TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

Bread

Legendary Member
Jan 30, 2024
129
215
All application cycles snd my results.

2017-18: Cleary VS AC, Slaughters WE
2018-19: Debevoise VS, Milbank VS offer
2019-20: Jones Day VS AC
2020-21: Travers Smith VS
2023-24: W&C AC, Latham AC, Ropes VS
2024-25: Morgan Lewis TI (and that’s it)

More focus on TCs this time. Still, 40 apps later - what gives? Not sure what the issue is.
Have you tried SPAGging your work experience etc? Most of the firms you applied to rejected you after spag check, so there might be some typos in the stuff that you have copy-pasted onto apps?
 
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Tintin06

Guest
Have you tried SPAGging your work experience etc? Most of the firms you applied to rejected you after spag check, so there might be some typos in the stuff that you have copy-pasted onto apps?
I've fixed this more recently, yes.

Not motivated for VS apps, honestly. So probably didn't check those much.

The TC apps had more checking. All apps went through Grammarly, IIRC.
 
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Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
606
2,322
All application cycles snd my results.

2017-18: Cleary VS AC, Slaughters WE
2018-19: Debevoise VS, Milbank VS offer
2019-20: Jones Day VS AC
2020-21: Travers Smith VS
2023-24: W&C AC, Latham AC, Ropes VS
2024-25: Morgan Lewis TI (and that’s it)

More focus on TCs this time. Still, 40 apps later - what gives? Not sure what the issue is.
Have you considered taking an alternative kind of approach to applications i.e., not playing the numbers game but making fewer, more tailored applications, targeting a select few firms you have a strong interest in (10-15 firms)?​
 
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Tintin06

Guest
Have you considered taking an alternative kind of approach to applications i.e., not playing the numbers game but making fewer, more tailored applications, targeting a select few firms you have a strong interest in (10-15 firms)?​
For TCs yes that’s been happening. Ideal approach is open day first. However, that isn’t always an option. Scatter gun approach worked last year. Honestly wish it was like UCAS. If only five applications was enough.
 

trainee4u

Legendary Member
Sep 7, 2023
339
688
All application cycles snd my results.

2017-18: Cleary VS AC, Slaughters WE
2018-19: Debevoise VS, Milbank VS offer
2019-20: Jones Day VS AC
2020-21: Travers Smith VS
2023-24: W&C AC, Latham AC, Ropes VS
2024-25: Morgan Lewis TI (and that’s it)

More focus on TCs this time. Still, 40 apps later - what gives? Not sure what the issue is.
Do you mean 40 apps this year? Or 40 apps total since 2017?
If it's 40 apps total, it seems you should expand your circle, as it looks like you're applying only to magic circle and US firms, whereas perhaps it would be better to qualify somewhere slightly less prestigious and you can always move post-Q.
I have made 100+ apps this year, I don't yet have a TC, but I can see that my employability is better at less prestigious firms, and perhaps whatever is causing you to fall at the final hurdle for these global elite firms would be non-fatal at lower ranking firms.
 
T

Tintin06

Guest
Do you mean 40 apps this year? Or 40 apps total since 2017?
If it's 40 apps total, it seems you should expand your circle, as it looks like you're applying only to magic circle and US firms, whereas perhaps it would be better to qualify somewhere slightly less prestigious and you can always move post-Q.
I have made 100+ apps this year, I don't yet have a TC, but I can see that my employability is better at less prestigious firms, and perhaps whatever is causing you to fall at the final hurdle for these global elite firms would be non-fatal at lower ranking firms.
40 apps for this application cycle. 100+ apps is seriously impressive though.
 


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