TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

P, W PFO lmao

 

[BeanaGoalGetter]

Is the written part motivational??

For Pinsents? no, the Q was one where you had to draw on your own experience

 

[alphabravocharlie]

P, W PFO lmao

did they just send out more rejections ?

 

[a1289]

Has anyone heard from Weightmans yet?

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Browne Jacobson test - is it written questions at the end, or VI, or both?

 

[sadlawyer01]

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.

it's kirkland right? that's why they framed their summer internship as a VS and offered DTC to some ppl

 

[Mvla]

Ahhhhhh!!! THANKS SMMMMMM!!

 

[Bbhu19]

it's kirkland right? that's why they framed their summer internship as a VS and offered DTC to some ppl

I don’t think it’s Kirkland as their the ones taking all these candidates from other firms , I think it’s more likely another firm trying to fight back

 

[adfs456]

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.

This is so fair but there's only so much you can fit in one of those little connection notes

 

[qwerty!]

Anyone heard back from Linklaters? Heard people have gotten ACs/VS, but I've not been asked to PFO/AC.

i was PFO'd 5 days ago! for the spring VS

 

[wrpark]

I need to take the CC Watson Glaser for SPARK and I'm lowkey super nervous because I haven't done many WGs so far. I scored 90% for their practice one - would the real one be similar difficulty?

 

[Z48]

it's kirkland right? that's why they framed their summer internship as a VS and offered DTC to some ppl

Pretty sure Kirkland hasn’t run a VS in ages, they’ve offered direct TCs to VS applicants for at least the last 3 years

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

This is so fair but there's only so much you can fit in one of those little connection notes

Explain the situation and ask if you could ask some questions about the AC! I'd personally much rather take a few seconds to respond "Yes, happy to help" and then wait for your actual questions than try and figure out what "insights" people want but don't have

 

[qwerty!]

@ people who have done a cleary AC, how long did they take to get back to you?