TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[jojo23]

Just DMed you. We honestly need to start a Bristows post interview support group by this point.

interviews are just as traumatising (TI's specifically) as calling the Dr's to make an appointment...

 

[Futuretrainee002]

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.

 

[Futuretrainee002]

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! ​

Congrats!! Those firms are great, no doubt you will smash all of the schemes.

 

[Dolphin270]

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!

 

[lawinpink]

Just DMed you. We honestly need to start a Bristows post interview support group by this point.

I really hope they roll out decisions today, I don't think I can survive through tomorrow!

 

[Futuretrainee002]

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!

 

[Dolphin270]

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!

Thank you! I should have waited until you replied lol I sent an email as I knew the deadline was tomorrow. If they reply I can then seek clarification and I really appreciate your help, that makes sense! At least I don't sound too bad and I said at the end if there are any issues let me know so they can always come back saying they don't do it!

 

[8law]

It’s a zoom call after the online cappfinity

Have you had a zoom call ?

 

[silonthesofa]

I really hope they roll out decisions today, I don't think I can survive through tomorrow!

Heard anything?

 

[I_hate_pickingusernames]

Bristows 2028 TC offer!
So happy, I can't believe it - has been my dream firm since I attended their 2024 first-year workshop. I absolutely promise that if I can do this, anyone can!

 

[floral.tcla]

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! ​

congratulations!! harvey specter username and your hard work clearly contain a lot of magic

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey all, this might not be directly related, but would a compliance and legal internship at a boutique fund help my chances of securing a vac scheme in lieu of any significant first-year schemes?

Hey!

I would definitely say that a compliance internship will be valuable experience to have! Generally speaking, firms care much more about the skills and insights that you have gained rather than the exact label of the role. In that internship, you would still be building commercial awareness, understanding regulation, and getting exposure to how these kind of businesses operate - this can all translate well into commercial law.

I'd just make sure that you frame it well when you go on to discuss it in applications. If you can clearly explain what you learned (e.g. risk, regulation, client impact, etc.) and link that to why you are interested in commercial law and the specific firm you are applying to, it can be just as strong as a traditional first-year scheme

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

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.

Hey!

I am having a good week, thank you - I hope you are too!

I'd say that it would be completely fine for you to reach out now. A month after your interview is quite a bit of time (though they may have a reason for this), especially since the vacation scheme is coming up in June and it is understandable that you'd want to know when you can expect to hear back.

I would just send the graduate recruitment team a brief and polite email that asks when you might expect to receive an update on your application, and reiterate your interest in the scheme.

I don't think this will come across negatively at all, and it shows that you are still genuinely interested in the opportunity.

Best of luck - fingers crossed that you hear some good news soon!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

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?

Hey!

I'm doing well, thank you - hope you are too!

I don't think there is any harm at all in asking - it is a completely reasonable question, and firms are usually pretty used to dealing with different travel arrangements. I think it is highly unlikely that they will view it as cheeky or like you are messing them around. You could just mention that you'll be travelling in from outside London, and ask whether the commuting costs can be reimbursed.

The worst they can say is no, and at least you'll have clarity on the situation. However, I'd be surprised if they thought negatively of you for asking, as it is a reasonable and practical request that I'm sure they have been asked before.

Best of luck with the vacation scheme, and I hope you have a great time!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Bristows 2028 TC offer!
So happy, I can't believe it - has been my dream firm since I attended their 2024 first-year workshop. I absolutely promise that if I can do this, anyone can!

Huge congratulations - that is amazing news!! It must feel so rewarding to have that come full circle from your first-year workshop, and I hope you take some time to celebrate

 

[summersun]

Bristows 2028 TC offer!
So happy, I can't believe it - has been my dream firm since I attended their 2024 first-year workshop. I absolutely promise that if I can do this, anyone can!

That is amazing congratulations !!!! Celebrate and be proud of your achievement !!

 

[Shaky_Pete]

Anyone heard anything from Simons Muirhead Burton?