TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

Weil PFO, with an Amberjack of 6566!

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

Just completed the VI for CMS, it went by very quickly with only 1 minute answering time. I personally prefer 2 minutes to answer as it gives more time to link back to company values, but tried my best so will see what happens!

 

[Lawlawland]

I woke up today dreaming about getting a Linklaters rejection, had a jump scare, opened my mail, it read Link... I was so upset, I fell asleep again.

I wake up and check my email again, I have no mails from Linklaters... The only email I got in the morning was from LinkedIn, now I'm so confused wondering why was I hallucinating a rejection and confused LinkedIn with Linklaters

 

[switchingup]

Update:

• Bird & Bird: applied 10th Dec
  • PFO: 22nd Dec
  • Deffo applied too late lol! Will get it in early if I have to apply to firms again next cycle.
• White & Case: applied 21st Dec
  • Probably also too late, but decided to switch from DTC to VS at the last minute.
  • No further communication as of 22nd Dec (shocker lol)

No further updates!

Re-post: was in mod jail!

Hi everyone! First time posting here, although I've been lurking without an account for ages lol. I'm a career changer, and this is my first application cycle.

I'm posting the vacation schemes I've applied for with dates. Hope this helps with timelines! I'll try my best to keep this updated, but working full-time + juggling these apps is no joke lol. Bear with me!

• Bird & Bird: applied 10th Dec (probs too late lol)
  • No further communication as of 19th Dec
• DLA Piper (London): applied 19th Nov
  • Received WG invite: 26th Nov
  • Took WG: 29th Nov - scored 'Strength to leverage' for assumptions and arguments, 'Further exploration' for Critical thinking, and 'Opportunity for development' for conclusions. My worst performance on any WG! Don't take these tests when exhausted.
    • Report came immediately after completing the assessment
  • Received what vaguely resembles a passed benchmark email: 1st Dec
  • Portal updated to (paraphrase) "We're enjoying getting to know you": 4th Dec
  • Portal updated to "Thank you for your interest in DLA Piper. We are fully considering the information provided": 9th Dec
  • No further communication as of 19th Dec
• HSF Kramer (Spring VS): applied 1st Dec
  • Received assessment: 1st Dec
  • Took assessment: 5th Dec - scored 'balanced' for technical expertise and 'moderate fit' for the rest lol
    • Report came immediately after completing the assessment
  • Reached benchmark: 8th Dec
  • No further communication as of 19th Dec
• Linklaters: applied 1st Dec
  • Received assessment: 1st Dec
    • Took assessment: 3rd Dec - scored highest in 'Resilience' and 'Motivation,' lowest in 'Resource and Work Management'
    • Report came one day after completing the assessment
  • Received WG invite: 3rd Dec
  • Application under review email: 4th Dec
  • Second holding email from recruiters: 15th Dec (everyone received this)
  • No further communication as of 19th Dec
• Reed Smith: applied 14th Dec
  • No further communication as of 19th Dec
• Simmons & Simmons: applied 14th Dec (last-minute app, also probs too late )
  • Received assessment: 14th Dec
  • Took assessment: 15th Dec - scored high verbal/numerical expertise, 8 (Self) / 8 (Commercial) / 4 (People) loool
    • Report came immediately after completing the assessment
  • No further communication as of 19th Dec
• Willkie: applied 10th Dec
  • PFO 17th Dec

Pending: Covington

I've also applied to the following firms DTC: CC, CMS, Freshfields, Slaughter and May (pending: Ashurst, Lewis Silkin, and W&C). I've added updated on these apps in the DTC thread.

Best of luck to everyone

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

what did the update say?

It just said applications closed on this date and tests should have been completed by Friday. We will be in contact with an update no later than 27 February 2026

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

It just said applications closed on this date and tests should have been completed by Friday. We will be in contact with an update no later than 27 February 2026

Best of luck! Got the same email just now. The 19th was a week from the final date of initial application.

 

[radssss]

I woke up today dreaming about getting a Linklaters rejection, had a jump scare, opened my mail, it read Link... I was so upset, I fell asleep again.

I wake up and check my email again, I have no mails from Linklaters... The only email I got in the morning was from LinkedIn, now I'm so confused wondering why was I hallucinating a rejection and confused LinkedIn with Linklaters

This has happened to me so many times I guess we are all traumatised from getting pfos

 

[edwardtcjourney]

Hey all! Wondering if anybody can offer insights in to the Weil VI, can offer in return other US firms once I get my applications in! Bank my future insights early!

 

[user55998384]

is the bakers vi automatic or selective?

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

is the bakers vi automatic or selective?

selective, congrats

 

[pepsicola96]

Anybody still waiting on bird and bird for spring? (Or summer?). No PFO yet, but also been waiting two weeks since VI

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Just got pfo from Bird & Bird. I think I applied too late but it's also hard to know what to do better when there is no feedback. I'm feeling very out of sorts now and I'm doubting my other apps. Not quite sure what to do.

 

[nbjani]

Not the Ashurst jump scare I think I need to somehow calm down.

 

[EfficientBag123]

I haven’t had invitation or PFO… so assuming it’s PFO?

I got the VI interview on Wednesday

 

[M_m]

Has anyone who applied to Mishcon on deadline day received the AI chat link?

 

[cookedlawstudent]

completed the HL first stage test last Wednesday and I am still yet to hear back for the 2nd stage test......I might be cooked

 

[Maria56]

Has anyone who applied to Mishcon on deadline day received the AI chat link?

Applied on the deadline and haven’t received anything. Wondering if I should contact recruitment or accept that the test might have had to be done within deadline.

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Has anyone who applied to Mishcon on deadline day received the AI chat link?

I have not am I am concerned

 

[Z48]

Has anyone who applied to Mishcon on deadline day received the AI chat link?

Applied on the deadline and haven’t received anything. Wondering if I should contact recruitment or accept that the test might have had to be done within deadline.

I have not am I am concerned

There’s been an issue with the mishcon AI chat, I applied the day before the deadline and got the link, but it says it’s expired. I got this email from the early careers team today, might be that the issues meant the link hasn’t been sent to people that applied on the deadline yet