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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hey, I just wanted to let anyone know for Reed Smith vac scheme that when I completed their AC I got rejected less than a week after doing it. So if you haven't heard back, it means you most likely reached the benchmark and thats something thats something to be proud of even if you don't get it in the end
I had my Trowers written exercise today and completely bottled it…
First AC, first written exercise!! Not feeling the greatest at all.. not sure how the group exercise and interview can save that performance!!! Is it even worth going🥲😭
please forgive for my momentary loss of optimism, wishing all of you the very best of luck.
Please enjoy this dog video:
Hey!
I'm sorry to hear that you feel this way after the AC - it is completely normal, and I think very few people leave an AC feeling genuinely happy with how they performed.
Most people walk out focusing on what they thing went wrong, rather than what they did well. Try to reflect on the other exercises too, and be proud of yourself for getting through the AC in the first place - that alone is an achievement!
If it helps, I felt completely demotivated after my Reed Smith AC because I ran out of time on one of the written exercises and didn't get to finish my answer, yet I still went on to receive an offer. You've likely done better than you think, and it can be hard to judge your performance accurately when you're coming down from the adrenaline of the day.
I would try to be kind to yourself and let it sit - the post-AC spiral is very real (and I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't acknowledge that!), but it is rarely an accurate reflection of how you came across. Fingers crossed for you!!
thank you both for this advice - will definitely be following it tonight. fingers crossed nevertheless for a positive outcome
Odd one but has anyone heard from Katten?
Yes literally in it now. See if there’s a grad rec number you can call. It helps speed things up. Otherwise email again and say your ‘other commitment’ has unfortunately given you a deadline to rearrange.
Hi
I have been offered a vacation scheme, but I am a paralegal undergoing full time work. does anybody know what I have do, as I would be getting paid from annual leave as well as the vac scheme - would this be some sort of bad conduct? any advice would be much appreciated.
thank you!
I have been offered a vacation scheme, but I am a paralegal undergoing full time work. does anybody know what I have do, as I would be getting paid from annual leave as well as the vac scheme - would this be some sort of bad conduct? any advice would be much appreciated.
thank you!
Thank you so much!! I may call tomorrow if I haven't heard back by then.
Hi, did you get an invite too? Congratulations!!
Option between 3 dates - 12,19,26 Feb.
No not at all. I’ve also taken annual leave to do a winter vac scheme. You simply take annual leave, tell your firm (both sides have to do a conflicts check but I doubt anything will come up) and then take the leave. If your firm are funny, put your foot down and risk it for a biscuit. I also have friends who have had to ask nicely but it always works out. You’ll probably be paid double and taxed more for that period. Make sure you call HMRC afterwards to change your tax code back (sometimes it doesn’t do it automatically) so that you’re not still on a high tax code for when you return to work. Congratulations and good luck!
)Thank you :') This is the mindset I'm trying to keep. I'm just having to prioritise, and it's making me feel a little bit guilty as I know they're rare to come across (especially for me haha)
Thanks so much! do I have to tell my current firm? in all honesty, they will not want to hear this and would be very reluctant to give me the time off. they dont want progression for me at allllNo not at all. I’ve also taken annual leave to do a winter vac scheme. You simply take annual leave, tell your firm (both sides have to do a conflicts check but I doubt anything will come up) and then take the leave. If your firm are funny, put your foot down and risk it for a biscuit. I also have friends who have had to ask nicely but it always works out. You’ll probably be paid double and taxed more for that period. Make sure you call HMRC afterwards to change your tax code back (sometimes it doesn’t do it automatically) so that you’re not still on a high tax code for when you return to work. Congratulations and good luck!
Anyone heard back for VI for CRS vacation scheme (London). I know a few people have on this thread - does anyone know if they send in batches? I applied on the 14th of January.
Hmm. It is your right to take annual leave. Is there any way they’d be working on a case that the firm offering your VS would be involved with? If not, it’s probably reasonable to take a ‘holiday’ - as long as you’re filling in all the HR checks for the VS firm. I would always try and be honest about it first though. They can grumble but realistically, there’s nothing they can do. They can’t fire you on the grounds that you want to do a placement at a firm unrelated to theirs. I will say though that (for US firms at least) they make you do hireright background checks before the vac scheme. Hireright will likely contact your firm anyway to make sure you actually work there. So probably worth telling! If not a US firm though, you’re probs fine.
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