TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[BeanaGoalGetter]

It says on the practice assessment for Browne Jacobson that there are two 500 word written questions to answer as part of the assessment. Does this all have to be answered in one go with the other questions, or can you come back to them another time once you’ve started?

I'm going to assume you can come back to it based on the fact its an amberjack and having done amberjacks before you can always come back (I did the Pinsent Masons assessment which also was an amberjack I believe, and also had written part to it - and I could come back)

 

[lawyerof2030]

Does anyone know if slaughter call to PFO. If anyone has got a slaughter offer pls dm.

they don't call at all

 

[kukubird]

Anyone know how/when Goodwin said they’d get back post-AC?

6th March latest

 

[Diana54]

6th March latest

Is this for spring?

 

[Diana54]

Any other final years secured a spring vac scheme? Super happy obviously but increasingly thinking I should have applied for summer. I was really keen to get a TC before graduating, but now my diss is due like 5 days after the end of the scheme, and it is stressing me outttt

I am in the same boat and I have emailed the firm to see if I can change to summer

 

[user397485]

have some slaughters offers come out for non-law

 

[kukubird]

Is this for spring?

for both

 

[BobThebIlly]

P, W summer PFO. Lowkey pissed at the “We encourage you to apply again in the next cycle, which opens in September.” Like Lizzy why coukdnt u just give me the interview 😭😭😭😭

 

[Diana54]

Thoughts and feelings on this because it's really annoyed me. Certain US law firm is hosting an insight day for a select few of their vacation schemers before the VS begins to encourage them to accept 'potential' TC offers. The remaining VSers have no idea this is happening.

Would you be comfortable sharing which firms? - a big red flag if there was such a thing for a law firm

 

[Diana54]

for both

I guess it’s a pfo for those of us waiting for what back post VI. I had applied for summer

 

[Lissa06]

Thoughts and feelings on this because it's really annoyed me. Certain US law firm is hosting an insight day for a select few of their vacation schemers before the VS begins to encourage them to accept 'potential' TC offers. The remaining VSers have no idea this is happening.

What firm exactly is this? Ngl doesn't sound like someone you want to work for 😭 how did they even separate them into groups, like what was the basis for this?

 

[PinkZebra67]

IM rejection🤣🤣🤣 rapidly falling out of love with law

 

[user397485]

anything from bakers post ac

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Guysss, I got the WFW vac scheme. CRYINGGGG

 

[V2002]

I saw two people post TC offers for Gibson Dunn. Is this recruitment outside Spring and Summer VS? I am so confused.

 

[helenaskelton]

I'm going to assume you can come back to it based on the fact its an amberjack and having done amberjacks before you can always come back (I did the Pinsent Masons assessment which also was an amberjack I believe, and also had written part to it - and I could come back)

Is the written part motivational??

 

[sbbusybee]

I only applied to 4 VS this year as I’m on placement and wouldn’t be able to make most schemes, however still bummed as I’ve not made it to any ACs…

Two firms I attended their open days and really thought I had a shot. One of them I was able to get feedback on my app which is great for next year, but the other one I truly have no clue where I went wrong?

Now the P, W PFO today… to be fair I haven’t had any interactions with them (open day, virtual etc - which I can’t attend as they all clash with my working hours!) but it’s still a bummer!

Oh well, I guess now it’s time to move onto DTCs (which I do prefer because I literally cannot make the dates for VS this year) and prepping for the next cycle 🥲.

Edit - also a bummer because I applied to one VS last year (W&C) and got to the final interview… and looking back my application was AWFUL?! How my rubbish first cycle app made it to interview/AC but my apps this year didn’t is beyond me.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I saw two people post TC offers for Gibson Dunn. Is this recruitment outside Spring and Summer VS? I am so confused.

Yeah they have a DTC route as well. They increased their trainee intake to 15 for Sept 28, but I think they’re probs wanting to fill spaces for Sept 26 and 27, so are probs making a few DTC offers. I know of around 5 or 6 people who’ve gotten offers via the DTC route for Gibson Dunn this cycle.​

 

[kukubird]

I guess it’s a pfo for those of us waiting for what back post VI. I had applied for summer

not necessarily sometimes firms will run more ACs if they don’t fill up spaces on the vac plus i’m pretty sure Goodwin invites a week before the AC if i’m not mistaken.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Quick tip for everyone here: If you're cold messaging trainees/future trainees on LinkedIn before an interview/VS, in my opinion, it's best to ask specific questions rather than whether they have any "insights". I find these messages much easier to respond to and respectful, and they also show that you've done your own research.