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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

jta227

Legendary Member
Nov 10, 2024
144
280
Just found out from asking that Clifford Chance does send WG reports if anyone wants to request theirs. Even though they gave me a PFO (their WG is just a benchmark) it’s quite encouraging knowing that I’ll have the same score next year and that I’m probably (hopefully) passing all the other firms’ WGs and hence focusing my improvement on other areas.
 
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sarahfw

Active Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Mar 19, 2024
15
8
Hi everyone, I'm currently trying to tackle this application question:

'Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector'

I haven't managed to speak to the firm in question on the Legal Cheek virtual law fair and nor have I managed to attend many events relevant to the sector they are in. I am struggling to think how to link the events I have attended to the work of this firm. I have however done five weeks QWE in an in-house department that is relevant to one of the firm's key sector focus areas. I attending a law firm event giving external training to the in-house team. Could I mention that and try and weave it back into my interest in the firm? Can I also mention Forage experiences in response to the above?
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,299
21,356
Hi @JessicaBooker (and anyone else who can help), I wondered if I should include mitigating circumstances even if I did achieve the grades that a law firm is requiring?
If your academic results during the period of the mitigating circumstances are reflective of your general abilities, then you don’t need to highlight the circumstances. If there is a dip/blip in academic performance (despite still meeting the firm’s requirements) then you can highlight the circumstances still.
 
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Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,299
21,356
Hi Jessica, on a related topic (sorry to bring it up again!) - would you be able to check my PM regarding this topic from last month?
Please can you reply to the message again. My inbox can get a little crazy at times. By replying, the message will go to the top of my inbox and I can respond.
 
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SoonToBeTrainee

Legendary Member
  • Dec 29, 2023
    141
    334
    do you know when they tend to get back? im thinking jan 14 onwards, pls correct me if im wrong
    They’ve started progressing people for vac schemes already.
    That’s why I don’t know if some people have also been progressed for the direct tc?
    I thought they’d review both types of application at the same time
     
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    Reactions: futuretraineesolicitor

    jlap

    New Member
    Oct 26, 2023
    2
    4
    I'm sorry to hear that. Wishing you get progressed in other apps! Sorry if this is insensitive but please may I ask when you applied?
    No probs. Thanks! My first ever TC app as a career changer.

    Pretty late. I completed the initial application on the 29th November and then the online tests on the 7th December (had slightly longer deadline due to waiting for test link that had reasonable adjustments). It was for the business stream.
     

    m25

    Active Member
    Jun 16, 2023
    13
    2
    Hi, I need as much advice on this as possible. I am a final year law student from India. I have a good Indian law firm job in hand that I shall have to join in August if I accept the offer. I don't need to accept the offer anytime soon, so I have a lot of time in hand. I have been considering TC apps for quite some time since I would want to work abroad and many of my seniors from university have gotten successful in securing TCs at firms like CC, Freshfields and Bakers. However, I feel like I have wasted quite a lot of time thinking and have actually missed most of the deadlines till now. The only firm I applied to was CC, where I got rejected after clearing WG. Should I start applying now given my limited knowledge of commercial awareness (I used to listen to a few podcasts from august- October end, and I have a good grasp of basic concepts like M&A, PE)? Do I even have good firms left because I feel most deadlines for this year have already ended? Will I be able to write apps in the very limited time I am left now?

    Please help me out!
     

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