TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Donuttime]

,This might be a dumb question but do you guys mention open days and insight evenings in the work experience section?? I was just attending an event and grad rec advised against doing that which seems a bit weird.


this is interesting, i dont typically include insight days or open days in my work experience section because i dont typically see it as work experince. I ususally add it in the 'Would you like to tell us anything further' but i dont think its an issue to add it in the work experience section i just dont typically do and now i think abt it maybe i should

 

[Donna Paulsen]

This might be a dumb question but do you guys mention open days and insight evenings in the work experience section?? I was just attending an event and grad rec advised against doing that which seems a bit weird.

I’m pretty sure Vantage says to include open days, insight events, etc., in the work experience section, so it would be unfair for firms (that use Vantage) to look down on any applicant for doing this when the application form suggests it. Other platforms don’t mention whether or not to do this though, but imo I think it’s fine unless there is a dedicated section for these events.

 

[elle woods]

Sorry guys kinda random but I'm currently looking at W&C's deals and I must say I'm really impressed by the firm's dedication to escalators.

 

[confusedbird]

So happy to say that I accepted a TC offer right before Christmas 🥳🥳 A huge thanks to TCLA for the support over the last two years ❤️

NGL was so tempted to tell you guys earlier because we've been in this together but wasn't allowed to share the news.

 

[BobThebIlly]

So happy to say that I accepted a TC offer right before Christmas 🥳🥳 A huge thanks to TCLA for the support over the last two years ❤️

NGL was so tempted to tell you guys earlier because we've been in this together but wasn't allowed to share the news.

OH HELL YEAHHHHHH I HOPE U CELEBRATE

 

[elle woods]

So happy to say that I accepted a TC offer right before Christmas 🥳🥳 A huge thanks to TCLA for the support over the last two years ❤️

NGL was so tempted to tell you guys earlier because we've been in this together but wasn't allowed to share the news.

congratulations ahhh!!! well done! that must've been the best christmas gift ever!!!

ohh does the firm ban you from announcing early? So so happy for you! Go flourish as a trainee!!

 

[radssss]

I personally skipped all the round diagram questions as I could not answer them in the practice test and was being strategic. I still made it to the interview so you never know !

I’m sorry I’m bothering you but just to check after how many days post test did you hear back?

 

[radssss]

This might be a dumb question but do you guys mention open days and insight evenings in the work experience section?? I was just attending an event and grad rec advised against doing that which seems a bit weird.

To be honest, I incorporate it in my answers or fill it up if there is a separate section asking about it (such as wfw does). I don’t include it as work experience as Grad rec (silver circle firm) also advised against it.

 

[LaDiva]

Just a general question - after online tests, why on the feedback reports they tend to say that the results are not indications of outcome? surely they will use the assessment results when making their decision to progress or not?

 

[jamsparkle]

Just a general question - after online tests, why on the feedback reports they tend to say that the results are not indications of outcome? surely they will use the assessment results when making their decision to progress or not?

yeah they'll use the info but

a) you don't know how they've used it/what metrics they're looking for - is this the sole determinant for the next stage? do they take it into account with other information? is it just for monitoring purposes - do they want to give offers using other information and then see what links the candidates they've happened to pick through other means?
b) it's not an indication of outcome - even if you could perfectly predict whether you should succeed with your feedback, the indication of outcome would only come when they've explicitly told you if you've progressed or not

and the reports often give you info about your relative performance over different characteristics - just because your, say, teamwork skill was lower than communication and critical thinking, doesn't mean that you scored an objectively low mark in teamwork. you might've scored exceptionally highly on every other metric and one point lower in teamwork, whereas someone else might've had teamwork as one of their 'strengths' even if they had an average score for teamwork and a really low score for everything else

 

[confusedbird]

congratulations ahhh!!! well done! that must've been the best christmas gift ever!!!

ohh does the firm ban you from announcing early? So so happy for you! Go flourish as a trainee!!

ah thank you!!

yes, they only allow you to share the news (including with people at the firm) once you've gotten the go ahead after everyone else has been informed of their outcome. I had to wait till Monday evening to cancel an AC which was scheduled for today 😬

 

[ilikelaw]

Sorry guys kinda random but I'm currently looking at W&C's deals and I must say I'm really impressed by the firm's dedication to escalators.

wait youre right 😭 😭

 

[shadowboxer909]

I mean what's the point of the vacation scheme if everyone gets the TC?

If everyone got the TC it would be a big waste of time and money to throw on the VS, since vac schemers really don't get much valuable training or work done on the scheme itself. The benefit of advertising to prospective candidates is marginal since there are so many candidates to choose from anyways.

MC firms have started to realise that and slowly reduced the conversion rates on vac schemes as a result.

So what's the point of a vacation scheme?

Why make people go through it just for the chance of a training contract?

Many firms don't let you apply directly for a training contract.

 

[LaDiva]

For those who completed AG online test, how long before you heard back?

 

[kukubird]

Does anyone know if the cleary test is recorded i’m tempted to do it from my bed.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Got a PFO twice from DLA Piper. Why so aggressive

 

[flamingocelot]

Another day of a silent inbox is torture omg😭 I guess I keep telling myself no news is good news but if I’m going to be PFO’d I’d rather just get it over with 🫶

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

I mean what's the point of the vacation scheme if everyone gets the TC?

If everyone got the TC it would be a big waste of time and money to throw on the VS, since vac schemers really don't get much valuable training or work done on the scheme itself. The benefit of advertising to prospective candidates is marginal since there are so many candidates to choose from anyways.

MC firms have started to realise that and slowly reduced the conversion rates on vac schemes as a result.

Remember vacation schemes serve as a two-way system. Many candidates won’t have legal work experience. In theory, one could complete a vacation scheme, hate the work/culture, and choose not to pursue the career. This is partly why the schemes exist.

For the average person, it’s incredibly difficult to secure even one vacation scheme. As such, I personally believe the conversion rate should be upwards of at least 80%.

You’ve put in all the work to pass the written application, pass the likely test, pass the potential VI, and then pass the AC(s). Numerous people (GR, associates, partners) prior to the VS have seen your ability, believed in you, and thought that you have what it takes.

On that basis, it is completely reasonable that most people on a VS should be offered the TC.

If you’ve made it onto a VS, then you have proven that you have what it takes to be a trainee. With this in mind, most feedback you receive after failing to convert a VS is arbitrary.

The issue is not to do with one’s ability. The issue is that some law firms unnecessarily and unreasonably take on too many vac schemers for no real gain of their own.

 

[Harvey Specter]

Got a PFO twice from DLA Piper. Why so aggressive

I had this happen to me but from Clifford Chance post WG for their Direct TC. They literally sent me 4 consecutive PFOs with “WATSON GLASER TEST FAILED: APPLICATION REJECTION” in full caps like bruh why so aggressive chill out wtf…

 

[JasmineM9]

Another day of a silent inbox is torture omg😭 I guess I keep telling myself no news is good news but if I’m going to be PFO’d I’d rather just get it over with 🫶

This is so meee, it got to the point that I am so anxious I turned into cooking, making homemade pizza tomorrow to ease the suffering. Cant go wrong with a pizza 🥹