TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[OS23]

Hi everyone!

I have attended a firm's virtual info session where I had the chance to ask a quick question to one of their trainees but have further things id like to ask them. Id like to reach out to them on LinkedIn but I am unsure whether I should just thank them and ask my questions straight away or ask them if they have time for a coffee and have an in-person chat!

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[amitonalfo]

On a candid form, is it worth putting a travel break (5 months solo travelling) briefly in the work experience section? Just thinking whether thats better than having a big gap between roles

 

[alanshore]

So are we supposed to relate our work experiences to the firm

I don't think so. AFAIK, they've changed it this year, so maybe they ask questions at a later stage?

 

[tc26]

does anyone know what's the percentage of trainees recruited via DTC for Gibson Dunn. is it worth applying DTC?

 

[jamsparkle]

I think they’re just pushing the scheme and sent it generally wouldn’t read into it

i thought it was quite strange... because they're framing it as some sort of exclusive opportunity to get 'complimentary' access to the virtual vac scheme but i thought it was free and open-access anyway?

 

[anon78365222111]

i thought it was quite strange... because they're framing it as some sort of exclusive opportunity to get 'complimentary' access to the virtual vac scheme but i thought it was free and open-access anyway?

yeah I get you did come across that way

 

[jchhl]

hi everyone! was doing my first cycle of vac scheme applications after reverting away from the bar! was interested in Gibson Dunn and was hoping if anyone who was sucessful to a vs could PM me? xxxxx {cannot provide a recipricol insight for anything atm bc first cycle}

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

Does anyone know what percentage of trainees are recruited from Freshfields VS v. DTC? Still unsure of whether to apply for the SVS or DTC

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz, I have several questions about the application question: What do you understand to be the key features of the firm's approach to legal practice? Why does Skadden's model appeal to you? (300 words)?

1) When a firm talks about its approach to legal practice, am I to interpret that as their strengths in certain practice areas, or something along the lines of multidisciplinary integration/lean deal teams/focuses on high-stakes matters, etc?

I'm not sure which way to take that.

2) How should I structure the answer? Do I:

1. Choose 2/3 features, write a paragraph on each, then add an experience and explain why it appeals to me; or
2. Explain their approach in the first paragraph, then explain why it appeals to me in the second paragraph.
3. Any other idea you may have

Thank you so much!

Hi, ah that's a new one, didn't have to do it last year. But this is how I would interpret the questions (but I'm sure other ways would work too).

1) Honestly, I would say it's a mixture of both.Their strengths in certain practice areas is also its focuses etc. --> it usually showcases the firm's approach as to where they invest most & put most effort on.

2) I would say it depends on the points you'd pick but probably the first approach.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[username10341034]

Does anyone know how much time you are given for the A&O shearman VI questions?

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz and anyone else who could help!

For the question: "Tell us about an interest or activity that matters to you outside of your academic studies. Your answer should focus on: (a) a challenge or setback you encountered; or (b) what this experience has taught you about yourself (max 300 words)"

Should I talk about my time in the military or the Scouts as an activity, or does that not really qualify? Alternatively, should I talk about a mentoring scheme I did? Although I feel like they want us to talk about something outside of law

Thanks!!

I don't see why you think that wouldn't qualify, that's a wonderful experience! I definitely think it is stronger than the alternative. It shows your personality, interests and overall a variety of other skills: discipline etc.
I'm sure you can make a great response with it !

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hogan Lovells asks this - Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector. Word limit is 250 words. Should I list them or would you recommend talking about them briefly? Or talk about 1 and list the others?

I think it doesn't hurt much with either approach. The question doesn't use the wording "list [XYZ]" which suggests they probably want a bit more detail. I guess I would recommend to maybe talk about them in sort of broad/macro terms and discuss the sort of things you learnt.

However, if you're finding that difficult, I don't think it would be fatal to list.

 

[Euphrosynos]

I attended the Skadden webinar yesterday and really enjoyed learning more about the firm. For anyone who has experience with Skadden, whether as a current or former trainee, vacation schemer, or through the application process, I’d really appreciate any advice.

In particular, I’d be interested to hear what resources you found most useful for understanding the firm and its culture, how you approached the video interview, and any advice you would give for making the most of the vacation scheme and working towards a training contract.

Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Hi everyone!

I have attended a firm's virtual info session where I had the chance to ask a quick question to one of their trainees but have further things id like to ask them. Id like to reach out to them on LinkedIn but I am unsure whether I should just thank them and ask my questions straight away or ask them if they have time for a coffee and have an in-person chat!

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Hi, of course this depends on your general style but I would recommend thanking them over LinkedIn. Then in that message asking them if they have time to answer 1-3 followup questions or alternatively time for a brief followup call to discuss it. I would probably avoid asking to meet in person unless you had a particularly good chat and built rapport. Hopefully that was helpful

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

On a candid form, is it worth putting a travel break (5 months solo travelling) briefly in the work experience section? Just thinking whether thats better than having a big gap between roles

Personally, I wouldn't put a travel break in the work experience itself. It's probably something that would be asked about at interview stage etc. But at the same time, maybe someone who is a grad/worked pre application cycles might have another opinion.

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

I attended the Skadden webinar yesterday and really enjoyed learning more about the firm. For anyone who has experience with Skadden, whether as a current or former trainee, vacation schemer, or through the application process, I’d really appreciate any advice.

In particular, I’d be interested to hear what resources you found most useful for understanding the firm and its culture, how you approached the video interview, and any advice you would give for making the most of the vacation scheme and working towards a training contract.

Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, I feel decently qualified as I'm a future trainee there

1. Chambers Student was a good introduction to the firm, they also have an interview with the training principal there which can be quite helpful to get an insight. Other than that, it was research across other videos the firm has published and reaching out to those at the firm / those that are future trainees.

2. In regards to the video interview, it's not a VI in the pre-recorded sense (unless that changed this year (?)). Approach it as you would with any other interview, prepare the usual standard questions. I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to share but there does seem to be a general emphasis on commercial awareness.

3. The vacation scheme is a really lovely experience, definitely try to get on your supervisor's goodside as they're the ones who are closest to you throughout the experience. The firm quite uniquely is very blunt in regards to telling you don't pursue 101029932923923 coffee chats as they don't use that directly as a measure of assessment. They put a lot more emphasis on doing your work well and whether your personality moulds into the firm. There isn't a particular type but there are common qualities. (Of course this doesn't mean to not do coffee chats, but do them when there is something clear you want to learn from that individual -- I did probably about 3-4ish across the two weeks).

Hopefully that was helpful !

 

[Euphrosynos]

Hi, of course this depends on your general style but I would recommend thanking them over LinkedIn. Then in that message asking them if they have time to answer 1-3 followup questions or alternatively time for a brief followup call to discuss it. I would probably avoid asking to meet in person unless you had a particularly good chat and built rapport. Hopefully that was helpful

Thanks! can I pm a further question?

 

[Antoni Trochimowicz]

Thanks! can I pm a further question?

Sure

 

[AlandB]

Did you apply to their winter vac scheme?

Not yet. I applied to one of their mini-series events and to the Perkins Coie LBA role they had a few months back. I haven't sent off my VS app though