TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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 - Presiding Partner]

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…

 

[Bottega_Veneta]

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 🥹

 

[plsgivemetc]

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…

cc was so mean with that and then in their email said we will be able to reapply next year like... the audacity to shout the rejection at us and then add a 'you will be able to apply again'

 

[BealMcAlly]

Why do some firms take on so many vacation scheme candidates but only take on less than 50% of scheme candidates?

It's almost like you're so close but not quite there.

I personally think of a VS as part of the recruitment process and also a trial for you to see if X firm is the right fit for me. Otherwise, you won't really know what the firm is like aside from going to open days and engaging with them.

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 was at this event and I think they meant they want to only see volunteering, paid employment and significant roles where you developed tangible skills.

You can use open days and insight days in your motivational questions. If not for this firm, you can just put it in your why commercial law answer?

 

[Indigo71]

Got a PFO twice from DLA Piper. Why so aggressive

DLA hasn’t responded to me post WG since early December. Should I assume pfo?

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

Does anyone know how long Paul, Weiss too to get back to candidates for the winter vacation scheme?

 

[Afuturetrainee]

any insights on latham AC would be greatly appreciated this is my first AC ever so i'm really scared

Latham are giving out ACs 😮😮??

Wow congrats girl 🫡🫡🥰

 

[msclm]

Does anyone know how long Paul, Weiss too to get back to candidates for the winter vacation scheme?

I applied on the deadline and got an interview for the third week of October!

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Sorry has anyone heard back post App&SJT from White & Case Summer?

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

I applied on the deadline and got an interview for the third week of October!

Oh amazing, that's so helpful - thank you so much. And congratulations on getting an interview!!

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Just did the Mills & Reeve SJT and VI. It was an amberjack so thought they would be looking at Grit, Applied Intellect, Digital Mindset, Creative Force. Got the feedback report and realised they have their own 5 categories that they were testing. I was so focused on trying to score highly on the Grit, Applied Intellect, Digital Mindset, Creative Force that I scored poorly of their specific criteria 🥴 The feedback report doesn't measure in numbers as I expected. They provide a written summary of how you did on their criteria and based on the feedback, I didnt do well in any of the main ones apart from analysis and problem solving. I also scored high on numerical and verbal intellect. Considering I didn't do great in many of their criteria (Client focus and collaboration!!) I'm anticipating a PFO. Or who knows, maybe the VI will be so great that they let me pass...Sorry for the long paragraph but useful heads up for anyone planning on doing it.

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Thank you for sharing! I only scored excellent in one so I need to be realistic 🤣

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

Does anyone know a circumstance where they were offered a summer vacation scheme and were able to move it to a spring one instead? I know of the other way round but I haven't heard of this way being done