TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[nonliquetagain]

are bclp and baker mckenzie dtc applications rolling?

bclp is definitely rolling, not sure about baker

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Freshfields London-Asia Asia PFO, please Linklaters London-Singapore do something magical

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

Has anyone heard from Linklaters for their London-Singapore TC?

 

[Kate.m]

hill dickinson AC london!

Is it bad news if I haven’t heard back yet

 

[nicoledm]

Anyone heard from Brown Rudnick?

 

[silonthesofa]

Got a first round interview invite for Bristows half an hour ago, for anyone keeping track. Did the written exercise last Thursday, had slots to choose from on next Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

[SueD]

Excellent news!

 

[adfs456]

My weekly post asking if anyone has heard back post-app for Slaughters TC (non-law)

 

[hawkins19]

My weekly post asking if anyone has heard back post-app for Slaughters TC (non-law)

I am non law, submitted app 9th Nov, received interview invite in December for March

 

[WeGotThis!]

Does anyone know what's an effective way to conclude personal statements for TCs? As they don't really use the closing salutation concept that cover letters do. @Jaysen @Abbie Whitlock

 

[Jaysen]

Does anyone know what's an effective way to conclude personal statements for TCs? As they don't really use the closing salutation concept that cover letters do. @Jaysen @Abbie Whitlock

Hey @WeGotThis!,

Which firm is this for? If there's no 'Dear XYZ', you can probably leave out the salutation

 

[shadowboxer909]

Anyone heard back from Freshfields after being waitlisted!

 

[katie2911]

Seemed fairly standard for the most part, except the last VI question which I still felt was pretty easily answerable. Results could be up to the execution of the VI answers.

Mind sharing if you received a confirmation e-mail after completing it? I'm feeling kind of anxious as I haven't gotten one. Was wondering if it would be worth to e-mail the recruitment team as apparently there was an issue with Rare sending the invitations last week.

I completed it, and did not receive a confirmation either, I think it should be fine!

 

[Applicant7874652]

Guys for Vedder - if you haven't started SQEs yet but are due to start in September 26, would that make you eligible for the 2027 TC

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Guys for Vedder - if you haven't started SQEs yet but are due to start in September 26, would that make you eligible for the 2027 TC

Yes you would be eligible. They'd enrol you to start the SQE in September 2026, and then start with them in September 2027!

 

[Kate.m]

How long are people spending on their applications on average? I feel like I need to spend a month on them to even get an interview offer (I do have a full time job). I also feel like the older I get the fewer interviews I’m getting and I’m starting to question whether it’s age discrimination. I’m 26 btw a Durham law grad and work at big4 but still I’m having such little luck

 

[summersun]

How long are people spending on their applications on average? I feel like I need to spend a month on them to even get an interview offer (I do have a full time job). I also feel like the older I get the fewer interviews I’m getting and I’m starting to question whether it’s age discrimination. I’m 26 btw a Durham law grad and work at Deloitte but still I’m having such little luck

Hi
on the hours personally it varies a lot by firm
Regarding age I am 25 and have mostly seen an increase over the years (bear in mind my first cycle was really bad but compared to last year I am doing a bit better).
Also 2 people on my VS were 26 and 31 last year and both had multiple offers so not fully sure that age impacts that much. Might depend on the firms though.

 

[AryanAgg]

Is 32/40 and 72 percentile in Watson glaser a good score to be considered for direct training contract for linklaters or should I start expecting a pfo?

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Is 32/40 and 72 percentile in Watson glaser a good score to be considered for direct training contract for linklaters or should I start expecting a pfo?

I know Elle Woods had similar stats for VS, but she is an Oxbridge student and the competitiveness for TC is higher than VS.

Your holistic profile could boost your standing, eg, your work experience and SJT result, idt Links put much on written apps as it just asked for experience outside of work and it just short and one question only.

 

[AryanAgg]

I know Elle Woods had similar stats for VS, but she is an Oxbridge student and the competitiveness for TC is higher than VS.

Your holistic profile could boost your standing, eg, your work experience and SJT result, idt Links put much on written apps as it just asked for experience outside of work and it just short and one question only.

I had high scores in resource and work management and critical thinking and development area in excellence if that's any worth?