TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I have completed an AC today which involved a group exercise. I think our group may have misinterpreted the instructions about how to allocate time throughout the task. Is this a deal breaker and automatic fail? I acknowledged the potential error during the group exercise with the interviewers at the end. The other group member also interpreted the timings the same way I did, so perhaps the instructions weren't the clearest. Is this issue alone a reason why you may fail an AC? I'm worried as all AC advice says how important time keeping is. I'm disappointed we misunderstood our instructions and would hate for this small error to hinder any TC chances with the firm. I'd appreciate your thoughts please @Jessica Booker or anyone else who may be able to help. Thanks!

No - this wouldn’t be a reason for failing an exercise, and especially if you did reference you thought it had been misinterpreted/should have been done differently.

 

[Tintin06]

White & Case cover letter questions. Any advice on writing 1,000 words? It feels longer than last year. Tips on structure greatly appreciated - thanks.

 

[Chris Brown]

White & Case cover letter questions. Any advice on writing 1,000 words? It feels longer than last year. Tips on structure greatly appreciated - thanks.

I think they just state that the max is 1,000 words. I’m sure it was the same for the VS application. My cover letter for the VS was like 800 words and I got past the application stage, so I think anything between 700-850 words is fine. It needs to be concise and structured into three parts: why law/commercial law, why White & Case and then why you. Tbh the why you should be throughout so make sure to link back the points you make so it’s tailored to the firm and yourself. 🙂​

 

[needatccccc]

Wow best of luck! Please let me know how it went!

hey! it went fine i think! the group exercise scenario was fairly straightforward, so was the written assessment. the interview wasn’t really much of a conversation, they were asking some strengths questions off their list but all in all it wasn’t too bad!

 

[👩🎓]

Has anyone else done the Foot Anstey VI for direct TCs - I don't think mine went very well!

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

White & Case cover letter questions. Any advice on writing 1,000 words? It feels longer than last year. Tips on structure greatly appreciated - thanks.

While echoing @Chris Brown that you don't need 1000 words, I think writing that much wouldn't be that difficult. I think it's best to use the word count for the "Why this firm" section. On the other hand, I try to keep "Why commercial law" quite brief no matter the word count. So I'd go with 150-500-350 words for the three sections (why law - why this firm - why me). I think this structure has worked well for me in the past, and it's not difficult to write once you've extensively researched the firm. I actually often really struggle to confine "Why this firm?" to 300 words. Of course, none of this is rigid, just make sure you're really selling yourself and your motivation.

 

[Chouette]

If someone applied for a TC at Slaughters on the deadline and has not yet heard back - is there still any chance?

 

[MaryAra299]

I want to ask, for TCs stationed in the middle east like CMS Dubai, do we have to be an Arab national to apply? Do they people who are not a middle-east national. I can read and write in arabic, though I am not a national, if that helps.

 

[Mug Fan]

Goodwin news after video interview? Did this nearly two months ago.

I'm assuming they're waiting for Vac Schemes to be over before seeing what dregs they have left to offer us...

 

[Deleted member 31571]

i feel like a broken record for asking but has anyone or someone they know heard from Curtis? Total silence since submission

 

[Zaidoz10]

Anyone hear back from Simmons Middle East post assessment and VI?

 

[anonymouscatboy]

the wait for Freshfields' DTC outcome is killing me - does anyone have any idea of when we might hear back post-AC?
How is it possible that only 1 person on the forum has heard back?

 

[Chris Brown]

the wait for Freshfields' DTC outcome is killing me - does anyone have any idea of when we might hear back post-AC?
How is it possible that only 1 person on the forum has heard back?

It could be possible that more than 1 person on the forum has heard back but only 1 person posted about it? It might also depend on when they had their AC. If they had their AC earlier in the timeline of AC’s, they will probably have heard back sooner from Freshfields. Best of luck for the DTC. I’m sure you’ll hear back with positive news soon! 🙂​

 

[anonymouscatboy]

I think that person on the forum was referring to Fieldfisher (mix up with FF)

ah, are we talking about buggy (the person that deleted their acc)?

 

[anonymouscatboy]

It could be possible that more than 1 person on the forum has heard back but only 1 person posted about it? It might also depend on when they had their AC. If they had their AC earlier in the timeline of AC’s, they will probably have heard back sooner from Freshfields. Best of luck for the DTC. I’m sure you’ll hear back with positive news soon! 🙂​

I'm trying to stay positive but the wait is so agonizing and I'm struggling to stay focused on work. Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[Deleted member 30442]

the wait for Freshfields' DTC outcome is killing me - does anyone have any idea of when we might hear back post-AC?
How is it possible that only 1 person on the forum has heard back?

It’s honestly ridiculous from Freshfields. I did my AC on the first day of DTC ACs (Mon), and nothing. Expecting a PFO but a quick email confirming that would be great..!

 

[nya]

the wait for Freshfields' DTC outcome is killing me - does anyone have any idea of when we might hear back post-AC?
How is it possible that only 1 person on the forum has heard back?

to top it off, I've received two scam calls this week and they made me jump both times 🤣

 

[anonymouscatboy]

to top it off, I've received two scam calls this week and they made me jump both times 🤣

Same! Got a call from an unknown number this afternoon and nearly wiped out sprinting to answer it.

"Hi, is this *my name*?"

Me, practically vibrating with excitement: "YES!!"

Them: "Did you know that at ABH insurance company, you can..."

Me: "...Oh."

May God punish scam callers.

 

[Deleted member 30442]

I think that person on the forum was referring to Fieldfisher (mix up with FF)

That would make sense - I had been thinking it is weird that only 1 person has heard back with an offer, and nobody else has heard back at all.

I suppose nobody having heard back means, despite the wait, we shouldn't assume a PFO!

 

[anonymouscatboy]

It’s honestly ridiculous from Freshfields. I did my AC on the first day of DTC ACs (Mon), and nothing. Expecting a PFO but a quick email confirming that would be great..!

Yeah, they've been so slow in general this cycle, it's so disappointing