TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

my take:

news stories: isolated instances
trends: news + temporal element (over x weeks/months/years) + a unifying link

news stories sometime signal trends. eg: trumps text exchange w denmark (isolated instance) signals heightened geopolitical tensions & EU's increased focus on internal defence and security [2 interconnected trends, possibly evidenced by many other news stories as well (increased defence expenditure for member states, brussels preparing for retaliatory tariffs against the US at upwards of ~ 90 billion euros, blah blah)]

so, here, i extrapolated a trend ive witnessed overtime (arguably spanning 4 years, since russias invasion of ukraine (2022)? or more recent since trumps second term?) from some specific news stories

imo unifying links can be strong or weak and it really doesn't matter; contrarily, the weaker the link, the more analysis required, and the cooler i look to the interviewer.

for instance: if we look at house prices, they fell the hardest recently in some years(FT article this week), this raised real estate developer's expectations of sales (happy), which funnels more money back into projects, plus the expected interest rate cuts over the next few months will (imo) only increase this cash injection. the stakeholders here aren't just the real estate firms but also pension funds that are tip to tip with property developers as they are huge investors therein. so here the link from house prices to pension funds is weak, but oh man i sound so cool rn the interviewers gonna be blown away by my innovative entrepreneurial and uhhh resilient market knowledge


again flag: this is just my take and i may be off with some things ive said (please correct me!)

 

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

my take:

news stories: isolated instances
trends: news + temporal element (over x weeks/months/years) + a unifying link

news stories sometime signal trends. eg: trumps text exchange w denmark (isolated instance) signals heightened geopolitical tensions & EU's increased focus on internal defence and security [2 interconnected trends, possibly evidenced by many other news stories as well (increased defence expenditure for member states, brussels preparing for retaliatory tariffs against the US at upwards of ~ 90 billion euros, blah blah)]

so, here, i extrapolated a trend ive witnessed overtime (arguably spanning 4 years, since russias invasion of ukraine (2022)? or more recent since trumps second term?) from some specific news stories

imo unifying links can be strong or weak and it really doesn't matter; contrarily, the weaker the link, the more analysis required, and the cooler i look to the interviewer.

for instance: if we look at house prices, they fell the hardest recently in some years(FT article this week), this raised real estate developer's expectations of sales (happy), which funnels more money back into projects, plus the expected interest rate cuts over the next few months will (imo) only increase this cash injection. the stakeholders here aren't just the real estate firms but also pension funds that are tip to tip with property developers as they are huge investors therein. so here the link from house prices to pension funds is weak, but oh man i sound so cool rn the interviewers gonna be blown away by my innovative entrepreneurial and uhhh resilient market knowledge


again flag: this is just my take and i may be off with some things ive said (please correct me!)

Damnn !!!

Thank you inspiring take I will say. I think I’ll stick to the trend I have which is a recent development’ish. I’m tired of all these long ass application questions. Essay for what they’ll ask me the same exact same thing further down the line

 

[clbtchnhl]

Has anyone heard back from the following plsss, I done the tests either last week dec/ first week of jan ;(

• Mishcon spring post AI and SJT
• Simmons summer post SJT
• Withers spring post SJT

Also OC deductive reasoning was actually criminal... just vote I already know Im out

 

[Jaysen]

my take:

news stories: isolated instances
trends: news + temporal element (over x weeks/months/years) + a unifying link

news stories sometime signal trends. eg: trumps text exchange w denmark (isolated instance) signals heightened geopolitical tensions & EU's increased focus on internal defence and security [2 interconnected trends, possibly evidenced by many other news stories as well (increased defence expenditure for member states, brussels preparing for retaliatory tariffs against the US at upwards of ~ 90 billion euros, blah blah)]

so, here, i extrapolated a trend ive witnessed overtime (arguably spanning 4 years, since russias invasion of ukraine (2022)? or more recent since trumps second term?) from some specific news stories

imo unifying links can be strong or weak and it really doesn't matter; contrarily, the weaker the link, the more analysis required, and the cooler i look to the interviewer.

for instance: if we look at house prices, they fell the hardest recently in some years(FT article this week), this raised real estate developer's expectations of sales (happy), which funnels more money back into projects, plus the expected interest rate cuts over the next few months will (imo) only increase this cash injection. the stakeholders here aren't just the real estate firms but also pension funds that are tip to tip with property developers as they are huge investors therein. so here the link from house prices to pension funds is weak, but oh man i sound so cool rn the interviewers gonna be blown away by my innovative entrepreneurial and uhhh resilient market knowledge


again flag: this is just my take and i may be off with some things ive said (please correct me!)

This is very good!

 

[thepfocollector]

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!

Thank you for sharing Mojo Interview, I have never seen this before. Wish I could have used it to prepare for my old previous video interviews

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Does anyone have CC AC or Willkie partner interview insights? I can exchange for final stage DLA, HSF, Fieldfisher, Cooley, feel free to PM me

Hi, congrats! May I know when you applied to Fieldfisher? I applied on the deadline LOL they said it’s non rolling

 

[applicant3000]

Got a Taylor Wessing PFO but also a Weil AC today so swings and roundabouts

 

[AMIAN18]

Did the TI for DLA Piper today and passed the interview benchmark...

Congrats! How long after your interview were you told you passed?

 

[alphabravocharlie]

Post AC, how long should you expect to hear back from K&E

 

[whywhy88]

Any news from Mayer Brown? Survived the first batch of PFOs but didn’t get an AC either Praying for good news soon

 

[EfficientBag123]

Anyone who has reached a Baker McKenzie AC THIS CYCLE, please private message me.

No, I have not received an AC yet, I just have some questions.

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Hey guys, just needed some clarification. I have managed to secure internships in tier 1 local firms in Dubai and a US firm, too. Do recruiters tend to view experience gained in Dubai differently compared to London-based experience, potentially trivialising the former?

@Adnanlone the short answer is no. Any legal experience, regardless of location is beneficial. In fact, at times international experience could actually be seen as a bonus, so think about how the chance to gain some exposure internationally has actually contributed to your understanding of commercial law for global businesses. Even reading your post makes me a little excited.... I'm intrigued!

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Has anybody heard from the following firms or knows when they’ll usually respond (i.e., late Jan, early Feb, etc.), so I can manage expectations?

Sidley Austin Spring VS - applied 9 Jan
Travers Smith Summer VS - applied 14 Jan
Covington & Burling Summer VS - applied 16 Jan
Morgan Lewis Summer VS - applied 20 Jan.

I believe Debevoise respond early Feb cos I had a look on the older threads. Morgan Lewis closes the apps today so just want an idea for them.​

none

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

for referees on apps - will it look bad if i say no to the firm directly contacting my referees? (i would want to get in touch beforehand with my old boss lol)

@IWillGetATC No, this doesn't look bad at all. Appreciate it may look like you're hiding something, but this question simply checks to see if you need to get in touch with them before they request it - it's a courtesy the firm offers. I always click no, because I'd rather let the referee know when the request will be coming as opposed to trusting them to respond to it alone.

 

[Mvla]

Has anybody heard from the following firms or knows when they’ll usually respond (i.e., late Jan, early Feb, etc.), so I can manage expectations?

Sidley Austin Spring VS - applied 9 Jan
Travers Smith Summer VS - applied 14 Jan
Covington & Burling Summer VS - applied 16 Jan
Morgan Lewis Summer VS - applied 20 Jan.

I believe Debevoise respond early Feb cos I had a look on the older threads. Morgan Lewis closes the apps today so just want an idea for them.​

Did my first year scheme with Covington, they usually respond in about 2 weeks! Also, grad rec said AC's will be in Feb.

 

[StressedByAMountainOfBooks]

Thank you for sharing Mojo Interview, I have never seen this before. Wish I could have used it to prepare for my old previous video interviews

Nws, using it as revision like a hour every 3 days is acc so helpful

 

[elizabethkate]

passed VWV assessment ! now a pre prepared presentation scary

 

[Saul_specter]

Anyone know from last year if Links wait till end to give out PFOs like A&O or they give rolling PFOs and ACs

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Any news from Mayer Brown? Survived the first batch of PFOs but didn’t get an AC either Praying for good news soon

in the same boat, I am just wondering if anyone has a timeline for AC's or if they have an idea when everyone should hear back.

 

[Novaa]

Anyone know from last year if Links wait till end to give out PFOs like A&O or they give rolling PFOs and ACs

You’ll find out on the Friday of your AC week. (Well that’s how it was last year)