TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[iwatchsuits]

No response from eversheds. Does this mean a pfo? 😭😭

They could be doing it in batches so don’t worry! ❤️

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Hi Madison,

I agree with you, a month in advance seems like a good amount of time. With rolling deadlines, I would always recommend getting your application in as soon as possible as you never really know how fast they are processing applications. From my experience with Gibson Dunn last year, I applied six weeks before the VS deadline and had my first interview a few days after that. My final interview was actually the week that applications closed. So I would definitely prioritise getting those applications in sooner rather than later.

As for your second concern, I would say find a number that works for you which allows you to send off good quality applications at firms you have a genuine interest in. I found that the firms I received AC/VS offers from where the ones I had put extra effort into (e.g gone to open days, attended webinars, listened to podcasts etc) and that felt aligned with my interests. I applied to around 11 firms and received 3 VS offers. So don't feel pressured by what others are doing, you just have to make sure you feel confident that you've put in a strong amount of effort into each one that you send off. 15 sounds like a good number to me Wishing you all the best!

Wow! Just a few days! Thats so cool. Thank you so much for this, it's so hard to guess how applications are going to go down and you don't really know until it's too late you know. I shall get going to send things off ASAP!

 

[charlieefinch]

Eversheds VI!

Hi, which office did you apply for? Also were you told you passed the online assessment before?

 

[missfuturetraineemaybe]

No response from eversheds. Does this mean a pfo? 😭😭

Hey Zhiru,

Not necessarily. Firms always have varying response times to applications, depending on the time of year and how many applications they have received. I wouldn't count yourself out!

 

[blipken]

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.

 

[p2bv]

Hi, which office did you apply for? Also were you told you passed the online assessment before?

I applied for the Manchester office, and didn’t hear if I passed or not!

 

[futuretraineeihope]

RS, Macfarlanes, Skadden PFO followed by a CMS AC. Interesting day i suppose

omg congrats! Is the AC for CMS London office?

 

[RSK]

I appreciate everyone reacts to PFOs differently, but when someone announces they have gotten a PFO can people stop ambushing them immediately with questions on when they have applied? I'm sure there's no malicious intent but can we just be slightly more considerate with each other and understand that someone who has just gotten rejected is probably unlikely going to be in a mood to tell you when they're probably still processing the rejection. This post isn't directed towards anyone btw but just a general observation

 

[llblawstudent]

I applied around mid November and received an AC invite on the 28th. They also have AC's running in January as well.

Ahh similar timeframe but radio silence for me post stage 2. Assuming the worst but thank you for sharing and I’m sorry the ac didn’t work out, but the fact you got there itself is a testament to your strength as a candidate. Gl!

 

[Aarav-TESTACCOUNT]

I’m very curious about what is going on over at Willkie. Applied well over a month ago and had radio silence. I feel like if there’s no benefit to applying early, firms shouldn’t list their applications as rolling 🤷‍♀️

I completely get why that feels frustrating. "Rolling” can be quite opaque from the outside, especially when you apply early and then hear nothing for weeks.

One thing to bear in mind is that for some rolling firms, applications can be reviewed in batches rather than strictly in order. That means your application may already have been looked at, but tests or next steps are sent out later once they’ve reached a certain point internally. Silence doesn’t mean you’re out, and it doesn’t mean you don’t still have a good chance.

Applying early does genuinely offer an advantage, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. In practice, it can mean your application is actually considered, rather than competing with a large volume submitted close to the deadline. For some firms, those later applications simply don’t get reviewed at all once capacity is reached, which is why firms still describe the process as rolling.

That doesn’t make the waiting any easier, but I wouldn’t read too much into radio silence at this stage. You’ve done the right thing by applying early, and it’s still very much a waiting game rather than a verdict.

Wishing you hear back with good news ASAP!

 

[nbjani]

Did this a couple of weeks ago. My main advice would be to WATCH THE VIDEOS on the platform properly before answering the questions!

Ooooh ok thanks! Any motivational questions?

 

[RJ Ruban]

RS, Macfarlanes, Skadden PFO followed by a CMS AC. Interesting day i suppose

Congrats on the AC! Can I ask when you did the VI?

 

[yuktiverma96]

Hi all! Is there any list on TCLA yet about firms that sponsor international candidates for vacation schemes? I do understand that Reed Smith does, are there any others that have expressly mentioned/with prior history of sponsoring or indicating to any candidate that they are sponsoring? Thanks!!


@Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

 

[LRR23]

RS, Macfarlanes, Skadden PFO followed by a CMS AC. Interesting day i suppose

Which office is this for? & when did you do the VI?

 

[missfuturetraineemaybe]

Skadden PFO. Caught me pretty off guard as it was my best application so far and sent it to get reviewed😭. I also have a decent amount of legal experience and hold a few positions of responsibility

Really sucks. That’s my 5th rejection out of the 8 firms I’ve applied to currently

Hey,

I am really sorry to hear about this. Getting a rejection after putting in so much time and effort can be really disheartening. But the fact you have taken the steps to receive extra feedback on your application shows a growth mindset and level of intentionality that is required to succeed in this process. As I am aware that law firms rarely provide feedback post application, I would recommend reaching out to any successful candidates who have gone through the Skadden process and see how they approached writing their applications; I always think its important to see what kind of skills and writing structure a firm favours.

The fact you already have legal experience and have held positions of responsibility, which is important when applying to firms like Skadden, shows you are on track! Keep going, all this effort will be worth it at the end!

 

[JoiBoy]

I am still waiting to hear back – I completed the stage 2 assessment about a month ago now. When did you complete it?

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

 

[Trophy]

I completely get why that feels frustrating. "Rolling” can be quite opaque from the outside, especially when you apply early and then hear nothing for weeks.

One thing to bear in mind is that for some rolling firms, applications can be reviewed in batches rather than strictly in order. That means your application may already have been looked at, but tests or next steps are sent out later once they’ve reached a certain point internally. Silence doesn’t mean you’re out, and it doesn’t mean you don’t still have a good chance.

Applying early does genuinely offer an advantage, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. In practice, it can mean your application is actually considered, rather than competing with a large volume submitted close to the deadline. For some firms, those later applications simply don’t get reviewed at all once capacity is reached, which is why firms still describe the process as rolling.

That doesn’t make the waiting any easier, but I wouldn’t read too much into radio silence at this stage. You’ve done the right thing by applying early, and it’s still very much a waiting game rather than a verdict.

Wishing you hear back with good news ASAP!

But there is no l benefit beyond wanting an outcome faster when applying early to Willkie as they do review all applications regardless. (Which is the firm they applied to)

It’s not like Gibson Dunn, sidley or dechert who actively give offers before the deadline.

 

[Trophy]

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

 

[Meena]

I appreciate everyone reacts to PFOs differently, but when someone announces they have gotten a PFO can people stop ambushing them immediately with questions on when they have applied? I'm sure there's no malicious intent but can we just be slightly more considerate with each other and understand that someone who has just gotten rejected is probably unlikely going to be in a mood to tell you when they're probably still processing the rejection. This post isn't directed towards anyone btw but just a general observation

I agree! but I think it's just generally how this forum has been since the beginning of TCLA. If people come on here to announce a PFO, it's most likely because they want to keep people on the forum updated and also share any details.

 

[anon78365222111]

Got Bakers VI with a very high verbal and 20/36 on the amberjack. Must’ve been carried by my questions and verbal because how😭