Not good A-levels, first class law degree - Do I have any chances?

Here's my problem:

I am an EU student and a final-year law student at a Russell Group uni. I am interested in applying for mid-size to, perhaps, magic circle law firms. My first year results were not very good, but I worked really hard the next year, did excellent and got a 1st and I am on the path to graduate with a 1st too. My main issue is that I did not do well at my last year at school and I graduated with the equivalent of BCC which only gives me 260 UCAS tariff points. I did do a Foundation course though and I got 78%, after I graduated from high school and before I started my law course.

I've been really afraid to apply for jobs, either in law firms or other areas, out of fear of getting rejected.

Do you think I have any chances? How exactly are CVs being considered at law firms? Would perhaps a MA help?

I am prepared to hear the ugly truth so please be as honest as you can. Of course, I realise that the competition out there for the available places is fierce and that there are definitely thousands of other candidates that have a stellar academic record both during their school years, but do I have even a slim chance of being considered?

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 1

arrowhead

Unless you have extenuating circumstances during your A-levels, you won't have a chance at the Magic Circle since they filter out candidates with less than 340 UCAS points automatically in the screening process. So I wouldn't even bother applying there.

As for mid-size firms, that's a tough call and you're going to have to do a bit of research to find firms that do not screen applicants out on the basis of A-Levels. I can't think of any off the top of my head, but midsize firms were never my own focus, so don't take my lack of knowledge as a grim sign.

A small bit of advice: If you're afraid of getting rejected, you need to get over that quickly. I had fairly decent/good grades throughout school and uni and I still faced 15+ rejections, it's only a natural part of the process.

By an 'MA', do you perhaps mean doing a Master's degree? Because it won't, sorry.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 2

MsGoddard

Original post by arrowhead

Unless you have extenuating circumstances during your A-levels, you won't have a chance at the Magic Circle since they filter out candidates with less than 340 UCAS points automatically in the screening process. So I wouldn't even bother applying there.

As for mid-size firms, that's a tough call and you're going to have to do a bit of research to find firms that do not screen applicants out on the basis of A-Levels. I can't think of any off the top of my head, but midsize firms were never my own focus, so don't take my lack on knowledge as a grim sign.

A small bit of advice: If you're afraid of getting rejected, you need to get over that quickly. I had fairly decent/good grades throughout school and uni and I still faced 15+ rejections, it's only a natural part of the process.

By an 'MA', do you perhaps mean doing a Master's degree? Because it won't, sorry.

Thank you for your reply! Shall I assume you have a TC with a Magic Circle firm when you say you were never interested in midsize firms?

What if the Master's was from a top-five uni? Also does previous long term employment help if it's in the law field?

I think I may need to leave the legal sector behind, and just look at other sectors in the end...

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Reply 3

arrowhead

Original post by MsGoddard

Thank you for your reply! Shall I assume you have a TC with a Magic Circle firm when you say you were never interested in midsize firms?

I do have a TC but not at an MC and this was by choice. I did 5 Vac Schemes, 2 of them at MCs and I hated both of them.

Original post by MsGoddard

What if the Master's was from a top-five uni?

A bit of advice I got from a Herbert Smith Recruitment rep that I think sums up the answer very well:
"By all means, do an LLM or a Master's degree in another specialised field if that interests you and you have a genuine academic interest in pursuing that. But don't do it in the mistaken belief that a Master's will somehow magically make your past academic history disappear. It won't."

I believe there's a thread specifically about Master's degrees's usefulness here: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2570054

Original post by MsGoddard

Also does previous long term employment help if it's in the law field?

Yes, it definitely does. But that varies from firm to firm.

From a quick search of my future firm's website, this is what they said, "We will consider applicants who do not meet [our] academic standards if there are mitigating circumstances or if they have significant experience from a previous career."

Now how much 'experience from a previous career' counts as 'significant' is debatable and something you can only find out by approaching the firm in question and learning of their policies.

Original post by MsGoddard

I think I may need to leave the legal sector behind, and just look at other sectors in the end...

It's very hard to say whether you should or shouldn't look elsewhere, that's a decision you need to make on your own. But if you want any further advice/opinions, feel free to PM me.

Best,
Arrowhead.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 4

happyinthehaze

Original post by AlexandraGR

Hi there

My A levels are worse than yours. I have a 2.1. My thing is that my A levels were a LONG time ago (and I don't mean three years here). But I do have a previous career which provides a certain degree of valuable insight into clients' own worlds, lots of real-word work experience and of course, the ever-present 'commercial experience'. Basically, it adds value. Conceivably, my A levels will not be so important to a firm (they say), SHOULD I be able to get myself passed the initial application process - where the A levels are the gatekeepers as far as I am concerned and do not have an AAAAAAAAAAA*B-shaped key.

Arrowhead is right. You have to research and find the firms who DO NOT have an A level filter. I have done this research. For me, it is more than a happy co-incidence that, largely speaking, the firms who DO employ slightly differently ARE the firms I want to work for because I am looking for perhaps not exactly a typical law firm. I find that firms clearly telegraph to you - or downright say - whether they need whatever it is UCAS points. My approach is, if they are clear about not wanting me, I do not apply. If they are welcoming, or open in principle to the idea of assessing all applicants on merits, then I might apply (I can only make a limited amount of applications). Do not apply to a whole heap of Magic Circle firms and then take on that they do not want you. This is a waste of time.

So - yes - they are out there! You just have to dig around. I will give you one - GLS. I shouldn't wonder if the CPS is also the same (more likely to walk the walk on the equal opps front somewhat reassuringly. They also do flexi-time).

It is worth saying this though:you do need to hammer on a bit about how and why it is you have changed and use your own journey to first status as evidence.

So, good luck with it. If only it was fifteen years ago. Then a BDE would do. I am not joking.

Reply 5

Stephendj

I'm in the same predicament as you are. A level BBD plus AS E. But finishing with a first in law at UWE. I would like to know how you got on.

The advise about the GLS and CPS was very helpful, I'll probably go that route.
Thanks.

Reply 6

jpearson

A firm's main concern would be your consistency. So depending on how you did in your GCSEs, your less than impressive A-level results may be viewed as an outlier in an otherwise strong academic record, seeing as you have a 1st in law from an RG university. An MA would only help if you continue to excel academically, to demonstrate that while you did not do so well at A-Levels, 4 years of tertiary education proves that you are academic and that your A-levels year was not representative of your true potential. Additionally, if there is a reason for why you didn't do well, you can include the explanation in your application form.

I think still have a good chance with MC firms. The graduate recruitment partner at Slaughter and May told me they had given a TC to an applicant that did not have any A-levels, worked many years as an air traffic controller and had received a 1st for the OU law degree he completed as a mature student. The other graduate recruitment managers I've spoken to at MC and SC firms have also told me that don't use automatic filters because they don't want to miss out on good candidates who may have a bit of an odd CV. My own firm certainly doesn't use these filters.

Additionally, I know of quite a few people who don't have the minimum A-levels requirements (AAB) who have not only been invited to interviews and ACs, but received offers from MC and SC firms. Granted, their A-levels were not significantly below the requirements (ABB) but if there really is an automatic filter, they would not have been considered at all.

if you're still concerned, visit the firms during your uni's next law fair and ask them directly. Otherwise, call them up and speak to someone in graduate recruitment. Though to be honest, A-levels are a small part of the application. Just make sure that the rest of your credentials (work experiences, extra-curriculars etc) are stellar and that your application is thoroughly researched and well written. Don't let your A-levels stop you from applying to firms you like!