Training Contract Journey

Hey everyone,

After years of lurking on TCLA, I’ve finally decided to step out of the shadows and start sharing my training contract journey.

So many of you have kept me going through the rejections, the rewrites, and the late-night Legal 500 rabbit holes — so now I’m hoping to do the same for someone else. If you're feeling stuck, behind, or just plain lost... you're not alone.

Here’s a bit about me:

• Law grad with a First from a Russell Group uni (yes, with a couple of rogue 2:2s along the way — it happens)
• Completed one vac scheme with a transatlantic firm
• Now in my third application cycle and still figuring it out

For a while, I completely stopped applying. The constant rejections before even getting to interview were draining. But I’ve picked myself back up and I’m giving it another proper go — targeting the few direct TC applications still open this cycle.

I’ll be using this thread to track my progress, wins, fails, and everything in between. Hopefully, this becomes a space where we can share real tips, keep each other accountable, and maybe even celebrate a few offers together.

UPDATE 22/11/2025 - So last application round did not go well for me. Honestly, I know everyone says this but being nearly 24 and not having secured anything is hard. I feel so behind my peers and very succesful friends who are earning high salaries and progressing in their careers. I know people say not to get bogged down in age/numbers but the thought that I will (finally) qualify as a solicitor (if I secure anything this cycle) at 30 feels so scary to me. I will just be starting my career whilst all my friends will be way into theirs. Comparison is the thief of joy and I keep reminind myself of this, but it is so hard to keep your head up and keep trying. I feel like everyone around me is so much more intelligent, commercially aware and overall better candidates, I'm not really sure what I have to offer that is special.

Despite this, all I can do is keep trying. I dont mean to be negative but I feel like this is a space where I can get it all out of my system, and probably hardly anyone will read it. I feel like I would really benefit from some mentoring but I dont think there are any open mentoring schemes at the moment. My strategy this year will be, send out as many applications as possible. People say it is better to pick a few and really work hard on them but in my experience, today it is all about luck of the draw. That is not to say I won't tailor my applications but before I would spend many weeks working on one application, just to get through the first few stages and then miss other deadlines.

I hope this year will be my year. I am trying everything I can to make sure I can be the best candidate. I did my Freshfields online assessment and prepared so hard for the critical reasoning section. Despite that, I dont think it went well at all so not off to a good start for the cycle. I will aim to keep this updated as much as I can.


ORIGINAL 28/05/2025 : I thought I would join everyone else in documenting my training contract journey. I guess this is more of a place for me to rant and keep myself accountable especially since the last few years of law school and trying to get into a legal career has been painful.

I can't say that I feel like a particularly standout candidate and I don't really know where to go from here. I have fairly average grades, 2:1 standard but nothing special or exceptional. I I've filled my life at uni with extra-curriculars and I have tried my hardest to make a standout application to firms but have been rather unsuccessful. I completed 1 vacation scheme secured as part of a mentoring scheme but didn't manage to turn that into a TC. I also had two vacation scheme interviews but didn't make it through to the next stage. Technically, this is my 3rd application cycle but the first and second time around, I only applied to a few firms and I cant say they were particularly tailored applications.

My difficulty is, is that from first year onwards I set myself up for the Bar, so I have done a fair amount of mini-pupillages and my extra curriculars are very mooting and Bar soc centred. I am now graduating this year, and feel completely lost. I don't feel like I'm good enough for the Bar academically but I also don't feel like I'm good enough to get a TC either because I don't have many vacation schemes. I have worked since I was 16 so I have a fair bit of work experience especially more recently in corporate environments.

Anyway enough of the sob story- these are the firms I am hoping to apply to for direct TCs in the remaining time I have.

• BCLP
• Dentons
• Haynes Boone
• Reed Smith
• Burges Salmon
• Watson Farley & Williams
• Morgan Lewis
• Paul Hastings
• Sullivan and Cromwell (Maybe)
• Macfarlanes
• White & Case
• HFW
• Stephenson Harwood

Applied already to

• Kingsley Napley - PFO post-second stage
• GLD - PFO
• Wedlake Bell - Waiting for a response

Hello everyone,

I'm just looking for advice on what to do differently or if its time to call it quits.

I am a first-class law 2023 graduate from an RG Uni. I've had 3 cycles now. In my first cycle, I managed to get a vacation scheme but didn't convert. In my second and third cycles, I got up to the last stage interview (before the VS) and got rejected. Despite having a first-class degree, I have relatively weak A-levels (ABB equivalent, I did the IB in 2020, the year that no one did exams). I also did badly in my public and contract law modules, which were in my first year of uni, and I have mitigating circumstances for those results, which I have always detailed in my applications. The majority of my applications never progress past the first stage. If I could give some ratio, I'd say only 1 in 10 progress. I think the applications I write are honestly okay. I have been a gold user sometimes and taken advantage of the application review services and gotten advice from various TCLA mentors. I'm starting to think maybe my profile is wrong, or maybe I am just applying to firms that don't want me. It's taken a toll on my confidence, given I've been applying for 3 years now, and my parents think maybe it's time to move on. However, I do not want to give up on my dream. So if anyone has any advice, it would really be appreciated. @Jessica Booker @Jaysen @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam

Hey!! I thought it might be fun to turn what is likely going to be a long journey into a thread so that maybe others feel a little less alone?? Also because, to be brutally honest, if I don't have something to hold me accountable, I will procrastinate :')

I figured I should probably set the scene a bit. I've just finished all my assessments for my final year of my law degree and am now in the very weird gap between finishing uni and graduation. I went to a non-russell group uni and got 3 As at A-level (for context, I did my A-levels in 2022 when RG unis raised their law requirements to A*AA because there was more students than usual). I at least will finish with a 2:1, but have had firsts in quite a few modules (including my diss) and am toeing the line between a 2:1 and a first, so really these last couple results determine it.

As for where I went to end up, the goal is to be a commercial solicitor. I'm particularly interested in less litigious work, things to do with technology and where the law is still evolving to keep up interests me a lot (I'm a nerd lol). I've got a lot of artistic/creative hobbies so I like when stuff involves that part of my brain. Who knows what practice group I'll end up in, since I find a lot of things interesting, but hopefully that gives you some idea of the kind of person I am!

This cycle, I applied for like 6 firms I think? Got to the virtual interview and online assessment part of it (I don't know the fancy forum acronyms yet) and failed! What did we learn from that? Use your uni's careers team! That's probably going to be the running.. well, thread, throughout this thread since I intend to actually make use of them this time! I also intend to actually apply to all the firms on my list. I think I had around 12 I wanted to apply for but deadlines approached and I got so fixated on assignments that they just slipped through my fingers *cue ABBA* which was not good!

I also am currently jobless (woo) so, since there'll at the very least be year, if not two or three, between now and when I start my TC/SQEs I will find something to fill my time between now and then. Honestly, the idea of having an office job sounds fun (that itself feels like a giant recession indicator haha) so I'm happy to get that experience before entering my TC - it'll probably make me a much better candidate since I'm lacking in that department a bit. On the note of SQEs, I don't want to self-fund and am hoping to get it funded by a firm but, who knows, if anyone thinks that might be a good option, I'm always open to hearing it.

So what's the plan?

1) Get a job (yay income) OR/AND find some work experience to fill the time (yay cv fillers)
2) Do firm research between now & the start of the next cycle to get some basic answers written (yay planning)
3) Keep in touch with my careers department and use their help
4) Get a training contract?? :0

There'll likely be a lot of little steps between now and then so we'll see how that goes!! At the very least, even if I don't secure a TC between now and the next cycle, I will have a thread detailing all the smart moves and setbacks along the way that will help me do better next time

(the thread title from treacherous by taylor swift btw bc i couldn't help myself)

TL;DR
Jobless almost-graduate attempts to get a job and training contract - join her for wacky shenanigans

I feel obligated to warn future applicants about my experience with Kennedys’ SQE Graduate Apprenticeship recruitment process for the London PEC programme — an experience which has been, frankly, appalling from start to finish.

The process dragged on for nearly six months, involving an application form, online assessments, a video interview, an assessment centre, a senior associate interview, and finally a partner interview. Each stage demanded substantial preparation, commitment, and emotional investment. Candidates were repeatedly reassured that timelines would be communicated clearly and outcomes provided promptly.

The reality could not have been further from the truth.

Following the final partner interview, which was presented as the “final stage” after being told I had “excelled in all aspects” of the process up to that point, communications completely collapsed. Weeks passed without any updates, despite repeated assurances that “decisions would be made soon.”

Candidates were kept in the dark for over two months, with constantly shifting goalposts (“end of this week,” then “end of next week,” then “end of next week” again — repeated endlessly). No transparency. No accountability. No respect for the time and careers of the individuals who had invested so much in the process.

When an outcome finally came, it was a cold, generic rejection email offering no meaningful feedback whatsoever. No acknowledgment of the ridiculous delays. No apology for the emotional strain caused. No demonstration of the “values” Kennedys claims to promote.

After six months of effort, candidates — many of whom had adjusted their lives around the possibility of this opportunity — were discarded like afterthoughts.

This entire process reflects an astonishing level of incompetence, disorganisation, and disdain for candidates. It raises serious questions about how Kennedys values its people — if this is how they treat future lawyers, how can current employees and clients expect to be treated?

Given the experience, it is clear that Kennedys’ polished marketing is nothing more than a facade. Behind the branding lies a firm that does not respect time, commitment, or basic professional standards. Candidates deserve far better.

If you are considering applying to Kennedys, think twice. There are plenty of firms that not only offer excellent training but also treat candidates — and people generally — with basic human decency.

Hello,

Is it allowed to undertake a training contract in just one area of law?

Thank you.

Hello all,
Now, don't boo me for this thread but I did want to ask this question about my specific situation. I am doing a PGDL currently and I am applying to TCs but without any previous legal work experience to back it up. I just got a rejection for the Shoosmiths VS and I have a sinking feeling that my other VS will be rejected as well. If possible, I would like to get a TC this cycle and not wait until the next one. I have already considered my transferable skills from previous/current jobs and I have attended law fairs & events when I can. I am not sure what I could do to make my application stand out more - I am joining a pro bono law team and I am also trying to do some virtual work experience. Is there anything that I can/should do or is it something that I should just not bother with at this stage. For further info, the firms I am considering applying to for direct TCs are:
- White & Case
- Sullivan & Cromwell
- Farrer & Co.
- Macfarlanes
- Kingsley Napley
- NRF
- BCLP
- Baker Mackenzie

Hi everyone!
I am an international candidate aiming to secure a TC via direct route! Will post my updates here, this is my list so far:

Freshfields - SJT (automatic) - WG invite - PFO
Trowers - Post-SJT (automatic) PFO
Mayer Brown - SJT (automatic) - PFO
Withers - SJT invite - PFO
Dentons - applied
BCLP - SJT (automatic) - PFO
Reed Smith - SJT and VI
Macfarlanes
W&C
Watson Farley
RPC


Would really appreciate any recs on applications and a general discussion!

Currently facing a dilemma and would really appreciate any insight.

Between Cleary, Weil, Davis Polk, and Sullivan & Cromwell where would it be best to accept a training contract. Thinking in terms of quality of work, ability to lateral in the future if need be, prestige, and calibre of training.

Thank you in advance!

Thought I'd track these:
Rejected at first stage purely because of the application form (answers, experience, qualifications, who knows!?):

• Dechert
• Bates Wells
• Burges Salmon
• Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (very fast: rolling!)
• Travers Smith
• Slaughter and May
• Dentons
• Eversheds Sutherland
• Weil Gotshal & Manges
• Davis Polk & Wardwell
• Bird & Bird
• Willkie Farr & Gallagher
• DWF
• Kirkland & Ellis
• Jones Day
• Cooley
• Forsters (made a factual error on form!)
• Sullivan & Cromwell
• Fieldfisher
• Vinson & Elkins
• Squire Patton Boggs
• Greenberg Traurig
• Clifford Chance (passed WGT)
• Debevoise & Plimpton
• Katten
• Hill Dickinson
• Fieldfisher
• Ropes & Gray
• Akin
• DLA Piper
• Freshfields
• Orrick
• Boodle Hatfield

Rejected at first stage either because of form or WGT performance:

• Hogan Lovells
• RPC

Rejected at first stage either because of form or SJT performance:

• A&O Shearman
• Pinsent Masons
• Taylor Wessing
• HSF (sjt was poor)
• BCLP (sjt was poor)
• Shoosmiths
• Ashurst
• Latham & Watkins

Rejected at first stage because of Arctic Shores performance

• NRF
• Gowling

Rejected at subsequent stage because of SJT or VI performance:

• Reed Smith

Rejected at subsequent stage because of VI performance:

• Mishcon
• Kennedys
• Baker McKenzie
• CMS
• WFW
• Goodwin
• Fladgate
• Gateley

Rejected following AC:

• Milbank

Currently, therefore, of resolved applications, 45 were rejected at the first stage, and ten were rejected at a subsequent stage.

I have other applications in progress at different stages (AC, VI, first stage), so the ratio above is not necessarily representative overall.

It's clear that my VI performance is substantially below par and I need to improve in this area.

Keeping this as a sort of diary! I just graduated from a top 10 British uni with a non-law 2:1 this year. No GDL (hoping to find a firm to sponsor me!). This is my first ever attempt at securing a TC.

NB any incorrect punctuation in firm names is deliberate so it is harder to track my postings - an attempt to stay anonymous here so any GR remain unbiased

Interested in SouthWest firms, and a couple in Cambridge. Definitely not London. Hoping for more of a PrivateClient base, and particularly hoping to qualify into Family. (I know this is TCLA but hopefully this is still ok to post - I have had so much help from this forum already just from lurking and perhaps my posts might help someone else.)

Applying to:
- Charles.Russell.Speechlys
- Michel.mores
- Foot.Anstey
- TLT-LLP
- Burges.Salmon
- Ashford.s
- RWK.Good.man
- V.W.V.
- Harrison.Clark.Rickerbys
- Mills.&.Reeve

CURRENT STATUS
- Missed deadline for Irwin.Mitchell (gutted. thought it was in Jan, not Dec)
- PFO from Mills.&.Reeve after psychometric test and personal statement :/
- Applications in progress for Michel.mores and Foot.Anstey.
- First application to C.R.S. sent off, crossing fingers for second round! Feel quite positive about this one. I researched a lot and think it was tailored to me and the firm well. We'll just have to see what they think.

Feeling:
- slightly down from M&R rejection so soon into the cycle, and the stupidity of missing IM applications altogether!!!
- trying to remain hopeful and keep pushing on - determined to not let it affect my other apps
- favourite firm is Michel.mores, with C.R.S. close second. After that, I am not too picky. But if C.R.S. reject me at this stage, I will be gutted

Fingers crossed for everyone. Will update as emails come in / I send off applications. I also work full time so it is taking me up to each deadline to get it done... But we'll all get there in the end!

Hello everyone! I'm currently doing my LLM at NUS in Singapore after having finished my LLB in the UK this year.

Posting my daily progress here, just to keep myself accountable throughout this so very tiring process as a student applying from outside the UK ‍

No luck so far, with PFOs from:
Clifford Chance
Pinsent Masons Direct TC
A&O Shearman Direct TC

Waiting to hear back from:
- CMS TC (London) - submitted 28/11, received WG on 29/11 [AHHH hoping for VI soon, but I also hate VIs]
- Linklaters Singapore-London TC [honestly don't think I met the requirements (studying in the UK) ahah, but applied anyway]
- Slaughter & May TC - submitted 29/11
- Mayer Brown TC - submitted 30/10

It doesn't help that applying for most vacation schemes is now ruled out for me ahah. But I'm more frustrated because every year, I tell myself that I will work on submitting my applications early. And every year, something gets in the way. NUS this year has been 10x more rigorous than studying in the UK, and its been so difficult to dedicate time to this because of submissions and exams every week for the past two months. BUT, hoping to be really productive this winter break! Hopefully, this tardiness won't cost me...

️ This week, I'm aiming to submit:
- Reed Smith Summer VS
- Sidley Summer VS
- Macfarlanes Summer VS
- Hogan Lovells Direct TC

Note: Trying to also get my sleep schedule together at the same time lol, so going to try and avoid burning that late night oil so I can be productive during the day instead

Hi everyone!

I’ve been inspired by a few on this forum to start my own thread on my TC journey.

I’m currently working full-time and I’m finding it quite exhausting balancing TC/VS applications with life and work. This is my second application cycle. Last year I passed three app stages but ultimately fell down at the test/vi stages. So I’ve decided to be a little more strategic this year and focus on firms with simpler processes. However, I think I’ll still attempt to apply to some firms with test/VI stages.

Applied:
Linklater’s open day
Paul, Weiss open day
Simmons & Simmons WVS
Fieldfisher TC
Travers Smith TC
AG TC

Pending:
Pinsent
Willkie
Covington
Gibson
Goodwin
HSF
Skadden
Slaughter and May
White & Case
Arnold & Porter
Akin

Rejected:
Taylor Wessing post test

I might apply to Sullivan & Cromwell because i like the sound of their generalist approach. However, a lot of their trainees are Oxbridge grads with first class and that’s just not me

I want to apply to Hogan Lovells but I find their application questions so longwinded but we’ll see. I also heard that now they review your app before sending the WG? Not sure how accurate that is

Hey Everyone!

I’ve enjoyed reading all the TC journey posts lately, so I thought I’d start my own! I’m a second-year student history and politics student at UCL (no dissertation stress just yet, thank goodness), but I figured updating this thread would help keep me motivated as I dipped my toes into the legal world.

For context, I do not have any A-Levels due to mitigating circumstances, but I do have an Access to HE diploma, which has left me with 141 UCAS points. So, my application to firms has to be strategic based on their requirements.

So, there are no Vacation Scheme applications for me yet—I don’t meet the eligibility requirements. But I’ve been making progress in other areas! I recently applied for the Clifford Chance Spark Scheme, and I’m anxiously waiting to tackle the Watson Glaser test. I'm not going to lie; I’m feeling a little nervous about it. I’ve heard the Watson Glaser is no walk in the park, but I’m staying positive and preparing as much as possible. Although, I cannot (for the life of me) grasp the assumptions section.

I’m trying to stay involved and build up my experience, even if it’s outside the traditional legal route. Seeing other people’s progress is motivating, and I’m excited to keep working toward those bigger applications next year. But for now, it’s a mix of uni, societies (getting involved in those more!), and prepping for the Watson Glaser.

Wish me luck!

Hey Everyone!

I really enjoy reading other peoples TC journey threads, so I have decided to start my own. Also, updating it will also hopefully provide another source of motivation, particularly when life gets crazy, as I very much expect it to soon as I am a final year history student. Incidentally, my first dissertation supervision is tomorrow...

I still haven't applied for any vacation schemes, mainly because my course finishes weirdly late and I would not have been able to make any of the winter dates. Also, gives me a little bit more time to bolster the noticeably light extracurricular sections of my applications. Societies at uni WILL be seeing my face, and enough to make them sick of me. What I have been applying for, however, are Open Days. I am currently writing out my Open Day application for Watson Farley & Williams, and am getting scared because the firm seems sooo interesting and aligned with my interests prepping for the heartbreak early ig. I was successful for my application for an Open Day at HL which is really exciting, and am still waiting to hear back from HSF.

I had to miss a pretty amazing event, to meet the entire magic circle at A&O's office because I was in the absolute trenches with freshers flu, which turned into proper flu. You win some you lose some ig haha I keep telling myself.

Also am waiting to hear back for an incredibly rogue event with HSF, which is cocktail making with current trainees and other solicitors. I cannot lie, it sounds incredibly fun. Being rejected (waiting listed) for a Reed Smith Open Day hurt a little, but I am still weirdly confident with my chances. I think it comes down to the fact I am yet to make a proper VC application though That will be my next challenge...

I guess another reason for the confidence was my success with an online assessment for BNP Paribas, which is apparently like an 50-80% fail rate. That confidence evaporated at the following 'interview', which was 30 minutes of commercial awareness, that was fine, but the second 30 minutes was all on MENTAL MATHS and mathmatical logic I still havent heard back, but something tells me it didnt go too well...

Hello, I would like advice on how to increase my chances of having a TC. Unfortunately, I didn't get the grades I wanted as I got BBC in Bio, Chem and History A-levels with an A in the EPQ. I was able to get into my Firm in York, as I had completed a Summer School program between Years 12 and 13, which lowered the grade requirements. Whilst not trying to excuse the results, I have been homeless and living in temporary accommodation during my GCSEs and sixth form, with the situation worsening this year as my council forced my family to move on short notice in the middle of Year 13 despite me writing a letter of appeal to postpone the move
.This caused a lot of mental strife as I felt severely depressed and anxious due to feeling that I didn't have any stability in my life and being scared at the time, I still deal with it as sometimes I feel that I didn't deserve to get into York.

I want to get advice on what I should do next as I am aware that some law firms have AAB minimum requirements, and many others don't have any requirements but will heavily scrutinise poor A-levels. I am aware that some Law firms do take in mitigating circumstances, but I don't know if mine would count as one(I have the paperwork from the council forcing me to move as proof). I also want to ask if could UCAS tariff could be used to overcome some firms' minimum requirements as the BBC(112 pts) + the EPQ(24pts) would be equal to 136pts which is equivalent to AAB as I am aware that some accept a tariff score.

Finally, I would like to know what I can to do equal the playing field towards those with higher grades. I am considering doing a Placement year at a firm or somewhere to have stronger experience and work experience as well as get advice from career personnel about what to do next.

Thank you for reading and I hope I don't sound like I'm victimising myself.

Another year, another application cycle.

I probably should not be writing this with a negative outlook. This year is different.

Last year I sent one application in September. I sent three this September, and I am starting my fourth.

*DEEP SIGH* lets get it.

Hey everyone!

a little bit about me - I'm an international student and graduated from a non-Russell group university in London (can you guess?) with high merit in LLB Law honours. My current stage is studying the LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2) starting this September, and I'm self-funding it.

I have never actually fully applied for vac schemes - don't get me wrong, I've tried to get myself to apply, and I've done a lot of research, but call it imposter syndrome - I just haven't been able to send in applications because I don't want to deal with rejection possibly

When talking about legal work experience - I actually have done a quiet 4 legal internships through the past three years of law school during my winter/summer breaks but in my home country - which is an international hub. Additionally I had volunteered all through second and third year of law school at a legal clinic - which technically does qualify as "qualifying work experience" but its too short of period to be considered. While I haven't applied for vac schemes, I have attended several open days and was a campus ambassador for a law-adjacent company and a brand ambassador for another. I have also just been selected for the Baker McKenzie and AS mentorship programme starting soon + I'm also currently on the ASPIRE programme to get ahead this year.

This is my last year to apply for vs/tc's before I have to leave the country + I'm also doing the sqe which adds even more pressure. I know that I can stay for two more years through the graduate visa but currently I'm not sure if that is something I would invest in, I do prefer staying in London so I'm for sure considering it but more so as a last option.

I was inspired to make a forum of my own so that I could hold myself accountable and actually apply. I've done a lot of research and the firms I'm interested in are big international law firms (Dentons, Baker Mckenzie, A&OShearman, Bird&Bird etc). I do have actually go into a deep dive and actually research firms but the goal is to apply for 5 firms a month so that's 20 firms in total over the course of 4 months (Sep-Dec) I know I'm being very ambitious in applying to so many - but hopefully it works out in the end. I will also be applying to their oversees offices as most firms have an office in my home country.

On my to do list :

1. RESEARCH FIRMS
2. Keep up to date with commercial news to get my commercial awareness up to date.
3. Apply for open days so that I get at least one foot in through firms.
4. REVISE REVISE REVISE all 7 core modules (for the sqe)

I'm just starting out and I'm a bit lost and I have loads of information in my head so this forum is very much gonna be a digital dump for my brain! Oh also I've never really done a Watson Glazer test before so any thoughts, starting tips, or advice would be greatly appreciated ( whether it's in general or regarding the test).

i've decided to create a thread on my journey to a TC, as like others, i want to hold myself accountable. last cycle, i put out 28 applications and i must say i rushed most of them and did not truly research the firms. i think i did this because i did not know what i wanted from a firm but since reflecting on my applications, i know what i want now.

about me: i am going into my final year at a non-rg uni. i finished both 1st and 2nd year with a high 2:1.

my interests align mostly with certain US firms (small cohort, early responsibility, focus on private equity, a seat in one of my top 5 practice areas, interesting clients, international work), but i do have some other firms on my list that i am interested in for other reasons as i have either been to these firms and enjoyed learning about the work they do. just to note, trainee intake is something i am open to so i will be applying to a firm that takes in 100 trainees a year, but a smaller cohort would not allow me to hide and force me to come out of my comfort zone and GROW which is very important to me.

i have 14 firms on my list, i may replace one firm with another as i realised that i am not too interested in what they specialise in.

the firms: akin, a&o shearman, arnold & porter (not too sure now), ashurst, davis polk, freshfields, gibson dunn, goodwin, latham, nrf, skadden, travers smith, weil and wilkie.

where i want to be by the middle of august: i want to have completed a forage internship in either private equity or banking. i also would like to have started drafting winter applications for 3 of the firms.

i don't know what else to say lol but good luck everyone and i pray it goes well for all of us!

Hey!


I have decided to create a thread to document my journey to getting a TC!

I think this will help hold me accountable and will motivate me! ATM I am all talk and so I'm hoping by regularly updating this thread I will be able to force myself to do the work.

Facts about me:
I am going into my third year of my law degree at a Russel Group university. I am state school educated. This would be my second application cycle and I plan to use the entirety of August getting ready for this year.

What firms I am interested in applying to?
Linklaters
Covington
HSF
Baker Mckenzie
NRF
Freshfields
Hogan Lovells
White and Case
Latham
Wilkie
A & O Shearman
CC
Maybe:
Reed Smith?

Commercial Awareness:
Does anyone have any tips on how I should be consolidating any commercial stories/podcasts I have been reading/listening to?

AIMS:
- Start listening to FT everyday and a firm podcasts.
- Start a FORAGE work exp - maybe CC first?
- Begin research!!!


I would appreciate any tips/ motivating words

I will try to update daily if not weakly!

Signing off,
Me

hello everyone! I would like to ask an honest question, do you think firms like Freshfields and Clifford Chance actuallly consider applications from international students who have not studied in the UK? If so, is anyone in contact with an international student (that has not studied in the UK!!!) who has made it into a magic circle firm?
I am also wondering whether a good cv with several international experiences in the legal field is enough to compensate not having studied in the UK?
Thank you all, I'll be incredibly greatful if anyone has answers!

Another day with no news from all my direct TC apps and not gonna lie it is making me a little disillusioned at the whole process. But looking back, I feel I have come so far and it would be a shame to give up now so I am going to start a thread to record my progress in my TC applications. Hopefully it would resonate with some to know we are all in this together.

A little bit about myself: I am an international student, non-law undergrad recently graduated from Oxbridge and I have an MPhil in the same school next academic year (kind of like a 4 year programme in that sense). This was my first cycle. I submitted around 12 applications, interviewed at 3 firms, and received vacation scheme offer at 1 US firm. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful at converting it to a TC (I have since rationalised the whole process and I still think it was a wonderful experience overall). I am still giving one last desperate try for direct TCs (starting in 2026) this summer as my VS experience showed me that corporate law is the one thing I want to do. I am committed to the career path. As much as I am grateful for my MPhil offer and academia is a comfortable Plan B, I would withdraw my MPhil place if I could get a TC with a 2026 start, as I would like to begin my GDL right away.

That said, I have applied to the following firms for direct TCs:

Sullivan Cromwell - Submitted - Holding email
White & Case - Submitted
Freshfields - Submitted
WFW - Submitted - Video Interview
HFW - Submitted
MacFarlanes - Submitted

Will apply to:
Paul Hastings

I like firms with personalities and preferably a small intake (Freshfields is an exception but I still applied because I admire their strength in litigation and arbitration) and that has led me to mostly US firms or specialist boutique firms.

I REALLY hope I could get a training contract this summer. Not just because it will finally bring a sense of stability to my life but also because I feel it is time for me to move on from uni and academia. I am ready and eager to join the corporate world (as I say this I realise how much I sound like a brainwashed capitalist) and I just need ONE YES. If anyone is in the same situation and would like to discuss things/spill tea/share thoughts, my dm is open!! Thank you all this community has honestly been the one source of strength that's getting me through.

I'm going to write a fuller post because I think there's a lot that has to be said about the TC process that isn't really discussed on this forum (and I have been using it for years - I mean check my username, I've been here since 2021) but especially when it comes to International Students and people without connections, or people in the UK, or lawyers in the family. I got that phone call after taking so many risks and taking so many crazy (and expensive!) leaps of faith, like: (1) moving to the UK in the first place for uni and staying lmao what was I thinking?! (2) self-funding the PGDL (3) taking months away to get a break after finishing the PGDL (4) not working as a paralegal before, but doing other jobs I thought I'd also enjoy while applying to TCs. I also think that there's not a lot of great interview prep out there, but I think I cracked it and would like to share my thoughts on what makes a 'good' interview beyond 'being yourself'! But I'll start with this: I am non-law, self-funded the PGDL, finished last year, and now at 25 I can say... I'M GOING TO BE A LAWYER AT AN ASTONINSHINGLY IMPRESSIVE US FIRM!!!!!! I AM WEEPING JOY!!!!

Hi all,

Hope everyone is doing well.

I want to use this thread as a form of de facto accountability as I take the leap of a career change/ re-route into the legal sphere. For context, I recently graduated with First Class Honours from a good (non-RG) University in a non-law, non-humanities subject: Accounting and Finance. I have 2 years experience across 2 roles in finance and consulting (in energy sector) through a placement year and an internship.

Having been through 2 application cycles already, I know the arduous task that they can be - and Law in particular has some heavy applications, coupled with many more firms to apply for… I start my PGDL in September and trying to plan ahead with a goal to be successful in some vacation scheme applications with the ultimate hope being a TC for 2027.

If anyone has any advice/tips etc for me - they would be tremendously appreciated. I will hope to share some unique insights that will drive my personal application process in my first legal cycle.

I used to think this unconventional, and unique background would be a disadvantage for TCs but I now believe that is actually a strong advantage. I think I have some strengths, especially regarding commercial awareness and current affairs, probably driven largely by some good experience in commercial settings over 2 years.

My main concern is truly elucidating my thoughts of "why law" in a way that doesn't give lingering doubts in both applications and interviews. For context: my three A-Levels were maths/accounting based as well. Now, I do have a genuine passion for the law, and I am an avid reader but due to certain reasons I boxed myself into finance/analytical aspects and thought perhaps I couldn't escape. Alas, I now know this is not the case and I am excited to get applying but this question is my greatest fear so any tips on how to approach this given my background - I would again be appreciative.

I hope to update this page on at least a weekly basis, not only for my own benefit of accountability, but also as a potential future resource for people with less conventional routes into law on how to successfully (fingers crossed) become a commercial lawyer. I think mainly, I will discuss how I am preparing ahead of time: both for the application cycle juggling with the PGDL but also how it's going once it is underway. I guess an added benefit of this - is that it will allow me to ramble some musings in long form which actually is a superb way of taking the mind out of decision paralyses.

Thanks - and good luck to everyone on their own paths towards the presumably shared goal of a TC.