2.2 in first year, can I still apply to MC/US firms

[Aicha]

Hi all,

I ended my first year with around 58% in my degree. By the end of second year my grades went to 64.5%. I was wondering whether there it is still worth applying to MC/ US firms or would I be outright rejected?

My extra-curriculars and work experience are strong but will the grades enable me to get through the initial application round?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I think you will be in a stronger position once you have your final year results, and then you can show not only are your 2.2s in a minority, but you can also show you have progressed/maintained your strong grades

 

[R Cross]

I think you will be in a stronger position once you have your final year results, and then you can show not only are your 2.2s in a minority, but you can also show you have progressed/maintained your strong grades

Hi just to follow on from this, I really messed up an exam in first year and ended up scoring a 32 on the module. It was only one of two modules that I scored below a 2:1 in my degree, and I went on to achieve a first overall. Will this have a massive impact on my applications? I can't help but feel graduate recruiters will be shocked by it and simply reject me on that basis. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

 

[AH97]

Hi just to follow on from this, I really messed up an exam in first year and ended up scoring a 32 on the module. It was only one of two modules that I scored below a 2:1 in my degree, and I went on to achieve a first overall. Will this have a massive impact on my applications? I can't help but feel graduate recruiters will be shocked by it and simply reject me on that basis. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Not exactly the same and obviously anecdotal, but in my first year I ended up getting 40% in a module (in a capped first-sitting - long story) and over the years I've had interview invites from Simmons, CC, Travers, W&C, Bristows, etc!

CC and Simmons were in my second year when I only had my first year average grade of 61%.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi just to follow on from this, I really messed up an exam in first year and ended up scoring a 32 on the module. It was only one of two modules that I scored below a 2:1 in my degree, and I went on to achieve a first overall. Will this have a massive impact on my applications? I can't help but feel graduate recruiters will be shocked by it and simply reject me on that basis. Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Is it a core law module?

 

[R Cross]

Not exactly the same and obviously anecdotal, but in my first year I ended up getting 40% in a module (in a capped first-sitting - long story) and over the years I've had interview invites from Simmons, CC, Travers, W&C, Bristows, etc!

CC and Simmons were in my second year when I only had my first year average grade of 61%.

Thanks this is really encouraging. I probably am overthinking it (it's only one module grade after all!) but I just can't tell how a recruiter would react to it. Here's hoping they mainly focus on the overall degree grade!

 

[R Cross]

Is it a core law module?

Thankfully not! It was in my original history degree

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thankfully not! It was in my original history degree

Less concerning then. Yes, they will still spot it along with your other module that you got less than a 2.1 in. But how important that is depends on so much other information on your application, it’s difficult to say how much a firm will care about it (as it will also vary between firms).

 

[R Cross]

Less concerning then. Yes, they will still spot it along with your other module that you got less than a 2.1 in. But how important that is depends on so much other information on your application, it’s difficult to say how much a firm will care about it (as it will also vary between firms).

So it's a strike against me - but not the overwhelming negative I thought it was, providing I do well in other areas of the app? Sorry to keep bothering you, but I've been stressing about this, and it's really been affecting my motivation to do applications. I really appreciate you taking the time to offer your advice!

 

[Jessica Booker]

So it's a strike against me - but not the overwhelming negative I thought it was, providing I do well in other areas of the app? Sorry to keep bothering you, but I've been stressing about this, and it's really been affecting my motivation to do applications. I really appreciate you taking the time to offer your advice!

Ill be frank - it’s a significant strike and to some firms enough to say no (I suspect especially if there is another low module in the same year). But it won’t be to every firm - I’ve seen enough people with a similar profile of first year results get roles. They do typically achieve it slightly later on it their academic or once graduated though.

 

[R Cross]

Ill be frank - it’s a significant strike and to some firms enough to say no (I suspect especially if there is another low module in the same year). But it won’t be to every firm - I’ve seen enough people with a similar profile of first year results get roles. They do typically achieve it slightly later on it their academic or once graduated though.

The only other result that I got below a 2:1 in my entire degree was a 58. I was really hoping the fact that I finished with a first and got a distinction on the LPC might balance out the 32 from my first year. But thank you, I really appreciate your honesty

 

[R Cross]

You are likely to struggle a bit with S&M (although even then, it isn’t the kiss of death, you’ll just need to make sure the rest of your application is stellar), but otherwise, there are enough people (myself included) with the odd Desmond in a 1st year module who still got an MC TC. It is a hindrance but equally isn’t a killer blow completely.

Being able to show you went on a upwards trajectory is vital though - if you consistently get 2.2s or graduate with a low 2.1 it might be harder.

Not sure if this is directed at me or Aicha, but thanks for this - that's really encouraging. I realise my 32 isn't an odd Desmond, but hopefully I can convince some firms at least that it was a one off, as I did show an upward trajectory. I went from a strong 2:1 in second year, to a first in my last year. So fingers crossed!