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.

 

[cookedlawstudent]

Best of luck on the VS!

Perhaps this site will have links to some useful resources: https://www.ilauk.com/

Thank you very much!

 

[CharlieandLola]

I saw someone on LinkedIn with an offer

For LBA or intern?

 

[Futuretrainee002]

For LBA or intern?

Vac scheme

 

[lawyersum]

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.

Thank you very much Jaysen and @Futuretrainee002, your thoughts have really helped. I think I will rightly ask Firm B for some wiggle room around their final interview, and then proceed from there.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

 

[CharlieandLola]

Vac scheme

Yeah just saw it! Weird that they haven’t rejected us yet considering they would have done interviews as well

 

[randomrhino]

Folks, what are we doing to prepare for the autumn?

 

[shays]

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"

wait what? is this for DTC? when did you receive this and submitted the written answers? if you dont mind me asking

 

[WillKitchen]

I’m on the train home from London after a VS interview with Lee & Thompson, the film and TV sector specialist firm. I’m leaning into my strengths as a career changer with a media background.

It was one of those interviews that felt great at the time and you leave the office smiling, but on the way home you think of everything you might have said to improve the case further, additional context that could have been useful, questions you might have answered more completely…

Never mind. At this stage, it’s best to just keep the fingers crossed!

 

[StudentWP]

so are we taking Perkins silence as rejections? slightly confused?

 

[nicoledm]

@Abbie Whitlock Hi Abbie! I have an end of vac scheme interview tomorrow, and I wanted to know if asked what was my biggest takeaway from the scheme, what sort of area I should be covering? I know its personal and will be unqiue to each person but is it about the work, the firm or so on. I've updated my why this firm answer to reflect what I learnt about the firm during the week and why thats confirmed my interest and I'm worried about repeating myself.

 

[Lawyer8]

Yeah just saw it! Weird that they haven’t rejected us yet considering they would have done interviews as well

Can’t find any post on LinkedIn but I remember someone posting here that they got rejected

 

[addy2004]

Folks, what are we doing to prepare for the autumn?

I’m still mentally in 2025-26 cycle but probably preparing interview questions over the summer, reflecting on how i can strengthen applications and improving commercial awareness

 

[addy2004]

Not sure if anyone has opinions on applying to open days as a law graduate? I also work full time outside of London so I would need to consider taking annual leave & travel, but open days seem appealing to actually get to know firms better and hopefully boost applications?

 

[Jaysen]

Not sure if anyone has opinions on applying to open days as a law graduate? I also work full time outside of London so I would need to consider taking annual leave & travel, but open days seem appealing to actually get to know firms better and hopefully boost applications?

I definitely would if you can. It makes a big difference to the quality of your application/interview if you've met the firm. You don't have to attend one to get an offer by any means, but it really helps to show your motivation for the firm.

 

[addy2004]

I definitely would if you can. It makes a big difference to the quality of your application/interview if you've met the firm. You don't have to attend one to get an offer by any means, but it really helps to show your motivation for the firm.

Thank you! I’ll definitely apply for open days this cycle

 

[Afuturetrainee]

so are we taking Perkins silence as rejections? slightly confused?

I think they are still getting back to people cuz I got an interview invite tonight. Honestly haven’t seen anyone who got an offer on LinkedIn though