TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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

 

[whywhy88]

Which office is this for?

London

 

[Z48]

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!

They used to run a winter scheme, so if they had 15 on each that could be how they filled TC spots. Maybe they'll take more for summer this year and just haven't updated FAQs, not sure

 

[V2002]

Can someone share insights into gibson dunn and mayer brown! how to prepare what to expect ? happy to help with burges, morgan lewis , covington, dechert, reed smith !

 

[Afuturetrainee]

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

I know this doesn't answer your question, but could I ask when you applied and when you received a test invitation, please?

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

I know this doesn't answer your question, but could I ask when you applied and when you received a test invitation, please?

I applied on the 10th of November. Got a test invite on the 28th of November.

 

[user55998384]

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

can someone confirm this pls havent got a reponse from my email yet

 

[lawschool123]

can someone confirm this pls havent got a reponse from my email yet

Hi, I don't think it needs to be completed before the deadline. You have 7 days to complete it after receiving the link.

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Anyone heard from Dentons for spring vac scheme ? or any vac scheme at all?

 

[Anon145]

I have just finished the Mayer Brown Test, and it is my first time doing the amberjack test, so unsure how to interpret the results. I scored 6s across the board, apart from the creative portion, which I got a 7. However, for applied intellect, I excelled in numerical reasoning, but there is room for improvement in my verbal. Is this good or bad? What is the passing threshold usually?

 

[tjeya26]

Is there anyone who applied to Taylor Wessing on deadline day and received their online test?

 

[wooliewoo]

Normally if you go on the VI platform it'll tell you how many days left, but I would do it today just to be safe! Also, is this for the spring or summer scheme?

Hi! Thank you so much! I was feeling really anxious beforehand and thought I wouldn't perform well so was tempted to leave it till tomorrow, but ended up doing it today and felt better right after! This is for the summer scheme .

 

[wqueens8]

Has anyone heard back from Reed Smith since test + VI?