TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[BealMcAlly]

Idk if this is gna make any sense but what’s the diff between applied intellect (verbal and numerical) in the amberjack compared to the applied intellect pillar in the SJT? They both have the exact same label and it’s super confusing to me. What does applied intellect mean in both cases?​

So applied intellect tests the below behaviours:

1.Emotional intelligence
2.Social awareness
3.IQ (this is where it maybe spills into verbal intellect)

Verbal intellect tests:

Your ability to understand abstract, explicit and implicit content. You get given a passage - usually for Amberjack it comes in the form of a client email - and you have to pick up on the details and give the right answer.

 

[BealMcAlly]

Reed Smith amberjack and VI invite finally.

 

[BealMcAlly]

I applied to Mishcon the day of the deadline and haven't received anything, it's so over

'Anything' as in no confirmation?

They've likely received a bulk of their applications on deadline day and the GR team is only three people so it may be a while. Also it's 3 days before Christmas, so you may not hear back till after Christmas.

I wouldn't worry, they are likely slammed.

 

[jamsparkle]

Did all of yous that heard back from Milbank for stage 2 apply for Spring or Summer? I’m trying to figure out if it’s a defo PFO cos I’ve not heard back post stage 1 that I did last Wed. I applied to them for Summer (not LevFin). Also, in the event I do get stage 2 (unlikely), is it just a WG? Then a separate VI stage followed by an AC?​

there is no vi, at the open day grad rec said that the partners had been really against the idea of a video interview so they didn't implement any when they rejigged their app process for this cycle (but this is probs going to change in the future unfortunately...)

 

[lelezb1]

Akin Pfo; applied: 19 November

 

[ttlaw12344]

TW PFO post WG, cheers🫡

 

[Jennifer2003]

Reed smith assessment! Applied on the 14th

 

[Vakil]

HSFK, Weil, Willkie leaving me in the dark 🥺 — my inbox refresh button has taken a beating over the last week.

 

[gigi401]

Does anyone have some tips or advice for the Mishcon SJT?

 

[Ay__n05]

I'm very sorry to hear this, also PFO from DLA and yet to hear back from Fieldfisher. May I ask how you found the interview and if anything stood out?

Thanks, interview was ok, though I found that the way they ask the standard “why law” and “why this firm?” questions were unique. I’d say prepare for those with a focus on any potential competencies that link to them, and make sure you use examples for everything. Good luck!

 

[elle woods]

I’d say it’s still quite short because you get about 15 seconds to prepare and 1 minute to answer. Hope that helps!

Thank you so much!! wow that is really not a lot of time 😭 i thought they might have changed it this year as I saw in 2020 they had the 15 sec prep and 1 min answer time... I didn't expect it to stay the same haha esp how other firms are moving towards 3 mins or 2 mins answers

 

[legal18]

Anyone heard anything from BCLP Summer post-test?

 

[c.t.tc]

Oh boy let me tell you about simmons...its been 48 days
Yes, im counting because im petty💅

Try 58💃

 

[Rejections PFO]

Bird & Bird have rejections have almost certainly been sent out due to rolling basis.

Honestly what's annoying is I sent my application over a month ago and it just doesn't feel right if they filled up all the spots that far in advance.

 

[ninarosee]

Thank you so much!! wow that is really not a lot of time 😭 i thought they might have changed it this year as I saw in 2020 they had the 15 sec prep and 1 min answer time... I didn't expect it to stay the same haha esp how other firms are moving towards 3 mins or 2 mins answers

Yeah it’s very short so I took the approach of focusing on 1 or 2 clear points and making them as detailed as possible!

 

[elle woods]

Yeah it’s very short so I took the approach of focusing on 1 or 2 clear points and making them as detailed as possible!

Really appreciate you so much!! Thank you 🙏 I won't ask for more details, but would it be okay to ask if any of the questions threw you off or were they pretty standard questions?

 

[OliviaHB]

How long after Mishcon AI interview did people receive SJT?

 

[OliviaHB]

TW PFO post WG, cheers🫡

I just received the same

 

[M85672]

Any insights on Dechert's Written Exercise? Or more broadly, any tips on how to best prepare for them? I feel its almost impossible to actually practice for them

 

[ninarosee]

Really appreciate you so much!! Thank you 🙏 I won't ask for more details, but would it be okay to ask if any of the questions threw you off or were they pretty standard questions?

No worries! The questions didn’t throw me off because they were basic motivational and competency questions, so think your standard ones. As long as you prep your usual why X firm and the skills you’d bring you should be fine