TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[FutureTrainee100]

Sorry to hear! May i ask when you submitted your app?
I’m waiting to hear back but can feel the pfo coming 😐

I thought Wilkie was non-rolling???

 

[Maddy]

When can we expect to hear back from Reed Smith for Winter vacation scheme after the Sjt and VI?

 

[sooae]

I thought Wilkie was non-rolling???

I think they review applications as they come in and decide whether to move people forward to the VI stage or not. I think written exercise will be held sometime next year for everyone who passes the VI stage

 

[rosedunn]

How long post dechert WE did it take to hear back?

 

[jojo23]

hi all! i did the first hogan test on 20th october and haven't heard back about the second one, should i be expecting a pfo?

I got the 2nd test a month later

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

When can we expect to hear back from Reed Smith for Winter vacation scheme after the Sjt and VI?

Hello!

There isn't a set timeframe, as graduate recruitment are working through the applications on a rolling basis! Response times are likely to vary from person to person, but I believe only a few batches of test invites have been sent out so it's not abnormal that you haven't heard back yet!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

You see you're absolutely correct and now I'm certain I'll get a PFO from them. Now that I'm comparing the description for the work experience section to other firms, I would recommend you mention your extracurriculars. I excluded exec positions, writing for a legal blog and so many others 😭

Hey!

I know it's easy to second-guess things, but I wouldn't assume that this'll automatically lead to a PFO! If you've written a strong application overall, there's still plenty of chance for a positive outcome even if you haven't included your extracurriculars in the work experience section. Try to stay positive and don't jump to any conclusions until you know for sure

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Hey!

I know it's easy to second-guess things, but I wouldn't assume that this'll automatically lead to a PFO! If you've written a strong application overall, there's still plenty of chance for a positive outcome even if you haven't included your extracurriculars in the work experience section. Try to stay positive and don't jump to any conclusions until you know for sure

Thanks a lot Abbie!

I just wanted to ask about how exactly I should approach a supporting question similar to this - Have you done anything outside of school and employment? If so, what skills have you gained from them?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thanks a lot Abbie!

I just wanted to ask about how exactly I should approach a supporting question similar to this - Have you done anything outside of school and employment? If so, what skills have you gained from them?

No problem at all

That question is a great opportunity to showcase transferable skills from anything you've done outside of formal work or study - things such as volunteering, society roles, sports, or personal initiatives.

Depending on the word count, a structure you could follow is:

1. Briefly describe the activity: what you did and what motivated you to get involved in the first place
2. Explain your role and actions: make sure to highlight the responsibilities that you had, and the sort of tasks that you would get involved with in the activity.
3. Reflect on the skills gained: I would try to make these link to the role of a trainee - things such as initiative, communication, problem-solving, resilience, leadership, etc. Make sure you show them how you developed these through the experiences, rather than just telling them that you have the skills.
4. Link it to the firm: I would finish the answer by briefly showing how these skills would be valuable in a legal or professional context, and in that firm specifically.

Make sure to keep it concise and reflective, as firms often value self-awareness as much as experience!

 

[M_m]

For anyone who’s applying or had applied to BBC, do we need to submit a cover letter and CV? The job description says we don’t, but application form has a section for it.