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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
50% seems too high to me. It's going to be easier to pick a good candidate over a week of doing actual work than just via a few interviews.
I guess there is diminishing returns, but I think 1 in 3 is more reasonable.
Plus I guess if you are paying 25% fees to recruitment consultants, then paying a few VI candidates £500 or £1000 is peanuts in comparison. (obviously costs to the firm in having to meet all these people.)
It will take me that long to read the question 😂 😭
I disagree with this. I think the conversion rates should be relatively high since they have thoroughly vetted candidates through a generally extensive recruitment process. All of that just for a week or two of work experience is not attractive and personally I would end up just applying for a direct TC.
I think the offer of a TC should be available to every candidate if they perform well, not based on a limited quota.
I had a peer who completed the Freshfields Vac scheme last year, received great feedback and no negatives, but she didn’t receive the TC because of their target quota.
I think firms like A&O Shearman have the right idea.
And they are not short as "tell me a time..." They are actually long questions
Please PM me if you've done a Baker McKenzie AC before! I would extremely appreciate any advice this wonderful community can give!
Sorry for my ignorance, but what 'target quota' were they looking for??? I also heard this from a friend who got a TC at FF last year and shared the same sentiments
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 would love to know why they advised against that does seem odd. I think specifically for work experience sections they probably want you to talk about the most relevant experience (ie anything where you had responsibility). Usually I just include open days/insight events in a list on my CV / or on some applications there will be a space specifically asking... hope this helps
I'm surprised by that. I have always been told by different grad rec teams to include them in the WEX section unless there is a designated section for open days/firm events etc.
I’m not sure on the situation with all firms but with FF in particular they have an extremely low conversion rate from their vacation schemes (I think around 6 people got a TC last year from both cohorts).
I was told they over hired previously so had less spaces, but my uni had an event with grad rec so I asked them directly. Essentially, the lady laughed because she knew the question was controversial. She said that they tend to give out 6/7 TCs total to vac schemers and didn’t particularly give a reason as to why.
Instantly regretted applying to the vac scheme over a direct TC after that (had just finished stage 2 that same day 😐).
Usually grad rec mentions to bunch them together as one entry rather than flooding the Work experience section with separate entries of insight/open days. I've progressed to AC with several firms by including them. Which firm advised you this?
I agree, it’s never really made sense to me that some firms take in huge numbers for their vac schemes but then have such low conversion rates..
That’s probs just that particular firm being stuffy about the work experience. I’ve included all of the insight events I’ve attended (listing them all under a single entry) and have progressed past the app stage with several US firms (Skadden, Akin, Willkie and Gibson Dunn).
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,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
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
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.
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