Which firms are strict on academics?

Changes

Legendary Member
Jan 7, 2020
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TC/VS applications: which firms are especially strict on academics?

Which firms are particularly strict on academics? I have heard Slaughter and May are and a number of US firms (don’t plan to apply to US firms in any case). Are there others?

I graduated with a 2.1 (non-law) from a Russell Group uni averaging 65 but my first year I averaged 59, 2nd year 60 (iirc) and final year 68. No provable mitigating circumstances though there were some in first year but I was mostly just out to have a good time before knuckling down once I’d secured an internship in second year.

I also have a merit for a recent postgraduate certificate in economics, not that it means much (dropped out of the masters at the halfway point after the regulatory econ module as it reignited my interest in a legal career), which I studied part-time alongside work.

A-levels all good (AAA).

I’m a career changer (10+ years experience in central government) and interested in commercial law in London.

Advice on firms to avoid based on that much appreciated.

Thanks.
 

Andrei Radu

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Sep 9, 2024
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TC/VS applications: which firms are especially strict on academics?

Which firms are particularly strict on academics? I have heard Slaughter and May are and a number of US firms (don’t plan to apply to US firms in any case). Are there others?

I graduated with a 2.1 (non-law) from a Russell Group uni averaging 65 but my first year I averaged 59, 2nd year 60 (iirc) and final year 68. No provable mitigating circumstances though there were some in first year but I was mostly just out to have a good time before knuckling down once I’d secured an internship in second year.

I also have a merit for a recent postgraduate certificate in economics, not that it means much (dropped out of the masters at the halfway point after the regulatory econ module as it reignited my interest in a legal career), which I studied part-time alongside work.

A-levels all good (AAA).

I’m a career changer (10+ years experience in central government) and interested in commercial law in London.

Advice on firms to avoid based on that much appreciated.

Thanks.
I cannot think of any firms that are anecdotally grade-focused besides the ones you already mentioned. Other MC firms and generally other UK firms are known to only ask for a 2.1. There are many trainees at such firms that only achieved low or mid 2.1s, so I do not think your grades will be an issue.
 
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