TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[elle woods]

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

noo, they don't? dang that is frustrating... I'm sorry 💔

 

[yk1906]

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

Yeah, but I also have my notifs on... I just put my phone on aeroplane mode to relax

 

[Amgrad]

I submitted Stage 2 yesterday

Sorry to hear that 😭 I really don't know why, are they reviewing candidates on chronological order, not the oldest first.

 

[yk1906]

noo, they don't? dang that is frustrating... I'm sorry 💔

Ah, they said they can sponsor TC but not VS... It's a classic situation atp

 

[yk1906]

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.​

I'll be flying to London tomorrow. Pleaseeeee make my time there worth it 😂

 

[Amgrad]

Same goes to my Akin & Davis Polk VS app. I will ask Baker and Orrick next year for TC whether they'll consider non law graduate who haven't started PGDL

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

 

[yk1906]

Same goes to my Akin & Davis Polk VS app. I will ask Baker and Orrick next year for TC whether they'll consider non law graduate who haven't started PGDL

I still applied to Weil, though, mainly because they have 0 questions on the app and I can practice SJTs (It's very, very bad to do that, I know 😂 😂 )

 

[e_turbo2]

Macfarlanes PFO post stage 2 completed in like September/October

 

[e_turbo2]

Clyde and Co first test completed this morning and invite to VI just now.

 

[Amgrad]

Macfarlanes PFO post stage 2 completed in like September/October

Waiting for mine, I messed up my second VI question

 

[elle woods]

I'll be flying to London tomorrow. Pleaseeeee make my time there worth it 😂

lowkey scared cos I have more travel plans when Skadden is hosting their WE... I may or may not be like completely wrecked while doing it - that is, provided I progress to that stage 😂

 

[beanss]

has anyone heard back after the ff ac?

 

[yk1906]

lowkey scared cos I have more travel plans when Skadden is hosting their WE... I may or may not be like completely wrecked while doing it - that is, provided I progress to that stage 😂

Girl, I hope you'll progress!! Hope that for myself, too 😂

 

[elle woods]

has anyone heard back after the ff ac?

my friend has! (very proud of them)

 

[lawyersum]

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

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!

Thank you for sharing this perspective, it is eye opening

 

[elle woods]

Girl, I hope you'll progress!! Hope that for myself, too 😂

LMAO thank you, you as well! Let's aim to meet at an interview HAHA

 

[oliviabeijing]

Is clyde and co rolling? if people are getting VIs now for spring vac even though the deadline is in Jan?

 

[yk1906]

my friend has! (very proud of them)

An offer from Freshfields... Dream life!!

 

[yk1906]

LMAO thank you, you as well! Let's aim to meet at an interview HAHA

10000%

 

[Amgrad]

I still applied to Weil, though, mainly because they have 0 questions on the app and I can practice SJTs (It's very, very bad to do that, I know 😂 😂 )

Weil and Milbank still consider applicants without rights to work like Skadden as they're reviewing on case basis which potentially offer DTC