• TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.
    Join →

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

trainee4u

Legendary Member
Sep 7, 2023
565
1,172
WBD PFO... honestly after the test I kinda realised it wasn't the right firm for me.

As I wrote at the time - more Neuroshight than Neurosight.

I did WBD last year and it was a similar random process but with some other stupid test and no real human involvement - I wonder if they'll have something new again next year.

VWV had the same BS test, and have sent out ACs or whatever, so I marked them as PFO a while ago. I do feel it's particularly sneaky to use a pass/fail test like this and not even bother to PFO people when you get the results back.
 
Last edited:

soph107048

Distinguished Member
Premium Member
Aug 22, 2025
64
70
hi guys, would appreciate any insights on this:
ive been fortunate to get an AC with one of top choice firms, which was initially scheduled for mid February, but that I had to reschedule as I had my final exams during that exact date. They've kindly rescheduled for an AC in march, but they've been holding ACs in the meantime and have already sent out many offers for the VS. I can't help but feel super discouraged seeing as I'm not sure how many places there will be by the time I get to do my AC, and that my chances are lower just because its one of the later ones (my assumption being that they will be more picky as they've given out a handful of offers already and spots are filling up). has anyone else been on one of the later ACs and ended up getting the VS? is it usually an even spread between recruiting from ACs? seeing as quite a lot of offers went out im lowkey a bit disappointed to have gotten this far in the process to then have my chances be significantly lower because the firm doesnt wait til everyone's completed ACs to give decisions :/ now debating if theres even a point of me relying on the AC to score a place if my chances by then will be basically nonexistent: theres about 15 vac scheme places per scheme (ACs for both spring and summer), and I've seen at least 5 be given out just from this forum...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mikeross750

Novaa

Legendary Member
Dec 2, 2022
361
1,342
Bro this app cycle is lowkey so stressful
As I like to say, it’s “wicked and bad”!!!

Honestly, I just want to say as someone who has seen a couple of cycles and done multiple ACs (*Sigh*🫣). This cycle has honestly been so difficult, especially with the amount of changes to different firms recruitment process. And I’ve really seen how the advice of “quality over quantity” may no longer be applicable. 💀

But, I just want you and everyone else to know that you’re honestly doing amazing with the effort you’ve put in. I really do hope some good news comes our way soon!!

Emmy Awards GIF by Emmys
 

InterestInPublicLaw

Legendary Member
  • Feb 7, 2024
    233
    245
    Womble Bond Dickinson PFO. How stupid is that.

    I applied to the firm two years in a row. In both applications they had an online test, but this year was different so thought they improved the process. I must say I often pass tests so this came again as a surprise.

    I also spent time attending their insight event and the early careers team said they wanted to do telephone interviews with many candidates to really get to know them instead of making people write long answer questions.

    But how it plays out now really disappoints people. I mean, VWV or other firms that use such short tests would at least review applications alongside the test. If, according to what the early careers team said, the initial application only served as a registration form, then why made us write all the work experience entries? Just follow what Clyde & Co, Mills & Reeve or Irwin Mitchell to create really short forms.

    I also wasted time researching which office to apply to and got an unhelpful reply from the early careers team. What a huge shame.
     

    trainee4u

    Legendary Member
    Sep 7, 2023
    565
    1,172
    Womble Bond Dickinson PFO. How stupid is that.

    I applied to the firm two years in a row. In both applications they had an online test, but this year was different so thought they improved the process. I must say I often pass tests so this came again as a surprise.

    I also spent time attending their insight event and the early careers team said they wanted to do telephone interviews with many candidates to really get to know them instead of making people write long answer questions.

    But how it plays out now really disappoints people. I mean, VWV or other firms that use such short tests would at least review applications alongside the test. If, according to what the early careers team said, the initial application only served as a registration form, then why made us write all the work experience entries? Just follow what Clyde & Co, Mills & Reeve or Irwin Mitchell to create really short forms.

    I also wasted time researching which office to apply to and got an unhelpful reply from the early careers team. What a huge shame.

    I find them weird - like they've got the worst name in the industry following the stuff they got up to in the Post Office scandal, and then you find them pulling stunts like this, like "oh we're soooo non-discriminatory we don't even care what you did at school", as if putting everybody through a test they ordered from Temu after watching a Tiktok is more probative than, say, my evidence of academic achievement.
     

    trainee4u

    Legendary Member
    Sep 7, 2023
    565
    1,172
    How did WBD decide who to reject based on the test..
    the test claims to decide if you are an unemployable moron or a genius based on how you move the mouse across the screen (no word on whether this works for people like me, with a trackpoint on my laptop) with 99.999999% accuracy.

    It gives them a score from say 0 to 100, and they reject below a certain figure.

    I went over it in some detail at the time:

     
    • Haha
    Reactions: cinnamonspice

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

    Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.