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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
I actually agree with this approach! I did 3 VIs including Goodwin over the past 3 days and I do think I felt more confident and relaxed after each one as I usually spend forever overthinking, and then feel terrified doing them. I prep for the why this firm/why you/news story and have competency examples lined up in my mind.
With that being said, I hope just ONE of them lands and if not then deffo ignore my message above lmao 😂🤞🏽
Hi!
Huge congratulations on receiving the AC invite for Reed Smith!!
Whilst I can't share any specifics, I'm happy to share some general tips for case studies, motivational interviews, and proof reading exercises! Across all of the exercises, I would say that structure and clarity are really key. The assessors are usually less focused on you having the "perfect" answer and more on how you approach the task, prioritise issues, and explain your reasoning as you go along.
For the case study, I would absolutely make good use of the preparation time. What helped me was to read through all of the documents first to get a sense of the overall scenario, and then go back over it to familiarise myself with the finer details. If there is anything that is unclear or confusing, I would try to work it out during the prep time so that, if it comes up in the interview discussion, you are able to explain your understanding confidently (or at least explain your thought process in working it out if you are still not 100% sure!). One piece of advice that my mentor gave me that I found really helpful was to become comfortable with what contracts actually look like in practice - i.e. understanding common clauses, what they mean, and the effect they can have (and whether they are favourable / less favourable to your client). I would also try not to overcomplicate it - this is something I really struggled with at first, but if the answer feels like it is relatively straightforward, I would go with your gut! If the interviewers / assessors require more information, they might be able to ask follow-up questions that you can then address.
For the motivational interview, I would make sure that you have researched the firm (which I'm sure you have!) and can clearly articulate why Reed Smith specifically. Think about how your experiences and interests align with the firm's distinctive features (e.g. its sector focus or initiatives like the Professional SQE Placement Year). For example, I linked my previous vacation scheme experience at a firm with shipping expertise to Reed Smith's expertise in the area, as I could explain how my interest in the area had developed and why Reed Smith's practice stood out to me (compared to the other firm). As with any interview, it also helps to prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end - although if any questions naturally arise due to things discussed in the interview, I'd always encourage you to ask those! Importantly (and I know this is the most annoying advice ever), be yourself! They're assessing your fit to the firm as much as motivation and experience, so I'd try to be friendly and match the atmosphere in the room as this really does go a long way.
For the proofreading exercise, I would encourage you to work slowly and methodically. One practical tip that I found helpful was to use your finger to guide yourself through the text and make note of anything that stands out. While I didn't personally do a proofreading exercise at my Reed Smith AC, I have done similar ones elsewhere and always looked for things such as defined terms (and whether they're capitalised consistently), spelling / grammar, and whether dates and deadlines match throughout the document. These are things that you might not necessarily think to check in a proofreading exercise, but are always important in the legal context!
Above all - stay calm, be structured, and try to explain your thinking clearly wherever you can. It sounds silly to say, but I did really enjoy my Reed Smith AC and I felt that the partners and graduate recruitment team wanted me to do well, rather than trying to catch me out.
I'm sure that you will smash it, and best of luck!
Hi! If you got the White & Case VI for spring/summer vac, how long did it take after completing the online assessment?
Paul Hastings VI completed!
3 questions, 30 seconds prep, 60 seconds answer time. Two basic "why you, why law, why us"-style questions, and a fun one at the end.
No spoilers, but it was a quick and easy VI.
3 questions, 30 seconds prep, 60 seconds answer time. Two basic "why you, why law, why us"-style questions, and a fun one at the end.
No spoilers, but it was a quick and easy VI.
Anybody else just absolutely shattered. Feeling super happy and lucky to have had some success this cycle with 1 vac scheme upcoming, and one AC for another scheme yet to do, but I'm really exhausted now and I'm starting to think I might give up on submitting any more apps, go all in on trying to convert my scheme (and securing the other scheme), but I'll kick myself if I don't manage to get a TC from either of these and I could've done more.
But at the same time I'm genuinely so busy with uni and work, I'm way behind on my dissertation, and I've also mega been neglecting the gym, so maybe I need to just shift priorities. Applications are just always in the back of my mind as long as they're ongoing, I feel like i'm always refreshing emails or waiting for a test or vi deadline. Then if you are fortunate enough to progress to interviews or ACs, that actually just means more work and stress waiting and preparing for them.
I don't know, how are you all managing?
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But at the same time I'm genuinely so busy with uni and work, I'm way behind on my dissertation, and I've also mega been neglecting the gym, so maybe I need to just shift priorities. Applications are just always in the back of my mind as long as they're ongoing, I feel like i'm always refreshing emails or waiting for a test or vi deadline. Then if you are fortunate enough to progress to interviews or ACs, that actually just means more work and stress waiting and preparing for them.
I don't know, how are you all managing?
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I'm the exact same, well almost lol. I have a uni exam on the 15th of Jan and 3 assignments due on the 28th. I also still have to write apps, complete VIs and SJTs im so so exhausted. I'm more mad at myself for only applying to 6 firms last year (2nd year of uni) because its deffo biting me back now
Yep did mine on the 23rd, it’s saying I completed it on the 30th 😭
Tbf it’s not really that deep because you can still apply anywhere, you will just have effectively a gap year unless they let you do the SQE and start ur TC a year earlier than advertised.Law, I'm in my final year
Hey,
I so feel you- I’m in a similar boat too. Working full time and doing PGDL part time- I’m in the final year now. I’ve done 25 apps, 12 PFOS and waiting to hear back post app/post VI/post SJTs for 13 firms. There’s hundreds of firms we can apply to but I picked my 25 battles so I can manage other aspects of my life too.. well as much as I can 😭
Congrats on the VS!! That’s what this is all about right? Just that one yes! And you’ve got it so well done. If I was you, I’d focus on the dissertation, prep for AC and doing well in the VS so you can convert it to a TC
Guys what are the realistic odds of converting a vac scheme to a TC? At my uni most people told me not to worry about it and that it was largely a formality unless you do something truly outrageous like constantly being late, rude etc. but recently I've been hearing more and more stories of people not managing to convert despite doing their best.
I'm really struggling to even get ACs and I think the only thing that has kept me motivated is that you only need one firm to give you a chance and that once I get the vac scheme it's unlikely for things to go wrong. But now getting a TC feels like such a long shot...
I'm really struggling to even get ACs and I think the only thing that has kept me motivated is that you only need one firm to give you a chance and that once I get the vac scheme it's unlikely for things to go wrong. But now getting a TC feels like such a long shot...
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