TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[BealMcAlly]

I just turn off my camera in the non-recorded elements of tests to avoid this. Some of these budget and stats questions, I am oddly changing seat position every minute checking my working out - I do not need them seeing that haha

Have you progressed past this stage before despite covering/turning off your camera? About to do my amberjack for Reed Smith and I really don't feel like being on camera today hahah

 

[jojo23]

I just turn off my camera in the non-recorded elements of tests to avoid this. Some of these budget and stats questions, I am oddly changing seat position every minute checking my working out - I do not need them seeing that haha

Any time a math question comes on screen they see me laughing (and maybe crying) for a good solid 5 mins before hail mary-ing an answer (I cant do maths).
As for the rest of the test.. if they actually watch it, they probably just see and hear me singing

 

[strollinthepark]

hello does anyone have any insights into bird & bird ac?

 

[WillKitchen]

Has anyone completed the Paul Hastings open day VI?

I've not seen a VI for an open day before, so it will be interesting to know what kind of specificity they're looking for at this stage. I honestly just want to visit the open day to say hello, meet staff and find out more about the kind of work they do, but perhaps they may want more research in evidence at this stage?

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

PM me please if you have insight into Bird & Bird AC and DLA Piper AC

Thank you!

 

[cb6056]

Please could anyone with insights for Macfarlanes AC pm me - I'd be really grateful, thanks

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

If anyone has any insights for Goodwin VI (or for VI's in general) I'd really appreciate it!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

My mind has gone completely blank. For AllHires apps, where it asks for us to enter work history in chronological order (most recent first), is this from the start date, end date or both? I’ve looked at my other apps but it lowkey looks like my entries have been mixed up lmfao. Does anyone have an idea of how work exp should be added?​

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

My mind has gone completely blank. For AllHires apps, where it asks for us to enter work history in chronological order (most recent first), is this from the start date, end date or both? I’ve looked at my other apps but it lowkey looks like my entries have been mixed up lmfao. Does anyone have an idea of how work exp should be added?​

@Harvey Specter it should be added in order of earliest to latest - so from when you first started.

 

[AS24]

For those who are applying to Perkins Coie, did you include why commercial law in your cover letter?
Hello @Afraz Akhtar, I am applying to Perkins Coie, and their website states,"

• Cover letter including your response to the following questions:
  • What attracts you to the Legal Business Analyst program?
  • What is a recent story in the news that could have an impact on a Perkins Coie client, and what could that effect be?

Do you think I should include why commercial law? How should I structure my cover letter?

 

[oliviabeijing]

Anyone heard from Dentons post assessment? I did the assessment at the beginning of Dec, I think some people on here were invited to VI. Anyone had a PFO?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

For those who are applying to Perkins Coie, did you include why commercial law in your cover letter?
Hello @Afraz Akhtar, I am applying to Perkins Coie, and their website states,"

• Cover letter including your response to the following questions:
  • What attracts you to the Legal Business Analyst program?
  • What is a recent story in the news that could have an impact on a Perkins Coie client, and what could that effect be?

Do you think I should include why commercial law?

Hi @AS24 I haven’t applied there before, so others may be able to answer this more directly, however I would still encourage a paragraph on why commercial law.

I think their suggestions are just to ensure you at the very minimum cover those two topics, but the onus is still on you to cover the rest.

Remember, you are selling yourself, so motivation is a strong part of that. I’d therefore tie in why commercial law with the why LBA programme as one part of the cover letter.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Akin telephone Interview!!! What to expect guys did anyone do it?

 

[BealMcAlly]

How long do people on here take to do Amberjack assessments? Got a feeling I'm taking too long.

Just completed RS's one and timed myself at 2h15m without the VI lol

 

[AS24]

Hi @AS24 I haven’t applied there before, so others may be able to answer this more directly, however I would still encourage a paragraph on why commercial law.

I think their suggestions are just to ensure you at the very minimum cover those two topics, but the onus is still on you to cover the rest.

Remember, you are selling yourself, so motivation is a strong part of that. I’d therefore tie in why commercial law with the why LBA programme as one part of the cover letter.

Thank you @Afraz Akhtar. How many pages do you think my cover letter should be?

 

[llblawstudent]

Have people been given January ACs for Freshfields? I remember someone on here said they’d be having a couple more in Jan but I’m wondering if they’ve been given out already so I can fully give up hope LMAO

 

[BealMcAlly]

uhmm my first ever amberjack was AOS' one and I think that one took me quite a while - maybe 2hrs max? But then the next ones I did (Weil and Mayer Brown) took much less time because I knew what to expect, and the maths questions were practically the same lol. Some of the questions were even the same LOL But then again, I didn't get amazing scores so maybe I'm doing them way too fast haha

I actually quite enjoy the maths questions - I find writing down the answer choices and then also my workings really helpful!

Yeah i always write them out too for maths. Dunno, this one took me ages today and feeling a bit dazed haha

The Mishcon one took me 40 mins but on reflection I feel that maybe I rushed because I got a 4 for creative force...

 

[M85672]

Hi guys, I completed Simmons' test and VI a while back. I got 2,7,4 in the amberjack so at first glance thought that I did pretty poorly in that. However, I do remember thinking my VI went quite well. But shortly after, I emailed grad rec who said they only review the VI's following passing the benchmark.

Thing is, I have a mate who completed the test and VI at the same time as me, and he got the rejection almost instantly. So just getting mixed signals about whether there is still a chance I could get the AC? Or they would have rejected by now surely?

 

[abc124]

How long does it usually take to get the Akin online assessment?

 

[BealMcAlly]

Hi guys, I completed Simmons' test and VI a while back. I got 2,7,4 in the amberjack so at first glance thought that I did pretty poorly in that. However, I do remember thinking my VI went quite well. But shortly after, I emailed grad rec who said they only review the VI's following passing the benchmark.

Thing is, I have a mate who completed the test and VI at the same time as me, and he got the rejection almost instantly. So just getting mixed signals about whether there is still a chance I could get the AC? Or they would have rejected by now surely?

Oh interesting. Was this really recent? This tells me those who haven't heard back in weeks may well still be in with a chance for AC.


Edit: Never mind, I clearly cannot read. You said a while back.