Mine was 2 pages, and I did bullet points for all experience
-
TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.Join →
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
This is good advice!! been burnt more than once by not fully checking what 'deadline' meant for specific firms
Hey!
I think this is one of those questions where they are mainly testing whether your reasoning is thoughtful and tailored, rather than whether you have a "perfect" reason for London specifically.
I would focus less on generic "London is exciting/fast-paced" points and more on what the London office means in the context of the firm itself. For example, you could mention that:
- The London office gives exposure to a broader range of national clients and large-scale matters
- Many of the firm's key sectors have strong links to London-based institutions
- You are interested in being at the centre of client interaction and collaboration across offices
- London aligns with your long-term career ambitions and where you see yourself building your professional network
I would also make sure to avoid sounding as though the regional offices are "lesser" options! Bevan Brittan is really strong outside of London, so it is better to frame it as why London suits you personally and professionally, rather than why the other offices do not.
I hope that assists!
Hey!
I can only speak from my own experience (+ I received my TC offer very late in the process last year), but I'd say it is usually at some point in the summer - around July/August time, depending on when the course starts and when all offers have been given out. It might be worth just double-checking with the firm, as I'm sure they'll have a process/plan in place
Hi!
I applied for a firm with a rolling deadline last year on the deadline itself, and I still received a VS offer. Whilst I appreciate that rolling deadlines can make timing feel stressful (particularly when you see people being invited to the next stages), firms are still looking for quality applications throughout the cycle. A well thought-out application that clearly demonstrates motivation and understanding of the firm will generally perform much better than a rushed application that is submitted earlier just for the sake of timing.
Submitting earlier can help at some firms, but I would not panic just because they opened in October - people do still progress later in the cycle too, and they wouldn't keep it open that long if they weren't going to look at the later applications.
Best of luck!
Should we assume its rejection? Or is it done in batches?So did anyone else not hear from Baker… fml
White & Case VI invite with associate + HR!!! (Post TI) so shocked I’ve made it this far 
thanks Abbie! I've done it a couple times and it has always been 50/50, this one is for HFW so i am a bit more worried knowing their intake and proportion of trainees taken from vac schemes, but hey hopefully we will seeHi!
I applied for a firm with a rolling deadline last year on the deadline itself, and I still received a VS offer. Whilst I appreciate that rolling deadlines can make timing feel stressful (particularly when you see people being invited to the next stages), firms are still looking for quality applications throughout the cycle. A well thought-out application that clearly demonstrates motivation and understanding of the firm will generally perform much better than a rushed application that is submitted earlier just for the sake of timing.
Submitting earlier can help at some firms, but I would not panic just because they opened in October - people do still progress later in the cycle too, and they wouldn't keep it open that long if they weren't going to look at the later applications.
Best of luck!
Well done all on the VI invite!
May I ask if you took the SJT the same day you got it or the deadline day?
I ask as I doubt they’d do staggered invites over BH weekend although they did stagger the test invite that was earlier in the week. Also the deadline being the day after BH is unfair given the suns out
i know personally the grad rec said they are reviewing them slowly and likely towards the end of the summer vac scheme which doesnt start till june...
I completed it on my deadline day which was Friday, so i had absolutely no time to prepare it over the weekend since they allowed only 3 days to complete. I felt similar to you for White & Case VI since some people got full weekend to prep and deadline on Monday evening, but I had only Saturday to prep as I had work commitment too on Thursday and Friday.Well done all on the VI invite!
May I ask if you took the SJT the same day you got it or the deadline day?
I ask as I doubt they’d do staggered invites over BH weekend although they did stagger the test invite that was earlier in the week. Also the deadline being the day after BH is unfair given the suns out
Amazing, keep the good work and update here until the offer land on your inbox, so I can stop being hopeful and move on.White & Case VI invite with associate + HR!!! (Post TI) so shocked I’ve made it this far
I didn’t but I also had 6667 - High Verbal for the SJT, so I am hoping there is another batch of invites.So did anyone else not hear from Baker… fml
Surely it’s done in batches, I would still hold out hope if I were you!! But yes, I will keep everyone updated; I find updates from others very helpful so I’ll do the same!
From experience with Fried Frank yesterday, I’d say to take it as 11:59am close at most if they don’t specify time
Hi, would appreciate any insight on Baker’s VI for those who may have done it earlier. Can exchange for insights on Links AC and FF VI. Thanks!
I reckon it will close at 23.59 on Sunday based on my prior experience with the application platform.
Last edited:
Similar threads
- Sticky
