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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

whywhy88

Esteemed Member
Premium Member
Jul 6, 2023
89
152
I have seen a few posts about Jones Day AC invites. Are these for the spring or summer scheme? Applied for spring yesterday and am thinking it might have been a better idea to apply for summer if people are already getting AC invites for spring...
 

Trophy

Legendary Member
Oct 29, 2025
245
355
Thanks for this!

Do you think Sidley winter vac scheme is more competitive to get on to, or the summer and spring scheme
Winter vacation schemes tend to be open for finalist and graduates only across most firms.

Most international students cannot apply to WVS due to visa and term date restrictions so you’ve already eliminated some “competition”.

I’d say sidley is always the first to open the applications and people tend to rush and apply within the first 3 days writing half hearted answers. Given their scheme dates this year it’s within holiday period (same with dechert) for most universities, many international students would be eligible to apply so the possibly makes it equally competitive as its other dates.

I’ve applied to vac scheme for a couple years and found no luck with winter but did with spring and summer not sure why but I found those who succeed (post winter scheme) and post on LinkedIn had a vs the previous cycle they did not convert or had a bit of work experience. But this is all my observation and waffle 😅
 
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MaryAra299

Distinguished Member
Feb 2, 2025
53
40
Has anybody done the mayer brown sjt plus vi, was your camera turned on the entire time and was there numerical element. They said to keep a calculator but the problem is I use my phone to calculate don't have a calculator so if they see me using Mt phone during the numerical part would that have a negative effect? Is there anyone who used their phone as a calculator during the mayer brown numerical reasoning
 
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lelezb1

Star Member
Premium Member
Jan 6, 2025
44
69
Has anybody done the mayer brown sjt plus vi, was your camera turned on the entire time and was there numerical element. They said to keep a calculator but the problem is I use my phone to calculate don't have a calculator so if they see me using Mt phone during the numerical part would that have a negative effect? Is there anyone who used their phone as a calculator during the mayer brown numerical reasoning
i used my phone calculator during the numerical part and my camera was turned on during the entire test
 

Abbie Whitlock

Administrator
Staff member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 11, 2025
672
643
Guys... Any tips on how to manage anticipation anxiety?

I've never made so many applications and awaited for so many results, worrying about their outcomes. Life in academia was so smooth and I always got into wherever I wanted to.

Dealing with rejections for the first time, in bulk is mildly shivering but I'm getting past it well. It's the anticipation and uncertainty of not knowing anything I'm struggling with. I'm on my email page once in 20 mns refreshing... And it just spikes up my heartbeat and makes me feel nauseating.

If any of you have been there, I would like to know what helps you!

Thanks in Advance.
Hello!

I completely get what you are feeling. The waiting and uncertainty can be so draining - sometimes even more than facing the results themselves. This was something that I really struggled with last cycle, and I ended up spiralling when I would see people hearing back online when I was still waiting.

The mindset that really helped me (and might help you too!) was reminding myself that once I've done my part of submitting the best application I could, the outcome was out of my hands. The decision element was out of my control, so spending mental energy on it just amplifies anxiety without changing anything. There are so many elements and factors that go into the graduate recruitment team's decisions that it's impossible to predict how each individual application will do.

When that worry or restlessness kicks in, I always used to try to redirect my focus and energy toward the aspects I could control - such as working on university assignments, researching for applications, or practicing other elements of the process. This made me feel a bit more grounded, and felt like I was bringing the 'power' back into my own hands. It doesn't make the anticipation disappear, but it might help reclaim some calm and agency.

It is an incredibly tough process, and you've already shown a lot of strength by powering through! Hang in there, and be kind to yourself while you wait :)
 
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1stCycleApplicant

Distinguished Member
Sep 9, 2024
70
200
Can anyone clarify what is meant when firms say this (in the context of their online tests): "This assessment is untimed, however, please try to work through it as quickly as possible."
Does this mean the time we take to answer a question impacts the score we get? If not, I don't understand why they say it. Anyone know?
 

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