TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

I was texting someone the other day saying how Milbank should just hurry up and PFO me and the email came through 2 minutes after😂 they have eyes everywhere…

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

I say TCLA LLP should file a class-action lawsuit against grad rec teams to enforce releasing scores and post app/test feedback. This will be grad Rec’s response but we’re gna reject it:

 

[helenaskelton]

For people who have already done Gibson Dunn AC, how probing was it? Were the l questions super tough?

 

[CupOfTea17]

Has anyone else still not heard from FieldFisher? They said my application was on hold while they assess the first batch of applicants, but I haven't heard back since and I can see people getting offers.
Should I just assume PFO, although I'm slightly confused as they said they were non rolling...
(This is for Pathways to Practice)

 

[Novaa]

I say TCLA LLP should file a class-action lawsuit against grad rec teams to enforce releasing scores and post app/test feedback. This will be grad Rec’s response but we’re gna reject it:

$1 Million?? MAKE IT $10 MILLION AND RELEASE THE DATA TOO!

 

[sbbusybee]

If I completed an assessment for a firm with a rolling deadline a month ago and they have not gotten back to me, should I assume its probably a PFO? By which I mean has anyone heard from White & Case? I'm sick with anxiety.

Just for perspective, I did their final interview last year for their spring VS and they ghosted me for nearly two months. I would email every now and then for an update and they said they’d get back to me soon. By soon, they meant a week after the VS finished with a PFO lol.

It was such a horrible experience and even though deep down I knew it was a PFO, that hopeful part of me was still so so anxious.

To me it seems they are firm that leaves PFOs until later, but maybe this is a different at different stages of the application, or maybe I just got unlucky.

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

If you still beg grad rec to reveal the test results, I personally prefer they show as where we at, for example, "unfortunately, after careful consideration with holistic assessment, you were not shortlisted as you were ranked X or Top X since we have a quota of X"

I think that's fair, but on the other hand can demotivated people who ranked Bottom 10% or deceived people who very close to the tip like say 1-2 places up to get.

Also, it could leak and protest from other candidates and call it unfair, but TBH they should explain the literal holistic assessment mean; the method, the calculation of weighted score or % each section, etc. (without ambiguous or biased judgment)

 

[DoNotRedeem]

Has anyone else not heard anything from Cooley post application? Lol.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

$1 Million?? MAKE IT $10 MILLION AND RELEASE THE DATA TOO!

RELEASE THE MILBANK FILES

 

[dlc3266]

Still nothing from Perkins Coie?

 

[TortillaTC]

Has anyone else still not heard from Reed Smith post test? 😂 It’s getting annoying

 

[Novaa]

If you still beg grad rec to reveal the test results, I personally prefer they show as where we at, for example, "unfortunately, after careful consideration with holistic assessment, you were not shortlisted as you were ranked X or Top X since we have a quota of X"

I think that's fair, but on the other hand can demotivated people who ranked Bottom 10% or deceived people who very close to the tip like say 1-2 places up to get.

Also, it could leak and protest from other candidates and call it unfair, but TBH they should explain the literal holistic assessment mean; the method, the weighted score or % each section, etc. (without ambiguous or biased judgment)

Wait I remember the first time I failed Clifford Chance’s WG and saw the graph and where I ranked in comparison to their trainees and other professions. I DECIDED I WAS NEVER FAILING A WG AGAIN!

 

[Jaysen]

Hello everyone, I thought it might be a good idea to have a place to discuss some commercial issues - how they affect law firms and clients especially. Feel free to drop anything that has caught your eye in the news and let's discuss! :

Commercial Discussion 2026

Hello everyone, I thought it might be a good idea to have a place to discuss some commercial issues - how they affect law firms and clients especially. Feel free to drop anything that has caught your eye in the news and let's discuss!

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Great idea!

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Wait I remember the first time I failed Clifford Chance’s WG and saw the graph and where I ranked in comparison to their trainees and other professions. I DECIDED I WAS NEVER FAILING A WG AGAIN!

When it was? So sad they weren't ranking us again.. at least last cycle they didn't too.

 

[Novaa]

When it was? So sad they weren't ranking us again.. at least last cycle they didn't too.

This was in 2021 I believe? All I know I was in second year and it was a dark winter night 💔

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

This was in 2021 I believe? All I know I was in second year and it was a dark winter night 💔

Oh I was just finishing high school that year and took a gap year haha due to covid.

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

Congrats! Do you mind me asking when you received a response please? And whether this is for the spring or summer as I am still waiting for a response for spring

this was spring I applied on the deadline, my interview was last week! good luckxx

 

[llblawstudent]

Anyone know whether RPC send ACs in batches?

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

Question: Does Winston & Strawn review applications on a rolling basis?

 

[startupgeek]

milbank pfo post stage 1