TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[mcqueens]

I really hope you get it too! 31 May - when I booked there was only one slot available but I am sure they are planning to invite more to ACs!

congrats and best of luck!! Also waiting to hear back from them, hopefully they are going to hold some more ACs )

 

[TortillaTC]

When did people start receiving the WG after submitting their app to Hogan Lovells?

 

[FT.g]

Hi all, I haven’t heard back from White & case, no email to reject me or email to VI - is it safe to assume it’s a PFO? Or are they a firm that always replies? Thanks

 

[👩🎓]

Hi all!

I wondered if anyone knows about Watson Glaser percentiles - is the percentile your score as a percentage? I know it is a comparison as to how you performed against your norm group but if anyone had any info on this, then I would really appreciate it!

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

HFW TC Offer! This forum has been invaluable over the past year. Good luck to you all!

 

[studentdelaw786]

Is it a PFO if there is no new email beyond the confirmation email from Dorsey?

They’ve held interviews.

 

[t-0147]

When did people start receiving the WG after submitting their app to Hogan Lovells?

immediately after submitting the app basically. it is automatic

 

[TortillaTC]

immediately after submitting the app basically. it is automatic

Thank you! Also I know I was just wondering if it goes out in batches like in previous years. I submitted my app on Thursday and haven’t received it yet.

 

[amrita6399]

Thank you! Also I know I was just wondering if it goes out in batches like in previous years. I submitted my app on Thursday and haven’t received it yet.

I think it takes about 2 to 3 days from the submission of the application.

 

[YS391]

Has anyone progressed from the application stage to the next stage at Dentons (the test or VI stage)? It seems that most of us, including myself, received PFOs post application, which makes me think they might have already filled most of their TC spots through vacation schemes.

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

is the paul weiss interview CV blind?

 

[akuss]

Has anyone moved past VI for W&C, or received PFO post VI?

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

Has anyone moved past VI for W&C, or received PFO post VI?

I was told that we would hear back within the next 2 weeks if selected

 

[akuss]

I was told that we would hear back within the next 2 weeks if selected

Thanks for the info, I messed up my VI real bad, so I don't have hopes really . All the best to you!

 

[Atam!]

I was told that we would hear back within the next 2 weeks if selected

Did they say anything on those who still haven’t gotten a pfo post application? It has been weeks

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi all!

I wondered if anyone knows about Watson Glaser percentiles - is the percentile your score as a percentage? I know it is a comparison as to how you performed against your norm group but if anyone had any info on this, then I would really appreciate it!

Hiya @👩🎓

Just to clarify: a percentile is not the same as a percentage. A percentage is your raw score (e.g. getting 75% of questions correct), whereas a percentile tells you how well you performed relative to others in your norm group. So if you’re in the 75th percentile, that means you scored better than 75% of people in that group, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you got 75% of the answers right. Even with the same number of correct answers, your percentile could shift dramatically depending on the norm group.

What makes this tricky is that you don’t know what norm group you're being compared against; it could be everyone applying to that firm, or a broader population. You also don’t know how the firm is using the result. Some use it as a hard filter, others as just one factor among many. For now, I'd just focus on trying to get better and understand the type of reasoning demanded by each section.

Hope this is helpful and not rehashing anything you already know.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some guidance.

I’m currently pursuing an LLM in the UK, and I did my undergraduate law degree in India. My issue is how to address my academic grades in applications. My overall percentage is 57%, which looks quite low by UK standards. However, my university had a very strict marking system—60% is considered a first class, and 55–60% falls into the “high second class,” which can roughly correspond to a 2:1 in the UK. Despite the percentage, I was ranked 6th out of a batch of over 300 students, and I have a letter from my university confirming this.

I’ve also done over 36 months' worth of internships, won several moots, and have a strong profile in terms of practical experience.

According to TCLA’s review, my application (cover letter, commercial awareness responses, etc.) was good, so I’m wondering if the grades are possibly hurting my chances.

How should I address this in my future applications? Should I include a brief explanation in the cover letter or attach the university’s grading policy?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hiya @Antariksh Singh Jamwal

I've posted a reply to your question here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....grade-high-ranking-in-class.9708/#post-214645

In short, it’s definitely something worth flagging in your application. Law firms are generally familiar with the fact that international grading systems operate differently, and they’ll often use conversion guidance (similar to what UK universities use) to interpret overseas qualifications. That said, if your class rank places you in the top 5% or 10% of your cohort, I'd absolutely include that detail in the academic section of the application. Many firms give you the option to add context (whether in the grade box itself or in an additional information section) and this kind of context is exactly what those sections are for.

 

[👩🎓]

Hiya @👩🎓

Just to clarify: a percentile is not the same as a percentage. A percentage is your raw score (e.g. getting 75% of questions correct), whereas a percentile tells you how well you performed relative to others in your norm group. So if you’re in the 75th percentile, that means you scored better than 75% of people in that group, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you got 75% of the answers right. Even with the same number of correct answers, your percentile could shift dramatically depending on the norm group.

What makes this tricky is that you don’t know what norm group you're being compared against; it could be everyone applying to that firm, or a broader population. You also don’t know how the firm is using the result. Some use it as a hard filter, others as just one factor among many. For now, I'd just focus on trying to get better and understand the type of reasoning demanded by each section.

Hope this is helpful and not rehashing anything you already know.

Thank you, this is really helpful @Ram Sabaratnam

 

[khan2025]

Anyone has any tips on how to prepare for the GLD/GLP AC written exercise? I'm struggling to find anything online....
Thanks!

 

[iklawapps]

Out of curiosity does HL tell you if you passed the WG? I remember Clifford Chance did but idk abt Hogan Lovells ) thanks