TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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

 

[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…

 

[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?

 

[dlc3266]

Thinking of doing last min apps to Cleary, Orrick, Hogan Lovells (TC), and Ropes & Gray?

How strict are the academic requirements, like does a 67% average meet what they say 'academic excellence'?

Also for Clearly, do you think a low RG (i.e. Liverpool, Newcastle, York, Sheff) = 'leading university'? or are they thinking more about London/oxbridge?

I know Cleary’s quite stringent with grades — does anyone know if same holds for Orrick HL and Ropes?

 

[user123987]

Has anyone got any resources for practicing a case study? If so may you please DM me some, it would be so appreciated!

 

[toughluck]

anyone heard back from linklaters AC? i know they said within one week and that they run ACs mon-thu so wondering if it's a fri of the week or anytime the following week. did those who did last week's ACs hear back alr, if so when?

 

[user397485]

is there any point waiting for simmons if ppl have got offers already - they only have 20 spots i think

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Bruh Kirkland really ghosted me. This is insane. Applied 29/11 and haven’t heard anything🫩🫩

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Bruh Kirkland really ghosted me. This is insane. Applied 29/11 and haven’t heard anything🫩🫩

I kind of wanna email them and ask whats going on atp

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Is anyone subscribed to ZipLaw+? Is it worth it

 

[Novaa]

Is anyone subscribed to ZipLaw+? Is it worth it

I was subscribing on and off, but have been subscribed for the last 2 months and I would say yes.

The website had had a revamp so information is accessible more easily. The commercial awareness articles they post, especially those behind a paywall (e.g., trends for law firms in 2026) are really clear and simple. Similar to other sites, they also have playbooks on firms and insights into different application stages.