TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[fcac98]

They said they invite around 300 to next stage on a podcast!

Who and which podcast?

 

[Amjaya]

Skadden PFO

 

[Runsim]

Skadden Pfo and CMS VI lol

Congratulations on your CMS VI, when did you complete the WG.

 

[sooae]

That’s quite a lot for a written exercise

That’s quite a lot for a written exercise

During the insight evening, they mentioned 250 applicants- but yes, still a lot. Then they'll pick the top 100 or 120 (I can’t remember exactly) to advance to the next stage.

 

[Tintin06]

Did anyone here get progressed with Skadden who has also applied in the past?

I’m getting the impression that they don’t progress people who have applied in previous cycles

This varies a lot by firm. Travers interviewed me third time around. W&C haven't rejected my application yet. A lot of people apply repeatedly. You sort of have to, really. Most people don't get past applying. Why hold that against people, honestly? Sure, it presumably makes it easier. But you're probably missing talent too. Focus on your other applications, IMO.

 

[NCTC2025]

This varies a lot by firm. Travers interviewed me third time around. W&C haven't rejected my application yet. A lot of people apply repeatedly. You sort of have to, really. Most people don't get past applying. Why hold that against people, honestly? Sure, it presumably makes it easier. But you're probably missing talent too. Focus on your other applications, IMO.

Yea time to pivot and focus on what we can actually improve - the remaining apps!

 

[BBsharkk]

Skadden PFO... had it TCLA-reviewed too...
Kind of interesting given how I went from securing a vac scheme having zero commercial knowledge in my first cycle to getting rejected by absolutely everything in my 3rd cycle...

 

[Shandy101]

Did anyone here get progressed with Skadden who has also applied in the past?

I’m getting the impression that they don’t progress people who have applied in previous cycles

My first time.

 

[HarmonyN]

Skadden PFO.

 

[marisachr]

Reed Smith test/VI!

 

[Shandy101]

Reed Smith test/VI!

Same! Jesus, I'm not complaining but literally everyone sent invites at once today. Weil, RS, Skadden and MB

 

[tarastar]

Does anyone know what to expect from the Skadden written exercise?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does TCLA have any mock written exercises? @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

Yes - we do have written exercises they can be found here:

Written Exercise Archives | The Corporate Law Academy

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

If you don’t know which exercise would be best, then you can make us aware of which firm you would like it most aligned to and we can tell you which exercise would be the best to go for.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Did anyone here get progressed with Skadden who has also applied in the past?

I’m getting the impression that they don’t progress people who have applied in previous cycles

Have heard of at least one person who has got through who applied previously and didn’t get through last time.

 

[sunshine101]

Hi, just wondering if there was any point in applying to Davis Polk given the deadline is on the 19th.

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2025/26🙏]

That skadden PFO is soooo rude lmao- tf you mean "not one of the top candidates"; no one asked you for that info stop rubbing salt on the wound ffs

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2025/26🙏]

Does anyone have MDR VI questions from previous cycles?? would really appreciate it

 

[futuretrainee2503]

That skadden PFO is soooo rude lmao- tf you mean "not one of the top candidates"; no one asked you for that info stop rubbing salt on the wound ffs

Yeah I agree! I found it quite demoralising.. I don’t know how hard it is to be nice? I mean I understand it’s a profession where we have to be stone cold but you can definitely be nicer lol.
Paul Weiss Open day rejection was so supportive.

 

[eleven14og]

Skadden PFO as expected but still hurts
literally all trainee and associates at their insight evening are either oxbridge or london uni + BCL how can I compare...

 

[tarastar]

Yes - we do have written exercises they can be found here:

Written Exercise Archives | The Corporate Law Academy

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

If you don’t know which exercise would be best, then you can make us aware of which firm you would like it most aligned to and we can tell you which exercise would be the best to go for.

Which one would you recommend for Skadden's written exercise? @Jessica Booker