TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[DoNotRedeem]

It’s probs not automatic cos I did my first test on Wed (late night) and have heard nothing. Although I did apply for Summer VS so idk whether that’s the reason for it.​

Yeah I did summer and heard back in one day. I wonder if it’s automatic or they reward the answers .

 

[Rads]

too mentally exhausted to finish the Reed Smith app, gonna have to let this one go

 

[DoNotRedeem]

Congrats!! I did my first test almost 2 weeks ago so i guess its a PFO now

Oh I applied for Spring so that could also be why if you applied for summer .

 

[DoNotRedeem]

Whattttttt

I’ve still not heard back from milbank for 3 weeks after doing stage 1.

I applied for lev fin is anyone else that’s waiting also lev fin 😭😭 or those progressed what did you apply for.

I applied for Spring normal track so it could be levfin made to wait ?

 

[elle woods]

Where is your crown? You're missing a crown next to your name. Disappointing.

elle where is your profile pic

I AM BACK

 

[Seliiina]

Hey when did you hear back btw? Applied for dechert spring in early nov, thinking it’s a pfo now l

Hey when did you hear back btw? Applied for dechert spring in early nov, thinking it’s a pfo now lol

I heard back this Thursday and I applied in the last few days of Oct, rlly a long time….thought it must be a pro before lol

 

[elle woods]

im going to keep my head up and treat myself this eve by watching new season of emily in paris, we got this guys! their loss

100% you go girl!! They'll regret missing out on a star like you

 

[AMullin]

Just jumping on here because I am assuming this is about the Amberjack - I have practised loads after getting a WHOPPING 0 for Creative Force last year for RS's DTC. It left me completely mortified because it's all about adaptability, which I use a lot in my day job - and verbal reasoning measures different strengths to applied intellect.

You may already know this but applied intellect measures your EQ, social awareness, and your intelligence of course compared to verbal reasoning which measures if you can pick up on information based on what you read.

I assume most of you are practising but if not, and I know it's not cheap, buy the practice tests. I found them so helpful. Also, just a caveat about digital mindset, apparently that's the least important pillar according to the aptitude-test-prep breakdown.

Is there anywhere in particular you would recommend to buy the practice tests from?

 

[jagath]

does anyone have an SM interview?

 

[BealMcAlly]

Is there anywhere in particular you would recommend to buy the practice tests from?

I opted for this one - https://aptitude-test-prep.com/test-providers/amberjack-assessment/ - (not sure if links are allowed). It's $25 and you get two full tests and it gives you a breakdown of why each answer is high or low scoring and what each question is looking for.

I haven't seen any other platforms that have Amberjack practice tests, perhaps someone else has insights on this?

 

[Amgrad]

Spring!
And yea, they were my second most interacted with firm... maybe the strategy is NOT to interact with them...since it didn't seem to work with CC and HSF Kramer, but apparently I go to one Open Day with AOS and here I am now 😂

Agree. I think if you got OD, you should write something remarkable that attracts GR minds and made them remember of you. It could be backfires if you wrote a mediocre app compared to those who never attended their event or if you performed average at AC. You should definitely get through them easily as you have dedicated your time and got resources more than others who can't due to work commitment or others.

 

[Harvey Specter]

Spring!
And yea, they were my second most interacted with firm... maybe the strategy is NOT to interact with them...since it didn't seem to work with CC and HSF Kramer, but apparently I go to one Open Day with AOS and here I am now 😂

This is the same for me. I applied for HSF Kramer WVS and despite going to several open days, AS events, online webinars, etc. I got rejected. Then here comes Skadden with a written exercise and I’ve only been to one event with them and that’s the insight evening they did cpl months ago. 😂​

 

[elle woods]

genuinely surprised NRF hasn't sent out PFOs yet?? Like with my arctic shores score they should've rejected me the day after I did my test 😂

 

[JustwantaTC]

Ah this process is getting too much now. Really considering if I am just wasting my time and will never succeed. Constant rejections just coming in and I am not sure what more I can do. I feel like I constantly see one type of person succeed in this process and that will never be me. As someone from an underrepresented background I also feel like the vac scheme I was unable to convert was my only chance and I blew it. Can't even get to an AC since. I feel like a loser when UNIVERSITY students are securing top TCs and I am here as a grad begging firms cycle after cycle. Probably just not good enough either and need a reality check, haha.

 

[yuhhhh]

genuinely surprised NRF hasn't sent out PFOs yet?? Like with my arctic shores score they should've rejected me the day after I did my test 😂

What were your arctic scores results?

 

[spamelinazoid]

Does anyone know if Reed Smith screen all applications? I applied today a few hours before the deadline and wondering how much this actually affects the application.

I paralegal in a city law firm and we are always given until the exact deadline to revert (to the minute) on all work. Firms' emphasis on submitting apps as early as possible *specific emphasis avoiding being close to the deadline* despite giving a clear deadline boggles me because this is so not the reality of working in some of these places....

 

[elle woods]

This is the same for me. I applied for HSF Kramer WVS and despite going to several open days, AS events, online webinars, etc. I got rejected. Then here comes Skadden with a written exercise and I’ve only been to one event with them and that’s the insight evening they did cpl months ago. 😂​

ME TOOOO ahah - We might've been in the same room before lowkey

 

[jojo23]

Um... I feel like i got asked a different set of questions for DLA.


Anyway.. Im probably cooked😭😭

 

[elle woods]

What were your arctic scores results?

... it's really embarrassing... like REALLY bad (1/3/4/2)

 

[oliviabeijing]

hi guys, can anyone recall whether you received an email confirmation upon completing the CMS watson glaser? Thanks

Yes confirmation email, but they don't tell you your score