TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Bread]

Guys it's been Radio Silence from every single firm I applied to. Is it worth emailing grad rec. I have only gotten three post app PFO’s, and for the rest nothing.
Is it maybe because I applied to mostly summer schemes?

No VI, tests, etc

And some of them have given others PFO’s too, but I've heard nothing. This is a good sign right?

it is definitely because you have applied to summer schemes. winter vac schemes have basically just now finished taking place.

 

[futuretraineeihope]

Anyone heard post VI for Gowling or Dentons?

 

[EfficientBag123]

Anything from Baker McKenzie post VI anyone??

 

[martianmcfly]

Bird & Bird AC!! This is my first ever AC invite and I’m so excited! Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[赐给我tc]

hi guys dla ti invite! I would appreciate any insights on this!! I can offer successful CC first stage invitation (essay) and vi insights (they rarely change the questions) or CMS vi insights
I also did an assessment centre at PMC, which I can offer insights with or any general tips! Thanks!

 

[Ronaldo04]

Dear @Afraz Akhtar how would you go about approaching this question: Please tell us about interests and activities you pursue and positions of responsibility that are relevant for the role. Max 300 words

 

[itsallgoodman]

If anyone has NRF VI insights please dm me! I have insights for Sidley AC, Covington AC, Milbank AC, V&E AC and Dechert WE

 

[Novaa]

Love when your office forces you to work during Christmas but it’s QUIET, I can draft applications instead of procrastinate 😍😍

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

Does anyone know if it’s still worth applying to Sidley?

 

[nooreb]

Hi guys! - I've applied for Baker McKenzie's vac scheme and don't really know what to expect. I've heard that they have both a Watson Glaser and their own internal test, is this correct or is it just the one? I've also heard that their video interviews are also a bit different to other firms - if anyone could share any insights on their experiences I would be really grateful and am happy to do the same for Weil, feel free to PM me

 

[Bread]

If a firm asks for a company/organisation reference but you don’t think it’s appropriate to provide one, is it ok to provide two academic references

 

[BealMcAlly]

Hi guys! - I've applied for Baker McKenzie's vac scheme and don't really know what to expect. I've heard that they have both a Watson Glaser and their own internal test, is this correct or is it just the one? I've also heard that their video interviews are also a bit different to other firms - if anyone could share any insights on their experiences I would be really grateful and am happy to do the same for Weil, feel free to PM me

I thought they use Amberjack, or SHL.

 

[Sharkfin]

Hi guys! - I've applied for Baker McKenzie's vac scheme and don't really know what to expect. I've heard that they have both a Watson Glaser and their own internal test, is this correct or is it just the one? I've also heard that their video interviews are also a bit different to other firms - if anyone could share any insights on their experiences I would be really grateful and am happy to do the same for Weil, feel free to PM me

There wasn't a WG in the application stage, just a selective amberjack, and then the VI
Whether there's a wg in the AC / later on Idk but I do doubt it.

And ICL the VI is horrific, Godspeed 🙏 🙏

 

[floral.tcla]

hi guys dla ti invite! I would appreciate any insights on this!! I can offer successful CC first stage invitation (essay) and vi insights (they rarely change the questions) or CMS vi insights
I also did an assessment centre at PMC, which I can offer insights with or any general tips! Thanks!

congrats and same!

 

[floral.tcla]

did Weil say when they would get back to applicants post-VI/SJT?

 

[Harvey Specter]

did Weil say when they would get back to applicants post-VI/SJT?

Yeah during my call with early careers they said we would hear back early in the new year with an app update cos they’re reviewing our VI atm over a few weeks period to determine final AC invites.​

 

[Novaa]

There wasn't a WG in the application stage, just a selective amberjack, and then the VI
Whether there's a wg in the AC / later on Idk but I do doubt it.

And ICL the VI is horrific, Godspeed 🙏 🙏

Thank you for this!!

Two questions:

How long did it take you to hear back for the Amberjack?

With the VI being “horrific” LOL, is it because of the prep time or just curve ball questions?

 

[Elsie07777]

Just got DLA Ti invite! Any insights on that? I can exchange with NRF vi, Weil vi and Simmons vi

 

[EfficientBag123]

Thank you for this!!

Two questions:

How long did it take you to hear back for the Amberjack?

With the VI being “horrific” LOL, is it because of the prep time or just curve ball questions?

Both. It took about a week for me to hear back from the amberjack being progressed. Before that it took 9 days after the deadline to receive an SJT. Yet to hear anything about the AC though.

 

[Sharkfin]

Both. It took about a week for me to hear back from the amberjack being progressed. Before that it took 9 days after the deadline to receive an SJT. Yet to hear anything about the AC though.

This ^^^^^

And yea the VI was very unconventional - it tested how well you know the firm & commercial priorities
But 30s to prep was insane