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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Yup I’m still waiting for Reed Smith. I sent my app early hours on the deadline but I’m gna assume it’s a PFO now. 
I applied on the deadline, same as I did last year and still progressed to the second stage, so I'm hoping for some good news this year too!
Does anyone know if Baker McKenzie recruit
trainees primarily from the VS or is it split equally with DTC applicants?
Also has anyone got an understanding of the conversion rates for their VS?
trainees primarily from the VS or is it split equally with DTC applicants?
Also has anyone got an understanding of the conversion rates for their VS?
VS. Last 2 years around 15 of their 40 trainees were from DTCs.
Baker McKenzie offered 40 TCs last round. They have 30 spots on both spring and summer vacation schemes. I assume that it’s probably 1/2 people on the vac scheme get a return offer and 10 people are offered direct TCs. Bare in mind this is just an estimate on my part, I may be wrong.
Thank you both!!
Looks like I’ll be locking in and making sure this application gets finished.
you know you've been engaging with the commercial law world way too much when you start writing Macfarlane(s) instead of McFarlane (family law)...sigh time to go back and change my notes
...I didn't even apply to Macfarlanes
@Bread at this stage in the process, references aren’t really contacted. The majority of your application form is actually used as a data capture form that feeds into HR for future hires, ROI analysis, and DEI information.
It’s common to actually go through the entire process until offer of VS or TC without having any background checks - and even then - a third party screener will be in touch to conduct these.
As for your references in particular, I’m sure at that time, the firm or third party will be in touch to see if they’re still accurate/your top choices - so I wouldn’t worry about who you’ve selected too much at this stage.
It is encouraged to choose one of each, but that can be a discussion closer to the time e.g. you don’t want your current company to know that you’re applying elsewhere.
Latham & Watkins Summer Vac Scheme AC. Applied day before the deadline. ACs seem to be held throughout all of Jan - didn't see anything available for Feb onwards.
Hey @Ronaldo04
This question is a great way of seeing what you’ve done outside the world of law which you can relate to your career - so we need to focus on aligning any key takeaways or skill development on what it means to be a solicitor in this field.
For 300 words, I would break this down into two paragraphs (one of interests and activities - having an activity lead off an interest; and another for any positions of responsibility)
When deciding which to use, think about what you can articulate that you’ve done in those situations e.g. if you were part of a society, can you articulate how this contributed to your teamwork capabilities.
Once you’ve decided on which examples to choose, make sure that you’ve then linked each answer back to the role in particular e.g. most legal work is treated as a project, so you’ll play a particular role within a wider team, and would need to manage expectations, communicate with others, delegate, etc.
Same! I don’t know whether to tell myself it’s a PFO given they’re handing out ACs for summer vac scheme
Ive only heard of summer ACs being handed out so far. But im not sure as to why they would do Summer vac schem before spring, seems counterintuitive.
Same, I haven't seen any spring ACs, what's going on
maybe spring is full with the people who got fast-tracked Similar threads
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