TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Hopeful applicant]

My Current Application Cycle: Progress and Resources

❌ Unsuccessful Applications

• Sidley Austin – Winter Vacation Scheme (VS), post-application
• Ashurst – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Linklaters – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Hogan Lovells – Lift Off Scheme, Stage 3 (Video Interview + Situational Judgement)
• Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Taylor Wessing – Spring Vacation Scheme, post-written exercise
• Latham & Watkins – Open Day, post-video interview + situational judgement
• Gibson Dunn – Summer Vacation Scheme, post-first-round interview (waiting on feedback)
• White & Case – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-video interview
• DLA Piper – Spring Vacation Scheme, post-written exercise
• Simmons & Simmons – AI Internship, post-video interview + situational judgement + online assessment
• Allen & Overy Shearman – Direct Training Contract (DTC), post-video interview
• Weil, Gotshal & Manges – Spring Vacation Scheme, post-video interview
• CMS – Vacation Scheme, post-video interview
• Gowling WLG – Direct Training Contract (DTC)

✅ Vacation Schemes Achieved

• Burges Salmon – Winter Vacation Scheme
  (Outcome: no offer —was given feedback that did not elaborate in some of my answers)

⏳ Applications Still Pending

• McDermott Will & Schulte – Direct Training Contract (DTC)
• Freshfields – Direct Training Contract (DTC)
• Withers – Vacation Scheme (likely PFO; online exercise completed in December)
• Cooley – Vacation Scheme
• Milbank – Vacation Scheme
• Travers Smith – Direct Training Contract (DTC)
• Ropes & Gray – Vacation Scheme
• Covington & Burling – Vacation Scheme

Resources I’m Currently Using

• Watson’s Daily (https://www.watsonsdaily.com/)
  Excellent for building commercial awareness. I particularly value the original insights, which have helped me develop stronger critical thinking around business and market trends. All major commercial news is clearly summarised - which is great as FT is lowkey such a drain to go over.
• Mojo Interview (https://mojointerview.com)
  An interview and video-interview practice platform that assesses my answers and provides live, structured feedback. This has significantly improved my confidence and performance in video interviews and in the AC’s done - If i found this sooner, I deffo would've been 1000x more confident for AC's

4th Application cycle but we getting this dub this SZN!

congrats on the VS and the sheer volume of aps -- RESPECT!

 

[TheGeek12]

A

 

[TheGeek12]

Got an interview scheduled with Richard Schweikart, Lynne Pierson and Perry Trivedi so we will see how it goes

Got mine with Saul Goodman & Associates too
And Pearson, Specter, Litt (Formerly Pearson Specter, FKA Pearson Darby Specter etc. etc,)

 

[pepsicola96]

y'all i have to say, as the cycle goes on and the PFOs come in, you reach an odd balance of nerves about not being in the running for many firms, and relief over not having to do more apps).

officially only two firms left to hear from for me now, one AC upcoming, one VI to do, and cannot wait for them to be over.

feeling very all eggs in few baskets but I think there are no more apps left in me this cycle, will be absolutely chomping at the bit to convert my VS, and probably crashing out here every single day.

 

[plshireme]

For Shoosmith’s Discover Placement, on their website they list their criteria for being socially mobile like this - for example, first in your family to attend university, educated at a non-selective state school, care-experienced, or came to the UK as a refugee. However on the application itself it’s listed like this - attended a non-selective state school comprehensive educated and first generation of their family to attend university. Am I right in thinking to be eligible you have to be both non-selective state school educated AND first generation to attend uni rather than either or?

 

[jojo23]

This seems like a good SJT question

"One of the candidates at your AC has a reasonable adjustment. Do you:

A: Loudly state how unfair it is to anyone who will listen, then say "it's just my opinion, no need to get your panties in a knot" if challenged.
B: Seethe internally, but say nothing
C. Focus on performing as best you can from your own abilities."

D: trick question, grad recruitment ignore them completely

 

[TheGeek12]

For Shoosmith’s Discover Placement, on their website they list their criteria for being socially mobile like this - for example, first in your family to attend university, educated at a non-selective state school, care-experienced, or came to the UK as a refugee. However on the application itself it’s listed like this - attended a non-selective state school comprehensive educated and first generation of their family to attend university. Am I right in thinking to be eligible you have to be both non-selective state school educated AND first generation to attend uni rather than either or?

I am actually not sure for this one unfortunately. Maybe email grad recruitment?

 

[shadowboxer909]

My Current Application Cycle: Progress and Resources

❌ Unsuccessful Applications

• Sidley Austin – Winter Vacation Scheme (VS), post-application
• Ashurst – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Linklaters – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Hogan Lovells – Lift Off Scheme, Stage 3 (Video Interview + Situational Judgement)
• Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-ability test
• Taylor Wessing – Spring Vacation Scheme, post-written exercise
• Latham & Watkins – Open Day, post-video interview + situational judgement
• Gibson Dunn – Summer Vacation Scheme, post-first-round interview (waiting on feedback)
• White & Case – Winter Vacation Scheme, post-video interview
• DLA Piper – Spring Vacation Scheme, post-written exercise
• Simmons & Simmons – AI Internship, post-video interview + situational judgement + online assessment
• Allen & Overy Shearman – Direct Training Contract (DTC), post-video interview
• Weil, Gotshal & Manges – Spring Vacation Scheme, post-video interview
• CMS – Vacation Scheme, post-video interview
• Gowling WLG – Direct Training Contract (DTC)

✅ Vacation Schemes Achieved

• Burges Salmon – Winter Vacation Scheme
  (Outcome: no offer —was given feedback that did not elaborate in some of my answers)

⏳ Applications Still Pending

• McDermott Will & Schulte – Direct Training Contract (DTC)
• Freshfields – Direct Training Contract (DTC)
• Withers – Vacation Scheme (likely PFO; online exercise completed in December)
• Cooley – Vacation Scheme
• Milbank – Vacation Scheme
• Travers Smith – Direct Training Contract (DTC)
• Ropes & Gray – Vacation Scheme
• Covington & Burling – Vacation Scheme

Resources I’m Currently Using

• Watson’s Daily (https://www.watsonsdaily.com/)
  Excellent for building commercial awareness. I particularly value the original insights, which have helped me develop stronger critical thinking around business and market trends. All major commercial news is clearly summarised - which is great as FT is lowkey such a drain to go over.
• Mojo Interview (https://mojointerview.com)
  An interview and video-interview practice platform that assesses my answers and provides live, structured feedback. This has significantly improved my confidence and performance in video interviews and in the AC’s done - If i found this sooner, I deffo would've been 1000x more confident for AC's

4th Application cycle but we getting this dub this SZN!

Why is Gibson Dunn in your cross section?

Gotta be hopeful that the feedback will be positive, no?

I'm waiting for feedback myself as well so gotta think positive.

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

D: trick question, grad recruitment ignore them completely

You guys drag things out. Jaysen said chill and you’re still going on. It’s very childish. It makes posting daunting because you all jump on a bandwagon.

Also I’m neurodiverse so not sure if you were trying to paint me out as if I hate those that ask for adjustments.

 

[trainee4u]

Got mine with Saul Goodman & Associates too
And Pearson, Specter, Litt (Formerly Pearson Specter, FKA Pearson Darby Specter etc. etc,)

I've applied to Sue, Grabbit and Runne, but I didn't like their AI bot so gave up.

 

[Novaa]

For Shoosmith’s Discover Placement, on their website they list their criteria for being socially mobile like this - for example, first in your family to attend university, educated at a non-selective state school, care-experienced, or came to the UK as a refugee. However on the application itself it’s listed like this - attended a non-selective state school comprehensive educated and first generation of their family to attend university. Am I right in thinking to be eligible you have to be both non-selective state school educated AND first generation to attend uni rather than either or?

Please may you upload a screenshot of what it shows you on the application. I went to have a look but got lazy when I saw the AllHires email prompt LOL!

The website definitely makes it seem like they’re separate criteria to qualify as socially mobile.

 

[trainee4u]

You guys drag things out. Jaysen said chill and you’re still going on. It’s very childish. It makes posting daunting because you all jump on a bandwagon.

bro you don't have to keep replying, it's completely optional.

also I don't think that was even referencing the original dispute between you & Harvey, it seemed more like (justified) cynicism about firms' approach to these matters.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

I've applied to Sue, Grabbit and Runne, but I didn't like their AI bot so gave up.

Just got an AC at Wallace & Gromit! Any tips are appreciated xxx

 

[Harvey Specter]

Just got an AC at Wallace & Gromit! Any tips are appreciated xxx

Omg guys I just got an AC at Lilo & Stitch LLP! Any insights are very much appreciated cheers!​

 

[StressedByAMountainOfBooks]

congrats on the VS and the sheer volume of aps -- RESPECT!

Thank u uWu

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Omg guys I just got an AC at Lilo & Stitch LLP! Any insights are very much appreciated cheers!​

Spongebob & Patrick PFO. Oh well. Onwards and upwards.

 

[jojo23]

You guys drag things out. Jaysen said chill and you’re still going on. It’s very childish. It makes posting daunting because you all jump on a bandwagon.

Also I’m neurodiverse so not sure if you were trying to paint me out as if I hate those that ask for adjustments.

What are you on about 😭
I was referring to my own experience at an ac🤣
This aint about you.
But if you need them, ask for them and be relentless about it, no harm in it.

 

[StressedByAMountainOfBooks]

Oh that is awful I’m so sorry I hope you have better luck this cycle!

Thank you is a grueling process

 

[Novaa]

Got mine with Saul Goodman & Associates too
And Pearson, Specter, Litt (Formerly Pearson Specter, FKA Pearson Darby Specter etc. etc,)

I've applied to Sue, Grabbit and Runne, but I didn't like their AI bot so gave up.

Just got an AC at Wallace & Gromit! Any tips are appreciated xxx

Omg guys I just got an AC at Lilo & Stitch LLP! Any insights are very much appreciated cheers!​

Wait but are these rolling deadlines??! I want to join in

 

[StressedByAMountainOfBooks]

Why is Gibson Dunn in your cross section?

Gotta be hopeful that the feedback will be positive, no?

I'm waiting for feedback myself as well so gotta think positive.

Your right - is all ab perspective