TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[switchingup]

Hi all, I hope everyone from the 2025-2026 thread is well! Long time no speak.

Did anyone who applied to Reed Smith and didn't make it receive an email inviting them to an Insight Day next week? The email said they were impressed by my blended assessment and hope I will apply again next year. I'm working next Wednesday, but would be willing to take a half day if it is genuinely an exclusive thing.

Email copy/pasted below:

"Dear [my name]

Thank you for your application to Reed Smith.

We wanted to get in touch as, whilst you didn't progress to our Assessment Centre, we were impressed with your performance at the Blended Assessment stage and hope you will consider reapplying next year.

We'd like to keep in touch with you, and would therefore like to invite you to join us at an exclusive Insight Day on 10th June. This will be an opportunity to get application and assessment tips from our Graduate Recruitment team, take part in Insight sessions to learn more about our Practice and Industry groups and network with our Trainees and lawyers.

Travel costs will be reimbursed up to £80.

Places are limited. To confirm your place, [please visit website]

Best wishes,
Early Careers Team"

 

[StudentWP]

I saw someone on LinkedIn with an offer

what? I thought they are still to do online interviews?

 

[Jaysen]

Hey guys, I have a dilemma which I thought the forum might be able to help with.

I have a final training contract interview for a firm (Firm A) in the last week of June. However, during the same week I have been selected for another firm's VS (Firm B), and the day of my final TC interview for Firm A is on the last day (the afternoon specifically) of Firm B's vac scheme. I flagged this with Firm B and they have given me permission to attend Firm A's final interview as well as attend their own VS. However, Firm B also has a final TC interview that same morning, as well as a heavily assessed vacation scheme with a task I have to present on the final day too.

Firm A is my top top choice. But, I am a bit apprehensive of tiring myself too much out on Firm B's vac scheme and trying to manage all the assessed tasks, presentation, Firm B interview AND commute to Firm A's office all on the same day. I'm worried it will ultimately affect my performance in Firm A's final interview which I cannot risk happening. I really don't know what to do - I'm considering politely telling Firm B that I cannot make the VS....Advice would be much appreciated! @Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen

I can imagine it's stressful managing what to do here, but just to say, well done on securing both!

I think @Futuretrainee002's advice is good here. Here's how I usually think about this:

• Step 1: Do you have a preference? In your case, you mentioned a very strong preference for Firm A, and so I'd do what you need to do to put your top performance in for Firm A.
• Step 2: Can you manage both? It sounds like you've already answered this in that it feels too much to manage both, which I think is very understandable.
• Step 3: What can you move around? As @Futuretrainee002 said, if Firm A is your strong preference, I'd ask Firm B if it was possible for you to move to the date of the interview. The best practice is to be transparent here about why you feel it would be too much. But just be aware (1) it might mean the firm doubts your motivation for them (which is a bit moot anyway as you're already taking the day to go to the other firms' interview), and (2) they might say no.

I wouldn't cancel the scheme just yet, unless you've asked the firm and they said no and/or really feel it would be too much. You'd be surprised how much a firm is willing to adapt if you ask in the right way.