TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

Amma Usman

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Sep 7, 2024
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Thank you so much! I think i will just talk about two and try and go in depth. Would you recommend any resources to help research this question? I listen to the FT news briefing everyday but i still do not think my commercial awareness is good enough for the applications !

Hey,

I’ve linked below a thread I made on resources to boost commercial awareness.

When I was applying, I didn’t jump straight to the FT to help with CA because I knew that I wasn’t going to understand much. The terms were unfamiliar and so were many of the concepts, so I took some time off to understand these first. This in itself, is commercial awareness. To this effect, I have linked a couple more threads to help.




 

spamelinazoid

Legendary Member
  • Dec 19, 2021
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    Does anyone know if Freshfields have a spring/summer window for Direct TC apps? I feel like they did in previous years.

    I was going to apply for this winter cycle but with the new test (and if they have another cycle in the summer) may be better to wait and prepare a better app/practice for this test…

    It is a bit wild that they didnt mention this test to people earlier. Considering people spend upwards of 15 hours on an application its not great practice imo to blindside people like this and not allow them sufficient information to prepare for a test…
     
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    Chris Brown

    Legendary Member
    Jul 4, 2024
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    Does anyone know if Freshfields have a spring/summer window for Direct TC apps? I feel like they did in previous years.

    I was going to apply for this winter cycle but with the new test (and if they have another cycle in the summer) may be better to wait and prepare a better app/practice for this test…

    It is a bit wild that they didnt mention this test to people earlier. Considering people spend upwards of 15 hours on an application its not great practice imo to blindside people like this and not allow them sufficient information to prepare for a test…
    I think they have now scrapped the summer window for direct TC to make way for the new winter VS. The winter VS is open to law and non-law finalists and graduates and lasts for a week. I think the first VS is this year and applications open in August. 🙂

    The introduction of the new VS is why they have added an automatic SJT for the direct TC route. It should have been mentioned earlier tbh. This would give applicants sufficient time to prepare for the SJT. 🥲​
     
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    spamelinazoid

    Legendary Member
  • Dec 19, 2021
    232
    352
    I think they have now scrapped the summer window for direct TC to make way for the new winter VS. The winter VS is open to law and non-law finalists and graduates and lasts for a week. I think the first VS is this year and applications open in August. 🙂

    The introduction of the new VS is why they have added an automatic SJT for the direct TC route. It should have been mentioned earlier tbh. This would give applicants sufficient time to prepare for the SJT. 🥲

    Ah I see, that’s genuinely a shame.

    For people in full-time work Im sure more Direct TC windows would be more appreciated…if anything the processes for entering this profession are only becoming more unfriendly towards mature applicants or grads (3+ week long vac schemes??) . In most other professions the prospect of using 6 days - 3 weeks of annual leave for an AC and an internship only for the prospect* of receiving a job offer is disproportionate…
     

    Tintin06

    Legendary Member
    Oct 23, 2019
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    Ah I see, that’s genuinely a shame.

    For people in full-time work Im sure more Direct TC windows would be more appreciated…if anything the processes for entering this profession are only becoming more unfriendly towards mature applicants or grads (3+ week long vac schemes??) . In most other professions the prospect of using 6 days - 3 weeks of annual leave for an AC and an internship only for the prospect* of receiving a job offer is disproportionate…
    I echo all of this, honestly.

    I'm lucky to be self-employed. I can just take days/weeks off. Self-employment has its own drawbacks, however. It's cost-benefit analysis ultimately, isn't it? I have met paralegal on VSs. They used annual leave for VSs. With that job, it's more accepted? Since the firms know your game. Your ultimate goal is a TC. Best of luck with your applications.
     

    Chris Brown

    Legendary Member
    Jul 4, 2024
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    Ah I see, that’s genuinely a shame.

    For people in full-time work Im sure more Direct TC windows would be more appreciated…if anything the processes for entering this profession are only becoming more unfriendly towards mature applicants or grads (3+ week long vac schemes??) . In most other professions the prospect of using 6 days - 3 weeks of annual leave for an AC and an internship only for the prospect* of receiving a job offer is disproportionate…
    The winter VS is a week long so not like the summer VS which is 3 weeks. I guess it is still not ideal for those in full-time work who have to use annual leave regardless.

    It is unfortunate but I guess they believe it is a lot better for future trainees to do a VS at Freshfields before they offer them a TC. 🥲

    Other MC firms like CC and Slaughter and May still have two direct TC windows. This may be because they don’t have VS for finalists and/or graduates. 🙂

    I definitely agree that if anything law firms are becoming less and less inclusive by introducing these changes. It makes it harder for grads/mature applicants to enter the legal profession in the city. 😞​
     
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    ad.

    Distinguished Member
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    Premium Member
    Aug 21, 2024
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    I think they have now scrapped the summer window for direct TC to make way for the new winter VS. The winter VS is open to law and non-law finalists and graduates and lasts for a week. I think the first VS is this year and applications open in August. 🙂

    The introduction of the new VS is why they have added an automatic SJT for the direct TC route. It should have been mentioned earlier tbh. This would give applicants sufficient time to prepare for the SJT. 🥲
    If we apply for direct TC now, would we potentially still be eligible to apply for the Winter Vac Scheme when it comes to the ‘one opportunity per academic year’ rule? In other words, is the Winter VS considered part of a new application cycle? I’d appreciate any insights on this, especially from @Jessica Booker . Thanks!
     

    Tintin06

    Legendary Member
    Oct 23, 2019
    895
    2,137
    If we apply for direct TC now, would we potentially still be eligible to apply for the Winter Vac Scheme when it comes to the ‘one opportunity per academic year’ rule? In other words, is the Winter VS considered part of a new application cycle? I’d appreciate any insights on this, especially from @Jessica Booker . Thanks!
    I’m pretty sure the answer’s yes.
     

    Jessica Booker

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
    15,363
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    If we apply for direct TC now, would we potentially still be eligible to apply for the Winter Vac Scheme when it comes to the ‘one opportunity per academic year’ rule? In other words, is the Winter VS considered part of a new application cycle? I’d appreciate any insights on this, especially from @Jessica Booker . Thanks!
    yes - it would be a new recruitment cycle.
     
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