TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[WillKitchen]

I have a Forage question:

This year I completed 5 job sims (White & Case, Clifford Chance, Kennedys and Slaughter & May x 2). At the time I applied to CC's VS I had not done their Forage programme, and the email strongly suggested that applicants have a far better chance of success if they complete at least one. So after submitting I completed their Community and Pro Bono course. If I had done that first, the changes of making it to the next stage would have been (perhaps slightly) increased.

Now I am looking at Jones Day. They were not a firm I had considered before, but I had a great time at their LawCareersNet LIVE event in London and that changed my mind. Having completed 5 Forage sims already, the prospect of doing another is not particularly inviting. But I think that the firm would probably look more favourably on any candidate who had completed their programme.

What would you do? Enrol for a 6th Forage with Jones Day, or trust in the insight and exposure provided by the 5 already completed and prioritise some other research into the firm?

Thanks!

 

[Unknowncabbage]

I have a Forage question:

This year I completed 5 job sims (White & Case, Clifford Chance, Kennedys and Slaughter & May x 2). At the time I applied to CC's VS I had not done their Forage programme, and the email strongly suggested that applicants have a far better chance of success if they complete at least one. So after submitting I completed their Community and Pro Bono course. If I had done that first, the changes of making it to the next stage would have been (perhaps slightly) increased.

Now I am looking at Jones Day. They were not a firm I had considered before, but I had a great time at their LawCareersNet LIVE event in London and that changed my mind. Having completed 5 Forage sims already, the prospect of doing another is not particularly inviting. But I think that the firm would probably look more favourably on any candidate who had completed their programme.

What would you do? Enrol for a 6th Forage with Jones Day, or trust in the insight and exposure provided by the 5 already completed and prioritise some other research into the firm?

Thanks!

you could potentially enrol in it, and maybe discuss how you are working through it at present.

 

[Saul_specter]

The jump scare seeing an email from Baker McKenzie, then it just being application timelines!! 😭

Side note: more firms should do this!

cld u pls send the application timelines email? thanks

 

[BobThebIlly]

Has anyone heard from Davis Polk?

 

[Novaa]

cld u pls send the application timelines email? thanks

Dear XYZ

Thank you for taking the time to complete Baker McKenzie's online application form for a place on our Summer Vacation Scheme.

To help manage your expectations, please see below our assessment timeline (please note – this timeline is subject to our discretion):

• 8th October 2025 - Applications open.
• 8th October 2025 – 1st January 2026 - Applications will be reviewed.
• 1st January 2026 - Application deadline.
• January 2026 - Successful candidates will be sent an invite to undertake an online test.
• January 2026 - Successful candidates sent an invite to undertake a video interview.
• February 2026 - Successful candidates will attend an Assessment Centre.
• March 2026 - Successful candidates will be offered a place on the Summer Vacation Scheme.

Kind regards,

 

[silonthesofa]

I have a Forage question:

This year I completed 5 job sims (White & Case, Clifford Chance, Kennedys and Slaughter & May x 2). At the time I applied to CC's VS I had not done their Forage programme, and the email strongly suggested that applicants have a far better chance of success if they complete at least one. So after submitting I completed their Community and Pro Bono course. If I had done that first, the changes of making it to the next stage would have been (perhaps slightly) increased.

Now I am looking at Jones Day. They were not a firm I had considered before, but I had a great time at their LawCareersNet LIVE event in London and that changed my mind. Having completed 5 Forage sims already, the prospect of doing another is not particularly inviting. But I think that the firm would probably look more favourably on any candidate who had completed their programme.

What would you do? Enrol for a 6th Forage with Jones Day, or trust in the insight and exposure provided by the 5 already completed and prioritise some other research into the firm?

Thanks!

Personally, I'd do it. If I'm not mistaken, I think their application form specifically asks if you've done it. When it comes to Forage, I reasonably assume firms only really care about their own given that Forage is non-selective. Also, it will likely contribute to your research into the firm because it'll give you direct insight into what they do.

 

[xMontmorency]

I have a Forage question:

...

What would you do? Enrol for a 6th Forage with Jones Day, or trust in the insight and exposure provided by the 5 already completed and prioritise some other research into the firm?

Thanks!

Forage suffers from the problem of diminishing returns after completing about three job sims.

Luckily, firms do not check whether you actually completed it. Skim through it or use ChatGPT to complete it. Bosh.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Does anyone know if the Milbank SJT written questions are mostly general (e.g., why Milbank/why commercial law), or more scenario-based?

 

[Donuttime]

Does anyone know the threshold to pass the amberjacks? Like can anyone else who has successfully passed an amberjack to AC say what score they roughly got out of 36?

 

[Hopeful applicant]

Debevoise is asking for a "Company/Organisation Referee". Does that mean everyone has to have an employer reference? Thank you!

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Debevoise is asking for a "Company/Organisation Referee". Does that mean everyone has to have an employer reference? Thank you!

Hi @Hopeful applicant it’s usually advised to have one academic and one professional reference (just so they can see both sides of your character). However, it’s not the end of the world if you can’t provide on. In fact, some people may not have had any prior employment, or an experience strong enough to generate a reference.

If you’re in the same boat, for now, I’d include another reference - for the sake of the application. As for when it comes down to contacting your referees (they usually get in touch with you first) at that stage you can change it or explain that you don’t have an employment contact for referencing and have opted to use another academic one.

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

has Freshfields given out direct TC AC yet?

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

I hope Milbank’s SJT was not a waste of time, as the firm has already invited some people to ACs for the spring scheme

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

I have a Forage question:

This year I completed 5 job sims (White & Case, Clifford Chance, Kennedys and Slaughter & May x 2). At the time I applied to CC's VS I had not done their Forage programme, and the email strongly suggested that applicants have a far better chance of success if they complete at least one. So after submitting I completed their Community and Pro Bono course. If I had done that first, the changes of making it to the next stage would have been (perhaps slightly) increased.

Now I am looking at Jones Day. They were not a firm I had considered before, but I had a great time at their LawCareersNet LIVE event in London and that changed my mind. Having completed 5 Forage sims already, the prospect of doing another is not particularly inviting. But I think that the firm would probably look more favourably on any candidate who had completed their programme.

What would you do? Enrol for a 6th Forage with Jones Day, or trust in the insight and exposure provided by the 5 already completed and prioritise some other research into the firm?

Thanks!

@WillKitchen hey, 5 forage experiences is very good and more than enough for any firm.

Unless a firm has specifically put in their eligibility that they consider candidates who completed their Forage WE more favourably, I wouldn’t force myself to sit one in order to apply.

I don’t think firms are going to be prioritising candidates who completed their forage we, as that is not a measure of candidate performance and risks skewing their ROI analysis of Forage overall.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Guys do you think that for the Debevoise question below it is necessary to mention a deal that they have worked on?: Please tell us about a recent commercial deal that has captured your interest. If you could represent a side, which would it be and why? (Max 300 words)

Hello!

I'd say that the key thing they're testing here is commercial awareness and analysis, not whether you've picked a Debevoise deal. Therefore, I don't think it'll look bad at all if you choose a deal that they weren't involved in.

A good way to approach it could be:

• Briefly explain the deal
• Say why it interested you (e.g. the market context, strategy used, risks involved, scale, etc)
• Explain which side you'd represent and why, focusing on the commercial and legal challenges. This could involve discussing the commercial rationale, the challenges for each side, and what makes it interesting from a legal perspective and the work involved.

When choosing a side, I'd avoid framing it as "the good side vs the bad side". Instead, focus on why that side presents more complex, strategic, or interesting legal or commercial issues.

If you can utilise a Debevoise deal or naturally link the deal to Debevoise's strengths, that's a plus, but don't force it if it doesn't fit neatly

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Any new AC invites for Reed Smith? i did the SJT+VI on 8th December so it's almost been a month.. should I be expecting a PFO? Reed Smith">@Abbie Reed Smith any insights?

Hello!

Unfortunately, I don't have any specific insights into when people can expect to hear back after completing the online assessment. If it is any consolation, I waited a month between completing my online assessment and receiving an AC invite, so I wouldn't make any assumptions yet! It may just be that it is taking slightly longer due to the holiday period

 

[Prudentia]

Does anyone know if the Milbank SJT written questions are mostly general (e.g., why Milbank/why commercial law), or more scenario-based?

Both.

 

[Prudentia]

I hope Milbank’s SJT was not a waste time, as the firm has already invited some people to ACs for the spring scheme

I thought they were reviewing applications after the deadline? I wasn't aware they were rolling.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Afraz Akhtar @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu I have a question about tone in applications. I have always thought that a measured and more polished tone would be better because I don't want to sound like I'm entitled or aggressive/annoying, but now I'm questioning whether a more forceful/assertive tone is preferable in applications. Would love your thoughts.

Hi!

This is a tricky one, and I'm not sure there is necessarily one 'right' approach! I think it helps to reframe this slightly away from "polished vs forceful" and towards a clear and confident approach. A measured tone is absolutely fine (and sometimes is the safest option!), as long as it doesn't tip into being vague or too hesitant.

You don't need to sound aggressive or too pushy to be assertive - assertiveness in applications can usually come from:

• Making clear choices (e.g. being specific about why this firm and why their work)
• Stating views without excessive hedging (e.g. "I am interested because..." instead of "I feel I could be interested in...").
• Backing points with reasoning and past experiences / examples.

A highly polished tone that takes ownership of your points and displays clear motivations usually comes across as confident, rather than entitled. Ultimately, a firm wants to see that you are sure of your career decisions and genuinely want to work at the firm, so having this confidence is a good thing. However, a "forceful" tone without substance and reasoning to back it up could come across as overconfident.

This is definitely an aspect I used to struggle with (both in applications and interviews), as I didn't want to be perceived as overconfident or cocky and give the wrong impression. However, I think altering your viewpoint and reframing it as confidence in your motivations and skills can really help - definitely don't feel afraid to sound certain when you can demonstrate how you have reached that certainty!

 

[Winter]

Does anyone who's done a Latham AC this cycle have any insights? Happy to share VI/AC insights for other firms!

Congrats !! Is this for spring/summer? and did you do the OD?