TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[johnsmith]

Sidley, Travers and Covington are probs gna break Milbank’s current world record for longest wait for a post app PFO. These are the league tables for longest wait post app I’ve got currently:

1st place: Milbank (38 days) - RECORD HOLDER
2nd place: Sidley (35 days) - CATCHING UP???
3rd place: Travers (31 days) - RUNNER UP???
4th place: Covington (28 days) - HURRY UP???

I’d include FF on this list but that would be unfair cos they’d smash it out the park (took 62 days for my stage 2 adjustments and currently at 36 days post stage 2 job sim and VI).

Does anyone have any league tables of their own of firms that are taking a long time? I saw a post saying Simmons was at 100 days??!! I really want to have a stint in grad rec or HR lmao.​

I’m at 120 days+ since applying to Simmons in Bristol 🤣 I think for Bristol they are genuinely waiting for the closing date though

 

[Dogecoin GC]

If you’re waiting for Travers, then I feel bad for you son. I got 99 problems but waiting for Travers ain’t one. I did the scheme in 2020 and was rejected afterwards in 2021.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Has anyone heard back from Stephenson Harwood/ know when they got back to people last year?

Hey!

I’ve had a look through my emails from last year and can see that I received the SJT invite on the 11 March, and the VS offer on the 17 March. Seems like there’s still plenty of time if they’re following a similar timeline!

 

[halima12]

HSF K summer PFO 🥲

Hi was this after the AC ? and if so how was it, so sorry it wasn't better news

 

[tc2026]

bird & bird vac scheme!!!! i’m so happy

WELL DONE!!!! so happy for you!

 

[tc2026]

Post app or post interview? I know a few people who did interviews at Perkins Coie recently. Idk if they’ve heard back post interview though.​

ohhh, I meant post app hahah welp, didn't know they were doing interviews alr

 

[RSK]

@RSK hi - i noticed you left a thumbs up - is that a yes by any chance???

@RSK hi - i noticed you left a thumbs up - is that a yes by any chance???

Hey sorry this was an accident - I haven't applied and I'm not aware :/

 

[WiddyJ]

is it worth submitting dtc apps for ashurst/baker mckenzie?

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Received the Lewis Silkin holding email this morning… they’re thinking about me on Valentine’s Day awh❤️

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Received the Lewis Silkin holding email this morning… they’re thinking about me on Valentine’s Day awh❤️

I'm happy they are at least updating us with a timeframe, and I appreciate they are probably actually reading all the applications

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

Any CMS AC insights would be very much appreciated please! Thank you

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Gibson Dunn, September 4th 2025

I've noticed that there are several people who applied very early (around September) for summer VS to Gibson Dunn and have not received anything post-app. Does anyone have an idea what that is about?

@Laurel Lance - Black Canary suggested that if you have not gotten a holding email it means they have not reviewed your application yet, but is there a reason why that would be the case? They are supposed to be rolling, and we've applied so long before deadline...

 

[username10341034]

Has anyone done the VI for Fladgate? Wondered if anyone has tips on prepping for it and if it was difficult

 

[2ndCycle74]

Any insight into Cleary Assessment Day? Any help would be so appreciated - can help with Akin TI, Gibson Dunn first round interview, Jones Day first round interview, Skadden final round interview, Dechert WE, Freshfields AC, W&C VI.

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

I

I've noticed that there are several people who applied very early (around September) for summer VS to Gibson Dunn and have not received anything post-app. Does anyone have an idea what that is about?

@Laurel Lance - Black Canary suggested that if you have not gotten a holding email it means they have not reviewed your application yet, but is there a reason why that would be the case? They are supposed to be rolling, and we've applied so long before deadline...

I know handful of ppl not hearing back too, I think for VS you have the possibility to wait until end of the last AC to hear back. I applied to their TC, so a bit different (also someone mentioned GD TC is a pile of reserve as they were not sending PFO until spring last cycle).

Pls update lewis silkin at DTC thread (as the only route), sometimes ppl are confused to mix between 2 routes if the timeline, like deadline on the same day

 

[Legallywhatever]

I was about to apply Simmons Bristol, but your post made me holding back (the deadline is TMRW)

Hi did you end up applying? rly debating but SO unsure if there's any point lol

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I

I know handful of ppl not hearing back too, I think for VS you have the possibility to wait until end of the last AC to hear back. I applied to their TC, so a bit different (also someone mentioned GD TC is a pile of reserve as they were not sending PFO until spring last cycle).

Pls update lewis silkin at DTC thread (as the only route), sometimes ppl are confused to mix between 2 routes if the timeline, like deadline on the same day

I’ve seen a few people post TC offers on LinkedIn from Gibson Dunn for this cycle so I’m assuming they’ve been progressing VS and DTC apps, but it may be DTCs were for earlier intakes.

It’s strange though cos I sent my app just before Xmas Eve and my AC is in less than 2 weeks (for the VS). They sent me a holding email just over 2 weeks post app as well (early Jan).

So idk why they haven’t gotten back to people who applied way earlier than me in Sept.​

 

[a114]

Has anyone done the VI for Fladgate? Wondered if anyone has tips on prepping for it and if it was difficult

Hey, it's only 1 question. No time limit, 3 minutes to answer, and you get two attempts to record. Nothing too crazy, it's about as hard as you make it I think.
Good luck!