TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yk1906]

Jump scared by Skadden’s email merely notifying that they’ll start reviewing apps. God. 😁😁

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Jump scared by Skadden’s email merely notifying that they’ll start reviewing apps. God. 😁😁

I got jump scared by their 7:30am start for the written exercise! Haven't woken up that early since like year 11 at school

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Jump scared by Skadden’s email merely notifying that they’ll start reviewing apps. God. 😁😁

Lmaooo same🤣🤣

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Also, in their view, how confident should I be to book London accom during the Christmas season without any guarantees of securing a WE? 😂😂

Is it in person??? Surely it's online given how unreasonable the turnaround/timings are!
Does "start making accommodations" not just mean that you should be available during those hours for an online WE?

 

[yk1906]

Is it in person??? Surely it's online given how unreasonable the turnaround/timings are!
Does "start making accommodations" not just mean that you should be available during those hours for an online WE?

No, sorry, I have just woken up, and my head was a mess... Going crazy already 😂

 

[Amgrad]

I got jump scared by their 7:30am start for the written exercise! Haven't woken up that early since like year 11 at school

Well, I think that suits international candidates outside the UK, mainly in continental Europe or Asia.

 

[elliece]

Did anybody go to the IP workshop at Bristows? I have the STEM students one this week and was wondering if anybody would be able to give insight into what the day involves!

I did the recent virtual one! (Unfortunately, did not reply to the email quick enough to get an in-person place lol). The day was: 10am -> Intro, 10:20am -> Welcome & Q&A with Adrian Sim (Joint Manging Partner), 11am -> What is IP presentation, 12pm -> Lunch, 1pm -> Trainee Q&A panel, 2pm -> E-tray exercise, 2:40pm -> Break, 3pm -> Case study session (IP Litigation), 4:30pm -> App & Interview session with Grad rec, 5:15pm -> Finish and final Qs

 

[Jaysen]

Hey everyone!

The recording from last night's Ropes & Gray session is live here.

Tonight at 5:30pm, you can join BCLP's office hours (a text based chat with grad rec) here.

Tomorrow at 5:30pm, we're running a session with Willkie on 'How to Stand Out in Law Firm Interviews' (register here). Just an early heads up that this one won't be recorded, so please try to make it if you are interested.

Hope you're all managing okay this week!

 

[yellowponytwin]

CRS Open day PFO

same - chelt office.

 

[Suii]

What is Eversheds test is it a WG?

 

[maylawwww]

Congrats! Is this for Spring or Summer?

spring!

 

[JasmineM9]

Anyone waiting for the Weil VI? I submitted on 15th November? 🤞

 

[yk1906]

What is Eversheds test is it a WG?

I think their next stage is VI, according to their website at least...

 

[RJ Ruban]

Anyone waiting to hear back from CMS I did the WG nearly 2 weeks ago now.

 

[Mara]

Hi, is Arnold & Porter's Spring VS open to graduates? It seems a bit unclear from their website

 

[yk1906]

Dear @Kirsty Wilkins !

I know this has already been addressed here, but what is the best way to provide our GCSE grades? Since I, like other candidates on this forum, don't have an option to provide them via the application form. Could it have something to do with my being schooled abroad?

Thank you for your help!!

 

[yk1906]

I think their next stage is VI, according to their website at least...

NVM - Just received an email saying they have introduced SJT

 

[Suii]

I think their next stage is VI, according to their website at least...

I got an email about doing a critical thinking test that should take 24 minutes. Wanted to know if it is a WG or similar to TW and AG test.

 

[Dannie]

Are the HL VI questions hard?

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Hi guys, I have a question Re application writing / specifically Reed Smith's application. I recently received a PFO post-app from RS and upon looking at the generic feedback sheet I think I've pin-pointed where I went wrong. For my 'Why RS' Q I covered three points: Innovation at the firm / training programmes available / interest specifically in Life Sciences at the firm and linking it back to my own experience in the industry.

In the generic feedback, RS said that honing in on one practice area / industry is a big no-no as it essentially comes across as narrow-minded (AKA what I did in my written app 😬). I always thought that to make an application personal and specific enough, honing in on a practice area can be a good way of doing this espesh when word counts can be tight.

Would love any input from people on how they are integrating their interests for specific practice areas while also coming across as not narrow-minded. Thank you

Hiya,
I think it depends on how you go about it. For example, when I wrote my RS app, I talked about my interest in their disputes team. But I also included that I am particularly drawn to this practice area because it allows me access to various sectors. I also found it's best to show your interest in what their USP is. So beyond access to various sectors, I wrote about their shipping practice within the disputes team (this was also the sector I talked about in the third question).

Also, try to find a balance between the practice area strength and other things. For example, I did abt 100 word on the work, ~70 words on the training programme, and ~50 words on DEI. This shows that that you have thought about what the firm can offer you as a whole and how they can help you thrive.

On a side note, I had attended on RS event where I think grad rec mentioned that their Life Science practice isn't running in London (it's more prominent in their US offices), so talking about that when you may not have the chance to sit in that area may not be the best

This is just my two cents based on how I've approached writing my app.