TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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

 

[elle woods]

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

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!

 

[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...

 

[elle woods]

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...

ME TOO for MB hahaha i got a 4 in that too, MB also took me the shortest time lol

it's okay, we all have our down days... get some rest and forget about what happened!

 

[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.

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

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

@AS24 personally I would aim to get it all on one page which allows for ease of reading. You may find you have a lot to say, but the trick is to be concise without compromising quality.

 

[jojo23]

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.

Don't give me hope 🤣 -53 days and counting

 

[lalalailovelife]

does anyone know if u need to complete the baker mckenzie online assessment and vi before the jan 1st deadline? or is it just x days after u submit ur application

 

[M85672]

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.

Haha, I completed the test on the 12th November for the record! So really not sure if I'm in with a shout or if they're preparing a lovely rejection as a New Years present

 

[elle woods]

Haha, I completed the test on the 12th November for the record! So really not sure if I'm in with a shout or if they're preparing a lovely rejection as a New Years present

Man I am so prepared for bags of coal (PFOs) as a belated gift

 

[lividowl03]

I'm sure it varies by firm, but do firms with both a VS and direct TC typically reserve places for the direct TC, or would they potentially fill all from VS and then cancel the direct TC process as this often takes place much later?

 

[Harvey Specter]

Man I am so prepared for bags of coal (PFOs) as a belated gift

I can alr imagine grad rec are gearing up to launch a huge wave of new year PFO missiles like: