TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Trophy]

I’m trying to gauge whether A&O value the numerical section of the SJT? As I’ve progressed to AC with other firms with low numerical and high verbal which is the same as my results I got with A&O. My VI was ok. I’ve done vacation schemes and have been made TC offers so surely my motivation for law is there

 

[WeGotThis!]

Are they doing the AC invites for A&O based on 2027 and 2028 intakes?

 

[Prudentia]

Hi @Andrei Radu and @Abbie Whitlock, it would be good to get your thoughts on whether it’s worth applying for the VS at Sullivan & Cromwell or waiting until DTC applications open in May 2026. I’m a career changer currently working in a legal-adjacent field for one of the big banks. Work experience isn’t an issue for me, but I wonder if I will be at a disadvantage if I don’t apply for one of their VS cohorts. I understand Sullivan & Cromwell have a very small trainee intake, and they haven’t said that they recruit exclusively from VS. I’m also conscious about VS and annual leave (as I work full-time), and I would rather leave my VS applications for firms that recruit exclusively through them. Any insight would be appreciated!

 

[Singh241]

I logged onto my CC portal and it says Archived- should I consider this a PFO?

 

[silonthesofa]

Hey @Andrei Radu and @Abbie Whitlock. Have a bit of a judgement question to ask. After how long is it reasonable to email a firm asking for an application update? HL is rolling and their first stage - an online assessment - is automatic. My understanding, however, is it still needs to be manually sent out. It's now coming up on two months since I submitted my application and I've received nothing. The DTC is open till the end of January, but again, they are famously rolling, so it makes me question why I rushed to submit the application early if it wasn't going to be looked at.

Thanks in advance!

 

[flower1]

I logged onto my CC portal and it says Archived- should I consider this a PFO?

Hello, where about in the portal did it say this?

Thank you

 

[Singh241]

Hello, where about in the portal did it say this?

Thank you

After submitting your application you get a mail- below is an option to 'Access your application'. Once you log in you can see the status.

 

[flower1]

After submitting your application you get a mail- below is an option to 'Access your application'. Once you log in you can see the status.

Thank you

 

[lelezb1]

After submitting your application you get a mail- below is an option to 'Access your application'. Once you log in you can see the status.

Does it specifically say archived? Mine is still under review.

 

[Singh241]

Does it specifically say archived? Mine is still under review.

Yes, for me it says Archived. I guess that means a rejection. But good luck to everyone still in the race!

 

[WeGotThis!]

I just received an email from A&O saying that they are reviewing my application, it was an automated one. Did anyone else receive it?

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

Yes, for me it says Archived. I guess that means a rejection. But good luck to everyone still in the race!

Wow mine says archived too, I sill have hope and you should too!

 

[Bottega_Veneta]

Wow mine says archived too, I sill have hope and you should too!

It’s not over until it’s over!! Out of curiosity may I know when you submitted the application?

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

It’s not over until it’s over!! Out of curiosity may I know when you submitted the application?

On the day of the deadline since it wasn't rolling, i didn't see the need to apply much earlier.

 

[Singh241]

Hi everyone, does anyone know what the process is after submitting the Freshfields online application? (DTC)
I’m not sure what to expect next (e.g., what the online assessment includes or how soon they respond).
Any insight would be appreciated!

 

[Prudentia]

I logged onto my CC portal and it says Archived- should I consider this a PFO?

Where did you see this? I have just checked the portal and can’t see where it will tell you it has been archived?

As always, I wouldn’t infer anything until you’ve been told explicitly that you’re out of the running. You will run yourself into the ground with worry.

 

[Singh241]

Where did you see this? I have just checked the portal and can’t see where it will tell you it has been archived?

As always, I wouldn’t infer anything until you’ve been told explicitly that you’re out of the running. You will run yourself into the ground with worry.

After submitting your application you get a mail- below is an option to 'Access your application'. Once you log in you can see the status.

 

[Prudentia]

On the day of the deadline since it wasn't rolling, i didn't see the need to apply much earlier.

I prefer to apply for jobs as late as possible (usually the day before the closing date). It means I don’t have to wait as long to hear back.

 

[Prudentia]

After submitting your application you get a mail- below is an option to 'Access your application'. Once you log in you can see the status.

Mine currently says “in review”. Am I looking in the right place?

 

[Singh241]

Mine currently says “in review”. Am I looking in the right place?

Yes, Good luck!