TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[A worried graduate]

Is BCLP test automatic?

Yeah

 

[norothrow324]

Naturally I failed the online assessment anyway and the feedback report don’t even work

Honestly this one is one big bummer rn

How do you mean the feedback report doesn’t work?

 

[hkulsk2021]

If you did the Howard Kennedy Watson Glaser, did you get a confirmation email to say you’d completed it? I got nothing but an email when I started the test asking me to complete the test! :/

Heyy I havent heard back for the WG and got the same too! Weird.

 

[RonRod13]

BCLP PFO

 

[norothrow324]

BCLP PFO

Sorry! When did you apply/do the test :/

 

[A worried graduate]

How do you mean the feedback report doesn’t work?

Didn’t come up in the email

 

[norothrow324]

Didn’t come up in the email

How quick did results come back?

 

[TC seeker]

It is one of those things where it depends on many different factors, including:

• Which firm? Some are much pickier than others
• How many low 2.1 modules there are - if they are a majority this might be an issue more so than if there is just the occasional one module
• When they were - firms may look at first year grades with less scrutiny than final year grades
• Which subjects they are in? Some firms may look at Tort/Contract modules more closely than other subjects/modules

Generally though, a 2.1 is sufficient for most firms and a low 2.1 would not be an issue in many cases even with the above considerations.

Does magic circle law firms care about low 2.1 modules? if I have 2 modules are low 2.1 in my penultimate years and I'm a non-law student.

 

[Fysone]

Holding email from Ashurst noting their intention to contact with all candidates no later than Friday 31 May, extended from today.

 

[EzeLaylor]

Hey @Jessica Booker

I’ve received a place at KCL for an economics masters but just want to find out (from your experience) if it will improve my TC prospects. A lot of vac schemers I've met have done or are doing masters and received TCs.

I do have vac scheme experience (x2 but didn't convert) but trying to decide if it's worth the extra cost...

 

[GaryTheSnail1]

Has anyone heard back from Shoosmiths yet regarding the AC????

Not sure if this helps, but I applied last year and didn’t hear back until the date given in the post-test holding email

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does magic circle law firms care about low 2.1 modules? if I have 2 modules are low 2.1 in my penultimate years and I'm a non-law student.

If it’s only two modules, then I don’t see any of the MC firms having an issue with this - possibly Slaughters as they have a tendency to focus on academic excellence, but even then I don’t think it would exclude you from them depending on the strength of the rest of your application.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hey @Jessica Booker

I’ve received a place at KCL for an economics masters but just want to find out (from your experience) if it will improve my TC prospects. A lot of vac schemers I've met have done or are doing masters and received TCs.

I do have vac scheme experience (x2 but didn't convert) but trying to decide if it's worth the extra cost...

It won’t directly improve your chances of securing a TC, especially given it’s in a non law subject. I wouldn’t do the course to better your chances, but would do the course of its something you personally want to pursue.

 

[EzeLaylor]

It won’t directly improve your chances of securing a TC, especially given it’s in a non law subject. I wouldn’t do the course to better your chances, but would do the course of its something you personally want to pursue.

Thank you Jess

 

[hopefulforatc]

It won’t directly improve your chances of securing a TC, especially given it’s in a non law subject. I wouldn’t do the course to better your chances, but would do the course of its something you personally want to pursue.

Hi, does doing an LLM actually make a big difference. As in is it better to do a full-time job or an LLM, which one will make a bigger difference?

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Holding email from Ashurst noting their intention to contact with all candidates no later than Friday 31 May, extended from today.

what are you making of this? I'm cautiously optimistic that this means we might still have a shot because if not, why wouldn't they just blanket reject us?

 

[evianmineral]

what are you making of this? I'm cautiously optimistic that this means we might still have a shot because if not, why wouldn't they just blanket reject us?

I got same email but honestly think it's still PFO bc why would we not be in the initial rounds of invites for written assessments etc.

I'd love to be proven wrong though.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi, does doing an LLM actually make a big difference. As in is it better to do a full-time job or an LLM, which one will make a bigger difference?

In most instances, no. A specialist LLM can help if you want to go into a specialist firm (eg Shipping / Human Rights) but for most commercial firms with broad practice areas, it’s not going to make a direct positive difference.

It can help if:

- you need more time to develop skills and knowledge, and you know you can make the most of your year studying

- you have weaker grades in your undergrad as it presents an opportunity to show academic excellence (assuming you perform well in the LLM)

But your recruiter will not be looking for an LLM, and therefore generally you should only do one for your own interests rather than in the hope it will help you secure a TC.

 

[studentgrad]

They won't be recruiting from the direct TC route this year. All TCs will go to vac scheme candidates.

May I ask: how do you know this? Did they announce this on their website?

 

[hopefulforatc]

In most instances, no. A specialist LLM can help if you want to go into a specialist firm (eg Shipping / Human Rights) but for most commercial firms with broad practice areas, it’s not going to make a direct positive difference.

It can help if:

- you need more time to develop skills and knowledge, and you know you can make the most of your year studying

- you have weaker grades in your undergrad as it presents an opportunity to show academic excellence (assuming you perform well in the LLM)

But your recruiter will not be looking for an LLM, and therefore generally you should only do one for your own interests rather than in the hope it will help you secure a TC.

Thank you!