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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Gonna sound a little bit like a broken record - and apologies for the cross post with the other forum for reach - but has anyone heard anything from Bristows yet? Given last week's update that we should know by tomorrow the outcome of final interviews, I'm assuming calls with offers will be done today or tomorrow morning at the latest with rejections to follow by email tomorrow afternoon (though I could be wrong obviously). So it'd be good to know if anyone has started to hear back yet. Thanks.
 
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i recently finished my vac scheme and now i'm waiting to hear back

if i get the TC i'll cry and obviously i'll cry if i don't get it. i hate the position i'm in because i feel like i'm literally begging the firm for a TC. looking back there's so much i would do differently if i was given a second chance to do the scheme again but i guess that's a luxury you just don't get in this process...

if anyone is doing a vac scheme soon and would like any tips feel free to message me
hey can you PM me :)
 
I can’t believe I’m writing this tbh but in addition to these, I recently received VS offers from Ropes & Gray and Sidley Austin! It seems all of the PFOs so far have been worth it! 😅
Thats Why The Goat GIF
Manlike Harvey The Unit
 
Hi @Abbie Whitlock, hope you're having a lovely week :) Just wanted to ask, I’m considering emailing graduate recruitment at Stephenson Harwood’s Dubai office. I had my final interview over a month ago and haven’t heard back yet, either with an offer or a rejection.
Would you recommend reaching out now, or is it better to wait a bit longer? I’m unsure what to do, especially since their summer vacation scheme is in June. Thank you for your time.
 
Hi @Abbie Whitlock I hope you are well! I have a vac scheme in summer and they have said they will reimburse travel. I have received an email saying that they need the dates for accom and confirmation of dates/times I require travel to London. As I live outside London I will be commuting in every day. I do have a railcard as well. Is it worth emailing and asking for travel reimbursements for each day I go into London, or will it be seen as cheeky/messing them around?
 
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Gonna sound a little bit like a broken record - and apologies for the cross post with the other forum for reach - but has anyone heard anything from Bristows yet? Given last week's update that we should know by tomorrow the outcome of final interviews, I'm assuming calls with offers will be done today or tomorrow morning at the latest with rejections to follow by email tomorrow afternoon (though I could be wrong obviously). So it'd be good to know if anyone has started to hear back yet. Thanks.
Agreed, this wait is killing me! I hated the interview exercise so I'm not very positive but just want them to put me out out of my misery lmao
 
Hi @Abbie Whitlock I hope you are well! I have a vac scheme in summer and they have said they will reimburse travel. I have received an email saying that they need the dates for accom and confirmation of dates/times I require travel to London. As I live outside London I will be commuting in every day. I do have a railcard as well. Is it worth emailing and asking for travel reimbursements for each day I go into London, or will it be seen as cheeky/messing them around?
Are they paying for everyone elses' accommodation? If so then I think asking for them to pay for each days travel is a reasonable request, however if they are only paying for travel on the first initial and final journey and they expect everyone to pay for accommodation/travel from the money they pay you for the scheme then yeah it may seem a little unrealistic.

Sidenote if you do need the travel paid for because your wage for the scheme doesn't cover it then you should 1000% ask them to pay.
 
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Are they paying for everyone elses' accommodation? If so then I think asking for them to pay for each days travel is a reasonable request, however if they are only paying for travel on the first initial and final journey and they expect everyone to pay for accommodation/travel from the money they pay you for the scheme then yeah it may seem a little unrealistic.

Sidenote if you do need the travel paid for because your wage for the scheme doesn't cover it then you should 1000% ask them to pay.
I'm honestly not sure - the form I believe everyone filled in for the scheme said if you need assistance with accommodation or travel expenses to fill in relevant section of form without explaining how far the firm would cover costs etc. I then just had an email which was titled accommodation/travel so I wasn't sure how to approach it!
 
I'm honestly not sure - the form I believe everyone filled in for the scheme said if you need assistance with accommodation or travel expenses to fill in relevant section of form without explaining how far the firm would cover costs etc. I then just had an email which was titled accommodation/travel so I wasn't sure how to approach it!
Since you will be replying to their email anyways with dates and times for your travel already, maybe in there add a section asking for clarification and explain that you will be commuting into London daily and as such ask if they would be willing to buy you a weekly travel ticket so that all of your journeys for the scheme could be covered, that way it would also be cheaper than buying a ticket for each individual journey and you will be able to take the train at any time of day which will be useful if you go to a Vac scheme social or stay in the office later than usual :)

Definitely ask for clarification and even if you ask them to pay for all of your travel I don't think that would be seen as cheeky, firms have lots of money and you should take advantage of that lol!
 
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