IF WE DONT HAVE THE GRADES...

[futuretraineesolicitor]

If we don't have the grades at A-Levels- I have one A+ ( I got 91/100 IN ENGLISH SO I DONT KNOW WHAT GRADE THAT WOULD BE IN UK) & 2 Cs (69 ON 100 IN CHEMISTRY AND 63 IN COMPUTER SCIENCE), DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO ABSOLUTELY NOT APPLY AT FIRMS WHICH ASK FOR 2 As and a B.- I feel my rest of the application is solid- should I go for it? ( I will ultimately end up getting a 2:1 at Uni very easily but during my first year I got 40/100 in a few modules), now I am getting 65 on 100.
Should I apply to magic circle?

 

[D]

Your grades do not define your application.

If you meet the minimum criteria, you can apply. Are some firms pickier about grades than others? Yes, for sure. I would stay away from those. Your application will be reviewed holistically. I can say as someone who doesn't have great first-year grades that you can be successful. It is just a little harder.

Should you apply? Apply to whoever you want. Just understand that grades are one part of your application, but, they are not the defining feature.

 

[Honest99]

Could you stop writing in capitals? It’s completely unnecessary. Please google how to use capitals, you do it in all your messages and threads you start!

 

[Jessica Booker]

If we don't have the grades at A-Levels- I have one A+ ( I got 91/100 IN ENGLISH SO I DONT KNOW WHAT GRADE THAT WOULD BE IN UK) & 2 Cs (69 ON 100 IN CHEMISTRY AND 63 IN COMPUTER SCIENCE), DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO ABSOLUTELY NOT APPLY AT FIRMS WHICH ASK FOR 2 As and a B.- I feel my rest of the application is solid- should I go for it? ( I will ultimately end up getting a 2:1 at Uni very easily but during my first year I got 40/100 in a few modules), now I am getting 65 on 100.
Should I apply to magic circle?

I wouldn’t apply until your grades are more consistent. The 40/100 modules will be of concern.

 

[MM]

I feel that the application process for all firms, let alone the MC,is already wildly competitive for people that have the grades at A level, Uni and work experience - with A*CC with multiple third-class grades at uni, if I were you I would really ask whether it was worth my time

 

[Daniel Boden]

I feel that the application process for all firms, let alone the MC,is already wildly competitive for people that have the grades at A level, Uni and work experience - with A*CC with multiple third-class grades at uni, if I were you I would really ask whether it was worth my time

Sort of agree here I hate to say. You'd probably need a first-class degree and some consistently high 2.1s across the board to make up for your inconsistency thus far

 

[Jessica Booker]

The individual has got ext circs to their A-level grades - that’s one worry down.

Their biggest obstacle will be requiring a visa, but even that’s got much easier now, that it’s not impossible. If we were working on the old visa system, it would have been near on impossible for this individual where they are studying outside of the U.K. new visa system makes this far more straight forward.

 

[Daniel Boden]

The individual has got ext circs to their A-level grades - that’s one worry down.

Their biggest obstacle will be requiring a visa, but even that’s got much easier now, that it’s not impossible. If we were working on the old visa system, it would have been near on impossible for this individual where they are studying outside of the U.K. new visa system makes this far more straight forward.

I didn't see the note about the ext circs - fair enough then! If that's the case, my advice still applies really re university - the more consistent your module grades are the better!

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

So, you're telling me that I need to perform really well and consistently in the rest of my subjects and my law school life? - This is the crux right?

 

[Jessica Booker]

So, you're telling me that I need to perform really well and consistently in the rest of my subjects and my law school life? - This is the crux right?

it isn’t the crux. There’s a lot more than that to a good application.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Sorry I meant it in the way that it was the crux of your discussion above regarding my grades.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Sorry I meant it in the way that it was the crux of your discussion above regarding my grades.

it’s not as simple as that. You will need to do more than just improve your grades.

for someone in your position, you are going to need to get some commercial or legal work experience with firms in your home country, you going to need to have strong extra curriculars, you going to need to understand the stylistic quirks of writing a good application etc.

 

[gricole]

I wouldn’t apply until your grades are more consistent. The 40/100 modules will be of concern.

Why is there such a focus on consistency? Surely, progress should be welcomed. It means you are developing academically and actively learning from university practices. I think that it is a greater achievement to start with a 40/100 but graduate with a first class than to have consistent 65 results over the three years.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Why is there such a focus on consistency? Surely, progress should be welcomed. It means you are developing academically and actively learning from university practices. I think that it is a greater achievement to start with a 40/100 but graduate with a first class than to have consistent 65 results over the three years.

Consistency and progression are two very different things that are not mutually exclusive.

If you are getting 40s in some modules and 60s in others in the same year, that is where there is no consistency. This raises concerns of how adaptable you are, whether you can time manage effectively or whether you only manage to focus on matters you enjoy more/suit your strengths.

Your opinion is exactly what I am telling the individual to wait for until applying.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Thanks Jessica and Gricole, I think I'm headed in the right direction now!