TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[user24710026]

Anyone know what my chances may be for links AC?

88th percentile in the WG, and then SJT highest scoring = Motivation, Respect. Lowest Scoring = Resource and Work Management

I don't find it necessarily reflects me as a person at all haha, but will the resource and work management shoot me in the foot a lot here? Am also conscious many have already received their AC invites so the PFO may be incoming...

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

Anxiously watching my inbox with HSFK summer vac scheme PFOs rolling out.... its the only firm I have left on my list that hasn't outright or soft rejected me. Anyone know if they're coming out slowly or if it was a one and done and I can stop obsessively reloading?

im anxiously waiting tooi THINK they send them out slowly just because i checked last year’s forum and pfos were super spread outgl to u thowe got this !!(hopefully)

 

[switchingup]

Cooley(Summer VS): applied 31st Dec

• Holding email (application updates will now arrive by 27/1): 8th Jan
• PFO: 20th Jan

 

[user4647464]

Hi all! First ever AC next week for DLA in their London office! Would really appreciate any advice from anyone if they've been through the DLA AC themselves, or even any other AC. Having never actually had to demonstrate commercial awareness outside of VIs I'm pretty terrified of the partner interview / case studies. If anyone had any advice please pm me!

 

[anon78365222111]

Haven’t had good news in over a month just been PFOs what looked like a 100% TC app cycle now is crumbling

 

[law123456789]

Simmons summer vac scheme offer!!!!!!!

 

[ilikelaw]

Simmons summer vac scheme offer!!!!!!!

YAYAYAYAYA CONGRATS!

 

[solicitor_2028]

I'm this close to losing it!!! Been doing so many SJTs and can't seem to improve my scores. All I'm getting on average is a 4466. Any help would be appreciated guys

 

[Eudora]

Just wondering if anyone has had any updates from Hogan Lovells after the VI stage?

 

[user397485]

do hsf do pfos in batches or one go

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

I sound like a broken record at this point but anything from Perkins?

The TI were supposed to start from Yesterday until the 30th…

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

I just did my skadden interview it’s so over for me

there’s still hope, ppl who think they’ve done badly in interviews often make it further anyway

 

[legallybrunettte]

I just did my skadden interview it’s so over for me

there’s still hope, ppl who think they’ve done badly in interviews often make it further anyway

Thank you sm! I straight up forgot what was saying in the middle of it… and then the interviewer made me move on

 

[anon78365222111]

I sound like a broken record at this point but anything from Perkins?

Idk how no one has posted anything about hearing back. I’m waiting too, some people got PFO at the start and it’s been silence since

 

[radssss]

do hsf do pfos in batches or one go

In batches. Atleast that’s what I’ve noticed on this forum.

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

Thank you sm! I straight up forgot what was saying in the middle of it… and then the interviewer made me move on

awand nws !! if u got to interview it means they already want u and uve done a great job to get that far

 

[M_m]

Hi @Afraz Akhtar, if I have 60-90 seconds to answer a VI question on "why X law firm", would it be acceptable to talk about the general type of work that the firm has done in the past, rather than delve into in-depth specifics of a deal? I don't want to name-drop a deal and then not have enough time to connect it to my answer properly.

 

[Deleted member 43292]

Slaughters PFO finallyy

Edit: (this is for you @Laurel Lance - Black Canary ) and sorry i didnt add deets lol

summer work experience, post app

applied early dec @Saul_specter like 2 days before the deadline

 

[kim wexler]

I'm really sorry would you mind telling us when you applied?

I believe I applied 10 days ish before the deadline

 

[Hopeful applicant]

I'm this close to losing it!!! Been doing so many SJTs and can't seem to improve my scores. All I'm getting on average is a 4466. Any help would be appreciated guys

Not a comprehensive guide but a couple of reflections as I definately improved my answers after several tests (ymmv and may slightly differ for different law firms):

1 Prioritise teamwork, while taking ownership - this means being happy to colaborate, but not unnecesairly sharing responsibility
2 Have your own voice - if you have something to say, say it
3 American firms often want you to be comfortable taking responsibilty
4 Do not bother partners immediately - try figuring it out for yourself first or ask a colleague
5 Remember you are applying for a junior position - this means that you will likely not be talking to the client without a superior asking you to. This also means you will not be telling partners "no" pretty much ever.
6 Be really open to new experiences
7 Be really curious to learn

Higher level points
- sometimes the firms do want you to mark extreme answers despite having a slider - you probably do not want to have your slider in the middle top to bottom
- Sometimes there is an answer that seems unrealistic (especially when you look at other answers that themselves introduce new information (e.g. you are asked to do something and have: a) I enthusiastically set out time to complete this job; b) I have a lot of other work and I am worried I may not be able to finish everything, therefore, politely refue) - While B seems more realistic, I've noticed the tests often favour A
- research the firm - some of them make it clear they are looking for something specific (see e.g. Freshfields publishing on their website something that looks like an SJT scorecard: