TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[badmintonflyinginsect]

I was told that the interviews are usually held in Jan but I guess we will wait and see!

Yep, next stage is interview which we heard back re around early Jan I think but if you're really keen you can just check last year's thread maybe?

 

[elle woods]

@uhfwejdj @Mike Ross 2025 I apologise, I genuinely didn't realise that it was inconveniencing people. I'll be more mindful from now on.

 

[boots pharmacy]

Just wanted to update you guys after 10 days. I would really appreciate anyone that applied to the firms that I am waiting for and has heard back to please let me know🥹🙏🏻 also I understand that everyone deals with PFOs differently but IMO we should include at least the date that we applied on when informing the forum on both invitations and PFOs. Current status below:

-HSFK: Applied 26/10, passed the test benchmark and still waiting to hear back.🤞🏼

-DLA Piper: Applied 06/10, test received 26/10, phone interview invite on 05/12. I had the interview and received confirmation that I passed the benchmark on the same day 09/12. Still waiting on next steps. 🤞🏼

-Reed Smith 💀: Applied 06/11, test invite on 20/11, PFO 16/12.🤞🏼

-Linklaters: Applied 01/09, scored 35/40 on WG, still waiting to hear back.🤞🏼

-Morrison Foerster: Applied 21/11, still no response yet.🤞🏼

-Clyde & Co. Applied 17/11, test invite 10/12. Now waiting🤞🏼

- Older PFOs💀: Hogan Lovells, Bird & Bird, Slaughter and May, and A&O Shearman

Thank you guys for your support, I hope everyone is enjoying the festivities, firms are giving PFOs as if they were Santa on Christmas days, don’t let that ruin your family time ( this advice is also to myself 🙈😂) and stay positive. Remember:

HSFK: PFO post SJT this Monday, so no news is good news! Best of luck!
DLA: Pre TI stage, completed WGT 2 days ago.
RS: Applied yesterday, no news
Links: Applied in Oct, no news since WGT
MoFo: Applied in Nov, no news

 

[radssss]

@uhfwejdj @Mike Ross 2025 I apologise, I genuinely didn't realise that it was inconveniencing people. I'll be more mindful from now on.

It really isn’t
Cheers us on! A lot of messages are not relevant to many people and they can be ignored (example I might not be applying to a firm and people are discussing updates on it so I simple ignore it)

 

[yk1906]

It really isn’t
Cheers us on! A lot of messages are not relevant to many people and they can be ignored (example I might not be applying to a firm and people are discussing updates on it so I simple ignore it)

Exactly!! You are not breaching TCLA rules, so I wouldn't worry. So many men, so many minds

 

[charlieefinch]

VI for ES!! Please any advice on this?

 

[yk1906]

I'm so overwhelmed by Weil VI prep for some reason. Really wanted to do it tomorrow, but idk...

 

[BealMcAlly]

Same as Fieldfisher waitlisted email, Dear %Applicant Name%, Application for %vacancy title%,

The HR team are lazy to tailor the CRM response, poor ERP systems. Very unprofessional lol

Oh same with Fieldfisher waitlist email. Madness View attachment 7485

Sooo funny to me that these people have your future essentially in their hands and somehow 'can tell when you use AI' even when you don't 😅

 

[Sharkfin]

Eversheds VI!
Love that they attached an info doc about what we can expect the questions to be 🙏 🙏

 

[t2025]

If anybody attended the Paul, Weiss (PW for search) open day, or has any insights on the app form, please could you drop me a msg??

 

[iwatchsuits]

VI for ES!! Please any advice on this?

Omg yay!! So happy for you!! Good luck, I was planning to do mine today but will do it tomorrow morning as I feel like I need more time to prep. Another member emphasised that it is mostly strengths-based so ensure you prepare for these questions more than the typical ‘why law’.

 

[boots pharmacy]

Genuinely wondering what I could be doing wrong at this point. For reference re written applications, I have been told by University careers advisers that I have very strong answers, so this doesn't appear to be the problem.

At undergrad I had one of the top-3 degree scores in one of the top business schools in the country. Now at PGDL, I was similarly top of the class in almost all mock examinations (haven't got any real grades from it yet). I was a national level sportsperson, President of a university sports team, took part in loads of Forage programmes, open days, career dinners, and feel confident with VIs as have done loads of prep and done lots of public speaking in the past. I also have work experience at law firms, as well as across varying fields which should show being well-rounded.

I just can't understand how the rejections can be piling up as much as they are - is luck really as much of a factor as it seems to be?

You have a strong profile, but unfortunately yes--luck seems to play an immensely large role even when it comes to top 1% candidates. I have multiple anecdotes of friends or acquaintances who ended up with 4+ VS's and TC offers at absolute top of the market firms (Kirkland, Latham, Davis Polk, W&C, All the MC, etc.) getting 10-20 rejections from 'less competitive' shops.

Application quality also seems hit or miss, had one friend who was a megafan of HSF; attended 3 Open Days/Events, came top in a HSF sponsored negotiations competition, spoke to grad rec, spent ages crafting the best possible app, got trainees and alumni to review (with great feedback), passed the SJT.

Rejected at the first review stage.

By contrast, that same person made an application to Milbank on a whim, barely submitting minutes before the deadline. Spent probably less than an hour on the application. Eventually got the TC there (and at 3 other super tier US/MC firms most would consider more competitive than HSF).

Same guy also got rejected from other US/MC firms, large national firms, SC firms, etc.

Persevere.

Edit: I will emphasise that this guy also gained a 1st from a target university, and so academics weren't an issue. Certain firms have soft 'auto-rejects' based on academics, no matter how strong the rest of your profile is, so that is certainly something to take note of as well.

 

[Goingtogetatc]

Has anyone here done a BCLP AC before? I have a few questions. If you could PM it would mean a lot. I have lots of other insights I can offer

 

[firmfirm]

Anyone heard back post Kirkland VI?

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

You have a strong profile, but unfortunately yes--luck seems to play an immensely large role even when it comes to top 1% candidates. I have multiple anecdotes of friends or acquaintances who ended up with 4+ VS's and TC offers at absolute top of the market firms (Kirkland, Latham, Davis Polk, W&C, All the MC, etc.) getting 10-20 rejections from 'less competitive' shops.

Application quality also seems hit or miss, had one friend who was a megafan of HSF; attended 3 Open Days/Events, came top in a HSF sponsored negotiations competition, spoke to grad rec, spent ages crafting the best possible app, got trainees and alumni to review (with great feedback), passed the SJT.

Rejected at the first review stage.

By contrast, that same person made an application to Milbank on a whim, barely submitting minutes before the deadline. Spent probably less than an hour on the application. Eventually got the TC there (and at 3 other super tier US/MC firms most would consider more competitive than HSF).

Same guy also got rejected from other US/MC firms, large national firms, SC firms, etc.

Persevere.

I can back this. Luck of the draw whether they like you or not. Could be the sound of your opening sentence that puts people off. Can't read the mind of GR, just keep swimming. Flip enough coins and you'll land on heads once.

 

[llblawstudent]

Any invites from Kirkland today?

Anyone heard from the following:

Latham Post stage 2
Goodwin Post app

I genuinely cannot cope with the wait haha🥹

Think Goodwin said four weeks post the deadline which was last week so at least we know there’s max a 3 week wait haha

 

[c.t.tc]

@uhfwejdj @Mike Ross 2025 I apologise, I genuinely didn't realise that it was inconveniencing people. I'll be more mindful from now on.

Honestly your posts make me feel far less insane throughout this process so please don’t feel you’re inconveniencing people! Part of the point of this forum is to go insane together❤️

 

[yk1906]

Anyone who applied to Kirkland on the deadline and received a VI?

 

[Madison Pinewall]

HSFK: PFO post SJT this Monday, so no news is good news! Best of luck!
DLA: Pre TI stage, completed WGT 2 days ago.
RS: Applied yesterday, no news
Links: Applied in Oct, no news since WGT
MoFo: Applied in Nov, no news

do you mind me asking when you passed the benchmark for HSFK?

 

[Donuttime]

It really isn’t
Cheers us on! A lot of messages are not relevant to many people and they can be ignored (example I might not be applying to a firm and people are discussing updates on it so I simple ignore it)

I think a balance must be struck. This is a community so we need to listen to eachother and understand different perspectives as mentioned by @uhfwejdj @Mike Ross but at the same time I love the energy and vibrancy @elle woods brings to the community. lets all be mindful of each-other and most importantly kind. sending peace and love