TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[mandamasochist]

Withers anyone? I’ve seen a couple PFOs but unsure what I should glean from that info

 

[CheddarChaser]

Has anyone heard anything positive from either:
1. Mayer Brown (post VI+SJT)
2. Macfarlanes (post Simulate test - the second SJT with VI mixed in)
3. Bakers (post VI, since last weeks AC?)
4. Reed Smith (post written app - based on recent comments it seems not)

Mostly interested if any AC invites have gone out for MB, Macs or RS, or if anyone knows if Bakers is a guaranteed PFO atp?

 

[Matt Murdock]

Has anyone heard anything positive from either:
1. Mayer Brown (post VI+SJT)
2. Macfarlanes (post Simulate test - the second SJT with VI mixed in)
3. Bakers (post VI, since last weeks AC?)
4. Reed Smith (post written app - based on recent comments it seems not)

Mostly interested if any AC invites have gone out for MB, Macs or RS, or if anyone knows if Bakers is a guaranteed PFO atp?

1. Mayer Brown sent some batches of PFOs, but ACs will be held after the summer VS in July
2. Macfarlanes will update the post VI after the deadline
3. Baker sent another round of VI invites last week, they messaged people who progressed before, not posting here. They still run ACs this week.
4. I didn't apply to RS DTC, so idk. Mostly they progressed ACs simultaneously 2-3 weeks after the deadline.

 

[TheHamlet4]

How much time do you spend on researching a firm for the written questions and VI in general?

 

[TortillaTC]

Has anyone heard back from Disney for their graduate legal scheme?

Yes PFO last Friday

 

[ht2121]

RS - invite to submit written app!

 

[TCapplicant1005]

Has anyone received any communication from Orrick or Wedlake Bell for DTC?

 

[TCapplicant1005]

Hey guys. I'm in the process of applying to S&C. Can anyone please tell me how to format the cover letter? Should I mention my address and email on the top right corner and the firm's address and stuff on the left? That takes up too much space, considering it has to be A4 size only. @Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen. Thanks in advance!

 

[DesperateStudent]

1. Mayer Brown sent some batches of PFOs, but ACs will be held after the summer VS in July
2. Macfarlanes will update the post VI after the deadline
3. Baker sent another round of VI invites last week, they messaged people who progressed before, not posting here. They still run ACs this week.
4. I didn't apply to RS DTC, so idk. Mostly they progressed ACs simultaneously 2-3 weeks after the deadline.

Macfarlanes said they will update the earlier end of this month. I emailed them.

Why are people hiding their vi invite from bakers? Transparency goes a long way when it’s a firm many have applied to and are waiting for an outcome from.

 

[choicefox212]

Macfarlanes said they will update the earlier end of this month. I emailed them.

Why are people hiding their vi invite from bakers? Transparency goes a long way when it’s a firm many have applied to and are waiting for an outcome from.

I called Macfarlanes' grad recruitment on Friday and they said it might take another month

 

[DesperateStudent]

I called Macfarlanes' grad recruitment on Friday and they said it might take another month

Oh nice, thanks for the update!!!

 

[bangarangbass39]

RS Invite to submit written app questions!
Also BCLP feedback for SJT, strengths being credibility, ownership and critical thinking and developmental area in time management. Don't know if it is good.

Sorry what does this mean? I thought app question responses were submitted before the test?

Are the more written app questions to complete after!

 

[AryanAgg]

Sorry what does this mean? I thought app question responses were submitted before the test?

Are the more written app questions to complete after!

They changed the process this year where app questions are to be answered after sjt and vi

 

[bangarangbass39]

forgive me, i massively misread and thought you were on about BCLP

 

[AryanAgg]

forgive me, i massively misread and thought you were on about BCLP

Oh no problem.

 

[AryanAgg]

Im curious for the invite to written app stage did they consider both sjt and vi equally or sjt had higher weightage?

 

[Tomato]

Has anyone contacted RS about why some people were sent the application questions again? Any idea what it means / why this would have happened?

 

[Tomato]

Im curious for the invite to written app stage did they consider both sjt and vi equally or sjt had higher weightage?

I would almost be sure that the VI has a higher weight, they can learn a lot more about you from how you actually present when asked questions

 

[QuillandCounsel]

Has anyone contacted RS about why some people were sent the application questions again? Any idea what it means / why this would have happened?

They just said it was an error, and that we will be let known in due course.

 

[CharlieandLola]

How long after doing the Macfarlanes first assessment did people get to the second stage? For the vac scheme I got the invite same day but I don’t know if there’s more of a wait for TC