Congratulations! When did you complete stage 2? Also if you don’t mind, which dates are ACs being held? Best of luck!
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hi!Hi @Abbie Whitlock, hope you're well. I was wondering if you could help me with this question.
I'm applying to Arnold & Porter for their DTC, and I'm slightly confused on how to approach this question: "What motivates you? Please support this with an example of where you demonstrated your drive and motivation." Can I state multiple motivations with different examples, or should I state multiple motivations with one single example for each?
Thanks in advance
For a question such as this one, it's usually most effective to choose one or two key motivations and then support them with a strong and detailed example that clearly demonstrates your drive.
The aim is to show depth rather than listing lots of motivations without evidence. If you feel you have multiple motivations, you can mention them briefly, but it's best to focus the example around one main motivation and show tangible actions or results - what you did, why you did it and what the outcome was. A concise STAR-style structure could work well to help demonstrate where you demonstrated your drive and motivation.
For example:
- State what motivates you (e.g. problem-solving, responsibility, working under pressure, learning new skills, making an impact, etc.)
- Give a strong example that illustrates your motivation in action (structuring it using a STAR-style structure)
- Link it back to why that makes you suited to the role of a trainee solicitor / Arnold & Porter
Hi!
For a question such as this one, it's usually most effective to choose one or two key motivations and then support them with a strong and detailed example that clearly demonstrates your drive.
The aim is to show depth rather than listing lots of motivations without evidence. If you feel you have multiple motivations, you can mention them briefly, but it's best to focus the example around one main motivation and show tangible actions or results - what you did, why you did it and what the outcome was. A concise STAR-style structure could work well to help demonstrate where you demonstrated your drive and motivation.
For example:
Quality over quantity tends to leave a stronger impression - I would try to prioritise reflection and depth over listing multiple examples. I hope that helps, and best of luck with your application!
- State what motivates you (e.g. problem-solving, responsibility, working under pressure, learning new skills, making an impact, etc.)
- Give a strong example that illustrates your motivation in action (structuring it using a STAR-style structure)
- Link it back to why that makes you suited to the role of a trainee solicitor / Arnold & Porter
Thank you so much Abbie, this makes perfect sense
hello for those who have received slaughter and may DTC interview, will they provide any travel expense support for students outside the UK? i read in the past they provide fully subsidized travel costs, but elsewhere I read that they only support up to a certain amount
Check the thread above my message. There is a person who received an invite for DTC AC
By FF I mean Freshfields
There’s only been one on the forum they invite so many people to AC’s wouldn’t be so quick to think that
I hope you're right... I'm just being too pessimistic today, don't mind me
I've heard they hold some in December and then the last few in January, so you may still have a chance!
Does this mean that if youve not yet heard back from freshfields after stage 1 its basically a rejection? am new to this, so not sure how the firms operate. i did the stage 1 exam a few days ago.
I think there's max cap on it. Usually £150, maybe those who said full subsidized were traveling domestically, so the whole cost is covered. If you're abroad outside of Europe in particular, it just barely cover maybe just a quarter or third of your economy flight.
When did you apply and got invited, btw?
I was invited today. Completed it mid November.
People are assuming rejections so I won’t say the dates. Stop letting this process drive you crazy. It’s tough but it should not consume your life. Stay positive and optimistic.
Congrats! Would appreciate any transparency though atleast in consideration for others. Just think it’s convenient to gatekeep dates, whiles also wanting advice on AC. Best of luck tho!!
So They’re not allowed to ask for advice if they don’t share the AC dates? That’s unfair.
People share what they’re comfortable with if they don’t want to they don’t have to Just wait like the rest us to find out if we’re successful or not.
Also what’s up with these snidey good luck messages at the end this is the second one I’ve seen.
Let’s not talk about Snidey Mr. bullying Chris Brown for having the same account. I was being genuine and hoping for transparency, as we all here help eachother out, keep eachother posted on updates, but I can understand if they don’t wanna share certain details. This process is extremely tough, I mean every word when I say goodluck.
Exactly, so stop pestering the guy. Be empathetic, things happen, you don’t know circumstances and he could totally be a different person as he says.
Hey everyone - let's keep this on topic. It's okay for applicants not to share dates if they don't want to
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