TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi everyone,
I'm planning to reapply to a firm where I made it through the initial stage last year. They've kept the application questions the same, and my motivations for applying haven’t really changed. Should I reuse some of my previous answers, or would that hurt my chances?

You don’t have to change everything, but I think it is always important to refine and update answers where you can.

Themes may stay the same for things like your motivations, but you may have more recent evidence of pursuing the career or building your knowledge/skills which would be important to highlight to show who you are as a candidate now, rather than the candidate you were in your last application.

 

[TC seeker]

Anyone heard back from Dentons?

 

[👩🎓]

Hi all! I know this is a thread for TCs but I have an upcoming paralegal interview and wondered what prep I should do? Is it similar to a vacation scheme/ training contract interview? @Jessica Booker I would appreciate any help/ advice on this. Thank you!

 

[Joey green]

Any news on Mayer Brown? I still havent received anything...

 

[chlawstudent]

Anyone heard from Arnold & Porter or Simkins?

 

[User5678]

Has anyone received the update email from Howard Kennedy? I cannot seem to find any attached questionnaire in the email so did people just reply to the email with all information they asked? Thanks

 

[AS24]

Has anyone completed a WFW VI? I submitted my app two weeks ago and received a VI invite this morning.

 

[zplookingforaTC]

Hiya, I have my Bakers AC this Thursday, anyone wanting to exchange advice? I have done Slaughters, Macfarlanes and White & Case AC. Willing to be of help

Also, if anyone is in my AC cohort please feel free to message

 

[ashleystcjourney04]

Received WFW VI this afternoon

 

[ohnoselim]

anyone know if theres a good chance in applying to RPC's direct route, having not done their VS?

 

[zonnonomo]

Has anyone completed a WFW VI? I submitted my app two weeks ago and received a VI invite this morning.

Received WFW VI this afternoon

congrats! i did this two cycles ago and at the time there were 3 very predictable questions along the lines of: why you, why the firm, commercial news story

although they might've changed since then, always a good idea to have talking points for these three Qs regardless

 

[lawzade02]

Hey everyone! Has anyone who applied to Dentons on the deadline day received an invitation for the online assessment?

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

weird question but what do applicants carry for an AC? i know that no laptop/water bottles/stationery is needed but turning up without a backpack kinda makes it look like we're not really keen on the opportunity haha. as you can tell by the question, clearly it's my first ac

 

[gazdgazd11]

weird question but what do applicants carry for an AC? i know that no laptop/water bottles/stationery is needed but turning up without a backpack kinda makes it look like we're not really keen on the opportunity haha. as you can tell by the question, clearly it's my first ac

You come with a backpack. Take whatever stationery, water, whatever you need. But also no one will care if you come with a backpack or not

 

[emma.d]

Hi, can anyone attending the BCLP Real Estate talk this morning with Legal Cheek send me their notes afterwards? I can share notes from the Jones Day deals and Willkie disputes sessions that were yesterday. Thank you so so much

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Hi! If I have completed the LPC, can I still apply for the direct TC? And if so, what is the starting date for it?

Hi, we have fully transitioned to the SQE, which means LPC graduates will need to take SQE2. This would be funded by the firm for future trainees and the earliest possible start date would be March 26.

 

[Tintin06]

weird question but what do applicants carry for an AC? i know that no laptop/water bottles/stationery is needed but turning up without a backpack kinda makes it look like we're not really keen on the opportunity haha. as you can tell by the question, clearly it's my first ac

I don't like carrying much really. Hands get very clammy very quickly. Backpacks can make your back sweaty. I don't think you need anything. They wouldn't assume you're bringing things. Most of it is provided there. Even water they'll usually give you. Just make sure your phone's charged. So you can easily navigate travelling.

 

[ambitiouscharacter]

BPP states on their website that their SQE course starts in September. Does anyone who is doing/has done the SQE with BPP know if the start date is always uniformly the 1st week of September? If so, I am wondering if missing the 1st week would be problematic, as I may not return to London until the 2nd week

Would appreciate any insight!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

BPP states on their website that their SQE course starts in September. Does anyone who is doing/has done the SQE with BPP know if the start date is always uniformly the 1st week of September? If so, I am wondering if missing the 1st week would be problematic, as I may not return to London until the 2nd week

Would appreciate any insight!

Hiya @ambitiouscharacter

Although I’m currently studying at ULaw, I remember that most of our induction activities and classes didn’t properly begin until later in September. From what I’ve heard from a few peers at BPP, their courses also tended to start around the middle or end of September rather than right at the beginning of the month. However, I’d still recommend reaching out to BPP directly to confirm the exact start date for your specific course, as it can vary slightly depending on the intake or location. If you’re planning to be back in London by the second week of September, you’ll likely be fine (just best to double-check to avoid missing anything important early on).

 

[Kodak123]

Hi @Jessica Booker, just to confirm if you havent started any onboarding process with a Firm, it will still be possible to renege?