TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[DavidJC]

"You are working on a query for a new client, which has to be responded to tomorrow morning. You were told it was important as Eversheds Sutherland want to impress them. However, you have a lot of work on and the query is taking you longer than you expected. You are now behind on your work for today. You also have emails from other people chasing you for work you have not yet started. What would you do? As part of your answer, please also describe what personal strengths would you draw upon and what would you find energising in this situation?"

Do we get extra points for pointing out grammatical errors in application questions? To show our attention to detail.

If I had a quid for every spelling and grammatical error I've spotted in grad rec marketing material, websites, and application forms, I'd never have to worry about paying bills ever again, but we take the high road.

That said, the funniest typo I've seen so far is in Fried Frank's TC brochure: "Ethically Diverse Group of Employees" instead of "Ethnically" 🤣🤣🤣

 

[lawstudent2]

I realised after applying to a firm that I had incorrectly stated an a level grade as higher than it was, it was via AllHires so I added a note to the additional information part of the form. Should I also email grad rec or is adding the additional information to the form enough?

 

[SemperParatus]

i applied on the deadline (21/11) for dla london summer internship, nothing yet assuming a rejection

 

[Andrei Radu]

I realised after applying to a firm that I had incorrectly stated an a level grade as higher than it was, it was via AllHires so I added a note to the additional information part of the form. Should I also email grad rec or is adding the additional information to the form enough?

I think it should be fine, as the additional information form will serve as concrete proof the mistake was unintentional and that you gave the firm notice of it as soon as you realised it. Nonetheless, if you want to be extra safe, there is no problem with emailing grad rec about it to ensure they are actually aware of it.

 

[Lawlawland]

I have a very different experience with the Mischon Chat interview... I finished it in barely 60 mns, it rarely asked any follow-up questions (only once or twice tbh). I genuinely don't know if that's good or bad.

The process felt pretty easy with voice notes. The only issue was the video interview presenting time...

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock

Hi Andrei and Abbie, I hope you are well! I wanted to ask a question about re-applying to the same firm again. In the why commercial law questions, my motivations haven't changed but I do have noteworthy experience to add this year. However, adding anything is taking me over the word limit and I also wanted to keep my previous answer. So I am confused as to whether I need to change everything or change specifically the answers where I can add more details?

Thank you so much for your time!

Hi @Legallylaw I hope you have had a good weekend as well! You certainly do not need to chance everything in your reapplication - in fact, if you put yourself in the perspective of the firm, it would be quite surprising if all of a sudden all of the main themes of your motivations and skills changed. Nonetheless, at the same time, you certainly want to make some changes; if you are asking the firm is to consider you as a candidate again, you cannot put forward the same application that was unsuccessful last year.

To show why they should reconsider your candidacy, you thus want to show some improvement, which can take the form of new experiences you can reference, but can also just be a better explained and reason version of the previous substantive answers. Thus, my advice is to not leave the answer exactly the same as before, but to redraft it to include the new noteworthy experience you mentioned.

 

[DavidJC]

I've spent the last two days working on my Skadden application and I'm very nervous as I really like the firm. I've now done multiple rereads constantly trying to figure out how replaceable "Skadden" is with another firm in my answers but remain unsure about it :/

At the very least, I think it's almost always replaceable with Latham or Kirkland and possibly any other firm doing cross-border M&A except where specific deals/names are mentioned lol

Just wondering if anyone else ever feels like this when trying to tailor their applications (not necessarily in relation to these firms and cross-border M&A specifically)?

 

[A worried paralegal]

I've spent the last two days working on my Skadden application and I'm very nervous as I really like the firm. I've now done multiple rereads constantly trying to figure out how replaceable "Skadden" is with another firm in my answers but remain unsure about it :/

At the very least, I think it's almost always replaceable with Latham or Kirkland and possibly any other firm doing cross-border M&A except where specific deals/names are mentioned lol

Just wondering if anyone else ever feels like this when trying to tailor their applications (not necessarily in relation to these firms and cross-border M&A specifically)?

I took a look and from what I can see, Skadden has a smaller cohort than Latham and offers slightly more broad work than Kirkland who are more PE-heavy

 

[firmfirm]

I took a look and from what I can see, Skadden has a smaller cohort than Latham and offers slightly more broad work than Kirkland who are more PE-heavy

They also have a strong international arbitration practice that you can point out as well

 

[johnsmith]

When did you do it?

24th October

 

[sadboi]

I've spent the last two days working on my Skadden application and I'm very nervous as I really like the firm. I've now done multiple rereads constantly trying to figure out how replaceable "Skadden" is with another firm in my answers but remain unsure about it :/

At the very least, I think it's almost always replaceable with Latham or Kirkland and possibly any other firm doing cross-border M&A except where specific deals/names are mentioned lol

Just wondering if anyone else ever feels like this when trying to tailor their applications (not necessarily in relation to these firms and cross-border M&A specifically)?

I said I read a book about Skadden's history. Not sure if it's useful though but I'm sure it was something out of the ordinary

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I've spent the last two days working on my Skadden application and I'm very nervous as I really like the firm. I've now done multiple rereads constantly trying to figure out how replaceable "Skadden" is with another firm in my answers but remain unsure about it :/

At the very least, I think it's almost always replaceable with Latham or Kirkland and possibly any other firm doing cross-border M&A except where specific deals/names are mentioned lol

Just wondering if anyone else ever feels like this when trying to tailor their applications (not necessarily in relation to these firms and cross-border M&A specifically)?

In the same boat here. Have tried tailoring it best I could by mentioning some statistics and specific USPs. Besides their M&A practice, it is probably worthwhile discussing either their arbitration or tax practices (ranked highly on Chambers UK). Just submitted my application. It is reviewed holistically so stronger answers to the questions about an alternative career to law and developments that will impact Skadden’s clients will help. Good luck to everyone that has applied! Hopefully we hear back positively from Skadden.​

 

[lawstudent2]

I think it should be fine, as the additional information form will serve as concrete proof the mistake was unintentional and that you gave the firm notice of it as soon as you realised it. Nonetheless, if you want to be extra safe, there is no problem with emailing grad rec about it to ensure they are actually aware of it.

Okay thank you!!

 

[Lawlawland]

Scored exceptionally well in both the numerical and verbal expertise of Simmons and did the Video interview pretty good, but the success area scores are 655.

Idk what's in store for me!

 

[jamsparkle]

does anyone know what first year schemes are open to 2nd year non-law?

tbh it's never clear on websites, I just email grad rec if im unsure or it doesn't say anything about non-law

 

[sinirs]

For HSF Kramer's sv application, are we also supposed to complete the online assessment before the deadline? or just the online application form before the deadline, and the online assessment before the invite expires

 

[iklawapps]

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!

 

[DavidJC]

For HSF Kramer's sv application, are we also supposed to complete the online assessment before the deadline? or just the online application form before the deadline, and the online assessment before the invite expires

Online assessment before the invite expires

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!

15 in London and 5 in Bristol, I believe

 

[CharlesT47]

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

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

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 about UK/EU Competition Law and some of the latest developments in that, since I find it super interesting. The budget is fairly new so it’s probably okay to write about it, but perhaps try find a unique angle to discuss.​