TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Novaa]

hey guys would love advice. am getting pfod for legit everything LOL. Winter cycle was easier as I had a VS but I didn’t convert it so we goin again. I also got a SVS but didn’t convert that either. Sometimes I’m like…should I continue? It looks bleak from now.

Oh, you have to continue!! The finish line is so near 😍

Just make sure you’re getting that feedback and reflecting on what’s been raised. It should hopefully be things which you can apply for a DTC application or even a summer application. YOU GOT THIS!!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Reed Smith’s grad rec team watching the forum beef between jamieclarke vs spamelinazoid like:

 

[Prudentia]

Did you apply for spring or summer?

Oh sorry! Should have said. I applied for Cooley summer.

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Yeah it’s DEVASTATING LOL. And the feedback they give you sometimes feels a little made up… but I will keep going if that’s what people think. I also work a 9-5 so going home to do VI and applications just feels like oh mannnn. But I know others are in the same boat w this

The firm I interviewed with literally based it only on my interview performance because I was ‘lacking commercial awareness’ despite performing really well during the scheme. It’s the worst feeling and I really get you about working and doing VIs. I did my interview for RS yesterday after a full day at my job which I hate anyway so the mood was not right😭😭

 

[spamelinazoid]

Reed Smith’s grad rec team watching the forum beef between jamieclarke vs spamelinazoid like:

Willing to do anything to get some comms from them tbh

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Reed Smith’s grad rec team watching the forum beef between jamieclarke vs spamelinazoid like:

Hahahahahaha. They’re sitting on that bad boy piece of information

 

[hawkins19]

how bad is applying on deadline day?

 

[TortillaTC]

Willing to do anything to get some comms from them tbh

See, THAT is entrepreneurship and originality they better give you that AC

 

[summersun]

The firm I interviewed with literally based it only on my interview performance because I was ‘lacking commercial awareness’ despite performing really well during the scheme. It’s the worst feeling and I really get you about working and doing VIs. I did my interview for RS yesterday after a full day at my job which I hate anyway so the mood was not right😭😭

Also mostly failed to convert last year because of my final interview so completely get it... (cried in the bathroom after my interview as I had a sense I had failed )

 

[ellamai0]

Also, hate to be that guy but does anyone know around when firms like Mishcon (spring) and HSF (summer) get back regarding assessment centre invites after someone does their tests? Really hoping I don't have to wait until mid February

I’m still waiting to hear back about HSFK Spring so I wouldn’t be surprised if it was mid feb.

 

[spamelinazoid]

See, THAT is entrepreneurship and originality they better give you that AC

Usings lots of creative force

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

how bad is applying on deadline day?

I apply for basically everything on the deadline and so far my apps have gone through fine from the firms that responded

 

[helenaskelton]

The firm I interviewed with literally based it only on my interview performance because I was ‘lacking commercial awareness’ despite performing really well during the scheme. It’s the worst feeling and I really get you about working and doing VIs. I did my interview for RS yesterday after a full day at my job which I hate anyway so the mood was not right😭😭

Anyone on here got any advice to do well in exit interviews / be more ‘commercially aware’. They tend to really rip you apart in these final final ones so I am also wanting to know what to do LOL

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Anyone on here got any advice to do well in exit interviews / be more ‘commercially aware’. They tend to really rip you apart in these final final ones so I am also wanting to know what to do LOL

I would also like to know!! @Afraz Akhtar ??

 

[radssss]

how bad is applying on deadline day?

not bad at all if it’s non rolling. I’ve also progressed with rolling firms after applying on the deadline day so give it a shot if you have the time to do a quality app

 

[Novaa]

how bad is applying on deadline day?

Honestly, it depends as my first vac scheme was one I applied to on deadline day. You got this twin 😍

 

[trainee4u]

Just realised that I used AI in an application in which I supposedly assured that I had not in the declaration. Yet somehow haven’t had a PFO yet many many others have. Any advice here? Thanksss

It's unlikely that firms will use automated AI detection tools, because they don't work.

IME using AI it creates horrid prose with certain patterns like

• lots of unnecessary adverbs like "genuinely multispecialist"
• "matches how I work best"
• "intersection of X and Y"
• "combines X with Y"

I am sure if you are in recruitment and you come across these kind of patterns you just click "reject", without going to check an AI detector (which doesn't work).

OTOH if you use AI and edit out the repetitive AI quirks, they are not going to notice.

 

[Donuttime]

Cooley this aint cool. holding my breath waiting for a response

 

[Prudentia]

Sorry what is the second stage?

Watson Glaser.