When to apply for a training contract?

You should only apply once you've got your second year results. For the vast majority of people this will be in June/July between their second and third years. Apply for Vacation Schemes now. Try and get good second year grades. Then apply for a TC before the July 31st 2009 deadline.

Reply 2

No firm will say you can't apply in your final year - but they will say they recruit 2 years in advance and you may have to spend a year in alternative employment waiting to start your TC.

Reply 3

lilmizzflirtie

OP

9

Ok thanks
I was getting worried because everyone in my year has started applying for TC's now because it 'looks bad' if you leave it until 3rd year.

Im going to wait until I get my second year results methinks.

Thanks

Reply 4

lilmizzflirtie

Ok thanks
I was getting worried because everyone in my year has started applying for TC's now because it 'looks bad' if you leave it until 3rd year.

Im going to wait until I get my second year results methinks.

Thanks

You're in your second year of doing Law and your friends are already applying for Training Contracts? They shouldn't be. They should be applying for Vac Schemes, not Training Contracts. No firm is going to consider your TC application without your second year results. I can't believe that everyone in your year is that misguided...

Every single person that I know of in my year at university waited to do applications until after they'd got their results in June this year. People who weren't successful in getting TCs in that round of application, are currently applying for TCs (in their third year) and most are getting interviews so I don't think it really 'looks bad'.

My advice to you is to try and work hard to try and get a Vac Scheme or two (you should be applying at the moment) and then concentrate on your studies to get some impressive second-year marks. Once you've got those second-year marks, you should start applying for TCs (taking into account the July 31st deadline). If you aren't successful, you should apply again for TCs when the applications open again in Autumn 2009.

Reply 5

TommehR

You're in your second year of doing Law and your friends are already applying for Training Contracts? They shouldn't be. They should be applying for Vac Schemes, not Training Contracts. No firm is going to consider your TC application without your second year results. I can't believe that everyone in your year is that misguided...

Every single person that I know of in my year at university waited to do applications until after they'd got their results in June this year. People who weren't successful in getting TCs in that round of application, are currently applying for TCs (in their third year) and most are getting interviews so I don't think it really 'looks bad'.

My advice to you is to try and work hard to try and get a Vac Scheme or two (you should be applying at the moment) and then concentrate on your studies to get some impressive second-year marks. Once you've got those second-year marks, you should start applying for TCs (taking into account the July 31st deadline). If you aren't successful, you should apply again for TCs when the applications open again in Autumn 2009.

I applied as soon as the application round opened. I'm certain it was before my second year exams. I had been offered my TC before the end of sept of my final year.

Reply 6

Ethereal

I applied as soon as the application round opened. I'm certain it was before my second year exams. I had been offered my TC before the end of sept of my final year.

There's no point in applying this early. As you say, you applied when it opened in your second-year but didn't get made an offer until your final year. Technically there's no reason why you can't apply at the start of your second year, but you're not likely to get any response until after you submit your results.

Reply 7

TommehR

There's no point in applying this early. As you say, you applied when it opened in your second-year but didn't get made an offer until your final year. Technically there's no reason why you can't apply at the start of your second year, but you're not likely to get any response until after you submit your results.

Well, to be fair I didn't have the interview until the sept of 3rd year. Point being though, if I'd waited for my results I'd have missed the application deadline. Hull at the time released results in July. Happily for those there now they seem to have moved the semester dates to fall in line with everyone else

Reply 8

Ahh, I was under the impression that virtually all universities gave the lawyers at least their results before the deadline, so that they could apply with their results.

Reply 9

Takahashi

most firms will not even accept applications for TC's without second year results?

Reply 10

TommehR

Ahh, I was under the impression that virtually all universities gave the lawyers at least their results before the deadline, so that they could apply with their results.

Well, that would be sensible ...

I just took mine to the interview with me. TBF, my results didn't make much difference - we were put through the ******* mill anyway.

Reply 11

Takahashi

most firms will not even accept applications for TC's without second year results?

If you don't have them you can legitimately put "to be advised".

Reply 12

bethan2

Most firms recruit 2 years in advance, which is why if you are looking at doing the LPC straight after your law degree, you apply 2 years in advance of the year you hope to start the training contract.

Incidentally, I applied for a few in my 3rd year (I did a 4 year degree) and didn't get anywhere. I recommend waiting until you have more experience (and better academic results) as you are more likely to get one. The right TC is worth waiting for.

Oh, and I don't mean to scare you, but only about 25% of my LPC class finished the year with a TC (many got them after finishing the course).

Beth (Trainee Solicitor)

Reply 13

Where did you do the LPC?

Where are you training?

PM me if that one is on the QT :p:

Reply 14

bethan2

Me? I did it at College of Law, Bloomsbury (London). I am training at a small firm in London which is mainly legally aided, specialising in mental health law.

Beth :smile:

Reply 15

Mental health/Medical ethics is my geeky law love!

Reply 16