TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[gmcaolaw]

Is Akin TI mainly competency? Do I have to prep much commerical stuff? Any insights would be amazing thank you!

 

[ACHat8r]

tbh if you have applied for a summer vac scheme (the remaining firms I've applied to are too) dont expect a response until late Jan early-mid Feb. Ik its hard but just be patient. Like ive not heard back from at least 7 firms. then again i have uni work to be doing (and tv shows to catch up on)

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo sui]

Guys, btw, is there a positive correlation between the later one gets rejected and the quality of the application? I was told that if one receives a rejection later than others, then the quality of the application was probably better and fencing an acceptance. Trying to clutch at any straws smh (

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

tbh if you have applied for a summer vac scheme (the remaining firms I've applied to are too) dont expect a response until late Jan early-mid Feb. Ik its hard but just be patient. Like ive not heard back from at least 7 firms. then again i have uni work to be doing (and tv shows to catch up on)

this was good 2 read for my fragile heart that only applied to summer schemes

 

[Bread]

I get where yous are all coming from but I do have one question: why are we policing what should be appropriate to post or not post beyond something being offensive or rude which the admin team deals with anyway?

People create their own threads to have focused discussions on particular firms all the time. They don’t get infiltrated by gifs or memes cos they’re purely made to discuss that particular issue. The traffic on this thread will always be super busy.

People create application tracking threads, firm response threads, AC advice threads, etc. In the same way you can suggest a different thread for memes and gifs, surely the same can be said for seeking information on specific firms.

My opinion is neither should happen. The voting poll that Jaysen put up earlier indicates what the majority of users on this particular thread prefer, with 33 people voting for this thread to stay as it is and 14 voting for separate threads.

We all have different preferences and views on this issue. I think we can agree to disagree!

This is the only post I’m gna make cos I rly don’t want to have a repeat of yesterday lmao.​

Because, as you’ve probably realised, the main thread gets much more engagement than private ones, so it’s a much better place to ask questions. Plus I like seeing posts from people who have asked something that I didn’t think of but might be relevant to me.

I feel like in previous years there wasn’t quite as much joking and sharing of personal experiences on this specific thread, which is why now that this is the case people don’t really have another outlet to do so.

I think it would make a very small difference to people who are online on tcla 24/7 and a big difference to people who log on less 😅

 

[georgianprincessmwuah]

Guys, btw, is there a positive correlation between the later one gets rejected and the quality of the application? I was told that if one receives a rejection later than others, then the quality of the application was probably better and fencing an acceptance. Trying to clutch at any straws smh (

Probably true. Bird & Bird rejected me really early last year, I greatly improved the applicagion, and then rejected me later than last year this year.

 

[Wompycapy]

Latham PFO (thought i could get an AC after surviving so many rounds of PFO lolll)

this is for summer vs

You should be relieved. I got my rejection in March last year lol I was so hopeful as well.

 

[trainee4u]

Has anyone else still not heard back from Weil, Gotshal and Manges? I applied mid November and also completed their video interview in early early December.


Apparently some people have already received PFOs and AC invites. Gonna assume no rejection email yet is a good sign until I'm shown otherwise. Good luck to everyone else!!

My "you keep me waiting long time"s (before Christmas applied) are:

• Slaughters, Davis Polk, Arnold Porter, Costco Kirkland, DFS DWF (nada)
• Simmonss, Irwin Mitchell, Bakers, Weil, Freshfields (did SJT/VI a month ago)
• Fieldfisher (explicitly held back till they've considered the organised people who applied early)

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

Withers SJT! ngl considering how long this took when I was seeing others getting a response within two days of applying, I was totally expecting this to be a PFO. So, a delightful surprise! Any insights would be appreciated 🙏

 

[lawyersum]

Cooley Interview invite - Spring! (Took WG 10 Jan, applied in Nov)

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Has anyone else still not heard back from Weil, Gotshal and Manges for the Vacation Scheme? I applied mid November and also completed their video interview in early early December.


Apparently some people have already received PFOs and AC invites. Gonna assume no rejection email yet is a good sign until I'm shown otherwise. Good luck to everyone else!!

Have not heard back either so...

 

[Donuttime]

Because, as you’ve probably realised, the main thread gets much more engagement than private ones, so it’s a much better place to ask questions. Plus I like seeing posts from people who have asked something that I didn’t think of but might be relevant to me.

I feel like in previous years there wasn’t quite as much joking and sharing of personal experiences on this specific thread, which is why now that this is the case people don’t really have another outlet to do so.

I think it would make a very small difference to people who are online on tcla 24/7 and a big difference to people who log on less 😅

I know its an outlet and idm the jokes and GIFS but I wish it wasnt done toooo much, like I said yesterday it gets to a point. Anyway im all about democracy and a lot more people erred on the side of keeping the GIFS and memes going so I cant really say lets ban it outright. BUT I do wish the jokes and memes were done every so often like in previous years rather than a whole page dedicated to back and forth banter.

 

[trainee4u]

Withers SJT! ngl considering how long this took when I was seeing others getting a response within two days of applying, I was totally expecting this to be a PFO. So, a delightful surprise! Any insights would be appreciated 🙏

it's just a standard cappfinity.

 

[zonnonomo]

Withers SJT! ngl considering how long this took when I was seeing others getting a response within two days of applying, I was totally expecting this to be a PFO. So, a delightful surprise! Any insights would be appreciated 🙏

omg congratulations! when did u apply

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

I go away for half an hour and come back to this. I think its okay now. Let's all get along.

 

[Novaa]

Guys, btw, is there a positive correlation between the later one gets rejected and the quality of the application? I was told that if one receives a rejection later than others, then the quality of the application was probably better and fencing an acceptance. Trying to clutch at any straws smh (

I have evidence which supports this. ☝️🤓

HSF Kramer said at an open day, that they review applications in levels:

1. Initial check by Early Careers who either reject you or progress you to a secondary check

2. Senior Early Career team will then either reject or progress you to the final batch of candidates to consider for an AC.

So no news truly is good news!

 

[DoNotRedeem]

Can anyone explain to me why a firm would give other people PFO's others invites to the next stage and I seem to just never hear anything from any of the firms I didn't progress with like 70% of the time and others I speedrun to AC. It feels like my applications just fall into a black hole? What is the actual reason firms do this? It is honestly so frustrating

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

omg congratulations! when did u apply

The 8th of January (I don't remember if that was deadline day or not sorry!)

 

[Bottega_Veneta]

Same, I feel like I did really well. I also prepared both written answers in advance so defo did well on those.

They must have had a very strict benchmark for the simulation questions to filter people out. I’m thinking 1-2 errors max else you’ll fail.

T

Can anyone explain to me why a firm would give other people PFO's others invites to the next stage and I seem to just never hear anything from any of the firms I didn't progress with like 70% of the time and others I speedrun to AC. It feels like my applications just fall into a black hole? What is the actual reason firms do this? It is honestly so frustrating

This is so relatable, I am waiting to hear back from 6 firms. I am giving myself to mourn today’s silence then back to applications from tomorrow! Hopefully that will distract me 🥹

 

[IWillGetATC]

do people think morgan lewis saying "21 January at midnight" mean 11:59 tomorrow instead of 00:00 (like tonight)? hoping so!