TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Applicant7874652]

I agree. I do find it annoying that we haven't been rejected yet, though. Do you know if anyone has chased?

So they are delaying PFO or doing it in waves

 

[WeGotThis!]

Milbank trainee salary up to 75k woah woah woah

It's going to be hell working there for sure. The salary is a bait I feel sometimes.

 

[shays]

It's going to be hell working there for sure. The salary is a bait I feel sometimes.

yea i know a guy who works there and he's been clocking 120h a week sometimes, i wish i was joking

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

yea i know a guy who works there and he's been clocking 120h a week sometimes, i wish i was joking

120 / 7 = 17.143… 120 / 5 = 24…

Bros working 17 hrs a day including the weekend and not including the weekend it’s 24 hrs a day so bro is baso never seeing sunrise or sunset…

The worst part is of that 120 hrs half of it probs is not even billable at all. Idk how people manage to maintain their sanity working hrs like these…​

 

[Vee77]

Has anyone heard anything from BCLP post test? Either PFO or VI? Is this gna be another Sidley, FF or SH where they take 70 days…​

if you haven’t heard back it’s good news. I got PFO the next day

 

[DesperateStudent]

I agree. I do find it annoying that we haven't been rejected yet, though. Do you know if anyone has chased?

They don’t respond the emails. I’ve been waiting 4 weeks for a response regarding adjustments.

 

[shays]

120 / 7 = 17.143… 120 / 5 = 24…

Bros working 17 hrs a day including the weekend and not including the weekend it’s 24 hrs a day so bro is baso never seeing sunrise or sunset…

The worst part is of that 120 hrs half of it probs is not even billable at all. Idk how people manage to maintain their sanity working hrs like these…​

yeah exactly the situation, weekends, like literally everywhere, i couldnt believe it, anyway right then i gave up on milbank level firm that is so not worth it imo

with that said, he is an associate, salary is crazy high but like at what cost if you cant spend it lol

 

[Jaysen]

Hi there, I've just been offered my first TC! I now face the issue of I have to accept in the next week and I have two vac schemes coming up which I think I would prefer to this TC, and at the end of the offer letter it says that in signing I am confirming that I will withdraw from any other vac scheme processes or DTC processes. Could I ask for an extension and if so how should I go about this? Should I just accept and do the vac schemes or should I accept this one and reject the other vac schemes even if there is a chance I might get a TC from them which I might prefer? Any advice is so so welcome!!

This is a great question! And well done on your TC. You're in a really good position, and it's hard when firms give you a short time to accept.

The main question is how much you like this firm compared to the firms you have upcoming vacation schemes with. You have a few options:

1. Reject the vacation schemes and accept the TC offer: I wouldn't normally suggest this, unless you are confident that you prefer the TC offer over the vacation schemes. It doesn't sound like this one applies to you.
2. Ask for an extension: This is the most honest way to deal with the situation. The upside is you get the TC offer and time to do the vacation schemes. The downside is that it's reasonably possible a firm will say no.
3. Accept the TC and do the vacation schemes anyway: This does happen. It's not the nicest situation to be in because no-one usually wants to do this. At the same time, it can be necessary to put yourself in the best situation for yourself.

 

[Jaysen]

2 cycles, 12 ACs, 3 VSs, 1 DTC offer received this afternoon!!!!! I cannot believe it. Hang in there everyone. You never know when your opportunity is coming!!!

Well done!!!

 

[WeGotThis!]

yeah exactly the situation, weekends, like literally everywhere, i couldnt believe it, anyway right then i gave up on milbank level firm that is so not worth it imo

with that said, he is an associate, salary is crazy high but like at what cost if you cant spend it lol

That's truee! And also majority of it is going towards taxes but honestly I don't think I'll be able to survive with 17 hours workday.

 

[addy2004]

I’m waiting to see all other firms announce tomorrow that their trainee salaries are now £75k…

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I’m waiting to see all other firms announce tomorrow that their trainee salaries are now £75k…

And then there’s gna be that one firm that wants to be the main character so badly that they decide to one up Milbank and offer £80k to trainees…

 

[addy2004]

And then there’s gna be that one firm that wants to be the main character so badly that they decide to one up Milbank and offer £80k to trainees…

Who do we think that’ll be?? Screams Kirkland to me

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock , please can I ask for your help with structuring an answer to a direct TC question? It is for RPC:

In what ways do you see yourself as ‘strikingly real’, and how does that connect with your motivation to apply here and your confidence in succeeding? (300 words max) *

I am struggling with the structure and understanding how to include each component of the question. Thank you!

Hey!

I have previously written a post in relation to this question and @Andrei Radu has also made a great post on how he'd approach this question, so I have quoted those below - I hope that is useful! If you have any further questions just shout

Hey!

Great question - the wording definitely feels a bit abstract!

From the way RPC uses the phrase "strikingly real", you're right that it is mostly about authenticity, self-awareness, and the strengths that make you effective in real situations (rather than generic traits). One way to link that to your motivation for applying is to show how your real qualities naturally align with what RPC is known for. For example:

1. If you're collaborative or commercially curious, connect that to RPC's reputation for an open culture and its strong client-centric approach
2. If you're drawn to a specific practice area at the firm, explain how parts of your personality or past experiences make you thrive in the type of work that team does.

So I'd look at it as: "who I am -> why this environment and type of work fits me (specific to RPC)"

For the "confidence in succeeding" part, you don't need to sound overconfident - just grounded. You could talk about things such as:

1. Past experiences where your "strikingly real" qualities helped you progress or overcome challenges;
2. The way you learn, adapt, or build relationships;
3. How those traits will help you grow at RPC

It's more about self-belief that's backed by evidence - simply stating that you have the traits is not enough.

I hope that helps, and best of luck with your application!

Hi @fatimaanjum56 this is certainly a strikingly unusual question - my interpretation of what the firm is looking for here is that they want you to discuss some of your qualities/abilities that are both:

• Connected more strongly to your sense of who you are, your conception of yourself (from the "real") part; thus, here you will want to look for abilities/qualities that are tied to your important character traits and to your major passions/interests.
• Somewhat unusual or very noticeable (from the "striking" part): I think your answer will have to go beyond a usual story about how an example of an experience evidences a relevant skill or ability; it will have to be something more unusual or extreme, which will capture the attention of the reader.

If I were answering this question, I think I would go for the following structure:

Paragraph 1:

1. Name the relevant quality/ability/passion and provide a brief explanation of why this is something that is deeply important to who you are.
2. Provide an example of an experience where that quality/ability is showcased in a particularly unusual/noticeable manner. To the extent applicable, you can also elaborate your previous explanation of why this is so important to your sense of self.
3. Explain how this quality/ability is connected to the any of the firm's unique selling points (i.e. if, say, the quality is a relentless passion for advocacy, and the firm is great in disputes work, there would be a clear overlap).
4. Briefly explain how this quality/ability would be relevant for your work at the firm and your success in the TC (here, there may be some overlap with step 3, so you can consider merging them into one).

Paragraph 2/3:

• Repeat the above for a new ability/skill/passion if you have available word count.

 

[LawLawLawLawLaw]

This is a great question! And well done on your TC. You're in a really good position, and it's hard when firms give you a short time to accept.

The main question is how much you like this firm compared to the firms you have upcoming vacation schemes with. You have a few options:

1. Reject the vacation schemes and accept the TC offer: I wouldn't normally suggest this, unless you are confident that you prefer the TC offer over the vacation schemes. It doesn't sound like this one applies to you.
2. Ask for an extension: This is the most honest way to deal with the situation. The upside is you get the TC offer and time to do the vacation schemes. The downside is that it's reasonably possible a firm will say no.
3. Accept the TC and do the vacation schemes anyway: This does happen. It's not the nicest situation to be in because no-one usually wants to do this. At the same time, it can be necessary to put yourself in the best situation for yourself.

Thanks for replying! The offer letter says that my acceptance of the offer means that I will also reject any other vacation schemes or processes, do people still do the vac schemes with other offers accepted? Could I do the vacation schemes without repercussions or would I be risking the TC? Especially as I asked for an extension which was rejected?

 

[matbablaw]

Guys I don’t know if they’re doing more ACs or VIs, they did 60 VIs and 4 sets of ACs 5-6 people at each that’s all I know

Wow they only invited 60 people to do the VI!? I thought there were much more than that.

 

[Jaysen]

Thanks for replying! The offer letter says that my acceptance of the offer means that I will also reject any other vacation schemes or processes, do people still do the vac schemes with other offers accepted? Could I do the vacation schemes without repercussions or would I be risking the TC? Especially as I asked for an extension which was rejected?

Some people do. But, yes, it does come with a risk. In the unlikely situation that a firm found this out, they could terminate the TC.

 

[cs3008]

Got PFO from White & Case and WFW post VI. I think I’m lacking skills required for VIs. Any suggestions how to crack VIs?

Also any suggestions for macfarlanes SJT?

 

[StressedNotBlessed]

Fed up with SJTs now. My scores vary so wildly from firm to firm. Just done SH and it was my worst one yet but one of my favourite firms

I feel you... My results differ wildly each time. Hang in there and don't take it personally!

 

[funnyaccent11]

For anyone that has received the Reed Smith application questions, without revealing what they were, can you provide info on the type of questions they were? Like were they motivation or experience based?