TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[nicoledm]

For what it's worth, my flatmate was on the Diversity Access Scheme last summer in London (now the Pathways to Practice), and she had very little good to say. From what I gather, the firm itself was perfectly fine, lawyers were nice, culture was good etc. But she said it was extremely disorganised from start to finish. E.g for converting to a TC they did a few things on the scheme, but they had to have a separate partner interview an unknown amount of time after the scheme. She got about two days notice to go back down to London about 4 weeks after the scheme had ended, but ultimately was unsuccessful and encouraged to reapply for direct TC. She has not reapplied lol.

I had an interview with Fieldfisher, reconfirmed it with HR the day of at 12pm, due to start at 2pm. No one showed up to my interview (it was virtual), I had to email HR 3 times and they offered to reschedule it the next day but no apology or explanation. I understand things can get busy, but no reply from any of the GR team for the rest of the day and no apology left a bad taste in my mouth.
This was also after the interview had been rescheduled twice, which is why I thought I should confirm it the same day

 

[User2640]

Fieldfisher update - We can now confirm that Phase One is complete. However, due to the exceptionally high volume of strong applications, this now means that all of our Training Contract and Summer Scheme places have now been filled.

What a joke. You could’ve just closed the apps when you thought you reached the max number of applications which would be sufficient to pick candidates from. Why mention you’re non rolling on your tc page then??? Complete waste of time.

Feel like this is the same with HFW. Many firms larger than them still read through all the apps bc they don’t want to miss a strong candidate just because they applied late. It’s really frustrating, and I agree they should just close the app window if they’ve already filled the slots.

 

[sbbusybee]

HSF Kramer summer vs PFO after attending one of their open days I hope the feedback is auto generated because if not it’s actually aggravating

 

[Legallylaw]

Links rejection post-AC.

They said my competency interview went well, but basically my commercial awareness interview, which I thought went well, was really poor.

The feedback indicated an anxious presentation, unclear structuring of answers, and insufficiently articulated reasoning. It also noted limited responsiveness to interviewer prompts and an overreliance on legal terminology at the expense of clear, commercially grounded analysis.

I thought I wasn't anxious and I really tried to show my thought process, however it seems that I tried to show legal knowledge and that wasn't what they wanted at all.

Really demoralised by this and am wondering if I just come off poorly as a person.

Hi, no matter what the outcome, it's still an achievement to reach this stage! Hope you feel better soon x! Dont give up!!

 

[flamingocelot]

I had an interview with Fieldfisher, reconfirmed it with HR the day of at 12pm, due to start at 2pm. No one showed up to my interview (it was virtual), I had to email HR 3 times and they offered to reschedule it the next day but no apology or explanation. I understand things can get busy, but no reply from any of the GR team for the rest of the day and no apology left a bad taste in my mouth.
This was also after the interview had been rescheduled twice, which is why I thought I should confirm it the same day

This is absolutely insane, I'm so sorry this happened to you!!!

 

[abc124]

I had an interview with Fieldfisher, reconfirmed it with HR the day of at 12pm, due to start at 2pm. No one showed up to my interview (it was virtual), I had to email HR 3 times and they offered to reschedule it the next day but no apology or explanation. I understand things can get busy, but no reply from any of the GR team for the rest of the day and no apology left a bad taste in my mouth.
This was also after the interview had been rescheduled twice, which is why I thought I should confirm it the same day

THAT’S CRAZY the audacity?? How are such unprofessional people making decisions on whom to offer a tc

 

[Justin]

Overlapping vac schemes

Hi everyone. I have received a vac scheme offer from one firm however I am also interviewing for another vac scheme, which is overlapping. The second firm starts a week after the first firm however both are two weeks long.

I equally like both firms (the second firm also has a few more areas I am interested in) however I do not want to waste the opportunity of turning down the first firm. I also do not know whether the AC will be successful. I'll also note, I have to accept the offer by the end of this week for the first firm.

What do people usually choose with clashing vac schemes?

Thanks!

 

[FutureLawyer_]

HSF Kramer summer vs PFO after attending one of their open days I hope the feedback is auto generated because if not it’s actually aggravating

I was the same :/ considering the open days are pretty tough to get onto and they tell you how to make a strong app, I genuinely don’t know what they’re looking for atp..

 

[givemeajob]

HSFK Summer PFO also attended an open day and a campus presentation...

 

[33potatoes]

Kennedys AC!

Hey, have you done it yet?

 

[33potatoes]

Kennedys AC invite for Direct TC London office

Hey, message me

 

[fTS3002]

Proskauer Rose assessment day invite!
Does anyone know what to expect??

 

[sadlawyer01]

When preparing for an AC, how technical must we be? An associate recently told me we must be very thorough (understanding terms such as conditions precedent, lockbox accounts, differences between reps and indemnities in M&A vs legal setting), and some tell me you just need to understand general trends of companies and basic economics.

@Abbie Whitlock are you able to give some insight into how much research we should do and how in-depth?

 

[Mart1nVa1l]

Proskauer AC. Any insight would be so very much appreciated I can offer insights into HSF AC; CMS interview; penultimate stages for NRF, HL, WFW; and DACB vac scheme/ VI, if you want something in return.

 

[qwerty!]

does anyone know how long it takes latham to get back to you post-ac? should i assume pfo if it has been more than a week

took around 8 days for me to get an offer - i think rejections were also sent around that time too

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

queen @Abbie Whitlock (and others with interview experience) - is 2 reasons enough for a interview answer of ‘why this firm’ ? Or is 3 ideal?

Hey!

Yes, generally two well-developed and specific reasons would be enough for a "why this firm" answer.

I generally aim for 2-3 points as this allows you to cover a couple of areas, but still gives you room to go into a good amount of depth for each one. Therefore, if you believe that your answer is strongest with two main reasons, this would be absolutely fine

 

[jagath]

what are the chances HSF has simply lost my application lol

 

[BealMcAlly]

Bristows PFO post VI lmao.

Honestly I'll just get in the bin atp.

 

[tianna09]

I had an interview with Fieldfisher, reconfirmed it with HR the day of at 12pm, due to start at 2pm. No one showed up to my interview (it was virtual), I had to email HR 3 times and they offered to reschedule it the next day but no apology or explanation. I understand things can get busy, but no reply from any of the GR team for the rest of the day and no apology left a bad taste in my mouth.
This was also after the interview had been rescheduled twice, which is why I thought I should confirm it the same day

just to add onto the FF slander, not to give away too much but i am currently a mentee to a NQ solicitor there so i meet up with them virtually every few weeks and can i just say their attitude towards their own co-workers and in general their personality is probably one of the worst i have ever seen. they always reschedule and not show up, and you can just tell the company is absolutely all over the place. i have an opportunity to go down there for some work experience and i actually do not want to go and i know its an amazing opportunity but i actually cannot stand the company itself. i was encouraged by them to apply and i actually just wanted to crawl into a hole because i was just so put off which is such a shame because i used to like the firm.