TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi, I haven’t sent in my application for my PGDL as of yet, I am applying to both BPP and uni of law birmingham campuses but im paranoid the slots will have all filled up, is this likely to be the case?

Highly unlikely. GDL courses are regularly unfilled by quite a substantial amount:



Nothing much will have changed about this in the last 3 years.

 

[millieplatt1]

Highly unlikely. GDL courses are regularly unfilled by quite a substantial amount:

View attachment 7129

Nothing much will have changed about this in the last 3 years.

Brilliant thank you so much!

 

[👩🎓]

Has anyone heard anything from Foot Anstey following VI?

I have just had two emails in the past couple of weeks stating that they are still reviewing applications and will be in touch in due course. (But nothing to do with next steps etc)

 

[lawzade02]

Hey everyone! Is it worth applying to rolling TC deadlines of firms like Dentons and BCLP a month in advance of the deadline?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hey everyone! Is it worth applying to rolling TC deadlines of firms like Dentons and BCLP a month in advance of the deadline?

Yes - I would say so, especially for the summer deadlines as most people are not applying at this time of year due to exams.

 

[lawzade02]

Yes - I would say so, especially for the summer deadlines as most people are not applying at this time of year due to exams.

Thanks Jess, this is very helpful! I sent you a question via the Conversations Inbox on TCLA, so I was also wondering whether you have received it.

 

[AS24]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

I trust you are well.

I would like to ask your opinion on a matter. I completed my AC on April 1st, and the GR team said that we would hear back by the 1st of May.
I know that they made a bunch of offers, which also means that I probably did not get the VS, so my question is, how can I get a response from the firm? I do not want to sound rude, but I have to request annual leave and deal with HR.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

I trust you are well.

I would like to ask your opinion on a matter. I completed my AC on April 1st, and the GR team said that we would hear back by the 1st of May.
I know that they made a bunch of offers, which also means that I probably did not get the VS, so my question is, how can I get a response from the firm? I do not want to sound rude, but I have to request annual leave and deal with HR.

If you haven’t heard by Wednesday afternoon, I would send them an email asking when you may hear back - this wi be nearly a week from their original deadline but give them some additional time to respond on Tuesday/Wednesday morning.

 

[trainee4u]

Highly unlikely. GDL courses are regularly unfilled by quite a substantial amount:

View attachment 7129

Nothing much will have changed about this in the last 3 years.

I assume that there will be a long-term decline in GDL enrolment, as the GDL loses relevance due to its optional status under SQE.

 

[TC seeker]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica! I have two modules which were 2.2 and a 3rd in my first year, but my overall average grade in first year were 2.1. My overall degree is 2.1 as well. I'm wondering whether these two modules would influence my application or not. But I have some mitigating circumstances

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I assume that there will be a long-term decline in GDL enrolment, as the GDL loses relevance due to its optional status under SQE.

View attachment 7130

Yes, this is most likely the case.

It will also be where some “conversion” courses are not labelled as the GDL. For instance, you could now do an LLM which effectively covers the GDL but does not need to be restricted to the GDL’s curriculum.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica! I have two modules which were 2.2 and a 3rd in my first year, but my overall average grade in first year were 2.1. My overall degree is 2.1 as well. I'm wondering whether these two modules would influence my application or not. But I have some mitigating circumstances

If you have mitigating circumstances specifically related to those modules, then it will most likely not be an issue.

If you only have your first year results, you may find you have more success once you have your second year results to show the majority of your grades are 2.1s or above, and also that the mitigating circumstances only caused a minor blip.

 

[AS24]

If you haven’t heard by Wednesday afternoon, I would send them an email asking when you may hear back - this wi be nearly a week from their original deadline but give them some additional time to respond on Tuesday/Wednesday morning.

Thank you @Jessica Booker

 

[EG3]

Any tips for a telephone interview? Not had one before so not sure what they will likely ask as opposed to in subsequent in-person interview

 

[TCpleasex]

Any tips for a telephone interview? Not had one before so not sure what they will likely ask as opposed to in subsequent in-person interview

I can’t speak on what specifically you will be asked, however, I had a telephone interview with WBD & it was very much motivational on why law & why the firm. It felt like more of a conversation testing whether I fit the firm’s vibe & what they’re looking for in trainees as opposed to my competencies.

This is the only telephone interview I’ve done so I can only speak on that but it felt much less daunting than any in person or Teams with cameras interviews that I’ve done before.

Good luck

 

[Chris Brown]

Any tips for a telephone interview? Not had one before so not sure what they will likely ask as opposed to in subsequent in-person interview

In my experience, having done a few telephone interviews this cycle, most of them involved motivational, competency and basic commercial awareness questions (e.g., recent news story), although I think this varies between firms. 🥲

The motivational questions would be similar to ‘why law’, ‘why commercial law’, ‘why this type of firm (e.g., MC/SC/US) and ‘why our firm’. In general, they require less depth than in-person interviews with partners or associates. 😅

I think telephone interviews usually follow a similar structure to pre-recorded VI. They are less intimidating than in-person interviews and live GR VIs. I don’t think you should worry too much. Best of luck with your interview. 🙂​

 

[lucy_p]

Anyone heard from PMC for TC?

 

[Tintin06]

Still nothing from Ashurst yet - PFO?

 

[dlc3266]

If it's stated that a Watson Glaser test is 'untimed', does that mean I can take as long as possible to complete the test? Or would Grad Rec still be able to see how long i've taken and if I've spent a ridiculous amount of time it'll disadvantage my application? Thanks!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

If it's stated that a Watson Glaser test is 'untimed', does that mean I can take as long as possible to complete the test? Or would Grad Rec still be able to see how long i've taken and if I've spent a ridiculous amount of time it'll disadvantage my application? Thanks!

If it says it is untimed, then no aspect of how long you take to complete it should be considered. If it said unlimited time, then the time taken to complete could be considered.