TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yasmars]

TW ac (London Spring)!! will be my FIRST ever. Any advice hugely hugely appreciated !!!!!!

Amazing! So excited for you!

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

Milbank PFO post stage 1 disappointed as I thought my answers were quite strong
Surely 2 PFOs in one day bodes for an AC invite tomorrow

 

[Chak]

Milbank PFO post online assessment! Felt like my answers were quite good, considering it was timed. Oh well

 

[startupgeek]

I know we should all stay positive, but I like to think of it as "checking myself out early from an uncomfortable hotel room" to protect my energy. This way if the firm actually send a PFO, I can just laugh it off and say "I know, right". But if they progress me to the next stage, I'll have a valid reason to jump around the house.

Might not be related but I think that's why we are all here asking if somebody got a VI or AC. Because if it's possible that I already missed the boat, I'll just tick rejected on my excel sheet and move on.

Anyway, happy Tuesday.

I agree - although I don't ask this on the forum much, but I do it in my head as a way to manage expectations! I still have hope, but it's more like 'Even if I don't get it, it will be okay! I have thought about this as a potential outcome, and I have tried my best, so I can now move on to bigger and better things!' This mindset has helped me tremendously with a lot of my PFOs recently! Last 2 cycles, I was breaking down and crashing out after every rejection and was consistently blaming myself, and it was terrible for my mental health! I hope that everyone remains optimistic, but it's also healthy to get a reality check beforehand from time to time Btw, all the best to everyone who is still waiting on Weil! (myself included )

 

[Legalfreak212]

Any fellow legal ARMYs who are now faced with the reality that the London concert is on a weekday and may overlap with a summer scheme 😭 (I may have to go to another country)

just realised this now but im seeing BTS one way or another‼️

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

TAYLOR WESSING AC INVITE I MAY JUST CRY MY FIRST AC OF THE CYCLE 😭

Rooting for you to prove your name wrongg🎉🎉🎉🎉

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Sorry to hear! Is this after the SJT and 2 250 word tests or after app?

after SJT and the two written app

 

[user123987]

TAYLOR WESSING AC INVITE I MAY JUST CRY MY FIRST AC OF THE CYCLE 😭

Yay, so proud stranger!!

 

[WillKitchen]

Best of luck to those with AC invitations!

Remember: you are interviewing them, too.

My last AC was with Kennedys back in July, and felt like a very close call. Really looking forward to the next one...

 

[TCGrad1642]

Milbank PFO post stage 1 disappointed as I thought my answers were quite strong
Surely 2 PFOs in one day bodes for an AC invite tomorrow

This was me yesterday and sadly no news from anyone today

 

[Legalfreak212]

Reed smith VI insights anyone??

 

[TCGrad1642]

I applied to Akin close to deadline and completed Milbank stage 2 after I know some ACs went out. Is it likely both of these will be a PFO?

 

[Lawyergyal123!]

does anyone have any insight into wfw vi ! happy to exchange for other firms!

 

[legal18]

Forsters VI just now!!

 

[silonthesofa]

Congrats to all who got TW AC invites. If I can ask, did it give you a range of dates for ACs to choose from (and if so, were they spread over weeks or all within a week?) or just assigned an AC? WE invites definitely go out in a single wave. Wondering if AC invites are the same.

Thanks!

 

[dednedred]

Also had a Forsters VI invite

 

[trainee4u]

Forsters VI just now!!

Me too!

They are just such a model of good practice and I love their graduate recruitment so much.

Clear advice and precise deadline (no "seven days from the second you receive this email" nonsense):

The deadline for completion will be 11.59pm on Thursday 22nd January (Thursday evening).
Please be advised that we will be better placed to support with any technical issues sooner rather than later. Therefore, you may not want to leave this until the last minute!

Clear instructions with everything broken down:

The interview begins with a welcome video, recorded by our Managing Partner Emily Exton, followed by instructions and tips from myself. I would advise you to watch all videos in full and avoid skipping any.
There will then be a practice question which is not seen or assessed by anyone at the firm. This question is only included to make sure you are happy with how the system works before you begin.
We have allocated 60 seconds of preparation time for each question. We decided to give 60 seconds to reduce time pressure and to account for those who may need extra time, creating a more inclusive experience. If you do not wish to use the full 60 seconds, you can click to begin recording before the time is up. If your preparation time runs out before this, the system will begin to record automatically.
• Your answer can be up to 120 seconds long. Be careful not to submit before you are finished speaking. You will see a timer on the screen to let you know how long you have left to record your response.
• Once you have completed the three questions, you will see a thank you video from myself. You must watch this through to the end to submit your video interview.
• When finished, please close the platform.
• Please note that once you have logged into the platform, you will need to complete the interview in one sitting e.g. you cannot do one question today and two tomorrow.
• You might like to wear something you would wear to an in-person interview as this will help you get into the right headspace. If you are unsure on what to wear, plain and simple clothing will work best.
• Remember that you cannot re-record your answers. Do not panic if you get a little muddled, take a deep breath, correct yourself, and carry on.

Clear next steps and dates:

If you are successful at the video interview stage, you will be invited to an assessment day at the firm. These are all hosted in person. For your awareness, these will take place on the 23rd and 25th February and 2nd and 4th March

 

[ilikelaw]

FORSTERS VI YAYY!!!

 

[legal18]

Me too!

They are just such a model of good practice and I love their graduate recruitment so much.

Clear advice and precise deadline (no "seven days from the second you receive this email nonsense"):

The deadline for completion will be 11.59pm on Thursday 22nd January (Thursday evening).
Please be advised that we will be better placed to support with any technical issues sooner rather than later. Therefore, you may not want to leave this until the last minute!

Clear instructions with everything broken down:

The interview begins with a welcome video, recorded by our Managing Partner Emily Exton, followed by instructions and tips from myself. I would advise you to watch all videos in full and avoid skipping any.
There will then be a practice question which is not seen or assessed by anyone at the firm. This question is only included to make sure you are happy with how the system works before you begin.
We have allocated 60 seconds of preparation time for each question. We decided to give 60 seconds to reduce time pressure and to account for those who may need extra time, creating a more inclusive experience. If you do not wish to use the full 60 seconds, you can click to begin recording before the time is up. If your preparation time runs out before this, the system will begin to record automatically.
• Your answer can be up to 120 seconds long. Be careful not to submit before you are finished speaking. You will see a timer on the screen to let you know how long you have left to record your response.
• Once you have completed the three questions, you will see a thank you video from myself. You must watch this through to the end to submit your video interview.
• When finished, please close the platform.
• Please note that once you have logged into the platform, you will need to complete the interview in one sitting e.g. you cannot do one question today and two tomorrow.
• You might like to wear something you would wear to an in-person interview as this will help you get into the right headspace. If you are unsure on what to wear, plain and simple clothing will work best.
• Remember that you cannot re-record your answers. Do not panic if you get a little muddled, take a deep breath, correct yourself, and carry on.

Clear next steps and dates:

If you are successful at the video interview stage, you will be invited to an assessment day at the firm. These are all hosted in person. For your awareness, these will take place on the 23rd and 25th February and 2nd and 4th March

Completely agree!!!

 

[user397485]

Did anyone ever have a bad ac and still got the offer