TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[sunshine101]

Freshfields PFO - joining the boat! Can defo relate to a lot of people because I believe I really sold myself this time around !

 

[Sharon Wu]

Has anyone heard from Mayer Brown?
They closed at the end of March...

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Has anyone heard from Mayer Brown?
They closed at the end of March...

And claimed to be rolling 😂

 

[LillyandSilver]

Newbie here with two quick qs -

1. Whilst I am an incoming final year law student, I have zero legal work experience (e.g., vac schemes). Am I correct in understanding that I should exclusively be applying for VSs and that no firm would think me an appropriate candidate for direct TCs?

2. If I secure a winter vac scheme for firm A, is it worth me applying (after securing the VS) for firm B's TC?

Thank you. Whilst I'm pretty aware of the recruitment processes etc. I am still struggling to wrap my head around the various cycles and timeframes of qualification etc.

I was in a similar position to you going into my final year. During my third year, I applied for non-assessed vacation schemes and work experience, which are often a little less competitive and have a shorter application process. I guess you could do the same with assessed vacation schemes. I then on the back of the work experience applied to two direct training contracts (I made sure I chose firms which didn't do a vacation scheme) and it was pretty successful for a first cycle. Even just writing that I had upcoming work experience was enough to get an assessment day.

 

[Iwantatcpls]

Freshfields PFO...

To the remaining 6, please please please please please (I can't handle another app cycle 😪)

 

[Gday33]

Has anyone heard from Mayer Brown?
They closed at the end of March...

I emailed them for an update and they got back to me 09/07 to say I should expect an update in the next 2-3 weeks - another weekish to go (hopefully) 🤞🏻

 

[lawtc2026]

Has anyone done anything on Forage? Have you felt this helped your applications at all?

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Freshfields PFO...

To the remaining 6, please please please please please (I can't handle another app cycle 😪)

Ditto...also thought this was my best app.

 

[RonRod13]

How do you answer "what skills contribute to the success of a solicitor?" Do you also link this to yourself and talk about times that youve demonstrated those skills? Theres already a section asking me "Why should we offer you a Training Contract?" So i dont want to be repeating myself.

 

[BonanzaBih_]

Has anyone done anything on Forage? Have you felt this helped your applications at all?

I did one with Kennedys and I think it helped get me to the sjt stage

 

[Niall]

Has anyone heard from Mayer Brown?
They closed at the end of March...

some people got next stage today but not seen pfo's sent out yet

 

[A worried graduate]

London is definitely not for everyone and knowing what you want can save you a lot of time and stress. But, if you want to work in London it's possible - getting experience in a small city can be a great start before moving to London. Many law firms don't look at A level grades now and there are many trainees from non russell group universities at good law firms in London. BIUCAC is a great starting point for non russell group applicants looking at law. But the market is tough in London so you have to really want it and persevere through the process. I've seen many applicants at great law firms and in banking from non russell group uni's. I came from a russell group uni and my vac schemes at US and SC firm had non russell group students who were very impressive

I was actually referring to banking rather than law for that context

 

[Izzy1026]

Very confused by the Walker Morris question "What connections do you have to the Area"?? What area?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Very confused by the Walker Morris question "What connections do you have to the Area"?? What area?

They will mean the geographical area you are applying to. I am assuming you can apply to different office locations, and so they are probably trying to understand what is connecting you to that location specifically.

 

[Izzy1026]

They will mean the geographical area you are applying to. I am assuming you can apply to different office locations, and so they are probably trying to understand what is connecting you to that location specifically.

Got it thank you!

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

some people got next stage today but not seen pfo's sent out yet

From Mayer Brown? Did you get the next stage?

FML can't wait for another rejection... one that took 6 months to get

 

[Zaakir]

Any word from Sullivan post holding email?

 

[AS24]

Hi guys,

Is the Macfarlanes test a situational judgement test or it also includes a critical thinking element?

 

[Niall]

From Mayer Brown? Did you get the next stage?

FML can't wait for another rejection... one that took 6 months to get

mate in work got inv to next stage yeah but not seen pfo's sent yet

 

[Mads91837]

Anything from RPC post WG?