TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[hopefulforatc]

It won’t directly improve your chances of securing a TC, especially given it’s in a non law subject. I wouldn’t do the course to better your chances, but would do the course of its something you personally want to pursue.

Hi, does doing an LLM actually make a big difference. As in is it better to do a full-time job or an LLM, which one will make a bigger difference?

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Holding email from Ashurst noting their intention to contact with all candidates no later than Friday 31 May, extended from today.

what are you making of this? I'm cautiously optimistic that this means we might still have a shot because if not, why wouldn't they just blanket reject us?

 

[evianmineral]

what are you making of this? I'm cautiously optimistic that this means we might still have a shot because if not, why wouldn't they just blanket reject us?

I got same email but honestly think it's still PFO bc why would we not be in the initial rounds of invites for written assessments etc.

I'd love to be proven wrong though.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, does doing an LLM actually make a big difference. As in is it better to do a full-time job or an LLM, which one will make a bigger difference?

In most instances, no. A specialist LLM can help if you want to go into a specialist firm (eg Shipping / Human Rights) but for most commercial firms with broad practice areas, it’s not going to make a direct positive difference.

It can help if:

- you need more time to develop skills and knowledge, and you know you can make the most of your year studying

- you have weaker grades in your undergrad as it presents an opportunity to show academic excellence (assuming you perform well in the LLM)

But your recruiter will not be looking for an LLM, and therefore generally you should only do one for your own interests rather than in the hope it will help you secure a TC.

 

[studentgrad]

They won't be recruiting from the direct TC route this year. All TCs will go to vac scheme candidates.

May I ask: how do you know this? Did they announce this on their website?

 

[hopefulforatc]

In most instances, no. A specialist LLM can help if you want to go into a specialist firm (eg Shipping / Human Rights) but for most commercial firms with broad practice areas, it’s not going to make a direct positive difference.

It can help if:

- you need more time to develop skills and knowledge, and you know you can make the most of your year studying

- you have weaker grades in your undergrad as it presents an opportunity to show academic excellence (assuming you perform well in the LLM)

But your recruiter will not be looking for an LLM, and therefore generally you should only do one for your own interests rather than in the hope it will help you secure a TC.

Thank you!

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

May I ask: how do you know this? Did they announce this on their website?

Someone emailed them. And there is no option to apply for direct tc on their website.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

I got same email but honestly think it's still PFO bc why would we not be in the initial rounds of invites for written assessments etc.

I'd love to be proven wrong though.

I'm thinking maybe it's most likely a PFO but not 100% and the delay is because of a delay in marking some of the written exercises so far because they don't usually send PFOs until after they've rejected or progressed people who did the written AC and I have seen once before ACs go out on that day too.. thinking maybe they haven't marked all of the written exercises so far and so will wait to PFO us until they have in case they're shambolic and so decide to do some more ACs??

 

[bangarangbass39]

If it’s only two modules, then I don’t see any of the MC firms having an issue with this - possibly Slaughters as they have a tendency to focus on academic excellence, but even then I don’t think it would exclude you from them depending on the strength of the rest of your application.

Do law firms like Mishcon De Reya, Bakers and other city international firms which aren’t US/MC/SC care about this to the same level?

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Do law firms like Mishcon De Reya, Bakers and other city international firms which aren’t US/MC/SC care about this to the same level?

I can tell you about Bakers from personal experience. I have horrible A-levels and a lot of 40s and 50s (out of a 100) in my degree. I have also retaken a module at university again since I failed it first time but have got an overall first in my degree (which if I am being honest, is easy to get in my jurisdiction). I've applied to Bakers twice and have made past their app stage both times.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do law firms like Mishcon De Reya, Bakers and other city international firms which aren’t US/MC/SC care about this to the same level?

There is generally no difference in these things across types of firms.

Unless a firm is stressing the importance of academic excellence in their marketing materials a couple of lower modules are really not going to be a problem in the vast majority of instances. Yes, there will be some firms who do care more than others but that won’t be defined by the category of firm.

 

[RonRod13]

Sorry! When did you apply/do the test :/

Earlier this week, I think I got auto rejected because I wasn’t eligible since Ive still got one more year left of my part time MSc

 

[AS24]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

I hope you are well.

I am currently completing an application and one of their questions is asking to give details of any academic awards, prizes or scholarships obtained after leaving school and state the year obtained, does the term school include or exclude university? Can I write about a University scholarship?

 

[AS24]

I am feeling a bit stupid but is anyone having problems with completing the academic section of Withers application?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

I hope you are well.

I am currently completing an application and one of their questions is asking to give details of any academic awards, prizes or scholarships obtained after leaving school and state the year obtained, does the term school include or exclude university? Can I write about a University scholarship?

That will include university prizes/awards, so you can include the scholarship.

 

[evianmineral]

I'm thinking maybe it's most likely a PFO but not 100% and the delay is because of a delay in marking some of the written exercises so far because they don't usually send PFOs until after they've rejected or progressed people who did the written AC and I have seen once before ACs go out on that day too.. thinking maybe they haven't marked all of the written exercises so far and so will wait to PFO us until they have in case they're shambolic and so decide to do some more ACs??

yes agree, most likely PFO but they haven't done all rejections yet to hedge themselves if something shambolic happens with written ACs bc i did see someone on here get a PFO post written assessment and we still have nothing - but in these things i prefer to be cynical rather than optimistic as it's less sad when the PFO does come

 

[AS24]

That will include university prizes/awards, so you can include the scholarship.

Thank you, @Jessica Booker,

May I ask you if I can include reaching a first place in a national business competition?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you, @Jessica Booker,

May I ask you if I can include reaching a first place in a national business competition?

If achieved after you left school, then yes.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

yes agree, most likely PFO but they haven't done all rejections yet to hedge themselves if something shambolic happens with written ACs bc i did see someone on here get a PFO post written assessment and we still have nothing - but in these things i prefer to be cynical rather than optimistic as it's less sad when the PFO does come

The email specifically said that the delay was because they had so many applications this year but I'm not really buying that the reason we haven't heard is because they're still getting through them haha

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

How long does it take to receive the BCLP test?