TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[futureTS2025hopeful]

any news from a&o for those who applied close to the deadline? thx

@Strugglinglawstudent

 

[futureTS2025hopeful]

Did you hear back strugglinglawstudent? If so was it invite to AC?

 

[bibss]

A&O direct TC PFO!! Email only came through now, but was apparently rejected on 21/12 🥲

 

[-as-above-so-below-]

Hello everyone! I was wondering if it is appropriate to name drop someone in a cover letter/firm application? In particular, I've had the opportunity to meet and talk to a partner who is working in an area that I am strongly interested into, and whose journal article I used in my dissertation. Overall we had a great conversation and I was obviously very enthusiastic about it but I am scared of mentioning his name and more inclined to use 'a partner'.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello everyone! I was wondering if it is appropriate to name drop someone in a cover letter/firm application? In particular, I've had the opportunity to meet and talk to a partner who is working in an area that I am strongly interested into, and whose journal article I used in my dissertation. Overall we had a great conversation and I was obviously very enthusiastic about it but I am scared of mentioning his name and more inclined to use 'a partner'.

The name-dropping here is fine because its actually quite specific (e.g. the link to your dissertation and your interest in the subject). The interesting part is actually that, rather than the partner's name, but it just makes sense to include the partners name given the specific aspects of it.

 

[mkap]

I am a bit confused how to interpret the following question:
Please outline the reasons why you wish to pursue a career in commercial law at Osborne Clarke.

I was wondering would I need to talk about my motivations for pursuing a career in commercial law first then discuss why I chose Osborne Clarke.

 

[-as-above-so-below-]

The name-dropping here is fine because its actually quite specific (e.g. the link to your dissertation and your interest in the subject). The interesting part is actually that, rather than the partner's name, but it just makes sense to include the partners name given the specific aspects of it.

Thank you so much!

 

[sdsou]

Hello, could someone please clarify the best way to write out education in Freshfields' application form? Should it be chronological (starting with senior secondary) or reverse chronological (most to least recent)? The form itself just states "Education 1", "Education 2", etc and the guidance on the form is as follows: "Please check / enter your education details, ensuring to include your secondary / higher education"

Would greatly appreciate any guidance, thank you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello, could someone please clarify the best way to write out education in Freshfields' application form? Should it be chronological (starting with senior secondary) or reverse chronological (most to least recent)? The form itself just states "Education 1", "Education 2", etc and the guidance on the form is as follows: "Please check / enter your education details, ensuring to include your secondary / higher education"

Would greatly appreciate any guidance, thank you!

I don’t think it really matters as long as it’s in an order and not mixed up. I think you could argue that either chronological or reverse chronological are appropriate.

I’d probably lead with the strongest - for instance, my A-levels are pretty average but my degree results are strong, so I’d probably lead with that first and go backwards. That might not make sense for someone who hasn’t completed their degree though.

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

For the Freshfields cover letter/personal statement, is it ok to break it up using sub-headings? eg. Why Law, Why Freshfields etc
@Jessica Booker

 

[Jessica Booker]

For the Freshfields cover letter/personal statement, is it ok to break it up using sub-headings? eg. Why Law, Why Freshfields etc
@Jessica Booker

You can break it up, but I often find the subheadings aren’t really needed as signposting. Include them and then critically evaluate your writing and consider whether they add anything to your statement or whether the sections are pretty obvious anyway without them.

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

You can break it up, but I often find the subheadings aren’t really needed as signposting. Include them and then critically evaluate your writing and consider whether they add anything to your statement or whether the sections are pretty obvious anyway without them.

Thank you

 

[LawIsInTheAir]

Is there anybody who still hasn't heard back from CC for TC? This is a bit weird, considering they were supposed to email the outcome by the 23rd of December

 

[hopefullawyer123]

I applied on Sunday and am also still waiting for an invite, though I had been wondering the same thing~

Hi Rina, is this still the case?

 

[Rina]

Hi Rina, is this still the case?

Yes, I haven't heard anything yet!

 

[hopefullawyer123]

Yes, I haven't heard anything yet!

Same! Please do let me know when you do hear back if you can, I’ll do the same

 

[AmakaWrites]

Is there anybody who still hasn't heard back from CC for TC? This is a bit weird, considering they were supposed to email the outcome by the 23rd of December

Check your junk because a lot of us on here got emails on the 20th with yes, no, and maybes.

 

[LawIsInTheAir]

Check your junk because a lot of us on here got emails on the 20th with yes, no, and maybes.

I checked, there’s nothing anywhere, and no reply from Grad Rec…

 

[traineesolicitor123]

Hi @Jessica Booker ,

Freshfields has a section for a "Brief Summary of prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility". Can this be in bullet points, or should it be in prose? And does each prize/position of responsibility have to be explained, or just mentioned?

Also, should I only add achievements here that are not mentioned anywhere else in the application? Or can certain achievements be repeated if they are important?

Finally, what type of achievements should be included within this section? Would moots and debates fall within the ambit of "prizes"? Or is it restricted to academic prizes?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker ,

Freshfields has a section for a "Brief Summary of prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility". Can this be in bullet points, or should it be in prose? And does each prize/position of responsibility have to be explained, or just mentioned?

Also, should I only add achievements here that are not mentioned anywhere else in the application? Or can certain achievements be repeated if they are important?

Finally, what type of achievements should be included within this section? Would moots and debates fall within the ambit of "prizes"? Or is it restricted to academic prizes?

I would write in short sentences - I wouldn't bullet point it, but you can afford to be super concise.

I would explain things where it needs to be explained - for instance, you can't assume your reader understands the prize name unless the name itself makes it obvious.

If you only have a short amount of words (think it's 100-150 from memory), then you may need to be selective in what you include. Therefore repeating detail from other sections might be a waste. It really depends on what you put in this section.

Any achievements can be put in here though - they don't need to be academic.