Hi, would people recommend sending a thank-you letter to a partner and associate after a first-round interview with them? I don't have their emails so I thought about emailing grad rec and asking them to forward it on, but wanted to see if that was common practice or not first...
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
would love to hear a different perspective on this, but I think the risk of coming across as disingenuous and brown nosing is too high, particularly in a formal recruitment process for a specific role. If it were a case of interviewing for a speculative position with, say, a connection obtained via a family friend, you'd thank them for their time, etc. But for a vac scheme/DTC it kind of cringes me out.
is it worth it to apply to stephenson harwood so close to the deadline? i can't tell if they're rolling
The DTC AC runs in August if I recall correctly so don’t expect to hear anytime soon
Hey!
Whilst I am not sure if they have a rolling deadline, I would still say it is worth applying! Whilst it is advantageous to submit as early as you can if it is a rolling deadline, most firms will still receive the bulk of their submissions the last few days before the deadline.
Firms will review any application that has been submitted before the deadline, so there is still plenty of chance to be progressed. I would focus on writing a strong and tailored application, as this is the most important part
Hey!
I am doing well, thank you - hope you are too!
On the hobbies question, it is absolutely fine to focus primarily on your non-academic interests. If you have already covered the "positions of responsibility" clearly elsewhere in the application, I don't think it is necessary to repeat it in detail here. However, what you can do, if relevant, is briefly weave in responsibility within your hobbies (e.g. organising events, captaining a team, etc.) without turning the answer into a duplicate of other sections. The key is to show your personality and what you do outside of academics, and firms often use this question to see if you're well-rounded and how you might fit culturally.
On the experiences section, you are right that this structure seems a bit unusual, but I would treat them as serving two different purposes in your application:
1. Work Experience Section: this is broader and more formal, so I would include your main roles (legal and non-legal), especially anything that is substantial
2. Additional Experience Section: this is more supplementary and law-focused, so I would include things such as insight days, mooting, pro-bono activities, society involvement, short schemes, etc.
I wouldn't move all legal experience into the additional experience section, as you risk underselling more substantial roles. There can be some duplication across the two, I would just make sure that the additional section focuses on anything that shows how you have strengthened your interest in law that isn't necessarily formal employment
i got a holding email saying they’d get back end of april but this was for placement scheme - might apply across chelt office tho?
Is there anyone here who could kindly advise me on Goodwin’s direct TC process?
Is there a final interview after the initial AC?
Thanks!
Is there a final interview after the initial AC?
Thanks!
Pretty much immediate. Got 1st stage next day and 2nd stage the day after
I had the automatic assessment invitation the day after I applied (7 days notice to complete) and then literally the same day as I completed this I had an invitation to their work sim / video interview (also 7 days deadline).
It has been three weeks since I did that though, so I am beginning to lose hope. Anyone heard back from Macs about assessment days recently?
for the vac scheme i did the assessments in august and didn’t get an AC til december lol- wouldnt lose hope til you get the rejection!I had the automatic assessment invitation the day after I applied (7 days notice to complete) and then literally the same day as I completed this I had an invitation to their work sim / video interview (also 7 days deadline).
It has been three weeks since I did that though, so I am beginning to lose hope. Anyone heard back from Macs about assessment days recently?
I'm just finishing off my Ashurst DTC application but having a bit of trouble actually inputting some of the information.
First issue - there doesn't seem to be a section where I can put my SQE1 results, I'm not sure whether I should put this in postgraduate records or not? When I do it just doesn't show up so kind of confused
Second issue - it is only letting me put in 4 work experiences. Idk if they only allow you to put in 4 but I have one more to add that I'd really like to add. There is a section that says 'other experience' - but this seems more geared towards extracurriculars etc. Also when I view the app holistically it just looks really weird having the extra bit of work experience there.
Any help would be appreciated pls
First issue - there doesn't seem to be a section where I can put my SQE1 results, I'm not sure whether I should put this in postgraduate records or not? When I do it just doesn't show up so kind of confused
Second issue - it is only letting me put in 4 work experiences. Idk if they only allow you to put in 4 but I have one more to add that I'd really like to add. There is a section that says 'other experience' - but this seems more geared towards extracurriculars etc. Also when I view the app holistically it just looks really weird having the extra bit of work experience there.
Any help would be appreciated pls
PFOs from Slaughter and Link. Putting away my other apps for today and drowning my sorrows in alcohol 
S&M non-law DTC interview!! Applied back in November don't lose hope guys!!
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Congratulations on the VI. I applied in January for London DTC and have only had 2 holding emails so far…. Can I ask when you applied and when you did the VI please? Thanks v much.
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