TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

I still have not heard back from Simmons London.
I've emailed them very politely asking any update regarding my application as it seems that a lot of people received a rejection email saying that they are at capacity. That was about a month ago and I still haven't heard back. Should I send a follow-up email or should I just assume PFO?
If anyone has any words of wisdom please let me know including @Abbie Whitlock !! Thank you in advance

Hi!

I'm sorry to hear you haven't heard back yet!

If you haven't heard anything in a month, I would send a polite follow-up just in case your email got lost in their inbox. I wouldn't automatically assume a PFO either way!

 

[balegde]

Not unheard of for firms to make offers late into the day. Having said that...This is a painful wait.

yeah deffo painful. I think we've surpassed the time where they would call today. Just hoping they haven't called everyone today and will ring tomorrow...

 

[elizabethkate]

After first interview, just a final second interview. Then TC offers/outcomes.

amazing thank u! i wonder what the 2nd interview looks for that the first can’t cover

 

[toughluck]

Hi!

From my understanding, a 'panel interview' is usually an interview where there are two or more interviewers at the same time (so it is usually a mix of partners, senior associates, HR, etc.). It is different from a normal interview in that they may take turns asking questions or build on each other's follow-ups, or one might lead and the other(s) observes and takes notes.

In terms of content, I would say it is likely to be similar to other AC interviews - it is usually a mix of motivational, commercial, and competency questions. There may also be situational or strengths-based questions as well!

My main advice would be to maintain eye contact with whoever is asking the question initially, but when you answer, involve the whole panel and speak to them all. Best of luck with the AC!

thank you! my concern lies in the commercial element; i want to assume it'll be a short commercial article and not a written exercise since i reckon they would outright state that, but i'm also wondering if it could be open-ended commercial questions with no article or case about trends and so am unsure about how to divide my time in preparation, any thoughts?

 

[silonthesofa]

amazing thank u! i wonder what the 2nd interview looks for that the first can’t cover

First interview is a partner and senior associate, second is two partners specifically from the training committee. So I think first one is to see do we like you and second one is to really dig into your capabilities.

 

[ddalki]

How many applications did most people do this cycle? I only managed 6 😢

I did around 12!

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Ashurst VS Offer! They just called!

Congrats!

On the back of it, I get there is a need to put people on a reserve list for people who attended the intermediate stages e.g., written exercise / AC, but I haven't heard back post-initial application... Why can't they just reject those people like me

 

[AryanAgg]

Does anyone know the general trend for when winston & strawn might reach out?

 

[MarriedToWaiting]

yeah deffo painful. I think we've surpassed the time where they would call today. Just hoping they haven't called everyone today and will ring tomorrow...

Sometimes it can be a question of partner availability, as generally its the partner you interviewed with who calls.

 

[user397485]

does anyone know when baker will get back for spring vs

 

[rhiannonthms]

I still haven't received an update from Gateley's Manchester office or Hill Dickinson Manchester office, other people seemed to have had responses for other offices so was wondering if anyone had heard back from these post VI?

 

[Lawyers786]

Did anyone hear back for a AC from AG in Leeds?

 

[hanz123]

Has anyone heard from Gateley regarding AC yet (Leeds office)?

 

[Lollipopx]

Has anyone applied to TLT? What stage are you guys up to?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I’m pleased to announce I’ve received my 21st PFO of the cycle: Willkie PFO post AC.

Tbf it was expected cos the case study was quite hard. I’m hoping for good news soon lmao…

 

[Vasil2004]

I’m pleased to announce I’ve received my 21st PFO of the cycle: Willkie PFO post AC.

Tbf it was expected cos the case study was quite hard. I’m hoping for good news soon lmao…

Don’t let this defeat you, Harvey! Keep up the work and the two ACs this week will come through

 

[jagath]

does anyone know if the commercial law handbook by jake schogger has the same content as commercial law academy/ if the latter has the content of the former?

 

[ellamai0]

Does anyone know when the last mayer brown ACs are?

The last ACs are this week. 3500 applications (a record number for them).

This is a common theme with firms this cycle, HSFK also told me they received a record number of applications this year.

Could be because people are leveraging AI so they can complete more applications than they used to? but it’s gotten more competitive, so to anyone out there who is struggling with self-doubt it’s not that you’re not good enough: firms are ridiculously oversubscribed!!!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

The last ACs are this week. 3500 applications (a record number for them).

This is a common theme with firms this cycle, HSFK also told me they received a record number of applications this year.

Could be because people are leveraging AI so they can complete more applications than they used to? but it’s gotten more competitive, so to anyone out there who is struggling with self-doubt it’s not that you’re not good enough: firms are ridiculously oversubscribed!!!

How do you even begin to shortlist 3,500 apps esp for a firm that only hires 15 trainees…

They have a VS and DTC route. How many people do they give ACs, VSs and post VS TCs to?

Mayer Brown grad rec picking who gets the VS/TC like this I can alr picture it in my mind:

​

 

[Anonymous9053]

I have an AC at Mills & Reeve soon, it is my first AC and I am pretty stressed! If anyone has any wise words of advice for a M&R AC or can point me in the direction of useful information I will be forever grateful <3