TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Enyonam]

Ashurst holding email

Holding email? Could you expand please?

 

[QuillandCounsel]

That is insane. Did you not meet the A-Level or grade requirements?

I really can't comprehend why they have done a complete 180 this year from the previous years. I thought they were a bit more about inclusivity and people than just grades.

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Holding email? Could you expand please?

Just says that they are emailing to give everyone an update by 6 November at the latest

 

[amitonalfo]

Just says that they are emailing to give everyone an update by 6 November at the latest

Is it a bad sign if we haven't received this after doing form and first stage test lol

 

[tldrba]

Is it a bad sign if we haven't received this after doing form and first stage test lol

I haven't received it either but wouldn't count on it being a bad sign. 6 November is most likely the mass PFO day either way, usually later stages for Ashurst are well underway by the date they give to get back to everyone

 

[Inquisitive]

That is insane. Did you not meet the A-Level or grade requirements?

Most likely this, tbh. 3 Bs at A Level

 

[Enyonam]

Is it a bad sign if we haven't received this after doing form and first stage test lol

We will find out together mate got PFO’d last cycle so not feeling particularly optimistic

 

[Enyonam]

I really can't comprehend why they have done a complete 180 this year from the previous years. I thought they were a bit more about inclusivity and people than just grades.

I could just be speculating but I think it has a lot to do with magic circle mergers with American firms and the fact that a lot of city firms have also put their own requirements up in response.

Thank you so so much Trump

 

[Prudentia]

I could just be speculating but I think it has a lot to do with magic circle mergers with American firms and the fact that a lot of city firms have also put their own requirements up in response.

Thank you so so much Trump

They also probably want to reduce the number of applications they have to read. One of the easiest ways to do that is to (re)introduce grade requirements.

 

[AS24]

I think it opens tomorrow

Thank you so much!

 

[user55998384]

guys for those who have done FF stage 2 did you refer to the notes u made in the prep time - i did once or twice but like literally j a glimpse coz i didnt remember a certain stat/person do u think this matters?

 

[jamsparkle]

legal cheek says kirkland isn't running a vac scheme this year? but they haven't updated their grad rec website... so annoying when firms randomly disappear things (like winter vac schemes...) overnight

 

[ufdj]

legal cheek says kirkland isn't running a vac scheme this year?

they never actually did lol

 

[jamsparkle]

they never actually did lol

yeah this came up last year - they just make everyone with a vac scheme offer do a 2nd AC and give out tcs?

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Does anyone know how firms look at people who applied and got rejected in the previous year? Also, how does it depend on the stage you were rejected at?

 

[ufdj]

yeah this came up last year - they just make everyone with a vac scheme offer do a 2nd AC and give out tcs?

from what i know they basically run 2 insight days after the VI stage. the first insight day is the first AC and if you pass you get invited to the second insight day which is the final AC. it doesn't really matter if you applied for the VS/TC because they give TCs if you pass the final round. now that they've stopped the VS I'm assuming everyone just applies normally for the TC

 

[legallybrunetteagain]

A weird one for you guys!

Just completed the A&O Shearman online test and got my feedback report. All good stuff inside but it has my previous surname written on the front page.

I applied with my current surname and never mentioned the previous name in my application (it stopped being my legal name in 2021), and I've never applied to A&O or Shearman in the past...

There's no mention of my current surname in the feedback doc. How the hell did they find my old name and attach it to my application lol I'm so confused???

 

[Jonjones]

Does anyone have any insights into HLC job simulation? Willing to trade for Mayer Brown or Mac

 

[QuillandCounsel]

This is slightly irrelevant to vac schemes, but does anyone know how to write a cover letter to law firms for other positions they have? I feel like I've hit a brick wall, because it feels like they want a specific type of structure or way of writing.

 

[legalbanana]

APC holding email