TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[c.t.tc]

I didn't question anything on that, as you can only apply to one and I am choosing the AI internship 🙈

No worries! Was just wondering

 

[silonthesofa]

When I met them this week, they said they'll make decisions only around the deadline, as this is new and they're evaluating the kind of applications and interests people display.

Thay said, they're offering around 8 seats for this!

Did they by any chance indicate if this leads to potentially receiving a training contract? I've been meaning to get in touch with them about it because it's not immediately clear if it's just an AI themed vacation scheme with the intention of leading to a standard type of training contract or if it potentially leads to some other kind of job route that does not necessarily follow the SQE route.

 

[c.t.tc]

The way certain firms manage recruitment makes me wonder how dare they think I’m not good enough for them 😂😂

I personally love a good typo in an APPLICATION FORM when god knows a typo from us would get the whole application binned

 

[aspringlawyer25]

Cleary PFO. Lol, 6 PFOs already this cycle- Covington WVS, Willkie, Latham Open day, Ashurst WVS, A&OS WVS, Cleary

 

[lawyersum]

The way certain firms manage recruitment makes me wonder how dare they think I’m not good enough for them 😂😂

I personally love a good typo in an APPLICATION FORM when god knows a typo from us would get the whole application binned

I know right😂😂Another incident - I was at a law fair and asked one member of a grad rec team about a certain question on an application form and she said she didn’t know what the questions were and couldn’t help😭😭You have one job!!!!

 

[Lawlawland]

Did they by any chance indicate if this leads to potentially receiving a training contract? I've been meaning to get in touch with them about it because it's not immediately clear if it's just an AI themed vacation scheme with the intention of leading to a standard type of training contract or if it potentially leads to some other kind of job route that does not necessarily follow the SQE route.

Yes, they have 3 potential paths, given we perform really well:
1. If we wanna continue in the legal tech space, they'll note us as priority when a role opena up and reach out and hire us directly.
2. If we wanna take the solicitor path, and if we wanna do a vac scheme for exposure, or if they think they wanna know us better before offering a trainee contract , they'll send us to the Vacation scheme AC, where we meet other direct applicants in the pool, same process.
3. Highly unlikely, but if they're satisfied with our work, they'll put us on a direct trainee contract assessment centre (where we again have to meet the people in the pool).

Long story short, this would not be a short cut to VS/TC, and you still have to get through another assessment centre and filtering, despite the 2 week internship.

 

[llblawstudent]

When I met them this week, they said they'll make decisions only around the deadline, as this is new and they're evaluating the kind of applications and interests people display.

Thay said, they're offering around 8 seats for this!

Did they give any indication as to whether the process was the same as the usual vac schemes? Eg AC after tests?

 

[Suii]

Fieldfisher pfo post test. The most annoying test I have ever done. They have a diversity scheme but their test is the opposite like 1 second to click on 2 options.

 

[silonthesofa]

Yes, they have 3 potential paths, given we perform really well:
1. If we wanna continue in the legal tech space, they'll note us as priority when a role opena up and reach out and hire us directly.
2. If we wanna take the solicitor path, and if we wanna do a vac scheme for exposure, or if they think they wanna know us better before offering a trainee contract , they'll send us to the Vacation scheme AC, where we meet other direct applicants in the pool, same process.
3. Highly unlikely, but if they're satisfied with our work, they'll put us on a direct trainee contract assessment centre (where we again have to meet the people in the pool).

Long story short, this would not be a short cut to VS/TC, and you still have to get through another assessment centre and filtering, despite the 2 week internship.

Thank you so much for the reply! That's really helpful. Although I have to say, I don't really see the point then of doing it... not sure about the idea of a direct TC assessment centre either given that they don't accept applications for direct TCs, so surely they don't make their vac schemers then go through an additional assessment centre after having been there for a couple of weeks...

I kind of get the feeling they haven't figured out yet what they want to do with this exactly.

 

[Mikeross750]

Fieldfisher pfo post test. The most annoying test I have ever done. They have a diversity scheme but their test is the opposite like 1 second to click on 2 options.

Is this for the Pathways to Practice? Could you please say when you submitted your application and how long it took for you to get an invite for the test?

 

[Lawlawland]

Did they give any indication as to whether the process was the same as the usual vac schemes? Eg AC after tests?

They're figuring out ig, coz I got two different inputs regarding this.

One said there might be an interview with grad team and the tech team. One wasn't sure if they have any...

That said, I don't think this is anyway easy as they made it clear the benchmark for AI internship is the same as the benchmark for Vac Scheme AC invites. So similar kind of applications standard and test quality one have to maintain for both.

 

[Lawlawland]

Thank you so much for the reply! That's really helpful. Although I have to say, I don't really see the point then of doing it... not sure about the idea of a direct TC assessment centre either given that they don't accept applications for direct TCs, so surely they don't make their vac schemers then go through an additional assessment centre after having been there for a couple of weeks...

I kind of get the feeling they haven't figured out yet what they want to do with this exactly.

Yes, they told the same tbh.

While they're rolling out ACs for Vac Schemes, they're planning to wait till the deadline for AI internship closes to make any decisions for this. That said they're taking step cautiously.

While my friend who applied for the AI one got rejected in a few days itself, if they're yet to reply you, that means you're on wait list, which isn't a bad thing. They told me they'll confirm the details by the end of December ideally (deadline is December 15).

That said, I'm interested in this because I studied AI Law. I wouldn't necessarily take this path if I am not particularly interested or aware of what this could be, as this seems kinda complicated compared to the usual route.

 

[YS391]

It was high for both and 7/9 for applied intellect and 9/9 for digital mindset so I’m happy with the rest 😭

I still think that's a pretty decent score compared to other ppl.

Especially considering I found the SJT Qs in the Reed Smith test this year way harder than the last two years. Did u also find the SJT test Qs hard ?

 

[yasmars]

Yes, they have 3 potential paths, given we perform really well:
1. If we wanna continue in the legal tech space, they'll note us as priority when a role opena up and reach out and hire us directly.
2. If we wanna take the solicitor path, and if we wanna do a vac scheme for exposure, or if they think they wanna know us better before offering a trainee contract , they'll send us to the Vacation scheme AC, where we meet other direct applicants in the pool, same process.
3. Highly unlikely, but if they're satisfied with our work, they'll put us on a direct trainee contract assessment centre (where we again have to meet the people in the pool).

Long story short, this would not be a short cut to VS/TC, and you still have to get through another assessment centre and filtering, despite the 2 week internship.

Simmons have a direct TC process?

 

[Lawlawland]

Simmons have a direct TC process?

Nope, but being exceptionally good at the AI internship might get you a direct TC assessment is what I was told, which was pretty confusing for me too!

 

[Harvey Specter]

Hogan Lovells Job Sim (second stage) test invite! I can’t believe I actually passed a test that contains SJT and WG questions! 😂​

 

[abc124]

I still think that's a pretty decent score compared to other ppl.

Especially considering I found the SJT Qs in the Reed Smith test this year way harder than the last two years. Did u also find the SJT test Qs hard ?

Yes! I have completed amberjack tests before (not with Reed Smith though) and have always got better scores. I thought a lot of the answers were quite plausible. Hope your assessment went well!

 

[msclm]

If anyone has done a vac scheme (particularly with a US firm), could you pls share any tips to do well? Would LOVE to convert 😭

 

[aliiiisonxooox]

If Dentons virtual interview is u have 2 mins for each q to record urself and submit ur answer but its untimed like u can prepare as much as u want before am I allowed to look q up and prepare before i hit record? I’m so confused i never did a virtual interview before?? 😭

Thx

 

[vweewcvew]

Would it be fine to apply for a VS before attending the firm's open day? The application questions aren't motivation based.