TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[DavidJC]

Which stories did you guys pick for Skadden? I'm struggling to find inspiration if anyone has any solid ideas. Is the budget overdone?

I wrote kinda generally about UK/EU interest rates and how it's shaped the markets this year and how it might shape up next year for transactional activity

 

[studysquirrel]

Hi, does the HSF Kramer online assessment need to be completed before the deadline today?

 

[anjali20]

@Andrei Radu Hi Andrei, this is a silly question and also entirely my mistake but in my Davis Polk cover letter, I accidentally wrote 'I am writing to apply for the 2025 Spring Vacation Scheme' instead of 2026. Should I email grad rec to point this out or just leave it? Do you think it would affect my application?

 

[johnsmith]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know how many spots Simmons has for their London VS? On their FAQ, it seems like they say 15, but they recruit 20 trainees a year, so I'm just wondering how that works haha

Also would anyone know if they're likely to send out more ACs or if they've probably already filled out those 15 spots. Thank you!

Some spots are for Bristol!

 

[iklawapps]

Some spots are for Bristol!

Online assessment before the invite expires

15 in London and 5 in Bristol, I believe

It’s just that I thought they said 20 trainees in London and 6 in Bristol 😕 thank you though : )!!

 

[SemperParatus]

yay i got the dla watson glaser for london summer internship after applying on the deadline, i know this is probably not a massive acheivement in the grand scheme of things but i just want to feel happy for like 2 minutes after all these rejections lol

 

[futuretraineeihope]

I passed the DLA wg on the 30th oct... haven't heard back from them since. Not sure how to feel about this

I’m sorry you haven’t heard back. Can i ask how you knew you passed?

 

[Kirsty Wilkins]

when you receive the Willkie Vi how long do you get to do it?

Hi @Bbhu19

You get 1 week to complete it.

Thanks,

Kirsty

 

[j.a55293]

Has anyone heard back about BCLP summer vac scheme?

 

[maylawwww]

I’m sorry you haven’t heard back. Can i ask how you knew you passed?

They email you to let you know you have passed the benchmark — often the day after you take the WG!

 

[Amelia.05]

Hi, does the HSF Kramer online assessment need to be completed before the deadline today?

I don't think so. It is 7 days from when you receive the email

 

[whywhy88]

I have received an email from DLA Piper saying they are ‘writing to confirm that your application is now under consideration for the next stage of our recruitment process, the first stage interview’. Does this mean I have met their benchmark for the WG? Or do they send an email that specifically states you’ve passed the WG? My feedback report wasn’t the best so I’m quite worried and don’t know what to make of this email. Any help appreciated!

 

[TortillaTC]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock and others! For Skadden’s Q3, do we need to go into details on what the firm’s practices and teams can do to help clients navigate the development we’re describing? I structured my answer like:

Paragraph 1 - describing the development
Paragraph 2 - describing how it affects clients (now that I’m rereading, I’m thinking perhaps I could go into details on Skadden’s specific teams here?? Even though the question doesn’t expressly tell us to do)

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wompycapy]

I have received an email from DLA Piper saying they are ‘writing to confirm that your application is now under consideration for the next stage of our recruitment process, the first stage interview’. Does this mean I have met their benchmark for the WG? Or do they send an email that specifically states you’ve passed the WG? My feedback report wasn’t the best so I’m quite worried and don’t know what to make of this email. Any help appreciated!

Yes, im 99% sure that it means you've met the benchmark.

 

[wooliewoo]

Hi guys! Random (maybe stupid) question for the B&B VI!

Is the deadline exactly 7 days from the time the email was sent (e.g., for me, the email was sent last Tuesday at 5pm, therefore, would the deadline be this Tuesday at 5pm?) or, is the deadline stricter, (e.g., for me, the deadline would be Monday 23:59)? I have emailed grad rec but I'm not sure if they'll reply in time.

Thanks so much!

 

[CuriousTrainee]

I have received an email from DLA Piper saying they are ‘writing to confirm that your application is now under consideration for the next stage of our recruitment process, the first stage interview’. Does this mean I have met their benchmark for the WG? Or do they send an email that specifically states you’ve passed the WG? My feedback report wasn’t the best so I’m quite worried and don’t know what to make of this email. Any help appreciated!

Which office is this for?

 

[johnsmith]

It’s just that I thought they said 20 trainees in London and 6 in Bristol 😕 thank you though : )!!

Yeah, I get you, at the OD, they mentioned up to 8 trainees in Bristol. Perhaps they're expanding it for this year, as Bristol is growing in headcount, and might have more capacity for trainees? Or it's just how it lands between the two offices based on the standard of candidates

 

[legal18]

Have people progressed to later stages with applications written in a day?

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

For those who progressed to Akin's TI, what were your strengths?

 

[Ferran_]

Anyone heard from slaughters for VS? And does anyone know roughly how long they take