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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
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Hi, I applied on the day of the deadline (Sunday night) and received the VI invite the next day.
Congratulations!
Guess that counts as PFO for the rest of us, who applied and haven't received a VI invite.
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @pleasepleaseplease
Just wanted to add to the great advice you've already received. First off, well done on getting your results! I know it can feel discouraging when the numbers aren't exactly what you'd hoped for, but I want to reassure you that this absolutely doesn’t mean your chances are gone.
Grades are (and I can't stress this enough) just one part of the bigger picture. I’ve seen candidates with 2:2s go on to land vacation schemes and training contracts at top City firms that offer visa sponsorship; and on the flip side, I’ve also seen Oxbridge grads with Firsts struggle to get past the application stage. That said, a low 2:1 still meets the academic cut-off for many firms. If you feel like there were any mitigating circumstances that contributed to the lower marks, definitely include them when appropriate.
I think the best thing you can do now is focus on everything outside of your grades. Build out your commercial awareness, get some relevant legal or non-legal experience (even volunteering counts!), and most of all, work on writing sharp and well-researched applications. Good luck with your applications!
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @Alex02! This usually means that your application hasn’t been decisively rejected; it’s still under consideration and may be moved forward depending on how the rest of the candidate pool shapes up. Given that it’s been over a month, I don't think there's any harm in politely following up to ask for an update. Hope you hear back with good news soon!
- Sep 7, 2024
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Question: any stats available across firms on how many TC go via VS alumni versus DTC?
Hiya @farrow
It's actually quite difficult to get statistical information on this question. However, quite early into this application cycle, I'd managed to find out which firms mostly recruit from vacation schemes versus direct training contracts. You can find that thread here. Please note that some of this information has since changed for particular firms, but the thread still gives a largely accurate picture. Good luck with any remaining applications!
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @ilovegardening1111
Great questions! Yep, it’s totally fine to ask graduate recruitment who your interviewers will be. However, just keep in mind that firms vary in how much they’re willing to share. Some will give you names ahead of time, which can help you prepare and feel more confident going in. Others prefer not to, which can be their way of keeping the process consistent or seeing how candidates perform without advance knowledge. Either way, there’s no harm in asking; just be prepared that the answer may be a polite no.
If you do get the names, then I would definitely encourage you to look up your interviewers. It’s not about stalking; it’s about being curious and thoughtful. Normally, you'll bring this up at the end of your interview, when you're given a chance to ask questions of your interviewers. I once asked an interviewer about a dissertation she wrote during her undergrad that I learnt about through a podcast appearance she did. She was completely surprised and the panel was amused (in a good way). We ended up having a great conversation because of it. So don’t worry too much about seeming 'stalkerish'. If something in your interviewers' background genuinely connects with your interests or experience, it’s completely fine to mention it in the interview. You could say something like, “From my research, I saw that you worked on X; I’d love to hear more about what that experience was like.”
Best of luck with any interviews you have coming up
Thank you so much Ram, really appreciate this advice! Is there a course or a thread which is focused on tackling ACs?Hiya @ilovegardening1111
Great questions! Yep, it’s totally fine to ask graduate recruitment who your interviewers will be. However, just keep in mind that firms vary in how much they’re willing to share. Some will give you names ahead of time, which can help you prepare and feel more confident going in. Others prefer not to, which can be their way of keeping the process consistent or seeing how candidates perform without advance knowledge. Either way, there’s no harm in asking; just be prepared that the answer may be a polite no.
If you do get the names, then I would definitely encourage you to look up your interviewers. It’s not about stalking; it’s about being curious and thoughtful. Normally, you'll bring this up at the end of your interview, when you're given a chance to ask questions of your interviewers. I once asked an interviewer about a dissertation she wrote during her undergrad that I learnt about through a podcast appearance she did. She was completely surprised and the panel was amused (in a good way). We ended up having a great conversation because of it. So don’t worry too much about seeming 'stalkerish'. If something in your interviewers' background genuinely connects with your interests or experience, it’s completely fine to mention it in the interview. You could say something like, “From my research, I saw that you worked on X; I’d love to hear more about what that experience was like.”
Best of luck with any interviews you have coming up
Aww thank you! Likewise, bestest of luck!I completely relate. goodluck with your applications!
Hey this is sort of unrelated (and congrats on the AC) but do you think it's still worth applying to HFW, or did anything indicate they've offered enough ACs to fill their intake? They're a dream firm for me but being employed distracted me from appreciating the fact that they're fully rolling. Thanks
Yikes, i submitted the app on the day of the deadline too- well! The grind continuesCongratulations!
Guess that counts as PFO for the rest of us, who applied and haven't received a VI invite.
- Sep 7, 2024
- 514
- 1,155
Hiya @ilovegardening1111
Yep! We have several threads that focus on various aspects of ACs. I've included them below:
Questions to ask at interviews
Guide to negotiations
Andrei’s interview guide
George’s interview advice
Preparation videos
Example interview questions
Partner interviews
Avni’s guide to ACs
Managing nerves for an AC
Maintaining confidence during an interview
Future trainee insights on strange interview questions
Good luck with any AC preparation!
im quite literally shaking as i write this, but i've just accepted a TC offer and i don't think i've registered it at all
i just wanted to say a massive thank you to the whole community, everyone's so friendly but also so willing to help- i've done so many different ACs and everyone i spoke to always was willing to point me in the right direction. so THANK YOU all you've all been so incredible
honestly, this was my 3rd cycle- im a grad working as a paralegal and i only ever did one vac scheme(the one i just converted) but its true when they say it only takes one yes. it still feels surreal to me because ive dreamed about writing this post to close my cycle but honestly guys, it is tough, but not impossible. i found the right firm for me after so many trial and error and they decided the same. i've also had SO many rejections which never made sense to me but now, it feels so insignificant in the grand scheme of things- if i had to do it all again, i would, because you do eventually find the right firm, you do find the right people. i know this forum is going to close soon so i thought i'd close my journey here too
ANYWAY im gonna try and not be soppy but if anyone needs any advice/ help, pls do reach out <3
i just wanted to say a massive thank you to the whole community, everyone's so friendly but also so willing to help- i've done so many different ACs and everyone i spoke to always was willing to point me in the right direction. so THANK YOU all you've all been so incredible
honestly, this was my 3rd cycle- im a grad working as a paralegal and i only ever did one vac scheme(the one i just converted) but its true when they say it only takes one yes. it still feels surreal to me because ive dreamed about writing this post to close my cycle but honestly guys, it is tough, but not impossible. i found the right firm for me after so many trial and error and they decided the same. i've also had SO many rejections which never made sense to me but now, it feels so insignificant in the grand scheme of things- if i had to do it all again, i would, because you do eventually find the right firm, you do find the right people. i know this forum is going to close soon so i thought i'd close my journey here too
ANYWAY im gonna try and not be soppy but if anyone needs any advice/ help, pls do reach out <3
Last edited:
- Sep 7, 2024
- 514
- 1,155
im quite literally shaking as i write this, but i've just accepted a TC offer and i don't think i've registered it at all
i just wanted to say a massive thank you to the whole community, everyone's so friendly but also so willing to help- i've done so many different ACs and everyone i spoke to always was willing to point me in the right direction. so THANK YOU all you've all been so incredible
honestly, this was my 3rd cycle- im a grad working as a paralegal and i only ever did one vac scheme but its true when they say it only takes one yes. it still feels surreal to me because ive dreamed about writing this post to close my cycle but honestly guys, it is tough, but not impossible. i found the right firm for me after so many trial and error and they decided the same. i've also had SO many rejections which never made sense to me but now, it feels so insignificant in the grand scheme of things- if i had to do it all again, i would, because you do eventually find the right firm, you do find the right people. i know this forum is going to close soon so i thought i'd close my journey here too
ANYWAY im gonna try and not be soppy but if anyone needs any advice/ help, pls do reach out <3
Fantastic work @mfuturetrainee! I've seen you grind and improve and keep going! This is what happens when you don't quit!!! Well done!!!
congratulations this is so epic!!!!!! posts like yours remind me that the TC app process isn't just a twisted form of rejection therapy but that there is another side, im so happy that you made it there 👊im quite literally shaking as i write this, but i've just accepted a TC offer and i don't think i've registered it at all
i just wanted to say a massive thank you to the whole community, everyone's so friendly but also so willing to help- i've done so many different ACs and everyone i spoke to always was willing to point me in the right direction. so THANK YOU all you've all been so incredible
honestly, this was my 3rd cycle- im a grad working as a paralegal and i only ever did one vac scheme but its true when they say it only takes one yes. it still feels surreal to me because ive dreamed about writing this post to close my cycle but honestly guys, it is tough, but not impossible. i found the right firm for me after so many trial and error and they decided the same. i've also had SO many rejections which never made sense to me but now, it feels so insignificant in the grand scheme of things- if i had to do it all again, i would, because you do eventually find the right firm, you do find the right people. i know this forum is going to close soon so i thought i'd close my journey here too
ANYWAY im gonna try and not be soppy but if anyone needs any advice/ help, pls do reach out <3
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