TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TortillaTC]

They also discretely added a ‘2:1 in all modules’ requirement on their website so I assume that’s a way for them to filter out people. Can’t see the firm sending the test to 2,000 applicants and then going through each one, unless they apply really high filters on the test scores or something. I saw one of their grad rec videos recently saying they’d be sending ACs around the new year. Guess it’ll just a matter of waiting until then.​

Yes I saw that too, they say they're looking for a 2.1 but without multiple module grades below 60% - however, approximately 20% of my modules were 2.2 and I still got the test, but I had ECs+non-UK grading system so they might have assessed it differently

 

[luvfrompluto]

I have insight into Hogan Lovells and Freshfields second test. If anyone needs just drop a DM.

Hi, this is quite late but I would be very grateful if you're still willing to share! I wasn't able to access your profile so I'm replying here

 

[Harvey Specter]

Yes I saw that too, they say they're looking for a 2.1 but without multiple module grades below 60% - however, approximately 20% of my modules were 2.2 and I still got the test, but I had ECs+non-UK grading system so they might have assessed it differently

Yeah same here I think 4/18 of mine were 2:2 but was still progressed with ECs. I think my overall uni performance and final year average helped.​

 

[BobThebIlly]

How on earth did they justify basically giving no one a TC lmao whattt?

App it was evident that most applicant used ChatGPT to aid them during the app process which clearly became evident on the scheme

This is what I got from a friend who successfully got a TC last year on that scheme

 

[johnsmith]

I completely get why that feels frustrating. "Rolling” can be quite opaque from the outside, especially when you apply early and then hear nothing for weeks.

One thing to bear in mind is that for some rolling firms, applications can be reviewed in batches rather than strictly in order. That means your application may already have been looked at, but tests or next steps are sent out later once they’ve reached a certain point internally. Silence doesn’t mean you’re out, and it doesn’t mean you don’t still have a good chance.

Applying early does genuinely offer an advantage, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. In practice, it can mean your application is actually considered, rather than competing with a large volume submitted close to the deadline. For some firms, those later applications simply don’t get reviewed at all once capacity is reached, which is why firms still describe the process as rolling.

That doesn’t make the waiting any easier, but I wouldn’t read too much into radio silence at this stage. You’ve done the right thing by applying early, and it’s still very much a waiting game rather than a verdict.

Wishing you hear back with good news ASAP!

Lol at the username having testaccount in it - assume this must be some sort of AI user explains all the super lengthy posts that have started appearing

 

[jojo23]

Any tips on how not to lose my mind over christmas knowing firms are going to be telling anyone anything until Jan🫠

Get wine drunk with your grandma or aunties.
Food comatose
Flip the table after your family brings out the board games (extra points if monopoly).
Mad bender on nye.


No, im not speaking from experience🤣

 

[BobThebIlly]

They also discretely added a ‘2:1 in all modules’ requirement on their website so I assume that’s a way for them to filter out people. Can’t see the firm sending the test to 2,000 applicants and then going through each one, unless they apply really high filters on the test scores or something. I saw one of their grad rec videos recently saying they’d be sending ACs around the new year. Guess it’ll just a matter of waiting until then.​

That’s interesting. I got ABB at a level with a couple 2.2s in first year and one 2.2 in second year but they still progressed me to the assessment

I did have some MItC so maybe they really do consider it holistically 🤷‍♀️

 

[c.t.tc]

Get wine drunk with your grandma or aunties.
Food comatose
Flip the table after your family brings out the board games (extra points if monopoly).
Mad bender on nye.


No, im not speaking from experience🤣

Honestly loving the the range of options everyones giving me hahaha❤️

 

[Trophy]

Lol at the username having testaccount in it - assume this must be some sort of AI user explains all the super lengthy posts that have started appearing

Yep although someone said it’s because tcla are hiring🤔 maybe this is some sort of test?
I do agree many have been lengthy asf and also very generic and broad not much personality or experience so gets tiring to read. I do wonder if the task was to write the longest response 🤣

 

[jagath]

why are there a bunch of new people writing essays on the forum now??

 

[johnsmith]

Yep although someone said it’s because tcla are hiring🤔 maybe this is some sort of test?
I do agree many have been lengthy asf and also very generic and broad not much personality or experience so gets tiring to read. I do wonder if the task was to write the longest response 🤣

Searching Aarav brings up an AI tech company so assume it must be bot profiles.

 

[Trophy]

Searching Aarav brings up an AI tech company so assume it must be bot profiles.

I searched Aarav and “ it’s a popular Indian name Sanskrit origin, meaning "sound," "peaceful," or "calm noise," often associated with wisdom and music, and is also considered a name for Hindu deities like Lord Shiva”🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 maybe we have two different internets aha

 

[AMullin]

Attended Paul, Weiss’s webinar on PE deals today. As much as I found it useful, I’m honestly feeling quite discouraged from applying. Their associate said that we should speak with many people from every firm we’re applying to and how spending a week on an application isn’t enough time (as apparently, the associate speaker spent a whole year on their K&E vac scheme app answers and seemed to be super focused on landing a US TC at a top M&A/PE firm). He basically portrayed the whole process as a multiple year strategy, implying that getting into a firm of this calibre starts in your first year (or at least undergrad), and that working just a week on an application is nothing.

I just don’t see the point of applying if some candidates are this connected to top firms from their first year onwards. I can imagine that a lot of them will have done first year schemes or vac schemes at other firms, while all my experiences are in completely different sectors. On top of that, I did my law degree outside the UK and only decided to go corporate after I graduated, so this whole application world is new to me compared to LLB students in the UK that did first year schemes or were ambassadors etc.

His whole speech, while coming from a place of trying to help, made me think that unless I can back my motivation with very strong PE-related experience or open day at the firm, I might as well not apply. I can very well explain what I know about PE, why I want to work at a transactional firm, etc but honestly can’t compete with the likes of candidates the associate seemed like, given how selective PW and similar firms are.

Basically, my whole profile is very different to the usual successful candidate at firms like PW, K&E etc. so I’m trying to figure out if applying is even worth it. Regarding today’s discussions, I personally think that tailoring application answers makes a huge difference but perhaps trying with firms that are actually paying attention to them and trying to hire diverse people is a better idea.

Any insights?

No insights to offer, but my career so far has been based around accept nothing, believe no one, challenge everything. So my two cents on this:

This is one person’s experience of their application route to this firm. That alone should be enough to apply on your own merits — your application could be just as strong even if it differs drastically.

While I’m yet to experience the end result of a TC, I also doubt that the individual fully knows exactly what it was that gained them a TC/VS in the first place. Yes, they may have put in countless hours, from the time they hit puberty, into the pursuit of a legal career, but it may well be the case that Graduate Recruitment thought: “Yep — checks academic requirements, answered application questions to a good standard, tested well, interviewed well and had no major dramas on the VS." The preparation for that does not require years of singular focus towards a specific firm (in my opinion).

The idea that spending a week writing an application is insufficient is ridiculous. Unless they are referring to the entire process of achieving the grades or work experience, this is both unrealistic and inefficient. Most firms have 2–4 application questions, probably with an average word count of about 300 words. It may well take multiple years to build the experiences behind those answers, but it certainly doesn’t take that long to craft responses good enough to get through the application sift — a week is more than enough time.

Sorry for the long post — I’m tired and rambling — but just wanted to say: don’t let this person discourage you from anything. You are more than good enough 💪

 

[johnsmith]

I searched Aarav and “ it’s a popular Indian name Sanskrit origin, meaning "sound," "peaceful," or "calm noise," often associated with wisdom and music, and is also considered a name for Hindu deities like Lord Shiva”🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 maybe we have two different internets aha

Oh did put in AI after the name 😅 apologies if they are a real person

 

[MusaMoses]

bro i swear kirkland are sending out invites on a reverse rolling order 🤣

sent my app in in october hoping to hear back earlier but it seems people who are receiving invites now submitted this week

Same position mate!

 

[DavidJC]

I do think this thread was just a testing ground for potential TCLA mods as some have pointed out. I confess that halfway through this afternoon that whilst I didn't think they were bots, I did start thinking "why are there so many people typing in a very similar tone to how Andrei normally types when explaining something" 😅

Also ended up spending the day not really looking at any more apps, kinda just needed the break after this morning's disappointment lol, just gonna revisit my approach again and consider that Skadden was essentially one of my first few applications this cycle, so probably wasn't the absolute best I could've done

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

why are there a bunch of new people writing essays on the forum now??

litch😭matter of fact where’s everyone from ahh

 

[aria_d]

Hi! I just did the Ashurst online test, do we get a confirmation as soon as we do it or will we be directly sent the report a few days later? Asking because I haven't recieved a confirmation :')

 

[Lord Sumption]

one scheme last year took 2/23

This is true actually. I know one person who did the scheme, and they said FF are very ruthless at the interview stage. It’s definitely easier to get onto the vac scheme than it is to convert it into a TC, and the conversion rates can be very low depending on the year.

One thing I’ve also heard (slightly more “inside baseball”) is that the firm deliberately keeps VS numbers high because they use the scheme as a very broad benchmarking exercise rather than a straight pipeline. They compare vac schemers not just against each other, but against future cohorts and even existing trainees, so being “good” on the scheme often isn’t enough - you have to clearly outperform an extremely high internal bar. That means plenty of strong candidates still don’t get TCs, not necessarily because they’re weak, but because the firm is very selective about long-term fit and timing.

 

[lawstudent2]

Hi! I just did the Ashurst online test, do we get a confirmation as soon as we do it or will we be directly sent the report a few days later? Asking because I haven't recieved a confirmation :')

It stated this in the test invitation email 'PLEASE NOTE YOU WILL RECEIVE THE REPORT WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENT. THIS WILL NOT BE SENT IMMEDIATELY.'

Note the caps wasn't me haha, it was like that in the email