Oxford Law Students and Applicants

In my opinion it is Chemistry,English Language,History,Biology or sociology and or computer science

Reply 781

super_kawaii

20

English lit, history, politics, a foreign language, basically any respected A Level, although essay subjects would be more useful than sciences for law.

English language often isn't as respected as English lit. Likewise with sociology-it's often seen as a bit of a soft subject.

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Reply 782

Origami Bullets

19

What super_kawaii said.

Science A Levels are of limited relevance, sociology is soft, and English language is soft relative to literature.

Stick to solid essay subjects like English literature, history, politics, MFL, geography, RS etc.

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Reply 783

Original post by CHANELNO5

Hey guys,
I'm looking for a bit of help here. After reading this thread people seem to be insinuating that different colleges look at different things so I was wondering if you guys could give me some guidance. I was going to apply for 2013 entry but due to external circumstances (a close relative passed away) I didn't end up applying at all this year although I did write a PS and take the LNAT exam. I am looking to apply for 2014 entry, after my A2 exams (which are happening now).
Anyway here are my stats:
GCSEs: 8A* 2A
AS: AAAB (I did 5 re-sits though)
A2 (predictions): A*AA, but I think it's more likely I will get AAA
LNAT: 26/42 (average this year was 21), I think I could get this score again...
Obviously I don't know how good the LNAT essay was as I didn't end up applying.
I have also done lots of work experience, read a lot, the standard stuff really and I have some other work experience lined up for my gap year.

The colleges I have shortlisted are St John's, Trinity, Exeter and Magdalen. I like them all a lot but St John is my current favourite.

Could someone tell me what criteria these colleges look at/ which one would be the best with my results etc

Thank you!

I'm slightly doubtful as to how different the criteria can be across colleges (the Faculty has a list of what it looks for), my guess is that if it ever differs, it's probably in the weightage of factors. And at any rate, it's going to be quite hard to tell if this is true at all because all evidence is anecdotal and in too small numbers to be statistically reliable. Maybe you could try emailing the Admissions secretary at those colleges?

They're all lovely colleges - my suggestion is look at factors like accommodation (John's is good on this IMO, Exeter and Trinity have annexes that are pretty far out), the number of lawyers, location, size of the college, facilities, funding and grants etc

If anything, I'd pick John's because it's rich = lots of funding, cheap food (but the quality isn't as good as Trinity IMO), cheap accommodation :tongue:

Reply 784

boffdude

Original post by CHANELNO5

Hey guys,
I'm looking for a bit of help here. After reading this thread people seem to be insinuating that different colleges look at different things so I was wondering if you guys could give me some guidance. I was going to apply for 2013 entry but due to external circumstances (a close relative passed away) I didn't end up applying at all this year although I did write a PS and take the LNAT exam. I am looking to apply for 2014 entry, after my A2 exams (which are happening now).
Anyway here are my stats:
GCSEs: 8A* 2A
AS: AAAB (I did 5 re-sits though)
A2 (predictions): A*AA, but I think it's more likely I will get AAA
LNAT: 26/42 (average this year was 21), I think I could get this score again...
Obviously I don't know how good the LNAT essay was as I didn't end up applying.
I have also done lots of work experience, read a lot, the standard stuff really and I have some other work experience lined up for my gap year.

The colleges I have shortlisted are St John's, Trinity, Exeter and Magdalen. I like them all a lot but St John is my current favourite.

Could someone tell me what criteria these colleges look at/ which one would be the best with my results etc

Thank you!

definitearticle is on point with his response. at both of the colleges at i interviewed at i had to read a case pre-interview. as i always say to people who are thinking of applying, don't choose a college based on where you think you will get in, choose on where you think you would like to be. i was pooled both before and after interview so there is a not insignificant chance you will end up somewhere different anyway. in addition to the factors mishieru lists, you might also want to consider proximity to the law fac, sainsburys/tesco etc.

Reply 785

littletiger

3

Hi, I'm probably going to apply for law (as a second undergrad degree) after a BA in sociology at a prominent well respected uni in India.
Of course grades are extremely important, but how much do activities that demonstrate passion forlaw count? Which would be included in the personal statement. How much weight do those things carry, really? Significantly? Or is it true that the grades you get almost solely determine your offer/rejection.

All opinions welcome! Thanks I'm advance!

:smile:

Reply 786

Original post by littletiger

Hi, I'm probably going to apply for law (as a second undergrad degree) after a BA in sociology at a prominent well respected uni in India.
Of course grades are extremely important, but how much do activities that demonstrate passion forlaw count? Which would be included in the personal statement. How much weight do those things carry, really? Significantly? Or is it true that the grades you get almost solely determine your offer/rejection.

All opinions welcome! Thanks I'm advance!

:smile:

Oxford (and UK universities generally) don't emphasize on ECs - it's pretty much all about the grades. In particular, Oxford's Law course is academic as opposed to vocational. You should definitely include ECs into your PS, but the bulk of it should be on why you want to study law as an academic subject (of course, you could say things like "I encountered xxxx case when I was working in z firm, and I found this area of law fascinating because ccccc. I later went and read ddd books on this" etc)

Reply 787

TanyaB21

19

Could someone clear something up for me?

If you're not a Christian and you apply to the christian related colleges, do you have a less chance of getting in? Just wondering

Reply 788

nulli tertius

21

Original post by IHTWFR

Could someone clear something up for me?

If you're not a Christian and you apply to the christian related colleges, do you have a less chance of getting in? Just wondering

All colleges were Christian in their foundation. Religious preferences in the mainstream colleges went more than a century ago. The Permanent Private Halls do expect members to have a sympathy with, but not necessarily a belief in, their underlying doctrinal basis.

Reply 789

Original post by IHTWFR

Could someone clear something up for me?

If you're not a Christian and you apply to the christian related colleges, do you have a less chance of getting in? Just wondering

Don't think so. Last I checked, my tutors didn't care about what religion I ascribed to.

Reply 790

joan2468

Original post by CHANELNO5

Hey guys,
I'm looking for a bit of help here. After reading this thread people seem to be insinuating that different colleges look at different things so I was wondering if you guys could give me some guidance. I was going to apply for 2013 entry but due to external circumstances (a close relative passed away) I didn't end up applying at all this year although I did write a PS and take the LNAT exam. I am looking to apply for 2014 entry, after my A2 exams (which are happening now).
Anyway here are my stats:
GCSEs: 8A* 2A
AS: AAAB (I did 5 re-sits though)
A2 (predictions): A*AA, but I think it's more likely I will get AAA
LNAT: 26/42 (average this year was 21), I think I could get this score again...
Obviously I don't know how good the LNAT essay was as I didn't end up applying.
I have also done lots of work experience, read a lot, the standard stuff really and I have some other work experience lined up for my gap year.

The colleges I have shortlisted are St John's, Trinity, Exeter and Magdalen. I like them all a lot but St John is my current favourite.

Could someone tell me what criteria these colleges look at/ which one would be the best with my results etc

Thank you!

Do remember that the law faculty in general will look at the applications and decide who to shortlist for interview - I chose Trinity as my preferred college when I applied last year, but was instead interviewed by Corpus Christi. Some colleges are more popular and hence more oversubscribed than others, but this doesn't mean you stand a higher chance if you picked a "less popular" college of preference - if, in my case (I presume), Trinity had too many applicants, other colleges may decide to take up your application and interview you.

Reply 791

Gomez Hendrix

has anyone here actually got into law at oxford or even haad an interview?
if so pcould you plese get in touch with me. would really appreciate some advice before applying :smile:

Reply 792

Original post by Gomez Hendrix

has anyone here actually got into law at oxford or even haad an interview?
if so pcould you plese get in touch with me. would really appreciate some advice before applying :smile:

I just finished my 2nd year doing Law at Oxford - what kind of advice are you looking for?

Reply 793

Gomez Hendrix

Original post by mishieru07

I just finished my 2nd year doing Law at Oxford - what kind of advice are you looking for?

thanks for getting back to me. just wondering what my chances were.

i got 5 As (english lnag, lit history, re, science , 3Bs (science, maths, graphics) and 1 c (music)
should get AAA prediction for AS and done work experience, volunteering etc

do you know of anyone who got in with similar gcse grades. also does the LNAT play a major part?

Reply 794

Original post by Gomez Hendrix

thanks for getting back to me. just wondering what my chances were.

i got 5 As (english lnag, lit history, re, science , 3Bs (science, maths, graphics) and 1 c (music)
should get AAA prediction for AS and done work experience, volunteering etc

do you know of anyone who got in with similar gcse grades. also does the LNAT play a major part?

Hmm I'm actually an international student, so I didn't undergo the British A level system.

I don't really know about the GCSE grades of my course mates, so I'm afraid I can't comment. However, given that your grades are probably below the Oxford average (They consider a strong GCSE profile to be one of majority A*s/ As: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/courses_and_entrance_requirements/), you could perhaps consider applying to Cambridge? Cambridge administers a law test too and looks more to AS marks, so if you do well in those, that should stand you in good stead. Cambridge also interview more people than Oxford, so that's something to take into consideration.

The LNAT definitely plays a part (possibly a significant one in shortlisting for interview), I'm not sure how big though. I suspect it's a more holistic assessment, taking into account all factors (ie PS, Reference, GCSEs and LNAT + interview if you're invited).

At any rate, definitely email admissions and ask them. They will probably be able to provide you with more information, and give you better feedback on your profile.

Sorry for not being very helpful!

Reply 795

RNG06

I am hoping to go to Oxford to study law, would these A-Levels be suitable: English Lit, History, Sociology, Psychology or Philosophy...
I would also like to know which subjects are considered as 'soft' and which subjects are respected. Thanks in advance

Reply 796

acecahill39