TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Maybe I'm just overthinking the entire application process because I've been looking at forms for months, but:
I do find some of these application stages a bit strange.

Like, how is a firm choosing who to interview based on a few 200-word application questions lol.

Especially when some of those questions are rather generic and ask about what skills a good solicitor has. Surely we're all saying similar things within reason anyway.

I can get behind pre-recorded interviews, and somewhat understand WG and SJ tests (as much as I despise them).
But, a few questions with a limited word count, and then straight to an interview?!? I can't get my head around it.

I think I just wish some firms were a bit more transparent with their shortlisting + what type of person / criteria they actually want.

200 words is such an absurdly tiny amount too. The one that really baffles me is Mayer Brown though which has no application questions or cover letter

 

[Jessica Booker]

Maybe I'm just overthinking the entire application process because I've been looking at forms for months, but:
I do find some of these application stages a bit strange.

Like, how is a firm choosing who to interview based on a few 200-word application questions lol.

Especially when some of those questions are rather generic and ask about what skills a good solicitor has. Surely we're all saying similar things within reason anyway.

I can get behind pre-recorded interviews, and somewhat understand WG and SJ tests (as much as I despise them).
But, a few questions with a limited word count, and then straight to an interview?!? I can't get my head around it.

I think I just wish some firms were a bit more transparent with their shortlisting + what type of person / criteria they actually want.

These things are always horses for courses.

For every person who hates a short application, another hates writing longer answers/statements. For everyone who likes a video interview, there is someone who despises them.

With applications, it’s rarely about the just the application questions though, they are looking at your academics, extra curriculars and work experience too.

I’d say it’s generally easy to make decisions on 80% of applications, and the remaining 20% are much more subtle reasons for why they have been unsuccessful over the next candidate. There are things they look for, but what that is can vary significantly from firm to firm. Although I would say many firms are actually providing this information in their marketing materials.

 

[Jessica Booker]

200 words is such an absurdly tiny amount too. The one that really baffles me is Mayer Brown though which has no application questions or cover letter

Try the Withers application! Theirs are only 60 words!

 

[EzeLaylor]

for w&c direct tc, is there a separate partner presentation after the ac or does that happen on the same day?

Are you through to the AC - following both the VI and TI ?!?

 

[Donuttime]

Are you through to the AC, following both the VI and TI then?

Does White and Case require both Vi and Ti? Or is that just for their TC ?

 

[EzeLaylor]

Does White and Case require both Vi and Ti? Or is that just for their TC ?

Just for TC I think

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Are you through to the AC - following both the VI and TI ?!?

no no i havent heard after the app stage, i was just asking because it was confusing..

 

[EzeLaylor]

no no i havent heard after the app stage, i was just asking because it was confusing..

Oh okay - Yes the TC is a very different process from the vac scheme one with so many different aspects.

Hopefully you hear back soon.

 

[lawyerdreams]

what are the strict requirements at degree level at PH? Just a 2.1 no?

From PH's website: "We are looking for individuals with distinguished academic credentials. We expect candidates to have high level of achievement both at A Level (or equivalent) and degree level. This would normally mean an upper second or first class degree and a majority of A grades at A Level."

 

[A worried graduate]

Maybe I'm just overthinking the entire application process because I've been looking at forms for months, but:
I do find some of these application stages a bit strange.

Like, how is a firm choosing who to interview based on a few 200-word application questions lol.

Especially when some of those questions are rather generic and ask about what skills a good solicitor has. Surely we're all saying similar things within reason anyway.

I can get behind pre-recorded interviews, and somewhat understand WG and SJ tests (as much as I despise them).
But, a few questions with a limited word count, and then straight to an interview?!? I can't get my head around it.

I think I just wish some firms were a bit more transparent with their shortlisting + what type of person / criteria they actually want.

It’s often the cv/experiences too

 

[A worried graduate]

Hogan Lovells, Paul Hastings, Stephenson Hardwood

Any 2026 TC's coming up that don't have AAB requirements

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Paul Hastings don't contact you if you're unsuccessful, anyone know if they at least give you a deadline that you hear by if you are successful like Greenberg Traurig do?

 

[MaheeVohra]

Has anyone given the Dentons online assessment yet?

 

[MaheeVohra]

Has anyone given the Dentons online assessment yet?

@CT and @Seville123 if you don’t mind, could you please share some insight on it? How many questions and what kind?

 

[Lawstudentlookingforjob]

Is anyone here an international student who took a graduate visa to apply for TC/VS? Weighing between this and self-funding the SQE, but the term times for the SQE prep course does not allow me to do vac schemes. Also would appreciate your thoughts on whether taking a year off to apply might be viewed negatively by Grad Recs @Jessica Booker.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is anyone here an international student who took a graduate visa to apply for TC/VS? Weighing between this and self-funding the SQE, but the term times for the SQE prep course does not allow me to do vac schemes. Also would appreciate your thoughts on whether taking a year off to apply might be viewed negatively by Grad Recs @Jessica Booker.

Do you mean the post study visa? If so, it is very common for international candidates to stay in the U.K. on this visa and work/study whilst still pursuing a TC. It would not be an issue for most firms who sponsor visas and may only be an issue for firms who look for people to do their TC on this visa.

 

[Lawstudentlookingforjob]

Do you mean the post study visa? If so, it is very common for international candidates to stay in the U.K. on this visa and work/study whilst still pursuing a TC. It would not be an issue for most firms who sponsor visas and may only be an issue for firms who look for people to do their TC on this visa.

Thanks for the reply! @Jessica Booker Yes, this is the 2 year visa after graduating this summer. I have a decent amount of legal and non-legal experiences (but not vac schemes), but was afraid that a gap year of not studying/working would be viewed negatively by Grad Recs. I am also unsure if paralegal/graduate law opportunities are feasible without the SQE. Do you think it is necessary to fill in the year instead with the SQE prep course, and apply directly to TCs since I have the requisite experiences anyways? The prep course also sponsors a T4 visa, so I won't need to use it to study.

 

[tobywstress]

For PH's question of 'why do you wish to be a solicitor', can I specify which type of solicitor i.e. corporate commercial or just general solicitor?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks for the reply! @Jessica Booker Yes, this is the 2 year visa after graduating this summer. I have a decent amount of legal and non-legal experiences (but not vac schemes), but was afraid that a gap year of not studying/working would be viewed negatively by Grad Recs. I am also unsure if paralegal/graduate law opportunities are feasible without the SQE. Do you think it is necessary to fill in the year instead with the SQE prep course, and apply directly to TCs since I have the requisite experiences anyways? The prep course also sponsors a T4 visa, so I won't need to use it to study.

If you didn’t do anything in that year, it would be a bit of a red flag but as long as you are doing some form of work or self-development in that year (even if it is something like travelling), that is fine.

It doesn’t have to be an SQE prep course, but that could also be something to consider doing in the year if you don’t have any other plans.

 

[Jmk]

Is anyone here an international student who took a graduate visa to apply for TC/VS? Weighing between this and self-funding the SQE, but the term times for the SQE prep course does not allow me to do vac schemes. Also would appreciate your thoughts on whether taking a year off to apply might be viewed negatively by Grad Recs @Jessica Booker.

If you can, I would take a year off. I worked for a year but couldnt do vac schemes because of my contract and conflict and I didn't have time to apply because my job was intense. So I made a risky decision and quit in September last year, took the year off (worked part time for a few months), got two vac schemes and through to several ACs this application season. I did a winter vac scheme started working part time as a paralegal in March until June then did a summer vac scheme. This way I dont have huge gaps in my cv. Part time jobs are helpful because you can focus half of your time on apps/networking/ACs but also not be idle in terms of your CV