TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[RaniaH062002]

I'm applying to Baker McKenzie right now- I feel like I don't have a magnitude of experience in terms of attending their open days, insight events etc.. I've never been accepted to do a vacation scheme in another firm, does anyone have any advice for how to approach adding additional work experience if I don't have a plethora of it?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I am in final year and received my grades from semester 1 a month ago. One of them is a 2:2. I have two other grades that are 2:2, one each from first and second year. Do you think this is going to impact my chances at getting a TC?

I am an international student and very distressed about this. Would be very grateful if you could provide any insight.

No - this will not necessarily impact your chances of securing a TC, especially if you are able to get strong grades throughout the rest of this year.

 

[Tintin06]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I am in final year and received my grades from semester 1 a month ago. One of them is a 2:2. I have two other grades that are 2:2, one each from first and second year. Do you think this is going to impact my chances at getting a TC?

I am an international student and very distressed about this. Would be very grateful if you could provide any insight.

I got 62.5% with multiple 2.2s. I’ve got Ropes, Travers VSs since. Plus Jones Day, Latham, W&C ACs. I don’t think it’s fatal, honestly. Focus on what you can control. Namely, how you sell your experience. Experience plus motivation counts far more.

 

[TC129129]

Does anyone have any advice for Greenberg Traurig Written task

 

[👩🎓]

Does anyone know when HFW start ACs for direct TCs?

 

[mandamasochist]

Evening all (and @Jessica Booker!),

I'm just doing the Farrer & Co direct TC application, and realise that in addition to a 350 word cover letter, the firm asks for answers to 5 different questions, each 250 words:
- What makes Farrer & Co stand out to you compared to other firms and why?
- What skills have you developed which are transferable to a career as a solicitor?
- How do you fill your time outside of work and studying and why?
- What positions of responsibilities have you held and what skills have you developed as a result?
- Tell me about a situation where you worked effectively with others in a team. What was your role and what responsibilities did you have?

My question is this one: what on earth should I put in my cover letter other than 'why law'? It seems that these questions are extremely comprehensive and cover motivations for applying, skills, extra-curriculars, leadership positions and teamwork (all things one might include in a cover letter). Do you think the cover letter should exclusively be used to discuss the 'why law' question?

 

[x_lauren112]

Does anyone know which firms allow TC applications after a failed vac scheme application in the same cycle? For example, I believe from Farrer &Cos rejection email that they allow another application?

 

[Tintin06]

Does anyone know which firms allow TC applications after a failed vac scheme application in the same cycle? For example, I believe from Farrer &Cos rejection email that they allow another application?

Morgan Lewis and W&C for starters. Not sure about other firms though. Depends how far the app got.

 

[abbiewhitlock03]

Evening all (and @Jessica Booker!),

I'm just doing the Farrer & Co direct TC application, and realise that in addition to a 350 word cover letter, the firm asks for answers to 5 different questions, each 250 words:
- What makes Farrer & Co stand out to you compared to other firms and why?
- What skills have you developed which are transferable to a career as a solicitor?
- How do you fill your time outside of work and studying and why?
- What positions of responsibilities have you held and what skills have you developed as a result?
- Tell me about a situation where you worked effectively with others in a team. What was your role and what responsibilities did you have?

My question is this one: what on earth should I put in my cover letter other than 'why law'? It seems that these questions are extremely comprehensive and cover motivations for applying, skills, extra-curriculars, leadership positions and teamwork (all things one might include in a cover letter). Do you think the cover letter should exclusively be used to discuss the 'why law' question?

Hey, I'm not Jessica Booker, but I got offered a place on the Farrer & Co vacation scheme (+ am currently applying for the DTC), and I thought I could just share what I put on my cover letter.

I split my cover letter into - 'Why I'm pursuing a career as a solicitor, why I am particularly interested in Farrer & Co, and why I am drawn to the work they do".

I guess because the cover letter was only 350 and I answered the three elements, I only wrote a few sentences on each point and then I could talk about similar points in a bit more detail in the other questions. My 'why law/solicitor' was definitely the biggest portion of my cover letter. For example, 'Why I am interested in Farrer & Co' is quite similar to 'What makes Farrer & Co stand out', but I was able to expand more in the latter question on my reasonings and why it stood out to me compared to its competitors.

I'm no expert, but hopefully this'll provide some pointers! Best of luck with your application

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

Starting this direct TC application journey after 3 rejections post interviews (2 at US law firms ffs😭) like "sigh, let me have it, how worse can it get". That said, does anyone have tips on how to approach Pennington Manches Cooper's cover letter?

 

[abbiewhitlock03]

Does anyone know which firms allow TC applications after a failed vac scheme application in the same cycle? For example, I believe from Farrer &Cos rejection email that they allow another application?

Just to agree with you that at an open day Farrer & Co said that they do allow a DTC app if you got rejected from the VS - they had a trainee there that had got their TC that way.

I’m afraid I don’t know any others off the top of my head tho!

 

[mandamasochist]

Hey, I'm not Jessica Booker, but I got offered a place on the Farrer & Co vacation scheme (+ am currently applying for the DTC), and I thought I could just share what I put on my cover letter.

I split my cover letter into - 'Why I'm pursuing a career as a solicitor, why I am particularly interested in Farrer & Co, and why I am drawn to the work they do".

I guess because the cover letter was only 350 and I answered the three elements, I only wrote a few sentences on each point and then I could talk about similar points in a bit more detail in the other questions. My 'why law/solicitor' was definitely the biggest portion of my cover letter. For example, 'Why I am interested in Farrer & Co' is quite similar to 'What makes Farrer & Co stand out', but I was able to expand more in the latter question on my reasonings and why it stood out to me compared to its competitors.

I'm no expert, but hopefully this'll provide some pointers! Best of luck with your application

Very helpful, thanks. I’ll probably do something similar in that case!

 

[yueyueer]

Hi all, I’m looking to submit my Ashurst application soon, but am also looking to start a new paralegal role either tomorrow or on Thursday. I was just wondering how I would approach this on the work experience section as I haven’t started the role yet?

 

[RaniaH062002]

For my Baker and McKenzie application i've got a question on Discuss a topic that you are passionate about. How did you become interested in it, and how has it influenced your personal or professional life. (300 words max) *
Is it okay to take a more abstract approach to this question? I'm Muslim and I wanted to talk about how I wanted to break Islamic stereotypes which I did through spreading awareness in debate societies and joining the Islamic society at my university.
or should I take a more direct approach and perhaps discuss extra-curricular activities such as my interest in swimming?

 

[Legallywhatever]

Is 2 months ahead of the deadline too early to send in a DTC application to a non-rolling firm?

 

[trainee4u]

Does anyone know which firms allow TC applications after a failed vac scheme application in the same cycle? For example, I believe from Farrer &Cos rejection email that they allow another application?

My understanding of Farrer's rejection email is that they separately consider a single application for VS&TC, so if you applied originally for VS & TC, and are rejected for VS, then you are also considered for the TC.

 

[trainee4u]

For my Baker and McKenzie application i've got a question on Discuss a topic that you are passionate about. How did you become interested in it, and how has it influenced your personal or professional life. (300 words max) *
Is it okay to take a more abstract approach to this question? I'm Muslim and I wanted to talk about how I wanted to break Islamic stereotypes which I did through spreading awareness in debate societies and joining the Islamic society at my university.
or should I take a more direct approach and perhaps discuss extra-curricular activities such as my interest in swimming?

I think it's best if you are specific about what you have done and how it's benefited you and/or others.

For example, I say I like cycling. I then say that:

* I have learned about the technology of bicycles
* I have achieved personal goals such as cycling up mountains, by discipline and perseverance.
* I have expanded my network through joining cycling clubs, and through discussions about bicycles online.
* I supported a charity helping disadvantaged families by providing bicycles for transport.

If I were to, say, write about being a Christian, I would emphasise my specific active achievements. Hypothetically things like "I ran the children's group at church for a year building skills in A, B and C", "I set up a website for the church band helping them to do X, Y, Z", "I organised events for underprivileged children" and not something passive like "I went to church every week".

 

[candice25]

Can anyone who has applied for Mayer Brown TC help me? My request to complete the Situational Strengths Test and Verbal Reasoning Test went to my junk mail, so I initially missed it. I have until Monday to do the tests. Do they include any video questions? It seems unclear from the guide that they sent me. Thanks!

Hi I hope you're well. When you say "request" does that mean I can approach Mayer Brown to send the test if I have not received it. If so whit is email address do I send the request to?

 

[saminoriya]

Has anyone heard back from King & Spalding or Peters & Peters for TCs?

 

[James Wakefield]

How long does it take for Ashurst to send the Cappfinity? Thanks!