[breakeven]

Ive just been reading a thread that said if you get below AAB in your a levels you basically have no chance of becoming a solicitor/ barrister. I personally think I might get ABB/BBB in my A levels and will have to go to a less prestigious uni. If I get a first in my degree, will that cancel out the poor A levels? Being a solicitor is the only job I ever wanted and I wouldn't want to think that i cant make up for mistakes made when I was 16 years old and in college.

All insight is appreciated

[Old Reliable]

A few things in response to this:

1) I wouldn't say ABB or BBB is doing "bad" at A-level. There are plenty of firms that set their minimum entry requirements at ABB and even a few at BBB. If you've looked at other threads you may get the impression that even if firms say that they only require ABB, they actually are going to go for the AAA candidates. I don't think this is strictly true, although it may be likely that you will need something that sets you apart from the AAA candidates in exchange...

2)...Bringing me on to my second point that a 1st will help. For example, if a firm is chosing between you (with ABB and a 1st) or another candidate with AAA and a 2.1, you are on more even ground than if you only have a 2.1. BUT a 1st won't "cancel out" the A-levels if you don't meet their minimum requirements. So if they are asking for AAB and you have ABB or BBB then a 1st will not eradicate the A-levels.

3) Finally, I've seen quite a few comments on here from A-level students and 1st year undergrads who seem to think that they can comfortably get a 1st. I know plenty of people who found A-levels a doddle and got all As, but it's a different ball game at uni and 1sts are hard to come by. If you struggle to get the top grade at A-level it would be foolish to assume you can get a 1st - for the record I'm not saying you won't get a first but rather that you shouldn't proceed assuming you will.

4) I'm guessing that you are planning to apply for a law degree? If so I can see your point that when it comes to law, ABB won't get you in to a "prestigious" uni. If you've not already applied to uni I would consider doing another subject where ABB can get you into a well regarded uni, as this seems to be more important when it comes to securing TCs and pupillages than whether you get a 1st or 2.1.

Ok, ramble over now.

[infairverona]

Getting a first isn't as easy as people make it seem. I was in your position exactly. I missed my offer for UCL by getting AAB and I'm now at Southampton. I got mostly 2:2s and a 2:1 in January mocks, even with better grades than what you think you'll get. I'm not trying to put you off honestly but you definitely cannot think "well that's ok, I'll just get a first at uni to make up for it" because it's very, very hard. Also not in a rude way but if you get BBB at A level you might not be capable of getting a first at uni. Not saying it's impossible and of course you might be very capable, but people here who get firsts are the people who got 100% in their A levels. Even people with AAA don't get firsts. As above it might be better for you to go to a better uni for a different subject then transfer. It's not even that your uni is just important, but that most people applying for training contracts etc WILL have gone to a top uni with top A levels. The competition is tough. Some places even require a 2:1 from a Russell Group uni just for graduate jobs, not even legal ones.

[limparswand]

It's worth remembering that people don't offer jobs based purely on your academic results. It may seem easy to obsess about it while at school or at uni like it's the most important thing, but when it comes to a professional environment they are judging the whole package, not just results.

So if a solicitor really is the only thing you've ever wanted to be, then show it. Do any work experience you can find, find out what areas of law interest you, read up, join societies, get involved. Present yourself as an all round talented and ambitious person with a demonstrable interest in whatever fields they specialise. People who think that simply getting flawless a-levels and a 1st means they will walk into a job will often have a nasty surprise.

Don't get unduly stressed about it. Do the best that you can, but equally try to have a life and develop as an all round person. Do things which show you are committed to a career in law, make you stand out, and you will have a very good chance of getting a training contract, even with poor A-levels or a poor degree classification. So best of luck...

[flowermaster91]

when you said bad at A levels i thought you meant something like DEE

[StefanieLouise]

It might not cancel it out entirely, no. But what I think what really matters and will really make you stand out are the things you do at uni and what you make of it, any work experience, internships and such. I wouldn't worry about it yet, there's nothing you can do so you should just focus on doing the best you can in university and making the most of it.

[Formerly Helpful_C]

Firstly, it should be 'badly' - expressing an unsatisfactory performance.

Secondly, why are you "planning" for "failure"? Instead of resigning yourself to ABB/BBB, why don't you go over topics you're not sure of? Try asking your teachers if it would be feasible to incorporate practice exams into the lessons.

Lastly, this is TSR, you can't take everything to heart. A lot of the thread authors are no older than you, purely seeking to get a confidence boost because they've been offered a conditional place at a "good" university. Ignore them.

[Quick-use]

(Original post by breakeven)
Ive just been reading a thread that said if you get below AAB in your a levels you basically have no chance of becoming a solicitor/ barrister. I personally think I might get ABB/BBB in my A levels and will have to go to a less prestigious uni. If I get a first in my degree, will that cancel out the poor A levels? Being a solicitor is the only job I ever wanted and I wouldn't want to think that i cant make up for mistakes made when I was 16 years old and in college.

All insight is appreciated

Unfortunately, a first will not cancel out your A levels. But, that is not to say that you will be limited in the future due to your A levels; if you work at it, pursue what you want to do, and improve, then I don't see why not you won't become a splendid Solicitor or flourish in your degree. It's true though - you get a few knocks along the way, such as mediocre grades and 'advice' from strangers on a website. Even so, you have to go on if you want to achieve what you want from life. Life is full of troubles; but, my resolution in all of this is, c'est la vie (such is life / that's life). You can't control it, nor can you own it and every little problem it throws your way, so you can't take everything to heart, otherwise it'll be too much and you'll lose your grip on life and what you want from it.

(Original post by Formerly Helpful_C)

Thank you.

You too for your great advice.

[LexiswasmyNexis]

I can't comment about the chances of getting a 1st in Law, but I got a 1st in a different course with ABB from a decent RG uni (ranked at least in top 2 for the course).

The advice above about looking to do a non law course at a better uni is good; it's what I chose to do.

[TurboCretin]

(Original post by breakeven)
Ive just been reading a thread that said if you get below AAB in your a levels you basically have no chance of becoming a solicitor/ barrister. I personally think I might get ABB/BBB in my A levels and will have to go to a less prestigious uni. If I get a first in my degree, will that cancel out the poor A levels? Being a solicitor is the only job I ever wanted and I wouldn't want to think that i cant make up for mistakes made when I was 16 years old and in college.

All insight is appreciated

Some firms use filters, some don't. The ones that do will sift you if your A-levels don't meet the requirements, irrespective of how good the rest of your application is. This is how most of the larger firms seem to operate. The ones that don't are in a position to consider your A-levels in context, and may excuse poor A-levels if they feel the rest of your application puts you ahead of the competition. I've looked into this myself, as I got ABBa and a 1st at a top uni in a non-law discipline.

I find it unlikely that you would be successful in applications to MC firms, simply due to the mechanistic process of the initial sifts. If you focus on more niche practices, it would still be perfectly possible to get into a top City firm for a particular area. You'll just have to do lots of digging to find out which firms don't filter by A-levels automatically.

Finally, I would second the recommendation of the non-law -> GDL/senior status LLB route. It's the route I (inadvertently) took and allowed me to get into a far more prestigious university than would have been the case had I applied for Law. It won't disadvantage you in applications either.

[T-Toe]

I think you'll be in a relatively good position in comparison to most wannabe lawyers.

[Blazara]

(Original post by flowermaster91)
when you said bad at A levels i thought you meant something like DEE

Nawuh man, this is TSR. Bad is anything below AAA.

[flowermaster91]

(Original post by Blazara)
Nawuh man, this is TSR. Bad is anything below AAA.

true that

[Aspiringlawstudent]

I'm not sure you can expect to be able to get a first at university if you do poorly in your A-levels, to be honest. It's only going to be harder.

With regards to your question, I don't think so. You really must realise that there is a very large amount of very well qualified people applying for these jobs. Only those that have been consistently excellent are in with a shot in the City. It may not be the nicest thing, but it makes sense and seems eminently fair.

I can't speak for other firms - I haven't really looked - but I would imagine there are also a number of excellent candidates applying.

[Generalist]

Excellent marks are not the rule for securing a training contract. The case may differ significantly when it comes to going the barrister route, as the law (which is what you will deal with far greater proportion than most solicitors) is a highly academic / intellectual / philosophical area, and prospective barristers need to be able to demonstrate they understand the concepts. This might entail securing excellent marks.

If you want to become a solicitor:

Legitimate commercial acumen, networking, and negotiation skills are highly regarded in comparison to excellent marks, which only help you get through a filtering process when law firms do not know anything else about you. Aim to allow the law firms to get to know you.

If you have a genuine aspiration to pursue the legal career, then it will show in the way you conduct yourself. It helps if you make the effort not only to learn about law firms and the business sectors to which they provide advice, but it also helps if you make the effort to show you can work in a team, communicate professionally, and be counted on when it comes to working on a deal.

Whatever your marks are, make sure you do get into a university, whichever one it is, and try your best to excel at what you do there. You do not need a 1st, nor do you need to study law to secure a training contract. Many trainee intakes consist of non-law graduates, and many trainee intakes consist of graduates who did not get a 1st. Getting a 1st translates into your ability to do well in academic matters, but it does not translate into your ability to appreciate commerce, work with others, negotiate agreements, and deliver for clients.

Take any subject you like, and be sure to get involved in extra-curricular activities and take on part-time, office-oriented employment. Start your own company, write a legal blog, get involved in your local free advice clinics. Do whatever you can to demonstrate that you are a legitimate candidate. There are ways to become an exception to the traditional rule, but you have to invest your time into making it happen.

[ForKicks]

Not for city firms, UCAS hurdle and all.

[amy012]

Well due to bad circumstances I received ABD at A level. something that i really regret because it is going to stay with me for the rest of my life.. sigh! However, I did get a first in law at university of derby and since these results I have had an interview with SNR Denton and also been took through to the second round of interviews at a firm in Crawley. But as said above, professionals have been 16 before and understand why most people do not perform their best at A Level. I have also done a lot of legal activities to show my interest, I worked at a law firm from 15 to 19 whilst studying, I joined the law society at university, I was programme representative, I had a mentor from Shoosmiths in my first year etc I also raised nearly £3,000 for charity and travelled Africa for 3 months! Results are only part of what they take into consideration. Average results with experience is not a bad thing at all!