TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Donna Paulsen]

Is it that bad? I’m mid way through the DTC app and now I’m having second thoughts. I’ve done one amberjack this cycle for Weil and felt that it was okay ish. Is this one harder than the Weil SJT?

Haven’t done Weil’s but there were numerical questions I hadn’t seen before, one of them took me like 15 minutes to work out and despite spending much more time on this one, double-checking calculations etc, I scored worse than on other Amberjacks. Mid numerical and mid verbal - usually get high on both.

My pillar scores made no sense either, got 6 on digital mindset when that’s the easiest pillar to score high on imo. For every tech question I chose the most tech-forward answer. Just don’t understand how it works hahah.

I’ve done at least 5 or 6 amberjacks this cycle so I recognise a lot of the questions every time but there seemed to be lots of new numerical and verbal reasoning questions.

 

[Sophia L]

Is it that bad? I’m mid way through the DTC app and now I’m having second thoughts. I’ve done one amberjack this cycle for Weil and felt that it was okay ish. Is this one harder than the Weil SJT?

The weil one was easier in my opinion its as if SH chose the hardest Qs possible and put them all in one. Or maybe im just bad at maths.. I also scored way lower on the pillars than usual as well

 

[Sophia L]

Haven’t done Weil’s but there were numerical questions I hadn’t seen before, one of them took me like 15 minutes to work out and despite spending much more time on this one, double-checking calculations etc, I scored worse than on other Amberjacks. Mid numerical and mid verbal - usually get high on both.

My pillar scores made no sense either, got 6 on digital mindset when that’s the easiest pillar to score high on imo. For every tech question I chose the most tech-forward answer. Just don’t understand how it works hahah.

I’ve done at least 5 or 6 amberjacks this cycle so I recognise a lot of the questions every time but there seemed to be lots of new numerical and verbal reasoning questions.

Same. I noticed that as well the other amberjacks were much more similar this one was quite different I recognised way less questions.

 

[EL2003]

Is it that bad? I’m mid way through the DTC app and now I’m having second thoughts. I’ve done one amberjack this cycle for Weil and felt that it was okay ish. Is this one harder than the Weil SJT?

It was a lot harder but you should still try dont be put off at least we had unlimited time for VIs

 

[Sophia L]

It was a lot harder but you should still try dont be put off at least we had unlimited time for VIs

Yes I think its really good the VIs had unlimited prep time and makes it fairer for all candidates

 

[NomenEstOmen]

Is anyone still waiting to hear from HSF?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Who are W&C's competitors for PE?

 

[adfs456]

Advice desperately needed @Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen or anyone else

I've been fortunate enough to have received a VS at firm 1 which has two sets of summer dates, of which I request the second set.

I have just received an email asking me for the specific reason why I am unable to move to the first set of dates.

However, I am waiting for firm 2 to get back to me (post AC) about whether I have secured a second VS during that set
of dates (meaning I am unable to move if successful)

What do i do

 

[Lissa06]

pathfinder applicant here. I believe they sent out phone interview invites in 2 rounds a few weeks ago, don't know why they don't just update our profiles. might as well make it official that I was rejected no need to put me on hold.

Literally, that’s what I heard too and was so confused about it. At least now I know for next year that this can happen with them.
Btw, did you apply freshfields by any chance? I took my test so long ago and haven’t heard back, but unlike for links I haven’t heard of anyone receiving anything either…

 

[sadboi]

Who are W&C's competitors for PE?

The same as anyone else's...K&E, L&W...I was asked that question at the interview (but not for PE) so make sure to think broadly about the W&C's overall international environment

 

[tcfinalboss]

Day 192384736 of waiting for Mishcon Summer

 

[marshall]

HSF KRAMER SUMMER VS OFFER!!!! This is my first offer of the cycle! I am so grateful

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

HSF KRAMER SUMMER VS OFFER!!!! This is my first offer of the cycle! I am so grateful

 

[DennyCrane]

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

I scored way lower on the BJ amberjack than on my last amberjack two weeks ago. High,High,766 rather than High,High,799 Its bizarre.

 

[LH4]

Is it safe to assume PFO for Winston & Strawn if we haven’t heard post WG

 

[pepsicola96]

Interesting predicament. So for this one firm, I got an AC for their Spring Vac. I unfortunately had to reschedule due to illness, and then right before the rescheduled date, I cancelled again bc I heard back that I got another scheme with clashing dates.

I was super honest (which I maybe shouldn't have been lol). I said I can't attend because I've just gotten a different scheme with the same dates. I said under other circumstances I would like to attend and make an informed decision should I receive an offer from both; however, I would be travelling a long way for this AC, and I had an exam the next day, which I really needed to study for instead, and I apologised for the inconvenience. Which again is all true, if i lived in London I probably would've just done the AC anyway, but I just didn't have the time spare to spend on an AC that I may or may not be successful in, for a VS offer that I may or may not accept (I also am unavailable for the summer dates)

I still like the firm, and provided this other spring VS doesn't work out, I was wondering about asking If i can have a direct TC AC, when they open that up in May. I will probably just ask, because I've got nothing to lose, but I've been such a nuisance to them, I feel like it will be a no. Just wondering if anyone has been in a remotely similar situation haha.

 

[user397485]

HSF KRAMER SUMMER VS OFFER!!!! This is my first offer of the cycle! I am so grateful

congrats! when was your ac

 

[Shawshank728394]

Pleeease slaughters tell us todayy

 

[elizabethkate]

for blake morgan did anyone get an email requesting extra details like context details about free school meals and stuff?

 

[Ancika]

for blake morgan did anyone get an email requesting extra details like context details about free school meals and stuff?

Yes I got it! It was kind of weird that they sent that but I guess they are trying to adhere to their diversity stats.

On another point, I dont find their website as helpful as other firms.. I feel like it’s a bit harder to really justify the “why Blake Morgan” question.