TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[FutureLawyer_]

Can anyone attach the rejection email from shoosmiths please? Just want to see what they said they’re looking for!

 

[mrebeccafr]

Is this a generic message in the rejection email from shoosmiths: we would be very pleased to receive a future application from you, when the cycle re-opens in Autumn 2026. From what I have read on here, last year there was a range of different e-mails

 

[aria_d]

Morgan Lewis & Macfarlanes allow you to reapply in the same cycle if you are rejected before AC stage.

The rest is unlikely to offer you a place after being rejected in the same cycle. BCLP and White & Case would still consider if you ever had an AC in previous cycle but failed, but others three are difficult and certainly least possible.

Thank you!

 

[BobThebIlly]

I didn’t even apply to shoo smiths but I feel like I’ve been pfo’d with the amount of pfos recently 😭😭

I hope you guys are pulling through with this. Hopefully you all receive great news soon ‼️

 

[mrebeccafr]

Can anyone attach the rejection email from shoosmiths please? Just want to see what they said they’re looking for!

 

[Legal12345]

Shoosmiths reserve list London, is everyone else on reserve list for London or regional?

 

[Eriberrie]

I think it’s quite generic as I received the same

 

[R2D2]

Can cleary pls give me a response did my WG in december, have seen people go to AC get VC, get PFOs.

 

[lawcool]

Honestly I feel like they should notify how many they've got on these lists and where you are on the list. I see 4 reserves in the space of a few seconds just in this forum.

Seems like a bit of a scam tbh if they're putting 20 people on a list and you're number 20 but you have to wait till April to see if 19 people in front of you pull out and you get the sloppy seconds.

I'm on 3 lists atm. Don't even know what to think

 

[theconfusedlawyer]

Shoosmiths and Russell-Cooke pfo

 

[TCLAuser2002]

I got the Willkie Vacation Scheme.....after all these rejections, finally🙏🙏

you got the offer today?

 

[georgianprincessmwuah]

Russell-Cooke PFO!! i'm honestly surprised

 

[a1024]

Has anyone heard back from Dechert summer AC??

when did you complete the Written Exercise?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

hey everyone,

For a case study that would want you to present like you to present in a professional meeting without any formal itnroduction

Would you recommend having an executive summary? Or just skipping that and doing intro, body, conclusion!

Thanks so much

Hey!

If they have said to present it without a formal introduction, I wouldn't include a separate structured executive summary. In a live presentation, you could include a brief summary in the introduction section - the structure could look like:

1. Opening: briefly frame the issue and your overall recommendation upfront
2. Body: work your way through the key issues in a logical way
3. Conclusion: reiterate your recommendation and any next steps

Therefore, I wouldn't give a formal executive summary as part of your presentation, but you can briefly outline the overall themes in the introduction. I hope that assists!

 

[Florencejones]

Do you know if anyone has put them in the forum yet?

Don’t think so I’ve been looking out

 

[BealMcAlly]

Is this a generic message in the rejection email from shoosmiths: we would be very pleased to receive a future application from you, when the cycle re-opens in Autumn 2026. From what I have read on here, last year there was a range of different e-mails

Yeahhh last year my rejection said 'please know your application was strong'...

This year it was a complete big fat no with generic advice on what to improve on that everyone gets.

 

[avocadob]

I’m confused whether Browne Jacobson contains VI or written ques at the end of the test?!

 

[trainee4u]

I’m confused whether Browne Jacobson contains VI or written ques at the end of the test?!

sorry I did write previously VI - it's actually written.

 

[amb303]

London Spring pref

I haven’t gotten one either but in past years it was the DTC applicants who got the holding email and I also applied for the spring placement scheme so maybe that’s why we haven’t?

 

[nalinp]

When completing the work history section on various applications, should I aim to use the entire 250 words that are usually given, or should it just be a brief overview?