RETAKE A-Levels?? TC help

Aim for the first - this is likely to have far more impact.

A lot of firms will only consider your first sitting for A-levels anyway.

When you do apply to firms with a particular UCAS/A-level requirement, contact them personally (I would call them or try to meet them at an event) to discuss your particular circumstances. They will often look past something like A-level grades if you have the ability to come across professionally and have other evidence on your CV that is strong (as you suggest you have). If you have mitigating circumstances to your A-level grades, this will be even more so the case. You have to ask them to be blunt with you about your chances of applying.

Otherwise look for alternative routes in, like CC's Intelligent Aid competition or firms like B&M who are now using Rare's contextualised selection processes (the latter is dependent on your background).

I have just finished my second year of university studying Law at the University of the West of England (mid range university). I am going in to my third year with roughly 66% and am looking at applying for training contracts. I am aiming for London/US/big city international firms, and my University results to date + extra curricular work/work experience would put me in good stead for succeeding with my search. My problem occurs with my A-Levels, during a tough couple of years I achieved CCD along with an AS at D and EPQ at C. I am looking at training contracts with requirements of 2.1 + AAB/ABB/300 Ucas points etc which clearly my A Levels are no where near.

What is the best chance of me securing one of these jobs?

Retake my A-Levels? / Secure more experience and aim for a first classification?

Any help would be extremely appreciated, has anyone been in this position before?

I would say, don't bother re-taking your A Levels - it isn't seen as worth it and won't work as a way to get round the A level filter.

There are a number of firms who purposefully don't just filter people out because of their A level grades - so you could find out who these firms are and apply for them. You will need to come up with an explanation for your A level grades for the application - and why it is you are now on the straight and narrow. I can start you off - Weightmans, the CPS, the GLS - as they were. IM.

Think about the reasons why firms don't want people with not great A levels and address this head on in your apps.

Obv go for the first.

Go for the intelligence Aid type competitions etc - research these - how they work etc - if you get anywhere with them then it is good experience.

Make a plan as to what you will do if you do not get a TC before you leave Uni - will you do the LPC? Will you self-fund?

I think it is a personal decision as to whether you target firms that 'don't want you' - I can tell you that I also do not have very good A levels - I have a TC so it can be done - I am a career changer - I certainly have a different skill set than other applicants may have but law can be a broad church. Perhaps I have different skills to offer. I took a decision not to apply to firms that 'did not want me' because they had a strict A level filter - I dont have AAB or whatever so largely I did not apply.

For me, the firms that do things slightly differently are a better match for me anyway plus I knew I didn't want to do commercial work in the city so all good.

If you DO want to do commercial work in the city, then you need a realistic game plan to get where you want to go - you must be straight about the fact that there are some very good applicants out there - some very able law students - who have what you have plus AAB. So, you either need to get other skills or make a strategic approach.

It can be done if you work hard and look for ways through. You will have to be dedicated.

The other thing I have read on Rof is that the city firms DO have students with a less than star-studded academic career but they just don't shout about it.

Obv if you get out there and network and make those important connections perhaps this will help you

Play the long game and I think you can get there, but I don't think you should approach it as if you are the same as the AAB candidates with a bit of a blip if you are approaching the big commercial international firms.

good luck!

Also - obv you can qualify and then try and move more twds where you want to go.

You could potentially paralegal and then try and get a TC

This has been a great help and much appreciated. It has been inspirational to hear your story: you didn't have to reply!
Thanks again

I have just finished my second year of university studying Law at the University of the West of England (mid range university). I am going in to my third year with roughly 66% and am looking at applying for training contracts. I am aiming for London/US/big city international firms, and my University results to date + extra curricular work/work experience would put me in good stead for succeeding with my search. My problem occurs with my A-Levels, during a tough couple of years I achieved CCD along with an AS at D and EPQ at C. I am looking at training contracts with requirements of 2.1 + AAB/ABB/300 Ucas points etc which clearly my A Levels are no where near.

What is the best chance of me securing one of these jobs?

Retake my A-Levels? / Secure more experience and aim for a first classification?

Any help would be extremely appreciated, has anyone been in this position before?