TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[AMullin]

does clifford chance send over wg immediately and does this have to be completed by deadline (or is it application itself only)?

I applied on the 6th, got the WG invite on the 11th and it stated it needed to be completed within 5 days starting from the following day.

 

[Prudentia]

Passed the Clifford Chance WG! I finished it at 19:58 and received the email now. It's good to know my application won't go straight into the junk folder. Going to celebrate this (very small) win with a chinese takeaway and try to forget about the whole application.

 

[uraijom]

slaughter pfo

 

[lelezb1]

slaughter pfo

may I know when you applied?

 

[yk1906]

slaughter pfo

So sorry to hear. Was it post-app?

 

[Jay29]

what are people doing about A&O shearman not having enough boxes for modules?

The email I received from grad rec:

"You can email us a list of your additional modules that you were unable to include, and we will attach them to your application for consideration."

 

[Amgrad]

The email I received from grad rec:

"You can email us a list of your additional modules that you were unable to include, and we will attach them to your application for consideration."

I think I'll do that only if I passed Amberjack or get an offer

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

Travers rejection post virtual interview

I’m sorry to hear this 💔 when did you do the interview?

 

[Jess_AspiringSolicitor]

First PFO of the season today because I failed the Clifford Chance Watson Glaser 😖 I’m so mad at myself because I’m actually usually really good at WG tests, but I was over thinking this one so much and kept changing my answers because I really wanted CC.

It is what it is, on to the next.

 

[lelezb1]

First PFO of the season today because I failed the Clifford Chance Watson Glaser 😖 I’m so mad at myself because I’m actually usually really good at WG tests, but I was over thinking this one so much and kept changing my answers because I really wanted CC.

It is what it is, on to the next.

sorry to hear that! I realised that the more I want something, the more I’m getting rejected. I started detaching a bit and I’m doing better than last cycle. It’s easier said done but detaching helps alot.

 

[Prudentia]

First PFO of the season today because I failed the Clifford Chance Watson Glaser 😖 I’m so mad at myself because I’m actually usually really good at WG tests, but I was over thinking this one so much and kept changing my answers because I really wanted CC.

It is what it is, on to the next.

So sorry to hear this, Jess! WG tends to go wrong if you second guess yourself because that’s your practical reasoning kicking in, and the test doesn’t reward that.

You’re attitude of “on to the next” is very emotionally grounded and mature, and you will eventually find the TC/firm that’s right for you.

 

[GUt02]

Just received an invite to the Travers recruitment day!! First AC ever, does anyone have advice? @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock

 

[Jess_AspiringSolicitor]

So sorry to hear this, Jess! WG tends to go wrong if you second guess yourself because that’s your practical reasoning kicking in, and the test doesn’t reward that.

You’re attitude of “on to the next” is very emotionally grounded and mature, and you will eventually find the TC/firm that’s right for you.

I really appreciate this, thank you!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Just received an invite to the Travers recruitment day!! First AC ever, does anyone have advice? @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock

Hi @GUt02 huge congrats for getting to the AC! The first thing I would advise you to do is to try to find out as much information as possible about Travers Smith's AC, as the kinds of questions asked and types of assessment used can differ significantly on a firm by firm basis. Having taken a look over some articles describing candidates' interview experiences at TS in 2022 and 2023 (available here on the Premium Database), it appears the AC consists of a single interview with a partner, which consists of both general motivational/competency questions and a debate on a commercial/political topic - much like the system used by Slaughter and May.

To prepare for the general competency/motivational interview part of the AC, take a look at the Complete Competency Interview Preparation Guide I wrote - it provides you with a detailed description of my step-by-step preparation process which led to a VS offer 4/4 times I implemented it. Besides the advice contained there, mindset-wise I would advise you to simply focus on doing well in the interview rather than putting too much strain on yourself to try and show yourself as exceptional (as I believe that often leads people to trip up and make significant mistakes). Moreover, try to slow down the pace of your speech, take strategic breaks, ask for clarification and do not rush into answering questions; a lot of people end up having bad interview performances simply because they try to do everything really quickly.

Finally, for the "debate" part of the interview, you should aim to stick to your argument and defend it despite push back from the partner, as a big point of that assessment is to see if you crack under pressure. However, do not stick to every point unreasonably - aim to acknowledge the valid considerations that the partner brings into the discussion whilst still insisting that all things consider, your view should prevail.

 

[ML07]

Hi guys, I am currently on a gap year with deferred entry to UCL (non law subject). I achieved A*BBB in my A levels (A* in 2024 and BBB in 2025). I am worried that my A levels will hold me back. Do firms care if I resit? Or is it considered equal? What should I do in the meantime? I have signed up for some virtual events. Thank you.

 

[shadowboxer909]

Hi guys, I am currently on a gap year with deferred entry to UCL (non law subject). I achieved A*BBB in my A levels (A* in 2024 and BBB in 2025). I am worried that my A levels will hold me back. Do firms care if I resit? Or is it considered equal? What should I do in the meantime? I have signed up for some virtual events. Thank you.

I'd imagine it depends on the firm.

There are some firms that don't have A-level requirements or have low ones - if you'd be re-sitting, the firms that care about A-level grades in the first place probably wouldn't take it too well. You'd be re-sitting to try and please those firms but those firms wouldn't be pleased that you re-sat in the first place. Kind of a rock and a hard place really.

There are some that would absolutely care while I suspect there are others that may be more lenient. But I'm no expert so someone will probably come along and tell you more precise, detailed information.

 

[Harvey Specter]

Hi guys, I am currently on a gap year with deferred entry to UCL (non law subject). I achieved A*BBB in my A levels (A* in 2024 and BBB in 2025). I am worried that my A levels will hold me back. Do firms care if I resit? Or is it considered equal? What should I do in the meantime? I have signed up for some virtual events. Thank you.

I think it’s probably worthwhile contacting firms to see what their policies are. Assuming they are happy to accept the A* from 2024 alongside the BBB in 2025, your top 3 A-levels would be A*BB (equivalent to AAB), which is what most firms are after anyway, with the exception of a handful of US firms (Cleary, Debevoise, Sidley). I guess if they were to only consider the 2025 grades, the best thing would be to target firms without any minimum requirements altogether. If you flag as contextual, that will also matter, as firms do look into applicants’ background information too.​

 

[lolololol]

hi guys i received the Jones day Interview invite, any tips / advice / insight would be really appreciated please!!!

 

[applicant3000]

Slaughters PFO applied early october

 

[DarrenB]

Does anyone know generally how long will it take for Slaughters to come back to our application with either a rejection/interview invite?

it really depends when you applied. If you applied earlier in their window, you might receive an invite to do the AC before Christmas. If you applied later in the window say early November, it's likely your AC will be in 2026.