• Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training Contract
    Now half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
    Join Premium →
  • How to Secure a Vacation Scheme (Ropes & Gray)
    1 Dec 2025 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)
    In this interactive session, Maya Shah, Senior Early Careers Specialist at Ropes & Gray, will walk you through every stage of the firm's application process.
    Register on Zoom →
  • How to Stand Out in Law Firm Interviews (Willkie)
    3 Dec 2025 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)
    Willkie’s new graduate recruiter and two trainees will break down what the firm looks for at the interview stage, common pitfalls to avoid, and how you can demonstrate confidence, clarity, and genuine motivation throughout an assessment centre.
    Register on Zoom →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Status
Not open for further replies.

NCTC2025

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
  • Nov 27, 2022
    158
    529
    Do firms usually progress candidates this close to the new years? I assumed that there wouldn't be any VIs or next stage tests sent to be completed between 25th to 2nd
     

    LawLawLawLawLaw

    Star Member
    Sep 23, 2024
    26
    17
    is it too late to apply to firms with deadlines in early jan? also I'm planning on doing like 12 ish applications for vac schemes- is this too little? i don't want to put in rushed or simply ok applications but loads of people say you cant really submit more than that and them still be decent applications. also any advice on what to do in January in terms of applications if you don't get anything?
     

    Gday33

    Valued Member
    Apr 21, 2024
    119
    200
    is it too late to apply to firms with deadlines in early jan? also I'm planning on doing like 12 ish applications for vac schemes- is this too little? i don't want to put in rushed or simply ok applications but loads of people say you cant really submit more than that and them still be decent applications. also any advice on what to do in January in terms of applications if you don't get anything?
    You definitely won’t get it if you don’t apply - if you have time to do a decent application why not?
     
    • Like
    Reactions: tjo1

    ReedSmithBecca

    Esteemed Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Sep 12, 2023
    82
    193
    does anyone know the benchmark for reed smith?
    Hi! This isn't information we publish, or tell successful applicants. We review Legal High Potential test scores as well as video interviews holistically, so you wouldn't be able to tell the benchmark from previous outcomes. We review both scores holistically so that candidates can showcase different skills and experiences and so that candidates who might not have scored as well as they would like on one element are still considered. Hope this is useful!
     

    pleasepleaseplease

    Legendary Member
    Oct 14, 2024
    165
    147
    It isn't too late for Reed Smith! Whilst we review applications on a rolling basis, we will consider all applications received up until the deadline of 6th Jan equally.
    Thank you for answering questions on the forum! @ReedSmithBecca would you still encourage applicants who are looking to apply to Reed Smith this close to the deadline?
    Hi - Becca said earlier that it is not late to apply to RS as they view all applications
     
    • Like
    Reactions: ReedSmithBecca
    Status
    Not open for further replies.

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

    Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.