TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[BealMcAlly]

I had Bakers AC in previous cycle, similar scores, they honestly take a holistic approach. You just have to reach the benchmark.

Currently cooking up a Bakers app, is the VI automatic after the Amberjack the same way as it is for Simmons and RS?

 

[adh3]

Why are there soo many new accounts providing lengthy generic AI responses🤔 maybe I’ve spent too much time on this forum today 😭

That's an astute observation! There are multiple reasons why new TCLA accounts might appear to be providing generic AI responses. But this doesn't necessarily mean these accounts aren't genuine. The amount of time you've spent on this forum definitely could have made you more cynical towards others' submissions – this is a totally normal response!

 

[elle woods]

Hi all! I applied to Skadden's VC / TC but was unsuccessful. The text below (with redactions) was my answer to "What are your reasons for applying to Skadden?" Does anyone have any tips on what I could have done different? I never seem to get anywhere with my applications, so grateful for any advice.

***

There are two main reasons I am applying to Skadden.

First, despite its status as a leading full-service firm, Skadden has retained the mentality of a determined newcomer who continuously strives to prove themselves. Speaking with [Skadden Associate] at a [University] alumni event confirmed that this drive defines the firm that surpassed £1tn in deal value in 2015 and then became a top-two global dealmaker in 2024.

Having moved to the UK at 14, I know that success takes precisely that — proving yourself over and over again. To get accepted into a top university, I stayed up most Friday nights mastering an unfamiliar education system. Later, when qualifying as a commercial solicitor became my goal, I took on trainee-level work at [Law firm I worked at] to demonstrate my capabilities. For example, I built Excel models used by an international wholesaler in settlement negotiations to assess the commercial feasibility of offers. Although this required analysing granular data and conducting extensive legal research, showing myself I could do this was worth it. I want to work at a firm that shares this approach to work.


The second reason is Skadden's recent active growth in FinTech M&A set against its broad transactional practice. Taking financing, private equity and M&A modules at [University], I realised I would enjoy transactional work. Deals are firmly grounded in the present, something that the influential yet decades-old competition disputes I administered at [Law firm I worked at] could not offer. Through my dissertation on barriers to FinTech growth I became particularly interested in innovation and its future. I want to train in an environment where I can explore diverse transactions while focusing on how innovation scales. Skadden offers both. Alongside a wide choice of transactional training seats, the firm supported several major crypto- and stablecoin companies with entering US capital markets, where innovation accelerates. Together, these factors make Skadden the ideal environment for me to develop.

I got to the WE so hopefully I'm qualified to give some advice haha
This is just my personal opinion, so take it with a grain of salt.

- Usually I would use up as much as the word count as possible - I see your draft is at around 320, so it's close enough, but I personally would always aim for at least 340 if it's a 350 maximum. But don't fill it with words for the sake of it, each line or word you write has to add value and substantiate your answer.
- Usually I would also try to stay away from any negative phrasing such as "despite..."
- The use of the em dash stood out. Grad Rec usually think em dashes equal AI so just try to stay away from using them nowadays.
- The question is on why SKADDEN, and not why you, so I personally wouldn't include your second paragraph here unless you can link it to a concrete Skadden USP (in which case it still may need to be made more concise).
- I usually give 3 concrete reasons for Why the Firm (3 distinguishing factors that the firm has that draws me to them) and then substantiate that with WHY it appeals to you (maybe by linking it to a personal characteristic or alignment), but the main focus of the answer must be on the firm specifically, and then why THAT particular aspect of the firm motivates you.
- You could also be slightly more concise. For example "the second reason is" isn't needed. You could use "secondly" or just go straight into the reason. But then again, that's just a personal writing preference of mine (it definitely helps with cutting word count to use for more reasons though)!
- Usually I would reference a deal in your practice area paragraph as that helps tailor the answer to the firm - as this means you can't apply this answer to any other firm.
- Also idk if the extra paragraph space was intentional or an accident, but if that was how it was on your application, I think grad rec may care about small details like that too.

I do like how personal your answer sounds though and your use of varied sentence lengths which help readability! Once again, take this lightly as I'm not grad rec!! Best of luck with your future apps - you're doing really good!

 

[Aarav-TESTACCOUNT]

Having used the TCLA forum consistently to help me secure a TC at one of the largest intentional law firms in the world, I wanted to give back and share how I was successful.

• Don’t give up too early
  At times this really is a numbers game, and with each application you do improve, even if it’s incremental. Rejections don’t mean you’re standing still, they’re part of the refinement.
• Understand what a commercial lawyer actually does
  It’s easy to fall into the Suits trap, but the reality is very different. Commercial lawyers are trusted advisers who help clients navigate complex legal and commercial issues, whether transactional or contentious. Being clear on that role and showing you understand it matters more than people realise.
• Have real confidence in yourself and your ability
  I found that even when I was well prepared, self-doubt could undermine my performance, particularly at assessment centres. Once I trusted my preparation and calmed my nerves, I was able to perform at the level I was genuinely capable of.
• Reframe rejection
  Rejection isn’t just something to get past, it’s part of the process that sharpens you. Each “no” builds resilience, judgment, and perspective.

Rejection is fundamental to progress.

All the best TCLA forum with applications and have a wonderful winter break!

 

[Sharkfin]

Currently cooking up a Bakers app, is the VI automatic after the Amberjack the same way as it is for Simmons and RS?

Not 100% on this, but i think each stage is selective - so SJT is selective post written, and VI is selective post SJT

 

[missfuturetraineemaybe]

Hi all! I applied to Skadden's VC / TC but was unsuccessful. The text below (with redactions) was my answer to "What are your reasons for applying to Skadden?" Does anyone have any tips on what I could have done different? I never seem to get anywhere with my applications, so grateful for any advice.

***

There are two main reasons I am applying to Skadden.

First, despite its status as a leading full-service firm, Skadden has retained the mentality of a determined newcomer who continuously strives to prove themselves. Speaking with [Skadden Associate] at a [University] alumni event confirmed that this drive defines the firm that surpassed £1tn in deal value in 2015 and then became a top-two global dealmaker in 2024.

Having moved to the UK at 14, I know that success takes precisely that — proving yourself over and over again. To get accepted into a top university, I stayed up most Friday nights mastering an unfamiliar education system. Later, when qualifying as a commercial solicitor became my goal, I took on trainee-level work at [Law firm I worked at] to demonstrate my capabilities. For example, I built Excel models used by an international wholesaler in settlement negotiations to assess the commercial feasibility of offers. Although this required analysing granular data and conducting extensive legal research, showing myself I could do this was worth it. I want to work at a firm that shares this approach to work.


The second reason is Skadden's recent active growth in FinTech M&A set against its broad transactional practice. Taking financing, private equity and M&A modules at [University], I realised I would enjoy transactional work. Deals are firmly grounded in the present, something that the influential yet decades-old competition disputes I administered at [Law firm I worked at] could not offer. Through my dissertation on barriers to FinTech growth I became particularly interested in innovation and its future. I want to train in an environment where I can explore diverse transactions while focusing on how innovation scales. Skadden offers both. Alongside a wide choice of transactional training seats, the firm supported several major crypto- and stablecoin companies with entering US capital markets, where innovation accelerates. Together, these factors make Skadden the ideal environment for me to develop.

Hey,

For your first point, I would recommend expanding upon what you mean by the firm has the mentality of determined newcomer. How has this been demonstrated in their work/ strategy? Have they explicitly stated that they are wishing to operate as a startup/newcomer or has this been shown in their involvement in new/evolving industries and geographical locations. Or is this something exemplified in how they value entrepreneurship among their lawyers. I think the firm's work of deals valued at $1tn is more of a product of this newcomer mentality, and you would benefit from explaining how/where this mentality comes from and how it is demonstrated in the day-to-day work at Skadden. I think your point of linking it back to yourself and your experience moving to the UK is great and definitely shows alignment, but this should be coupled with express comments on how Skadden's newcomer mentality is maintained.

For your second point, I think it's great to focus on a specific sector, it combines a unique strength of Skadden, its M&A practice, with a new and evolving sector. This also actually links well with your first point about being a newcomer. I think you would benefit from discussing a recent deal in this space that the firm has worked on, to showcase the depth of your research and interest. I also think you do not necessarily need to make comments about decades-old disputes, as many law firms also want their trainees to keep an open mind about other practices.

Overall, I think you have great experiences and interests and with a few changes this would definitely be an even stronger application! Wishing you all the best

 

[BealMcAlly]

Not 100% on this, but i think each stage is selective - so SJT is selective post written, and VI is selective post SJT

Excellent, thank you for clarifying! Appreciate you 🙏

 

[WillKitchen]

Ram is not on this forum anymore, he's off to greener pastures doing his TC now.

I met Ram at an open day a few weeks ago. We had a great chat about how to approach changing careers after doing a PhD. He's a great inspiration, and by all accounts doing a fantastic job at Cooley!

 

[confusedbird]

Sidley tc offer 😭😭😭😭😭

This is huge! Massive congratulations and i hope you celebrate well!!

 

[EfficientBag123]

Not 100% on this, but i think each stage is selective - so SJT is selective post written, and VI is selective post SJT

My friend went to the open day, the grad rec confirmed that it is selective at every stage. Or they review everything at each stage. I feel as though that makes more sense as they collect more data points to make their decisions.

 

[Trophy]

That's an astute observation! There are multiple reasons why new TCLA accounts might appear to be providing generic AI responses. But this doesn't necessarily mean these accounts aren't genuine. The amount of time you've spent on this forum definitely could have made you more cynical towards others' submissions – this is a totally normal response!

I’m sure they’re genuine just wondered what was going on as I was reading essays all of a sudden😭

Dw I just checked your account I think you’re real and not an AI bot 🤣

 

[_hashirm1]

I completed stage 2 on the 22nd of November, hopefully you hear back soon.

Hopefully. How did you find their AC and what does it include? I've heard it's a written task, an analytical/commercial interview and a motivational/competency interview?

 

[rr1809]

Anyone else here able to get top-notch work experiences outside all these vac schemes? I managed to basically get in everywhere else like in house in bigtech/fintechs etc but I haven't been able to get a single vac scheme... wondering if that's something that's maybe off putting to law firms?

This shouldn't be offputting at all, and can actually be well leveraged for your applications. Since you've got in house experience you technically make a perfect trainee- in house roles expose you to the client side of work that you'll be doing when you're a trainee. So, you can leverage this and say that these experiences have given you deep industry knowledge and have prepared you to be a better rounded future trainee.

After securing my TC in the gap year before my SQE starts, I was looking for an in house roles specifically because of this reason- direct client exposure and a wide breadth of training (as you kind of have to have all the answers).

 

[Hakbar_04]

Thank you! It was my first AC so taking it as a learning experience.

Honestly, this is the best attitude to have and, in my experience (having done HSFK, Linklaters, and Freshfields), the first AC is always the most daunting and therefore the hardest.
I'd recommend following up to see if they'd be willing to offer any feedback regarding your performance on the individual elements of the AC, as this can be helpful when approaching other ACs.

 

[BealMcAlly]

I met Ram at an open day a few weeks ago. We had a great chat about how to approach changing careers after doing a PhD. He's a great inspiration, and by all accounts doing a fantastic job at Cooley!

I know! I heard he was lurking at LCN live, gutted I missed him. By any chance, were you in the RPC workshop?

 

[manifestingthetc]

Does anyone have insights into Weil VI element? pls n thank u

 

[Hakbar_04]

hey everyone, is hogan lovells first assessment with a VI? I'm not sure if it the first or second stage, they named it the 'Online Immersive Assessment'

Hey - the first assessment is not a VI, it's an assessment with Watson Glaser style and CAPP style questions, with a Hogan Lovells skin on top. To prepare, I'd recommend doing some Watson Glaser preparation via practice tests you can find online.
The second stage after the initial assessment is essentially a VI with four questions.

 

[rr1809]

I don't want to sound like a doomer, but I've recently come to the realisation that the content of our application answers doesn't matter. These answers often just act as a filter for the other parts of your candidate profile.

Obviously I can't share these but, I have an old friend's successful applications from his second year of university. Trust me when I tell you that he essentially copy/pasted the exact same application for every firm he applied to – even down to using the same adjective for each of these firm's cultures. They were absolutely indistinguishable. However, this guy was on track to getting a first, he held multiple executive (society) positions, and he had also secured a large number of first-year schemes. If anybody else had written those applications, they would have been binned. But, his candidate profile was genuinely so impressive that (in my opinion) firms were willing to look past the lack of substance in his application answers.

This is not true!! Don't let the doom and gloom get to you.

Firms take holistic approaches to applications, sure there may be some firms who put a stronger emphasis on grades but many firms do not. I secured a TC at a top US firm without ever even getting a first in any module and only one vac scheme before . One example doesn't exemplify the whole industry, I know the application cycle can feel rough but quality applications are worth it- at the firm I got my TC I spent ages researching them and was truly interested by the work they were doing, and it shone through and made a difference.

Quality applications and a genuine interest in the firm do actually make a difference, despite how hard that might be to believe because of how alienating the process feels.

 

[blipken]

Thank you @missfuturetraineemaybe, @elle woods and @rr1809 for your responses! Very helpful and lots to think about. Wishing you all the best with your applications!

 

[rr1809]

Does anybody have any tips on how to write about a different firm's vacation scheme that you have completed in the work experience section of job apps?

I usually keep it brief, focus on the main tasks I was given and describe what I did. If there were any achievements on the scheme I also try and include them. Make sure to mention the team you sat in as well!