TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Zaraa.x]

Applied 28 Nov... just got my PFO a few min ago 💔

Omgggg so sorry to hear😭😓!! I applied first week of Nov and still nothing…

 

[Anon1111]

Please can someone help me, should I expect a PFO if people received an AC for Kennedys

have you received a response yet?

 

[Amiyrerose]

Any response?

Nope 😭 none at all

 

[Broadwater]

After countless applications, I continue to be rejected.



I know rejection is something everything goes through, but honestly, and without sounding overly cocky, I’m quite shocked I’ve not had a single Vac Scheme offer, ever.



Quick summary:

• Corporate paralegal in London for 2 years
• 1st class degree at undergraduate from Russell group.
• Distinction in GDL
• fluent in multiple languages
• Multiple post grad degrees both from LSE in Corporate Law and in M&A. Bear in mind, these gave me the academic knowledge necessary to bridge the gap between theoretical academic law from the GDL to real work in a commercial law firm.
• pro bono advisor at a legal clinic for a year, and still do.
• Other legal roles including for trusts and for barristers

I sometimes wonder what else I can even do!



If they said bad grades, I would say fine, but I couldn’t have done better at undergraduate and GDL.



If they said, no work experience, I would say fine, but I have 3 different ongoing legal roles, including my paralegal role in a London city law firm, which clearly shows my experience - quite frankly, my paralegal role has given me some experience that even being a trainee would not.



I got to 2 AC’s last year. But got rejected after both.



This year, I still have a couple applications in the pipeline, but I’m honestly not hopeful at all. I will mention that an American firm which I attended their AC last year, this year failed me on the first round. Which, tbh, I don’t see how that makes any sense. With 1 year extra experience, suddenly I can’t get past the first stage, but last year I reached the last stage ? That to me makes no sense. I don’t mean to be rude, but I think that is BS!



What’s stopping me from giving up, after spending years studying and working in law?



If I did any other profession, I’d be so much further along, but I made the terrible mistake of wasting my time with law.

@Jaysen
@Jessica Booker

If you failed to progress 2 ACs, then it’s not your profile on paper that’s lacking. It’s your ability to perform well on the tasks at the ACs which requires improvement.

Also, if you’re not passing application stages with your profile then your application writing skills need improvement.

Perhaps arrange for an application review from TCLA or a mentor and if you have an AC coming up arrange a mock interview.

Writing applications and passing ACs is a skill in itself that is almost entirely separate from the quality of your profile on paper

 

[rain2801]

Has anyone heard back from Linklaters and Freshfields yet?

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Linklaters is so bafflingly slow… there’s nothing on those applications to review!

 

[AlarmedBookkeeper448]

Linklaters is so bafflingly slow… there’s nothing on those applications to review!

I’m not too sure about their process but maybe they fill out the vacation schemes first and then TCs ?

But tbh other than work experience idk what else they look at😭

 

[JCSax]

Can someone remind me when we expect to hear back from CC TC assessment centres?

 

[aleiy]

Has anyone heard back from CMS Dubai regarding ACs? I haven’t heard back since the VI

 

[Zaidoz10]

Anyone heard back from Gibson Dunn direct TC? White & Case Dubai? Hogan Lovells direct TC?

 

[Cl23x]

Does anyone know how many questions are asked for the bristows VI? It says on the platform it should only take 3 mins?? Thanks!!

 

[yasmars]

Does anyone know how many questions are asked for the bristows VI? It says on the platform it should only take 3 mins?? Thanks!!

I think it’s only two.

 

[AlexWilliams]

Hi all, I have been invited to Fieldfisher AC and just wondered if anyone is able to share their experiences either from the previous years or this? This is my first AC so looking for any specific or general advice. It includes a group/paired exercise, an individual case study (I believe to be a written exercise) and an interview.

For the interview, I feel confident I can prepare for it. But the other two exercises are new to me so any advice would be most appreciated. I think I have seen some case study practice exercises for AC on here before, would these help? Thanks

This is for the Direct TC.

 

[jta227]

Hi all, I have been invited to Fieldfisher AC and just wondered if anyone is able to share their experiences either from the previous years or this? This is my first AC so looking for any specific or general advice. It includes a group/paired exercise, an individual case study (I believe to be a written exercise) and an interview.

For the interview, I feel confident I can prepare for it. But the other two exercises are new to me so any advice would be most appreciated. I think I have seen some case study practice exercises for AC on here before, would these help? Thanks

This is for the Direct TC.

Asking as well!

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

does anybody know why Hogan Lovells has not been responding for a very long time? I submitted my application almost 2 months ago

 

[chrisbrown]

does anybody know why Hogan Lovells has not been responding for a very long time? I submitted my application almost 2 months ago

Is this for direct TC or SVS? The SVS deadline was the 3rd of Jan and DTC deadline is the 31st of Jan. 🙂

I imagine they are going through SVS applications first and then DTC. 🙂

I applied for the SVS mid Dec and took the online WGT on Xmas Eve. I haven’t heard back either. 🥲

They get over 4,000 applications a year across all their opportunities: LiftOff, LaunchPad, SVS and DTC. 🥲

 

[GUt02]

Heyy everyone, I hope application season is going well!
I was just curious about people applying to direct TCs. I am in my 3rd year of a 4 year LLB and although I have applied to Vac Schemes in this cycle, I was wondering whether you would recommend I also apply to some direct TCs?
Would my success rate be lower because I am still a university student and not in work etc, or would I be okay?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Izzy1026]

Hi everyone, hope 2025 has been good so far! I have a few questions about GDL start date. If the start date is in September but I for personal reason can only come back to the UK in October, is it acceptable that I only start going to class in October? To put it more bluntly, will the course provider/the firm likely to be very strict about me starting the course “on time” and in the event of me not doing so, will it jeopardise my TC?

Sorry this is an admin-ish question and not exactly TC related! But I cannot seem to find such precedent so I’d really like to know if it is viable. Thanks so much!

 

[lawyersum]

Hi everyone, hope 2025 has been good so far! I have a few questions about GDL start date. If the start date is in September but I for personal reason can only come back to the UK in October, is it acceptable that I only start going to class in October? To put it more bluntly, will the course provider/the firm likely to be very strict about me starting the course “on time” and in the event of me not doing so, will it jeopardise my TC?

Sorry this is an admin-ish question and not exactly TC related! But I cannot seem to find such precedent so I’d really like to know if it is viable. Thanks so much!

Not an expert on this situation but I would defo recommend mentioning your situation to grad rec at your TC firm. Maybe that way you can work out a solution together (e.g they can recommend negotiating with the GDL provider or you can suggest starting the course online for a month in September before you return to in-person in October). I am just brainstorming here but the first thing I would do is communicate with grad rec and let them know about your situation!

 

[Izzy1026]

Not an expert on this situation but I would defo recommend mentioning your situation to grad rec at your TC firm. Maybe that way you can work out a solution together (e.g they can recommend negotiating with the GDL provider or you can suggest starting the course online for a month in September before you return to in-person in October). I am just brainstorming here but the first thing I would do is communicate with grad rec and let them know about your situation!

Great perspective, thanks so much!