TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[AryanAgg]

@Abbie Whitlock

Hey Abbie, hope you’re well!

I’ve got an interview coming up with Winston & Strawn and was hoping to get your view on how best to approach it given the merger with Taylor Wessing.

For my “why this firm” answer, I was planning to talk about Winston’s smaller, specialised London team and the exposure and responsibility that comes with that. With the merger though, I’m conscious that the firm’s structure and positioning are likely to change.

Do you think it’s still appropriate to reference the benefits of the smaller team environment, or would it be better to focus more on the opportunities created by being part of a larger, integrated platform? Do you have any other ideas for how to approach the merger in other aspects of the interview as well?

Thank you!

do they send all interview invites at once or in batches?

 

[aliiiisonxooox]

Hi guys,

I just have a question. If you applied this year for example and got rejections post VI, AC etc

Do you have a less chance next year just because you applied the year before? And they don’t want to assess you again? Or the same chance as last year? Thank you!

 

[hanz123]

@Abbie Whitlock Hey Abbie how would you approach the question why law for a telephone interview at a commercial law firm

 

[jagath]

(off topic) is anyone familiar with kaspas ice cream? i saw this in one of their stores today

i looked at their variety of flavours and i find it incredibly hard to believe that there is “nothing artificial” in the ice cream. is there any way i can force them to say what the ingredients are?????

 

[privateequitywarrior]

Hi guys,

I just have a question. If you applied this year for example and got rejections post VI, AC etc

Do you have a less chance next year just because you applied the year before? And they don’t want to assess you again? Or the same chance as last year? Thank you!

Differs for every firm. Some firms like Travers and Jones Day will not interview you a second time. I did a Weil VI 2 years ago, and made the AC this year

 

[astrid177]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu !!
I have an upcoming AC, it’s also my first ever one and I was wondering if you might have any tips on preparing for commercial awareness questions. In particular, I’d really appreciate any pointers on following current affairs or good starting points for topics like geopolitical issues, the use of AI, and key considerations for public companies. Thank you so much !

 

[boots pharmacy]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu !!
I have an upcoming AC, it’s also my first ever one and I was wondering if you might have any tips on preparing for commercial awareness questions. In particular, I’d really appreciate any pointers on following current affairs or good starting points for topics like geopolitical issues, the use of AI, and key considerations for public companies. Thank you so much !

Not Abbie or Andrei, but The Lawyer podcast is great. Law Disrupted also great, hosted by John B Quinn; managing partner of Quinn Emannuel. He gets some serious heavy hitters on for guests.

 

[boots pharmacy]

Has anyone had any luck reaching out to trainees etc on linkedin looking for insights into interviews?

Haven't had the most success with blind messages. Always best if you can ask a senior or friend from university to introduce you, even if it's just an acquaintance.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

What is going on with Gibson Dunn? Have they reached out for summer post assessment?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Not Abbie or Andrei, but The Lawyer podcast is great. Law Disrupted also great, hosted by John B Quinn; managing partner of Quinn Emannuel. He gets some serious heavy hitters on for guests.

I’m gna be the next guest speaker. We’re gna talk about my latest brand deal with Harvey AI and the future of US law firms so tune in guys!

Gabriel Macht Partners with Harvey

Harvey is the platform built to meet the standards of the world’s leading professional service firms.‌

www.harvey.ai

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Calls about AC invites?
I couldve sworn I saw people mention Dechert WEs not too long ago.

Yeah idk what's going on with dechert and if they do batches/rolling. And yeah it was surprising to get a call.

 

[boots pharmacy]

Does anybody know where or how to find conversion rate % statistics/word of mouth information on vac schemes?

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

dla piper assessment centre rejection!

I was thinking maybe it’s because I’m 27 😔 I have feedback in two weeks. I just feel so sad because I really vibed with the partner. He smiled continuously and said I asked super thoughtful questions and said I did well, but maybe they said this to everyone during the interview. No one from our group interview passed; we did have a dominant leader who lead the group and failed to keep the time and spoke over other people. I don’t know if it’s that, but I will wait for feedback.

It is what it is, we keep moving forward. 🤞🏼 eh maybe this is my 5th rejection post VI of the year but can’t do anything just to keep going.

Seriously questioning if there is something wrong with me. But then I remember before this forum, I’d get no interviews at all. Since I joined on here I get interviews. I also got an interview coach, im doing the most I possibly can. I can’t do more than I am already doing. It only takes ONE YES. Now I will just ask myself “ is this really the firm for me? Do I want this? “ instead of “ will they like me? What if they don’t”

we keep pushing forward. Hang in there everyone. Better days are coming.

Hey. Firstly, congratulations on making it to the AC. This is in itself a huge achievement.

Apologies in advance for the unsolicited advice that I am about to give.
Firstly, this is your first AC and they take practice. It's good that you're getting feedback as this is ofc going to give you a road map for how to improve going forward.

It is difficult to assess on your own how you did so I would say don't stress about it in the meantime.

I have had a similar situation where someone took control of the group. I have no idea of how they did outside of that and this may be incorrect advice but my thinking is that it is important to know how to navigate situations like this. You can try and be direct and say hey, I haven't heard from xyz or we need to move on to abc. Things like timekeeping shouldn't be relied on one person as if they are like this or make a mistake, it negatively affect everyone. At the end of the day, firms want to see how you work with people which includes collaborating with difficult personalities.

I hope this helps.

P.S. how do you know how people did?

 

[boots pharmacy]

What is going on with Gibson Dunn? Have they reached out for summer post assessment?

They were one of my first applications back in Sep IIRC. No news since then! 5 months! I've emailed to chase & will share results.

 

[boots pharmacy]

Not Abbie or Andrei, but The Lawyer podcast is great. Law Disrupted also great, hosted by John B Quinn; managing partner of Quinn Emannuel. He gets some serious heavy hitters on for guests.

Feels like there should be a secret forum achievement for gaining likes from both Harvey & Donna on the same post...

 

[boots pharmacy]

Any updates on MoFo and Dechert post-app or Hogan Lovells post-job sim?

PFO'd by Dechert late Jan. Their grad rec team is small and so they take a while. No news is good.

 

[boots pharmacy]

Over a month for the most generic (pathetic) pfo from Bakers post AC

Ridiculous. One month is terrible form. You will move on to better firms!

 

[boots pharmacy]

really idk I have 2.2 Bec of few mit circumstances...

I was very, very worried about grades; 2.2. first year with mit circumstances (physical health). Didn't grad with a 1st, and am non-Oxbridge. Managed to get VS's from SC, US, and large international firms so can confidently say it's a barrier, but not unsurpassable. US firm GR even said they try to look for candidates with consistent 64+'s; I applied to try my luck and ended up with the vac. Can empathise with you very well, as I had this exact fear. Don't worry about it and make your apps as good as possible.

 

[ADhillon01]

The plan to research Faegre Drinker is still yielding minimal results...

 

[boots pharmacy]

i received a pfo over the phone earlier and i was too upset to continue the conversation about my feedback so I asked for a call back later. Is it rude if I just ask to receive my feedback via email, just really upset and can’t be asked for a conversation tbh.

Would strongly advise you to schedule the call & wait a few days to cool down. Completely understandable to be upset, but you may end up applying to them again next cycle. Writing an email is more work for gradrec, and taking it on the chin shows resilience.