2020-21 Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion

[SamTam99]

Congrats on the VI. When did you apply? I still haven't heard back post-app and its driving me crazy

Hey, thank you so much!! I applied on April 3rd and received the VI on July 30th I hope you hear back soon, the waiting game is awful

 

[FK7991]

Hi everyone,

Long-time lurker/admirer of the forums and how supportive you all are here.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of/advice on the Forsters AC that they’d be willing to share? 😊

I applied a couple of days before the deadline and received the invite to AC yesterday evening at c.6.30pm.

Thank you and hope you all have a lovely weekend! 🥰

 

[Deleted member 2707]

PFO from Stephenson Harwood, so if you haven't heard yet I'd take that as good news! Waiting on:

Arnold & Porter
Dorsey
Penningtons
Ince (but I've heard they've sent out interview invites so expecting my PFO any day now)

Sorry to hear that- best of luck with your later applications! If you don't mind me asking, was your PFO pre or post-WG test?

 

[Elle W]

I applied to Stephenson Harwood and received an 'online critical reasoning test' today! 2 questions on this:

1. Has anyone who applied to SH have any insight on what the test entails- I've browsed the website but haven't been able to glean much details. (Also, is it automatic?)
2. The deadline is within 48 hours- I have just taken my vaccine and feel quite whoozy. I've already emailed them this to let them know and perhaps ask for another deadline. However, I'm worried that they won't see my email until the deadline has passed, seeing as its the weekend. Should I just do the test in the meantime? @Jessica Booker or anyone with experience with Grad Rec, perhaps you could give some insight?

Hey, it’s a standard Watson glaser test and it’s not automatic

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Hey, it’s a standard Watson glaser test and it’s not automatic

Thank you so much for this! If you've done the WG, how did you find it compared to other firms?

 

[AW_08]

Have


Have you both received the WG yet?

No, nothing here either!

 

[IT7]

Received a call today from a partner and was informed that I got a TC at Slaughter and May!!

I feel super happy especially given that I was an international student and it was extremely difficult to get through the applications stage.

I applied for 2 cycles and after literally dozens of rejections only a few applications were successful. Anyway, what is important is only getting only one right and it's amazing to achieve something like this despite the odds.

Many thanks to the forum for a lot of advice that I was able to pick up here and also for motivational stories that kept my head high whenever I started doubting myself.

On to the TC adventure!

@Sabotage Massive congratulations on your TC! I am facing a similar situation currently, and was wondering if you could answer a few questions. I am a penultimate year international law student, having studied my LLB outside the UK, but a British citizen.

Which firms did you apply to that accepted your application as an international student? Or which you think did not place you at a disadvantage despite not having done a degree in the UK? Further, do you think the vacation scheme or TC process is more likely to result in an acceptance for international students?

Thank you so much!

 

[pbyrne]

Sorry to hear that- best of luck with your later applications! If you don't mind me asking, was your PFO pre or post-WG test?

Post app.

 

[Elle W]

Thank you so much for this! If you've done the WG, how did you find it compared to other firms?

I did it for the VS so was quite a while ago but from what I remember it was very similar!

 

[corplaw0702]

Anybody heard back from Goodwin?

 

[Deleted member 2707]

Post app.

Thank you!

I did it for the VS so was quite a while ago but from what I remember it was very similar!

Thank you for this- do you know anything about the benchmark/raw score needed etc.? So sorry for the influx of questions

 

[k.k]

Sorry to hear about that. When do you do the WG for HL please?

I did the WG yesterday and they replied within an hour

 

[Noodles52]

PFO from Harbottle, finally. Another ticked off the list with several more rejections to come considering the timelines and other peoples decisions on here.

 

[Noodles52]

Another question to ask regarding application questions.

I've a request to provide examples of when I have demonstrated attributes of ''always professional but ensuring that I'm friendly and approachable''. I feel that my answers for other questions are already so similar. I've used a mix of university and professional work examples, just unsure on this one as I'd like it to be as good as possible.

 

[John Travoni]

PFO from Harbottle, finally. Another ticked off the list with several more rejections to come considering the timelines and other peoples decisions on here.

Did you hear back yesterday?
I still haven’t heard back from them. I think they’ve completely forgotten about me tbf

 

[John Travoni]

Also guys, quick question to anyone who has received a TC. This is for a friend btw*
When accepting a TC, is it standard practice for the firm to ask to see your degree classification certificate?
Like how does the process go.

 

[Noodles52]

Did you hear back yesterday?
I still haven’t heard back from them. I think they’ve completely forgotten about me tbf

Technically yesterday, yes lol. I just received the generic email. I wouldn't be too panicked, they'll be sending out automated emails I reckon.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Also guys, quick question to anyone who has received a TC. This is for a friend btw*
When accepting a TC, is it standard practice for the firm to ask to see your degree classification certificate?
Like how does the process go.

Can be done at offer stage or might be done as part of the full verification process (eg full employment and academic checks). If part of the full process, that typically isn't done until 4-6 months before you start your TC, although some firms are doing it earliest ensure you do pass verification processes a bead of receiving funding for LPC/SQE

 

[dext92]

Did you hear back yesterday?
I still haven’t heard back from them. I think they’ve completely forgotten about me tbf

I'm in the same position, I'm still yet to hear back. Fingers crossed we find out our fate next week!

 

[JayC]

Can be done at offer stage or might be done as part of the full verification process (eg full employment and academic checks). If part of the full process, that typically isn't done until 4-6 months before you start your TC, although some firms are doing it earliest ensure you do pass verification processes a bead of receiving funding for LPC/SQE

How about contacting references and what would happen in the instance that a firm contacts your references and they don’t respond?