TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Leader of the Night Watch of the Contractless]

My bad boss. I hope you receive your insights and go on to secure the Reed Smith TC.​

A Goofy-Tyrion crossbreed won’t make this better, nobody helps a tactical genius who 'Hyucks' through a wine-fueled trial by combat.

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

I am going to assume it’s too late to apply to Akin😂

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hi everyone,

Quick update:

Hill Dickinson amberjack- 4,6,6,9!!!!! Not happy about the 4 but I’m super happy about the rest! Think this is the first time I’ve done relatively well in this stupid test, hope it’s enough? 😭 scored mid for numerical/verbal. Think the VI went well too? Fingers crossed 🤞🏽

Got Goodwin and NRF (round 2 haha) VIs to do. Barely any time to revise for my exams next week 😭

 

[tc2026]

hi does anyone know if dla will be releasing more London AC offers?

 

[tc2026]

Hi everyone,

Quick update:

Hill Dickinson amberjack- 4,6,6,9!!!!! Not happy about the 4 but I’m super happy about the rest! Think this is the first time I’ve done relatively well in this stupid test, hope it’s enough? 😭 scored mid for numerical/verbal. Think the VI went well too? Fingers crossed 🤞🏽

Got Goodwin and NRF (round 2 haha) VIs to do. Barely any time to revise for my exams next week 😭

Amazing!!! do u have any tips for amberjacks (generally)?

 

[tc2026]

Does Mishcon SJT have video questions?

hi, did you find out please?

 

[SamiyaJ]

Does anyone have amberjack

Amazing!!! do u have any tips for amberjacks (generally)?

Hey,

I’m honestly the worst person to ask lmao- my score always fluctuates.

One thing I can say is to make sure you remember the firm’s values, and answer according to that. I know they say to answer honestly but I realised that this method doesn’t work (for me at least). HD are big on creativity so I kept that in mind, and scored 9/9.

I did Mishcon amberjack not so long ago and got 3/9 in creative force lmao. Think I focused too much on being a collaborative person and didn’t display my own initiative etc!

Hope that helps x

 

[AGB2060]

Slaughter and May interview 🥳

 

[tc2026]

does anyone have a list of firms that dont use amberjack? or the Taylor wessing/eversheds type test? im getting tired of these... I almost miss the Watson Glaser.

 

[Saul_specter]

Slaughter and May interview 🥳

may i ask when did you apply and when did you hear back? and for vs or tc? Congrats!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Anyone have advice on how to answer a question like this?

If you could witness any event, past, present, or future firsthand, what would it be and why? (300)

Does it need to be related to the firm's core practice areas eg life sciences, or can it be anything at all?

Hi!

This kind of question is usually much broader than it looks, so I'd try not to overthink it! It doesn't have to be directly tied to the firm's core practice areas (e.g. life sciences). Firms use questions like this in order to get a sense of how you think, what you're curious about, and how you reflect - they're not necessarily testing any commercial awareness or technical knowledge.

I would make sure that, whatever event you choose, it allows you to:

• Explain why it genuinely interests you
• Show how you analyse or reflect on significance and impact
• Subtly reveal qualities and traits relevant to being a trainee (e.g. curiosity, judgement, perspective, learning mindset)

The way that I would potentially structure it is as follows:

1. Pick an event that you genuinely find interesting (this can be historical, current, or future-facing!)
2. Explain why witnessing it firsthand would matter to you - it might be helpful to frame this in terms of what you'd be looking to learn or understand
3. Link that insight back to how you approach learning, decision-making, working with people, etc.

If you can naturally connect it to the firm's work or values, that can be a bonus - however, I would avoid forcing a link as it could read as inauthentic.

Overall, anything at all should be fine - just as long as your reasoning is strong and reflective! In these types of questions, the "why" matters far more than the event itself.

I hope that helps!

 

[tc2026]

White & Case AC!
Also, Linklaters said they filled places for the winter scheme but offered an AC for the spring scheme instead.

hi do you know when the AC spring dates are please x

 

[floral.tcla]

happy New Year’s eve eve everyone…

has anyone else completed dla piper’s voice interview?
would really appreciate any advice from mods on answering motivational questions in a voice interview when you’ve already answered them at the written stage - is this essentially the chance to deliver that but while showing your voice and personality?
also for some context in the invite email, it says it’s around 15 mins long but the booking suggestion says 30 mins (and also at this stage they don’t want you to ask questions at the end). This is a lot of extra time lol so unsure what to make of it😅

^

 

[applicant3000]

the goodwin VI is really not that bad tbh. it's fairly standard motivational/competency questions you should prep anyway

 

[Harvey Specter]

the goodwin VI is really not that bad tbh. it's fairly standard motivational/competency questions you should prep anyway

You’re gna have a stampede of people rushing to msg you now for “insights” into Goodwin’s VI like:

 

[ninarosee]

Gibson Dunn AC!

 

[SamiyaJ]

You’re gna have a stampede of people rushing to msg you for “insights” into Goodwin’s VI now like:

I’m about to be one of them 😂😂😂

 

[JasmineM9]

the goodwin VI is really not that bad tbh. it's fairly standard motivational/competency questions you should prep anyway

That is actually really reassuring, I do not like VIs at all! If you don't mind me asking, are there any commercial questions? I am prepping those just in case. Thanks in advance!

 

[BealMcAlly]

White & Case AC!
Also, Linklaters said they filled places for the winter scheme but offered an AC for the spring scheme instead.

Did you apply for the winter one or spring?

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

does anyone have a list of firms that dont use amberjack? or the Taylor wessing/eversheds type test? im getting tired of these... I almost miss the Watson Glaser.

Other firms with Watson Glaser/Critical Thinking Test (Apps still open):

Milbank
Cooley
Cleary Gottlieb
Addleshaw Goddard

I've made a list for Amberjack before on this thread, worth check it out.
Other firms use Cappfin and SHL (Ashurst, Osborne Clarke, etc). The rest are quite direct either with written exercise or interview.