Macfarlanes Stage 2? I did not get one - I hope it got recorded 😭

 

[Rads]

Hello, if the grad rec has not replied to a grade correction email, good idea to follow up?

 

[Amgrad]

Are you supposed to get an email after you finish Macfarlanes Stage 2? I did not get one - I hope it got recorded 😭

Yeah, I got it a day after for the holding email

 

[adh3]

love it when my linkedin feed is full of £60,000 a year privately educated students getting tcs👍👍

Honestly, I get what you mean. I wrote something relevant a couple of days ago:

Yeah, instead Sidley's selections heavily depend upon university, grades, experience and extracurriculars. Which, at first, sounds fair. Of course, that's only until you realise that almost 40% of their intake is from Oxbridge and the other 60% is effectively LSE/UCL/Durham. Then consider how many of that firm's intake went to top (private) schools – i.e. Le Rosey, Raffles Institution, Eton, Westminster, etc.

And, just for context, I'm complaining about this as a graduate from one of the universities mentioned above... As much as I hate psychometric testing (and believe that it's not conducive to effective hiring) at least it functions to even the playing field between those people and others who might not have been so well 'prepared' for taking this career path.

The thing is, I also went a private school. Not an egregiously expensive international or 'public' school – but a decent independent school, on a means-tested bursary and scholarship.

I can tell you that the issue isn't where somebody went to school, it's the resources and particular knowledge they had/have.

Despite going to a 'good' school, I always played catch-up when it came to careers. My parents didn't (and wouldn't have known how to) guide me towards a career in commercial law. In contrast, there are students at both private and 'state' (elite grammar) schools whose parents/grandparents exist within a network of people in 'elite' careers. These students can get high-quality work experience at the drop of a dime, and they are taught the exact path to IB/consulting/commercial law while the rest of us are left to figure it out.

Relatedly, this is why I hate 'competency' questions. Asking applicants to "tell us about a time where you overcame a challenge" or "show us how you demonstrated your initiative" is covertly asking which social class we belong to. While overcoming challenges and demonstrating initiative (etc.) is not exclusive to certain classes, the type of answer which firms generally seek will select for a particular type of individual. They're not interested in how underprivileged people overcame long-term challenges (i.e. getting a part-time job to contribute towards household expenses) because these lack immediate-term remedial actions and quantifiable results. They're also not interested in the low-level challenges which you'd overcome in such a part-time role. Instead, they want to hear about how somebody single-handedly improved the efficiency/profitability of a club/society/business (as an intern). And, given the limited amount of executive roles/professional internships, you can guess who's gunning to secure these from the outset!

 

[Bree]

Yeah, I got it a day after for the holding email

Exactly a day after finishing the test? Should I email grad rec if I did not get it?

 

[Amgrad]

Exactly a day after finishing the test? Should I email grad rec if I did not get it?

Yeah don't rush em tbh. If you got the feedback it means your application has been received. The holding email ain't necessary

 

[Snickerdoodlesolicitor]

Does anyone have any insight on Mills & Reeves online assessment? would appreciate the tiniest insight as I dont know what to expect like if it is SJT to WG. Thank you!

 

[LawAspirer]

Anyone heard from the following? :

WEIL

WITHERS

Dentons

MISHXON

SIMMONS

Addleshaw

 

[elle woods]

Anyone heard from the following? :

WEIL

WITHERS

Dentons

MISHXON

SIMMONS

Addleshaw

woah I didn't know we could insert tables here that's so cool

 

[LawAspirer]

woah I didn't know we could insert tables here that's so cool

hahaha, I just copied from excel

 

[yk1906]

Inbox is sooooo quiet...

 

[Rads]

Macfarlanes PFO after Stage 2

 

[elle woods]

Inbox is sooooo quiet...

😔 fr, but I do thank Links for the holding email and another firm for the feedback call email HAHA, at least it's something

 

[Harvey Specter]

Inbox is sooooo quiet...

Idk if it’s just me but I’ve been refreshing my inbox every 5 mins like an absolute melon. 🫠

We gna hear back from Skadden tom. Nervous asf for that idk what to expect tbh.​

 

[Amgrad]

Macfarlanes PFO after Stage 2

When did you submit it? I haven't heard it ages goo loll since 23/10

 

[yk1906]

😔 fr, but I do thank Links for the holding email and another firm for the feedback call email HAHA, at least it's something

I only got a Debevoise reminder to finish the app I can't even submit because they don't sponsor VSs

 

[Rads]

When did you submit it? I haven't heard it ages goo loll since 23/10

I submitted Stage 2 yesterday