TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

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

I think I read somewhere they invite a lot of people but im not 100% sure though. Its one of my top firms as well I got a very good amberjack score as well and was pleased with how the VIs went so its so frustrating.

I did fairly well on the amberjack also and I did the vi to a good enough standard though I could’ve come better imo. I should’ve asked for a Ti instead. They didn’t even apply the extra time to the vi and it caught me so off guard nonetheless would’ve been better to do that.

Last years thread someone said they invited 60 to assessment centre and I believe they're taking on more people for VS this year due to new lateral hires/expansion.

If they have 60 people over 3 weeks they most likely do 20 people a week 4/5 people per AC.

If they’ve given out 3 batches of ACs already I assume that’s the original 60 spots gone. Now it’s a waiting game for people to “not do well” and get an invite I guess. which truly sucks if you’re working full time as you’d need to take time off in advance.

 

[EL2003]

Has anyone heard from HFW yet?

 

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

Have not even heard from them post app.

Same, I think US firms are more prone to ghosting.

I think Kirkland have ghosted anyone that applied early. As all the VI and AC invites seem to be from those that applied in the last week or so of the deadline. Odd approach to recruitment but yeah I’ve been ghosted also.

Only firm that has explicitly said they ghost is Paul Hastings.

 

[lawstudent2]

I did fairly well on the amberjack also and I did the vi to a good enough standard though I could’ve come better imo. I should’ve asked for a Ti instead. They didn’t even apply the extra time to the vi and it caught me so off guard nonetheless would’ve been better to do that.

If they have 60 people over 3 weeks they most likely do 20 people a week 4/5 people per AC.

If they’ve given out 3 batches of ACs already I assume that’s the original 60 spots gone. Now it’s a waiting game for people to “not do well” and get an invite I guess. which truly sucks if you’re working full time as you’d need to take time off in advance.

They do 8 people per day for their ACs. I am not sure how many days they have filled, but ik this week is booked up and I believe potentially next week too, or at least some of it

 

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

They do 8 people per day for their ACs. I am not sure how many days they have filled, but ik this week is booked up and I believe potentially next week too, or at least some of it

Woah so 32-40 people per a week

That’s about 96-120 people over 3 weeks!! As people may drop out etc etc. that’s a fair amount of ACs. Not as crazy as macfarlanes who have 250 AC spots.

 

[ChambersLoading]

highkey panicking ahead of my Skadden interview next week!! I have never made it past an AC and I am seriously desperate at this point. If anyone has insights/ advice, pls pls pls pm me. I have done A LOT of ACs and VIs and am happy to trade

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

There are 2 to 3 days of ACs per week, so it’s 16-24 people per week, 60-65 across all ACs.

Each day has a morning and afternoon slot, with 4 people per slot, so 8 people a day for ACs.

This week’s slots were filled and when I selected my Weil AC for a later slot most had been filled.

They have up to 30 VS places (12-15 per scheme), so I don’t think there’ll be 100+ people on ACs.​

 

[trainingcontractoffer]

Does anyone know how many AC spots Milbank gives?

 

[qwerty!]

Fingers crossed Baker comes back with some updates later this wee

All of my friends got rejected so maybe we are still being considered

PRAYING

 

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

There are 2 to 3 days of ACs per week, so it’s 16-24 people per week, 60-65 across all ACs.

Each day has a morning and afternoon slot, with 4 people per slot, so 8 people a day for ACs.

This week’s slots were filled and when I selected my Weil AC for a later slot most had been filled.

They have up to 30 VS places (12-15 per scheme), so I don’t think there’ll be 100+ people on ACs.​

Oh two people on the forum said there are ACs Monday - Thursday/Friday. Hence the figures I used.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

5 300-word questions for Orrick including a cover letter. Ughhhh

 

[qwerty!]

5 300-word questions for Orrick including a cover letter. Ughhhh

genuinely this made me reconsider applying

 

[Donna Paulsen]

genuinely this made me reconsider applying

Literally me rn why are you asking so much of me... chill

 

[WillKitchen]

I applied early to Kirkland and they didn't ghost me. The rejection was post written application.

That was early in 2025, when I was still learning the ropes about how law firm applications actually worked. Just testing the water. If I went back to that one, I'd re-write the whole thing from scratch. I've learned a lot in the meantime.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

5 300-word questions for Orrick including a cover letter. Ughhhh

I might have to also reconsider applying to Orrick…

 

[Donna Paulsen]

I might have to also reconsider applying to Orrick…

Not us PFOing them

'Thank you for applying for the role of Vacation Scheme Host. After careful consideration, we have decided not to progress with your application. Unfortunately, your application form had too many bloody questions, and I really cba. x'

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Not us PFOing them

'Thank you for applying for the role of Vacation Scheme Host. After careful consideration, we have decided not to progress with your application. Unfortunately, your application form had too many bloody questions, and I really cba. x'

Let us reassure you that the level of options for other firms was very high. Best of luck in your journey xoxo

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Not us PFOing them

'Thank you for applying for the role of Vacation Scheme Host. After careful consideration, we have decided not to progress with your application. Unfortunately, your application form had too many bloody questions, and I really cba. x'

PFO continued:

‘The quality of other vac scheme hosts went above and beyond our expectations, so we have made a difficult decision to reject your application.

Due to the high number of applications received, we are unable to provide individual feedback, out of fairness to other vac scheme hosts.

We received a record number of applications so have decided to offer generic feedback: please don’t have too many bloody questions.

We thank you for taking the time to apply for this position and wish you the very best of luck hosting something else instead.’​

 

[CupOfTea17]

For Womble Bond Dickinson application - are people tailoring their work experience to the firm?

 

[Scottishlion]

I'm applying but have been getting rejections consistently so far. I went to Oxbridge and have banking and consulting experience but no law. My average grade was 63%, does it matter that it's low?