TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Not us PFOing them

'Thank you for applying for the role of Vacation Scheme Host. After careful consideration, we have decided not to progress with your application. Unfortunately, your application form had too many bloody questions, and I really cba. x'

PFO continued:

‘The quality of other vac scheme hosts went above and beyond our expectations, so we have made a difficult decision to reject your application.

Due to the high number of applications received, we are unable to provide individual feedback, out of fairness to other vac scheme hosts.

We received a record number of applications so have decided to offer generic feedback: please don’t have too many bloody questions.

We thank you for taking the time to apply for this position and wish you the very best of luck hosting something else instead.’​

 

[CupOfTea17]

For Womble Bond Dickinson application - are people tailoring their work experience to the firm?

 

[Scottishlion]

I'm applying but have been getting rejections consistently so far. I went to Oxbridge and have banking and consulting experience but no law. My average grade was 63%, does it matter that it's low?

 

[dlc3266]

Thinking of doing last min apps to Cleary, Orrick, Hogan Lovells (TC), and Ropes & Gray?

How strict are the academic requirements, like does a 67% average meet what they say 'academic excellence'?

Also for Clearly, do you think a low RG (i.e. Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Sheff) = 'leading university'? or are they thinking more about London/oxbridge?

I know Cleary’s quite stringent with grades — does anyone know if same holds for Orrick HL and Ropes?

 

[user123987]

Has anyone got any resources for practicing a case study? If so may you please DM me some, it would be so appreciated!

 

[toughluck]

anyone heard back from linklaters AC? i know they said within one week and that they run ACs mon-thu so wondering if it's a fri of the week or anytime the following week. did those who did last week's ACs hear back alr, if so when?

 

[user397485]

is there any point waiting for simmons if ppl have got offers already - they only have 20 spots i think

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Bruh Kirkland really ghosted me. This is insane. Applied 29/11 and haven’t heard anything🫩🫩

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Bruh Kirkland really ghosted me. This is insane. Applied 29/11 and haven’t heard anything🫩🫩

I kind of wanna email them and ask whats going on atp

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Is anyone subscribed to ZipLaw+? Is it worth it

 

[Novaa]

Is anyone subscribed to ZipLaw+? Is it worth it

I was subscribing on and off, but have been subscribed for the last 2 months and I would say yes.

The website had had a revamp so information is accessible more easily. The commercial awareness articles they post, especially those behind a paywall (e.g., trends for law firms in 2026) are really clear and simple. Similar to other sites, they also have playbooks on firms and insights into different application stages.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

I was subscribing on and off, but have been subscribed for the last 2 months and I would say yes.

The website had had a revamp so information is accessible more easily. The commercial awareness articles they post, especially those behind a paywall (e.g., trends for law firms in 2026) are really clear and simple. Similar to other sites, they also have playbooks on firms and insights into different application stages.

Sigh *taps card*

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Sigh *taps card*

So many subscriptions... I have Watson's Daily for the month and CLA

 

[Novaa]

Sigh *taps card*

So many subscriptions... I have Watson's Daily for the month and CLA

I keep getting bank notifications for different sites, and I swipe them away so quickly! If I can’t see it… it isn’t real!

 

[TortillaTC]

I got a 26 this cycle which I thought met the benchmark.

What irks me is that they fully claim they review application answers at stage 1 and tests and vi are selective. They have said a few times in virtual events that once they review your application, they don't look at it again and the VI is reviewed independently.

Clearly they changed their game now.

The tests+VI are definitely selective and only sent to 50% of applicants. Their grad rec stated this in multiple events I attended + many people posted about getting PFOs post application on the forum.

But I think they do occasionally look at initial applications in later stages, I mean they have to. Perhaps sometimes a VI answers doesn’t make sense so they look at the application to gain clarity - just a guess.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Sigh *taps card*

So many subscriptions... I have Watson's Daily for the month and CLA

Sigh *you guys’ bank balances after subscribing to CLA, Watson’s Daily and ZipLaw which easily costs £100s per month (ouch)*

Fr though do yous think these subscriptions are acc worth it cos I’m skeptical about the ROI/VFM and will end up protesting for refunds like:

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Sigh *you guys’ bank balances after subscribing to CLA, Watson’s Daily and ZipLaw which easily costs £100s per month (ouch)*

Fr though do yous think these subscriptions are acc worth it cos I’m skeptical about the ROI/VFM and will end up protesting for refunds like:

£15 on a ZipLaw subscription which could have been a Nandos..... hate this world x

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Sigh *you guys’ bank balances after subscribing to CLA, Watson’s Daily and ZipLaw which easily costs £100s per month (ouch)*

Fr though do yous think these subscriptions are acc worth it cos I’m skeptical about the ROI/VFM and will end up protesting for refunds like:

I just pay for CLA because I needed a place to start...hopefully it bloody pays off

 

[Novaa]

Question for people who had favourite firms going into this cycle: if you didn’t hear back from them and heard back from a firm who wasn’t your top choice. Would you accept a TC with them?

The spirit of UCAS lives on

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Question for people who had favourite firms going into this cycle: if you didn’t hear back from them and heard back from a firm who wasn’t your top choice. Would you accept a TC with them?

The spirit of UCAS lives on

Ngl beggars cannot be choosers in this game so I guess I’d *reluctantly* accept the TC scraps…

But then I can imagine the firm’s reaction after they discover that they weren’t my top choice: