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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

Tintin06

Legendary Member
Oct 23, 2019
958
2,270
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
302
649
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.
 

Tintin06

Legendary Member
Oct 23, 2019
958
2,270
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.
 

Tintin06

Legendary Member
Oct 23, 2019
958
2,270
Holding myself accountable again (Ashurst rejection)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅❌
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Ashurst* ✅📝❌
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Reed Smith* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅❌
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞❌
Paul Hastings* ✅
White & Case* ✅
Morgan Lewis* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅📝❌
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅❌
Arnold & Porter ✅❌
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅❌
Winston & Strawn ✅❌
Morrison Foerster ✅❌
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌
Sullivan & Cromwell* ✅
Stephenson Harwood* ✅

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 📞 = TI; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications.
 

Tintin06

Legendary Member
Oct 23, 2019
958
2,270
Holding myself accountable (Fried Frank rejection)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅❌
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Ashurst* ✅📝❌
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅❌
Reed Smith* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅❌
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞❌
Paul Hastings* ✅
White & Case* ✅
Morgan Lewis* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅📝❌
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅❌
Arnold & Porter ✅❌
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅❌
Winston & Strawn ✅❌
Morrison Foerster ✅❌
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌
Sullivan & Cromwell* ✅
Stephenson Harwood* ✅

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 📞 = TI; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications.

34 rejections - six applications left outstanding.
 

Filia

Well-Known Member
Jul 5, 2023
23
16
Hi all, I'm excited to share that we have opened a Direct TC route at Reed Smith! We are accepting applications from gradates (including those due to graduate this summer). The deadline is 20th June and we are recruiting on a rolling basis. If you have any questions, feel free to visit our AMA thread here.

Apply here.
Hi! If I have completed the LPC, can I still apply for the direct TC? And if so, what is the starting date for it?
 

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