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  1. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Imagine we’re thinking there’s an excruciatingly complex, multi-layered advanced process which grad rec use to determine who gets offers and who gets told to kick rocks, using all their blood, sweat and tears, but irl they’re acc doing this: 🥲
  2. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Lowkey interested in this topic too so if anybody has any insights pls do share them. What sets Akin’s funds practice apart from Debevoise and vice versa? Idk if this question was alr answered by someone so I have decided to bump it lmao.
  3. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Congrats on getting Akin’s test! Can I ask when did you apply to them?
  4. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    The app form is just personal details, academics and work experience. The first stage test is just an SJT (not amberjack it’s their own test). It has some timed written questions too. There aren’t any video interview questions. This is for the trad route idk about LevFin.
  5. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    My TC app journey (25/26)

    Hey guys, it’s me again lmao. Guess it’s time for me to post another update on this tracking thread so here goes: Apps that were rejections: Jones Day Winter VS post app HSF Kramer Winter VS post test Paul, Weiss Winter VS post app Cleary Gottlieb Winter VS post app White & Case Winter VS...
  6. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Idk if this is gna make any sense but what’s the diff between applied intellect (verbal and numerical) in the amberjack compared to the applied intellect pillar in the SJT? They both have the exact same label and it’s super confusing to me. What does applied intellect mean in both cases?
  7. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Legit same. I didn’t refer to my work experience at all in any of the questions lmfao. I linked back to Weil and all my interactions with them but that’s about it. Now I’m refreshing my email inbox every 2 mins like a melon waiting for a PFO. This is gna be Weil to us after they watch our VIs:
  8. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Did all of yous that heard back from Milbank for stage 2 apply for Spring or Summer? I’m trying to figure out if it’s a defo PFO cos I’ve not heard back post stage 1 that I did last Wed. I applied to them for Summer (not LevFin). Also, in the event I do get stage 2 (unlikely), is it just a WG...
  9. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Honestly lad it’s clear you’ve got a certain view on this subject and others have a diff view so we should all agree to disagree. Let’s not start riots on the forum and keep it civil. People aren’t in a ‘state of vulnerability and distress’ for expressing a view that differs to yours. It doesn’t...
  10. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Idk lad I don’t fully agree with this. HSFK is strict with the 2:1 in every module rule, but they’re still gna take mit circs into account. Wdym if you’re not DEI your chances are low? Grad rec at HSFK and most other city firms don’t see our info about identity cos it’s all anonymous. Mind you...
  11. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    It’s SJT first and then you’ll move onto the video interview section. You can take a break between the two components. Best of luck rkid!
  12. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Seems like I completely misunderstand that one then cos I’d written about Dechert’s training model and structure (6 seats, 10 trainee intake, critical skills institute), and tied those to the diff skills I’ve developed through experiences and not Dechert’s core practices, so there goes that app...
  13. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Here’s me thinking 3 apps before NYD is gna be a mission and you’re aiming to try get 4 done before Xmas??!! I rate the grind lad, you’ve got this! 😎
  14. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Idk about iPhone cos I did the test on my laptop. There was a settings icon at the top for the camera and video recording stuff.
  15. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    You can turn it off though there’s an option for it at the top of the screen. I think it’s there to verify that we’re acc taking the test ourselves.
  16. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    These VIs have yous looking at the camera like this to come across slightly more ‘personable’:
  17. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    *insert a giggle here so I don’t sound scripted* x3 Idk does the “pause method” work for anybody? *pause after this line so I don’t sound scripted* x3
  18. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Nah igy cos it’s the same for me. Idk how people can be so expressive and performative during a VI cos every time I practice my voice just sounds like scratching chalk and reading off a script, but the whole time I’m literally using a few bullet points for the structure. My natural speaking...
  19. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Damn bro cooked on the Mayer Brown test! This is probs the highest score I’ve seen! 🤯
  20. Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Firms probs have an overall test benchmark and one for each individual pillar, e.g., a minimum of 4 or 5 across the pillars would be an overall score of 16-20 (around a 50% overall score).

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