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Law Hopefuls 2017

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Original post by roarchika
Congratulations, and best of luck!

If you have any more time before you go, I have a quick question - what actually is the purpose of the LNAT essay? I've seen some people say that it should be written like a a newspaper article, so not really addressing opposing points except to disprove them, but others have said it should be written more like a back and forth with an overall conclusion being the only non-neutral bit. I've heard some people say to have lots of little points, and other say to have two well-analysed points. I'm very confused and slightly terrified at all the contradicting information tbh!


Hey, the LNAT essay is whatever you make it. It goes to each Uni for them to mark themselves. You don't even have to do it if you don't want to. All they're looking for is to see how well you write. I would advise going with whatever format or style that comes most naturally to you. Having looked at the sample questions, they tend to give you controversial current topics so my best guess would be that they want a balanced argument. To see that you can write eloquently and see things from different perspectives as an undergraduate will have to do.
Is anyone doing the IB? What are your predicted grades? Is anyone at King's a former IB student (studying law) - how strict are they in terms of predicted grades/entry requirements in terms of the Higher Level subjects especially?
Original post by roarchika
Congratulations, and best of luck!

If you have any more time before you go, I have a quick question - what actually is the purpose of the LNAT essay? I've seen some people say that it should be written like a a newspaper article, so not really addressing opposing points except to disprove them, but others have said it should be written more like a back and forth with an overall conclusion being the only non-neutral bit. I've heard some people say to have lots of little points, and other say to have two well-analysed points. I'm very confused and slightly terrified at all the contradicting information tbh!


This is exactly the question that boggled me right up until, and during, the test. I had never managed to find a conclusive answer, but the method that held the most weight with me seemed to be the 'don't sit on the fence - actually say something'. The approach I took was to take a hard-line one, but show that you are considering the other arguments. So, for example, I started with a strong start that questioned the question, raised any points that needed clarifying, then made my opinion clear. For the main body I gave arguments for my view, then reasons why opposing ones could be challenged, but to satisfy any tutors that wanted a 'on the fence answer', I tried to work in a few sentences such as "Although not completely correct, this argument does signal a floor in the other argument; therefore, perhaps it would be fair to conclude that___" etc. Idk, it's hard to explain without an example but I hope you see what I mean :wink:

I wish I could give you the answer that you were hoping for, but my approach seemed to work so maybe that would be an okay guide. At the end of the day, if you write well then I'm sure tutors will be impressed regardless. Just try to make sure it is interesting :-)
Original post by teenhorrorstory
Can't decide on my 5th choice.
So far I'm set on Oxford, KCL, Bristol and Manchester. I considered UCL but I don't think having 4 LNAT unis is wise :lol: Might choose University of Birmingham


Make sure you have at least one 'lower grades' choice - this will mean you are almost certain to get at least one offer, and/or will have a lower offer as your insurance choice. If you just choose 'top' Unis you risk having no offers at all ....

Brighton, Oxford Brookes, Plymouth etc are all in the BBB range.
Original post by returnmigrant
Make sure you have at least one 'lower grades' choice - this will mean you are almost certain to get at least one offer, and/or will have a lower offer as your insurance choice. If you just choose 'top' Unis you risk having no offers at all ....

Brighton, Oxford Brookes, Plymouth etc are all in the BBB range.


With ABB entry requirement and a fairly low league table ranking, I'd say Manchester counts as a 'lower grades' choice, would it not? It certainly isn't a 'top' uni, imo (for law, at least).
Original post by pri8315
Im also considering to study law. Im in year 12 and im studying english lit, politics ane business studies. (Im studyint 3as) is that ok?


Which universities are you hoping to apply to? Business studies and gov & pol aren't considered 'suitable' core subjects for quite a few of them.
Original post by Hamartia
With ABB entry requirement and a fairly low league table ranking, I'd say Manchester counts as a 'lower grades' choice, would it not? It certainly isn't a 'top' uni, imo (for law, at least).

Manchester is AAA for Law, not ABB. It's definitely a top university in general, and has great employability prospects. In fact I think Manchester students dominate the makeup of trainees at national law firms.
Be careful about assuming that any Uni's Law course can be judged purely on the basis of entrance grades, or that that is the way to choose a Law School.

All LLB Law degrees are moderated and accredited by the Law Society. This assures a professional standard. Remember that entrance grades are a) used by Unis to restrict/control applicant numbers, b) as a way of ensuring that they are not 'the Insurance choice' which makes it difficult to predict eventual student numbers and isnt good for 'image', c) as a form of marketing (ie. you are already making assumptions about 'quality' based on ABB or AAA).

Make sure you look at the course, check the specialisms of that Law School, look for any extras on offer (study abroad, optional language units, pro bono work etc etc)and decide if its a Uni where you will feel comfortable for 3 or 4 years of your life.
Original post by roarchika
Congratulations, and best of luck!

If you have any more time before you go, I have a quick question - what actually is the purpose of the LNAT essay? I've seen some people say that it should be written like a a newspaper article, so not really addressing opposing points except to disprove them, but others have said it should be written more like a back and forth with an overall conclusion being the only non-neutral bit. I've heard some people say to have lots of little points, and other say to have two well-analysed points. I'm very confused and slightly terrified at all the contradicting information tbh!


By a 'back and forth with an overall conclusion being the only non-neutral bit' I assume you mean an essay that goes something like this:

Title: Should X be Y?

Paragraph 1) Point of view A says X should be Y because of abc. That's all very well, but
Paragraph 2) Point of view B says X should not be Y because of def.
Paragraph 3) Point of view C says X should be Y after all, because of ghi.
Paragraph 4) Point of view D says X should not be Y becayse of jkl.
Paragraph 5) And here's what I think! X should be Y. A and C were right.

Don't do that. The worst essays (apart from the completely incoherent ones) are ones where you survey a variety of opinions without any critical input, and then pop up at the end with your own, equally unanalysed, view.

It sounds like your 'newspaper article' model is the right one, in that what you should be doing is pursuing your own argument right from the start, and addressing other views insofar as they challenge the line you are defending.

My only reservation about your description is that 'not really addressing opposing points except to disprove them' doesn't sound like giving opposing views a fair hearing. Sometimes it seems like students think they can either (i) represent others' views in their best light, OR (ii) pursue their own argument, as if (i) necessarily involved fence-sitting, and (ii) involved blinkered polemic. It is possible to represent other views fairly while still arguing against them!
I sat the LNAT today! So relieved to have finally got it out of the way, now I can focus on my A Levels. College sent off my UCAS application today as well, so I have got that all done.
Original post by CatusStarbright
I sat the LNAT today! So relieved to have finally got it out of the way, now I can focus on my A Levels. College sent off my UCAS application today as well, so I have got that all done.


How did you find it?
Original post by teenhorrorstory
How did you find it?


It was alright, managed a good word count of about 550/560 in the essay, so I'm hopeful (word count had been a slight issue in my practice essays). I just think it can be hard to tell with the MCQs.
Thank you all so much for the detailed answers!
Original post by Estreth
X


That's exactly what I meant. Thank you so much - I'll go with the newspaper model after all, then, and make sure to give opposing views a fair chance before brutally knocking them out (somehow).

Original post by Aquaxo
:smile:


Ahah, this is exactly what Estreth said! Consensus means this is the way to go then :wink: thankfully, I've been writing my answers similarly to your example, so that made me breathe a small sigh of relief.
I guess you've arrived at Oxford by now, so I hope Fresher's Week is going well! I can't really pay you back for this really useful advice, but if you ever need a cheap but incredible lunch, Jimbob's Baguettes by the Magdalen St bus stops is pretty amazing; as is Noodle Nation on Gloucester Green. (the perks of being a local, yay?? Sorry if I sound like a creep woops)

Original post by Gold-Confetti
Z


Thank you very much, I'll take this into account! I guess it's important to take views from the other side into account, too.
Original post by roarchika
Thank you all so much for the detailed answers!


That's exactly what I meant. Thank you so much - I'll go with the newspaper model after all, then, and make sure to give opposing views a fair chance before brutally knocking them out (somehow).



Ahah, this is exactly what Estreth said! Consensus means this is the way to go then :wink: thankfully, I've been writing my answers similarly to your example, so that made me breathe a small sigh of relief.
I guess you've arrived at Oxford by now, so I hope Fresher's Week is going well! I can't really pay you back for this really useful advice, but if you ever need a cheap but incredible lunch, Jimbob's Baguettes by the Magdalen St bus stops is pretty amazing; as is Noodle Nation on Gloucester Green. (the perks of being a local, yay?? Sorry if I sound like a creep woops)



Thank you very much, I'll take this into account! I guess it's important to take views from the other side into account, too.


It'll all be fine - but more importantly, it will soon be over!!

Freshers' is going okay thank you - I've been set work already so I haven't been out every night, but it has been a bit of a whirlwind. I'll definitely bear that in mind - thank you!
If anyone is applying to KCL what grade prediction are you applying with? I really like KCL and cant decide between the straight law or Politics, Philosophy and Law course!
Original post by ob-hockey
If anyone is applying to KCL what grade prediction are you applying with? I really like KCL and cant decide between the straight law or Politics, Philosophy and Law course!


I'm applying for PPL at Kings! I should be applying with A*AA
Original post by popcornjpg
anyone thinking of going to King's? If so, what A-Levels are you doing?


Was planning got
A , D and D*at As level
Retaking the D of course as I had medical reasons.
My lnat score is averaging out at 34-35 which would be great if I actually got.
Doing English lit, Econimcs (fast tracked), maths and tecnology.
Original post by teenhorrorstory
I'm applying for PPL at Kings! I should be applying with A*AA


Oh thats amazing well done! Which subjects do you take? When does KCL usually send offers out by?
Original post by CatusStarbright
I sat the LNAT today! So relieved to have finally got it out of the way, now I can focus on my A Levels. College sent off my UCAS application today as well, so I have got that all done.

What were your questions like, most difficult one, easiest?
Original post by SimonGregor
What were your questions like, most difficult one, easiest?


Well I've agreed to non-disclosure, so I can't really tell you. I suppose I can say that there was one where I had to work out a percentage - hardly strenuous. The rest were just like the ones you get in the practice tests from the LNAT website.

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