TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[BeanaGoalGetter]

Does anybody know if we should expect to hear back from Shoosmiths by 23rd February or March for the vacation scheme as they’ve sent conflicting emails? Did anybody ask to clarify?

23 Feb - I remember sometime ago on the chat someone said they emailed about the confusion and they replied saying 23 Feb is the right date

 

[plsgivemetc]

sharing update in case anyone else with all rejections feels like they’re alone.
Only firms I’m waiting to hear back from:
Gibson Dunn completed test on 23rd December and still on waiting list.
Ashurst completed test on 15th December and still waiting.
Otherwise all rejections this year post TEST, can’t get past the test on any firms.
if anyone is in a similar position, I recommend forgetting about law firms for the next few months and focusing on yourself, try new sports, new societies, find interests outside of law and you’ll feel so much better. Surprisingly, I feel mentally better now after receiving all rejections than I felt when waiting to hear back from firms because I’ve accepted it was a practice year, and I’m focusing on my health now and know that next year will be better.
I feel so free now haha

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

I did. Did you end up getting any clarification?

Somebody said they asked and Shoosmiths clarified it was 23 feb

 

[sbbusybee]

Applied on deadline - P,W summer PFO. Did anybody get an email telling them to reapply next year? It was in my friend's mail, but not in mine 🫠

I did yes

 

[BeanaGoalGetter]

Lewis Silkin i'm begging please send an update today, "early next week" has been and gone 🙏😭

 

[James Wakefield]

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

 

[amelialbm]

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?

 

[Cece176]

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?

Here I was thinking it would be a normal Amberjack SJT OOF

 

[Arv_329]

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

 

[kukubird]

"hope to receive an application from you next year" aw hayl naw im not ab to stay stuck in this cycle. they r literally wishing death on us

literally like God forbid!!!

 

[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