TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[helenaskelton]

Does anyone have any insight into the Katten written exercise? I am happy to help out with many US / MC firm ACs amongst others in exchange.

Same here! Any insight would be much appreciated. Can help out with Sidley AC, Jones Day AC, Gibson Dunn AC

 

[user123987]

I have progressed with quite a poor amberjack before and have got PFOs on ones I scored very highly on. I think its highly dependant on your VI performance and the firm

Thank you!

 

[EL2003]

Perhaps it’s harder because it’s final stage? Not looking forward😬

Probably I felt so much pressure to do well and ended up getting a lower score than I normally do

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Probably I felt so much pressure to do well and ended up getting a lower score than I normally do

I feel like Amberjack scores are all over the place regardless. Genuinely hate it so much. Would much rather do the world’s hardest WG than an Amberjack😭

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I feel like Amberjack scores are all over the place regardless. Genuinely hate it so much. Would much rather do the world’s hardest WG than an Amberjack😭

Cappfinity >> Amberjack >> HSF SJT >> WGs >> NRF Arctic Shores >> Ropes Thrive test. Idk if I’ve missed any but these are my rankings atm.​

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Cappfinity >> Amberjack >> HSF SJT >> WGs >> NRF Arctic Shores >> Ropes Thrive test. Idk if I’ve missed any but these are my rankings atm.​

The OC tests have to be near the bottom. Iykyk. Hellish

 

[Lamosophia4]

Cappfinity >> Amberjack >> HSF SJT >> WGs >> NRF Arctic Shores >> Ropes Thrive test. Idk if I’ve missed any but these are my rankings atm.​

I agree I havent done the last 2 though so I dont know too much about those ones

 

[axk323]

Arnold and porter PFO post interview. My last one for this cycle. Oh well at least I've managed to get one vac scheme. Hopefully I can convert it

 

[ellamai0]

Anyone heard from Mayer Brown post AC for summer?
Idk how long to expect now that ACs have concluded

We were told 2-3 weeks post AC. The wait is awful lol.

 

[trainee4u]

Cappfinity >> Amberjack >> HSF SJT >> WGs >> NRF Arctic Shores >> Ropes Thrive test. Idk if I’ve missed any but these are my rankings atm.​

haven't done Thrive.

You don't mention Neuroshight, which is 100x worse than the already hateful Arctic Shores.

 

[rachl_shep]

Anyone have an idea of when we can expect to hear back for the Slaughter and May Innovation competition?

 

[Lawlawland]

Hey guys! It has been a while!
I hope you are all doing well...

I want your thoughts on the following.
Simmons has asked me to write a small introduction paragraph, which will be shared with fellow schemers and the seniors at the firm. I would like some advice on whether to write it in the first person and on what tone to use. TIA <3

 

[SNA99]

Hey!

We have a list here on TCLA for Direct TC applications - you can find it here!

Thanks so much

 

[florrrrnnn76]

Did anyone else find the SH amberjack so hard or is it just me? I found it much harder than other amberjacks I have done

were the video questions hard?

 

[EL2003]

were the video questions hard?

No

 

[Meg_Thee_Applicant]

Did anyone else find the SH amberjack so hard or is it just me? I found it much harder than other amberjacks I have done

yes. what in actual tarnation was that. i am traumatised and it took me like 62410-1489134 years. good NIGJHT

 

[EL2003]

yes. what in actual tarnation was that. i am traumatised and it took me like 62410-1489134 years. good NIGJHT

SAME took me hours just to get medium applied intellect and numerical intellect. PFO incoming 😍

 

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

The Browne Jacobson test felt like I was being assessed by a firm bigger than Kirkland and Latham combined! Three 500-word written responses blended into an Amberjack, what was that for?

 

[Donna Paulsen]

The Browne Jacobson test felt like I was being assessed by a firm bigger than Kirkland and Latham combined! Three 500-word written responses blended into an Amberjack, what was that for?

I found the Amberjack harder than usual (and it felt like there were way more questions too!), and the written questions were an absolute killer!! To think there’s a telephone interview AND an AC after this stage…

 

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

I found the Amberjack harder than usual (and it felt like there were way more questions too!), and the written questions were an absolute killer!! To think there’s a telephone interview AND an AC after this stage…

I agree with you. I didn't understand the indicators in their report (clients, firm & people). Oh wow, a telephone interview? Doesn't matter anyway, expecting PFO after that amberjack