TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[JuliaSzaniszlo]

I’m starting to feel like it’s a PFO from Weil post-ac😢

I wish I just knew so it could be over 😭

 

[PFO Final Boss]

I saw that some people previously received an email from Simmons saying they will be in touch regarding the AI internship by the end of Jan….I applied for the summer VS, and was wondering if we could expect that timeline as well? probably not

 

[Saul_specter]

Fieldfisher PFO despite going to their open day and having all my supercurriculars and volunteering work tailored perfectly to their practice areas 🙂 love this humiliation ritual rip my top choice 🥲

Wldnt call it a PFO
Think they just filled all spots without even looking at the second batch

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

I wish I just knew so it could be over 😭

Hey are you that girl at Legal Cheek?

 

[JuliaSzaniszlo]

Hey are you that girl at Legal Cheek?

Ah yes! Shouldn't have used my real name - rookie mistake

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Hi there! Sorry if someone's already asked this, but I was wondering about people's thoughts for the Ropes question: "Describe three characteristics that you believe make an outstanding Ropes & Gray lawyer and how that lawyer would drive our business."

Since the firm doesn't have a work experience section, should we use this question to show that off , by showing that we show each of those three characteristics) or would it be better to just focus on the characteristics and how they drive business?

Thank you for your help and have a lovely start to the weekend!

[EDIT: never mind, I saw that a bunch of people have talked about it on the forum, but people do seem to be giving different advice, so I'm curious if anyone feels strongly about either approach : ) ]

I personally used it as an opportunity to evidence I had those characteristics, but apparently they were just looking for people to directly answer the question.

 

[Chak]

So today in theory Bakers and Mishcon should send out the remaining PFOs/invites?🥺 or is it hopeless

 

[Madison Pinewall]

anybody whose done a cleary AC in the past know how long they take typically?

 

[Hopeful applicant]

anybody whose done a cleary AC in the past know how long they take typically?

Congrats!! may I ask about the timeline of your app (could be approximates ofc!)

 

[Hopeful applicant]

I personally used it as an opportunity to evidence I had those characteristics, but apparently they were just looking for people to directly answer the question.

how much of a consensus is that? I was just about to submit one with a substantial amount of boasting about my commercial awareness (I LOOOOOOVE finance and spreadsheets and private capital)

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

I personally used it as an opportunity to evidence I had those characteristics, but apparently they were just looking for people to directly answer the question.

How do you know this?

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

When did you do the test? I got a PFO within about 1-2 week, so no news might be good news.

I did the test back in October at first I thought this was good but im guessing their Spring Vac is in April so im not sure if it’s still a good sign haha.. considering we’re approaching February and some people are onto the AC stage

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Congrats!! may I ask about the timeline of your app (could be approximates ofc!)

Applied in December, received a WGT invite early January and an AC a week later. I am under the impression that they essentially are running 3 ACs total (mine was the first) and that you will get an invite depending on how close to the next AC invite batch you are. For me that was a week!

 

[lawcool]

Any forsters acs sent out for the end of Feb slots yet??

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

does anybody know when Shoosmiths closes their apps tomorrow?

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Applied in December, received a WGT invite early January and an AC a week later. I am under the impression that they essentially are running 3 ACs total (mine was the first) and that you will get an invite depending on how close to the next AC invite batch you are. For me that was a week!

Thanks a lot! Fingers crossed!

 

[HopefulTC]

Honestly this might be a bad opinion and ideally you should email grad rec but I would selfishly attend the ac (only because this process is so hard and DBP is a great firm)😭😭😭. The grad rec should have spotted this in your application and it’s not your fault (but why did you apply in the wrong year?😭).

Like even if you attend the ac and are successful and do the vac scheme and worst case scenario, they realise their mistake and don’t offer you a tc, atleast you have a great firm vs experience on your cv😭. Best case scenario, maybe they noted this and think it won’t be an issue? Or they defer your tc offer to the next year should you be successful in getting one?

Guys pls don’t attack me, I know it’s bad and unethical advice but this person has worked hard and made it so far in the process and it would be so sad for them to lose it😭😭

Best of luck anyways!

Yeah when i applied it didnt say on their website which is actually awful anyway I've emailed grad rec accepting the AC but also let them know. Will keep you all updated 😂

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Yeah when i applied it didnt say on their website which is actually awful anyway I've emailed grad rec accepting the AC but also let them know. Will keep you all updated 😂

If they said this on the website AND they accepted you then I don't see why they would have an issue with it - I would think worst case scenario they give you an AC/VS/TC in the next cycle.

 

[Donuttime]

Any forsters acs sent out for the end of Feb slots yet??

Has Forsters sent out AC invites already??

 

[lawcool]

Has Forsters sent out AC invites already??

No I don’t think so, I know it’s only been a week im just wondering as there’s probably some due soon ish