TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Yeah icl us successful applicants are just lucky. I’m glad it’s been easy to progress but it’s kind of a joke.

I find them weird - like they've got the worst name in the industry following the stuff they got up to in the Post Office scandal, and then you find them pulling stunts like this, like "oh we're soooo non-discriminatory we don't even care what you did at school", as if putting everybody through a test they ordered from Temu after watching a Tiktok is more probative than, say, my evidence of academic achievement.

I also wanted to vent that during the online insight session which was just a few days before the deadline they still hadn’t finalised what the test would be about but said they’re improving and stuff. That meant no one could ask questions about the test or make decisions on whether to apply or even to attend insight events based on the test! I think this is somewhat important given some people decide whether to apply depending on whether the firm has an intermediate pre-recorded video interview or some type of online tests.

 

[Afuturetrainee]

does anyone know if GD will do more VI? For summer at least? Also for sidley, most progressions have been for spring. Has there been any summer progressions?

 

[CharlesT47]

How does one ask for feedback post AC failure? Kirkland rejection but they don’t offer any precise reason. Do you just email back and ask?

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Yeah icl us successful applicants are just lucky. I’m glad it’s been easy to progress but it’s kind of a joke.

Don't put yourself down, though - obviously, grades and candidate profile are also important (even if we don't agree with the objectivity of the test itself). You were obviously a strong enough candidate to get the invite, it's just that the test is bs.

 

[TCGrad1642]

How does one ask for feedback post AC failure? Kirkland rejection but they don’t offer any precise reason. Do you just email back and ask?

Hiya, yes just email. Most firms are more than happy to provide pretty detailed feedback with some even offering brief calls to do so!

 

[Mikeross750]

hi guys, would appreciate any insights on this:
ive been fortunate to get an AC with one of top choice firms, which was initially scheduled for mid February, but that I had to reschedule as I had my final exams during that exact date. They've kindly rescheduled for an AC in march, but they've been holding ACs in the meantime and have already sent out many offers for the VS. I can't help but feel super discouraged seeing as I'm not sure how many places there will be by the time I get to do my AC, and that my chances are lower just because its one of the later ones (my assumption being that they will be more picky as they've given out a handful of offers already and spots are filling up). has anyone else been on one of the later ACs and ended up getting the VS? is it usually an even spread between recruiting from ACs? seeing as quite a lot of offers went out im lowkey a bit disappointed to have gotten this far in the process to then have my chances be significantly lower because the firm doesnt wait til everyone's completed ACs to give decisions :/ now debating if theres even a point of me relying on the AC to score a place if my chances by then will be basically nonexistent: theres about 15 vac scheme places per scheme (ACs for both spring and summer), and I've seen at least 5 be given out just from this forum...

@Abbie Whitlock / @Jaysen would love to know as well, I am in the same position, thankful for any insights 🙏

 

[sbbusybee]

From what I’ve seen on the forum and messages I’ve received privately it’s baso like this so far for all the firms that you’ve listed here:

Paul Weiss: Spring VS offers have gone out but it seems Summer VS apps are still being reviewed?
MoFo: nothing for anyone yet it seems post app.
Sidley: TIs have gone out for Spring and Summer VS but for people that applied much earlier.
Vinson: VIs have gone out but not sure about ACs.
Covington: ACs were sent end of Jan but nothing else since so either more ACs or PFOs post app.
Greenburg: idk tbh haven’t seen anything yet.
Ashurst: WEs and ACs seem to be going out atm.
Dechert: Spring and Summer WEs and ACs have gone out but mostly for Spring so far.
Gibson Dunn: ACs and VS offers for both Spring and Summer have gone out (quite a lot tbh).

I’m still waiting for Sidley and Covington post app and my Gibson Dunn AC is in a few weeks. I just got a PFO from Dechert post WE for Spring.​

Re Paul, Weiss, based on what they said on their thread last week, I think summer applicants can expect to hear back within the next two weeks (hopefully). Not sure if they’ve gotten back to all spring apps though.

 

[Bottega_Veneta]

As I like to say, it’s “wicked and bad”!!!

Honestly, I just want to say as someone who has seen a couple of cycles and done multiple ACs (*Sigh*🫣). This cycle has honestly been so difficult, especially with the amount of changes to different firms recruitment process. And I’ve really seen how the advice of “quality over quantity” may no longer be applicable. 💀

But, I just want you and everyone else to know that you’re honestly doing amazing with the effort you’ve put in. I really do hope some good news comes our way soon!!

Oh Nova❤️❤️

Your offer is on the way, I know this ❤️

 

[AspiringSolicitor_22]

Any news on the following? still waiting for AC decisions by all the below.

Withers
Clyde & Co (direct TC)
Charles Russels Sheeplys
Ashurst
Hill Dickinson
Akin
Arnold & Porter
Ashfords
Addleshaw Goddard
Harbottle & Lewis
Linklaters
Ropes & Grey
Simmons & Simmons
Stephenson & Harwood
Edwin Coe
Covington
Stevens & Bolton
Brabners

 

[legallybrunettte]

they seem to be giving them out on a weekly (ish) basis - they will be running until the end of February, so there are still lots of chances! I'd say don't write them off for another couple of weeks at least.

Thank you so much!

 

[lowkeyloser]

Anyone else beginning to feel like these applications are almost all down to luck? I think I have an incoming PFO and I literally don't know what else I could have done.

 

[lawcool]

Any Forsters news?

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Any news on the following? still waiting for AC decisions by all the below.

Withers
Clyde & Co (direct TC)
Charles Russels Sheeplys
Ashurst
Hill Dickinson
Akin
Arnold & Porter
Ashfords
Addleshaw Goddard
Harbottle & Lewis
Linklaters
Ropes & Grey
Simmons & Simmons
Stephenson & Harwood
Edwin Coe
Covington
Stevens & Bolton
Brabners

No idea Withers, but some people earlier in the thread mentioned progressions.

Clyde & co: still working through VS VI's. DTC would be later probably.

CRS: just starting to get back to some people.

HD: I don't recall seeing stuff

Akin: lots of progressions

A&Porter: not seen any news.

AG: quite a few VI and AC progressions depending on office.

H&L: haven't seen anything

Linklatters: quite a few progressions

R&G: non rolling, probably no news for another week at least

Simmons^2: some PFOs for London, no news for Bristol

S&H: haven't seen anything here

Covington: had two AC days a week or so ago, no other news.

S&B: no news afaik

 

[WillKitchen]

Willkie partner interview invite!!

Congratulations - they seem like a really nice firm!

 

[Novaa]

Oh Nova❤️❤️

Your offer is on the way, I know this ❤️

OUR OFFER** ❤️

But trust and believe, because I REFUSE to do this for another cycle!!

 

[TCTC]

How does one ask for feedback post AC failure? Kirkland rejection but they don’t offer any precise reason. Do you just email back and ask?

i know someone who made it to the final stage last year and asked for feedback but the firm apparently doesn’t give any (even post AC)

they might have changed their policy this year though so it doesn’t hurt to ask and see what they say!

 

[WillKitchen]

WBD phone interview invitation!

I'm very sorry to hear about everyone who had a negative experience with this firm during the current cycle. I appreciate the different approach WBD are taking at the moment, but I completely understand if I'm in a minority here.

After so many VIs, it will just be very nice to speak to an actual human!

 

[ADhillon01]

Anyone done the Fladgate online assessment? Just to want know about the format (not questions and answers), happy to trade insights/conversation, please let me know!

 

[futuretrainee10123]

Any Forsters news?

Nope anyone else?

 

[law5tudent]

Video interview for CPS trainee solicitor scheme!!🎉

If anyone's done it before could you please drop me a message xx

Ah me too! I recommend TheStudentRoom's forum for 25/26 as it has a good insight into possible questions