TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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😭

 

[iwatchsuits]

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

So sorry to hear❤️ it sucks so much I know. My Simmons rejection made me want to give up because I thought it was definitely my best application and I had made so much effort attending in-person events and networking. Just remember all it takes is one yes, keep applying and you will get a VS. You never know, whilst those 5 firms said no, the 3 remaining firms could say yes!! And every time you apply to another firm, you increase your chances. It’s a long and painful process but at least it is strengthening our resilience

 

[Winter]

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😭

I had Bakers AC in previous cycle, similar scores, they honestly take a holistic approach. You just have to reach the benchmark.

 

[Sharkfin]

Bakers VI - any insights would be much appreciated 🙏 🙏

 

[legallycurly]

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😭

Congrats!!!! Although I thought Bakers was non-rolling?

 

[p2bv]

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

I got an email from TCLA saying they’re opening applications for new moderators for christmas so maybe it’s them?

 

[anon78365222111]

I had Bakers AC in previous cycle, similar scores, they honestly take a holistic approach. You just have to reach the benchmark.

Had bakers AC last year too, honestly loved the firm and they encouraged me to reapply. Was annoyed thinking I messed it up with the test. Glad they take that approach, reaffirms why I think so highly of them