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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Saul_specter

Esteemed Member
Jan 26, 2025
87
82
I JUST GOT MY FIRST VAC SCHEME!!!

Thank you so much to everyone for all their support on here, I really didn't think this wld happen, especially not after 4 post AC rejections
As everyone says, it really just takes one yes and I believe in all of u and hope the good news comes soon for u guys too
Congrats which firm/ uk or us firm if u don’t mind me asking
 
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lawstudent2

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Dec 9, 2024
244
309
Congratulations !!!! I saw your previous post about struggling with the rejections so very happy you got a VS!!!

Share Discover GIF

Congrats which firm/ uk or us firm if u don’t mind me asking




Thank you so much guys, everyone is so lovely :))))))

For the person asking it was Mayer Brown
 
Which US firms have the best outcomes for direct TC? For example I know last year HL didn’t even reply to people for direct TC. Thinking of Morgan Lewis and W&C but could anyone let me know if there are any others??
I think Baker McKenzie is pretty good. My mate did their DTC AC last year got an offer and said that apps they took c30-50% from the DTC route.

Firms like Paul Hastings, King & Spalding and Fried Frank only hire via the DTC route (12, 4 and 4 TCs respectively). Idk about other US firms though.​
 

helenaskelton

Esteemed Member
Feb 18, 2025
88
95

Abbie Whitlock

Administrator
Staff member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 11, 2025
965
1,102
@Abbie Whitlock Hi! do you have any advice on how to answer 'tell me about yourself' - thank you!
Hi!

I have previously made a post on how I'd approach this question - I have quoted it below! Just let me know if you have any other questions, and best of luck! :)

Hey!

Great question - this is definitely an interview question that used to throw me off, as it can feel very open ended!

I would say that a good way to structure this is to keep it concise, professional and forward-looking, rather than trying to cram your full life story into a few minutes. A structure that I used to follow is:
  • Present: what you are currently doing (e.g. degree, role, or stage you are at) - for example, "I am current a final year Law student studying at X university..."
  • Past: one or two experiences that are relevant and show key skills or interests - for example, "I completed a placement year in my third year that reaffirmed my interest in X area of law, and I am now..."
  • Future: what you are looking to do next and why this firm fits - for example, "I am particularly interested in X type of law, and therefore I have applied to X firm as it aligns with..."

You could think of it as a 60-90 second overview that answers: who are you academically and professionally, what has shaped your interests and motivations, and what are your future goals. I would also try to link it subtly to skills that the firm you are applying to values (e.g. teamwork, collaboration, entrepreneurialism) and end your answer on a point that leads into "why law" or "why this firm".

Overall, you can use this question as a way of giving the interviewer a snapshot into your legal journey so far :)
 
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Has anyone ever progressed with a low amberjack score?
Depends what you consider low. Usually it seems firms set the benchmark to at least 50% so 18/36. I got 24/36 and got the Weil AC.

If the SJT has a VI with it, more weighting is probs placed on the VI than the SJT. But it probs differs between firms as far as cutoffs go.

So 20/36 could be above the cutoff for one firm but significantly below the cutoff for another. It’s best to get at least 60% to be safe I think.​
 
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Lissa06

Star Member
Sep 16, 2025
32
16
everyone who's applied for SPARK, my application portal says "archived". anyone know what this means?
hey! may I ask where exactly it says so? I do not see that for myself, I only see the progress bar that is still on the 'in review' circle. Also, when did you apply? maybe they have processed you before me, since I sent out the app on the 14th February - pretty late
 
How did everyone do in the Ropes Thrive assessment? - I completely flopped it. I wonder how much they take the results into consideration
I thought there wasn’t a test worse than the CC or Orrick WG. Then I took Ropes’ Thrive test…

I think it’s just used to feed into the questions we get asked during the partner interview tbh.

I don’t think it influences post AC decisions tbh but who knows anything could happen.​
 
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TortillaTC

Legendary Member
May 10, 2025
291
302
I thought there wasn’t a test worse than the CC or Orrick WG. Then I took Ropes’ Thrive test…

I think it’s just used to feed into the questions we get asked during the partner interview tbh.

I don’t think it influences post AC decisions tbh but who knows anything could happen.​
Tbh I still can’t tell if Orrick’s WG was that bad or I was overthinking every single question😂😂😂
 

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