TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[BealMcAlly]

OK, I can see that you're referring to me. But, that's not really the point I was trying to make.

What I was trying to say, is that tailoring your answers (and getting them reviewed) will only take you so far. There are other aspects of your application which are equally, if not more, important. And, from my observations, applicants who are stronger all-rounders tend to get further despite obvious flaws in their application answers.

If I could show you what my friend wrote without identifying myself, I would. For a bit more context, his applications simply mentioned PE being a firm's strength, and then he copy/pasted an explanation about why he (given his experience) would thrive at that firm.

The most important takeaway here (for me) was that the age-old advice from graduate recruitment, that your answer must be "unique" (in the sense of not being applicable to another firm), is clearly untrue by looking at his answers. For each of them, you could have plugged in the name of another small-intake US firm specialising in PE and it would have been equally as valid.

Thank you for clarifying.


I think what you said here also shows what sorts of firms care about what. US firms are known to care about credentials a lot, hence their really high entry requirements to begin with. Maybe your friend just looked really good on paper that they did not care. Great for your friend, sucks for everyone else trying really hard though.

 

[oliviabeijing]

Yes for Spring! I got the VI invite 12/12

Okay amazing good luck! When did you do the assessment? Did you hear back soon after?

 

[Amgrad]

I don’t think you’re screwed!! 4 is actually not bad in the grand scheme of things, usually the ratio out of 15ish apps (according to my friend and experience) is typically you might progress to next stages on only half of them.

I’ve applied to 16 I think and have gotten PFOs or will definitely be getting a PFO (ghosted after first test) by like 7 - and others are still pending, but I know the likelihood is that there will be some PFOs in the rest too.

So don’t worry! - best of luck!

TYSM! That's really good to know. This is my first cycle, coming from non law and non British uni would be hard to start, but this community lightened my burden! My close friends always think I am a dependable person, but of course in the field that I knew or experienced. I've always known as a fast learner and high tenacity to be curious, so I thought I am fit to firms like these.

I am also international and come from low income and first generation student. Been livin and studyin around wealthy and poor, just hope that this cycle isn't ended up like my American college app where I decided to pick a very low ranked college as I couldn't afford the elite schools even though admitted, I can't imagine with Trump now, the UK is my only hope

Afaik I was applying like 21 universities, got in to 15, waitlisted by 3 (which ended rejection) and rejected without waitlisted by 3 too. Fingers crossed for these law firms app, I kind get of the vibes because of the essays my previous jobs didn't make me Dejavu lol

 

[c3alg]

has anyone heard from Davis Polk yet?

 

[LawAspirer]

has anyone heard from Davis Polk yet?

Nothing here

 

[Jennifer2003]

Does anyone know if Cooley have given any ACs yet? Is it still worth applying for their summer programme even though they're rolling?

 

[Tired of Applications]

S&C PFO, Weil SJT and VI, anyone willing to chat please PM me.

 

[TortillaTC]

Does anyone know if Cooley have given any ACs yet? Is it still worth applying for their summer programme even though they're rolling?

They aren’t rolling - based on past years, they start getting back to candidates post deadline + it’s stated in their 2022/2023 grad rec brochure that they might start looking at applications before the deadline but won’t send further stages.

 

[RJ Ruban]

Reedsmith PFO post VI

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Reed Smith PFO post -test
What a day

 

[qaz99]

Some of these firms (Debevoise, Ropes & Gray and Cooley) are non-rolling and their deadlines aren’t until the new year, so it’s likely you won’t hear back until mid Jan onwards. Idk about all of the other firms though. Akin Gump is super rolling from what I gathered at their open day.​

Hi, could you expand on Akin being super rolling? During the open day did they indicate when ACs will start?

 

[Mara]

RS PFO post VI
This one made me really sad

 

[Jennifer2003]

They aren’t rolling - based on past years, they start getting back to candidates post deadline + it’s stated in their 2022/2023 grad rec brochure that they might start looking at applications before the deadline but won’t send further stages.

Thank you for clarifying that! I was really confused by their brochure!

 

[itsallgoodman]

Has anyone heard from HSF post benchmark with an AC invite? Only seen PFOs so I’m not sure if they've been sending out invites yet

 

[LawAspirer]

Anyone else here able to get top-notch work experiences outside all these vac schemes? I managed to basically get in everywhere else like in house in bigtech/fintechs etc but I haven't been able to get a single vac scheme... wondering if that's something that's maybe off putting to law firms?

 

[RSK]

two PFOs on my birthday (Skadden & Reed Smith), please enough is acc enough. Should I just not check my mailbox for the rest of the day so i can actually get in the birthday spirit loool

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Has anyone heard from HSF post benchmark with an AC invite? Only seen PFOs so I’m not sure if they've been sending out invites yet

If this is for summer, it'll be mid or late Jan

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I think Madison was just offering insight on their experience as someone from Oxbridge with high grade credentials. Whether they think, from their experience, firms are swayed by the uni prestige or not. Not a brag on the forum but rather just to add some nuance to the conversation? I, myself, am not from Oxbridge/ Durham/ Exeter/ St Andrews/ Bristol etc but I would be interested to hear from Madisons experience too!

Likewise I’m pretty interested too cos my grades aren’t exactly the best at least on paper (ABB at A-level), mixed GCSEs and a high 2:1 (68.5) law degree from a northern RG (think Sheffield, Lvpl, Newcastle). Despite that I’ve just progressed to Skadden’s written exercise, so idk if they placed most of the emphasis on academics and maybe they did look at everything holistically?​

 

[RSK]

If this is for summer, it'll be mid or late Jan

hey, do you know when ACs are sent for spring for HSF?

 

[Dannie]

two PFOs on my birthday (Skadden & Reed Smith), please enough is acc enough. Should I just not check my mailbox for the rest of the day so i can actually get in the birthday spirit loool

Happy Birthday! I'm sorry this is happening on your birthday, you deserve to celebrate yourself fully without all this stress!! Hope you do something nice, sending lots of bday wishes xx!