Could I still get into a Law firm with BBB?

I got into my first choice in September - Manchester, to study History and Economics - and am still not 100% sure what I wish to do after my degree. Assuming I got a 2.1 and was on target for a 2.1 in my second year, how tough will it be to gain some work experience/internship?

I got BBB, narrowly missed out on AAB by 4 UMS (means nothing now), but is law closed off for me or is it unlikely that I will be able to land something with a decent firm in London? I would want to have a firm pay for a GDL as I think it is quite risky to pay a lot of money for something that is not guaranteed to get you in.

Thanks

Reply 1

Doglamlico

16

Original post by jamespierce0987

I got into my first choice in September - Manchester, to study History and Economics - and am still not 100% sure what I wish to do after my degree. Assuming I got a 2.1 and was on target for a 2.1 in my second year, how tough will it be to gain some work experience/internship?

I got BBB, narrowly missed out on AAB by 4 UMS (means nothing now), but is law closed off for me or is it unlikely that I will be able to land something with a decent firm in London? I would want to have a firm pay for a GDL as I think it is quite risky to pay a lot of money for something that is not guaranteed to get you in.

Thanks

If you got a 2.1 in History and Economics from Manchester, then you would definitely be able to find good firms to take you on :yes:

I was told to think of each stage of my education as a 'stepping stone' - GCSEs help you into sixth form, AS's and A2's into university, and university into jobs. Once you have your A-levels, GCSEs no longer matter anyway near as much, and the same goes for when you complete a degree imo. What you got three years prior to graduating is irrelevant (although top A-level grades obviously will look good).

Reply 2

roh

17

Original post by jamespierce0987

I got into my first choice in September - Manchester, to study History and Economics - and am still not 100% sure what I wish to do after my degree. Assuming I got a 2.1 and was on target for a 2.1 in my second year, how tough will it be to gain some work experience/internship?

I got BBB, narrowly missed out on AAB by 4 UMS (means nothing now), but is law closed off for me or is it unlikely that I will be able to land something with a decent firm in London? I would want to have a firm pay for a GDL as I think it is quite risky to pay a lot of money for something that is not guaranteed to get you in.

Thanks

Most operate filters at AAB or ABB but you should be able to find some that don't. The biggest name that doesn't is CC I think.
It's going to be a case of just going on each firm's website and looking whether they use a filter I'm afraid. It'll be a pain but better than wasting an application.

Reply 3

roh

17

Original post by The Polymath

If you got a 2.1 in History and Economics from Manchester, then you would definitely be able to find good firms to take you on :yes:

I was told to think of each stage of my education as a 'stepping stone' - GCSEs help you into sixth form, AS's and A2's into university, and university into jobs. Once you have your A-levels, GCSEs no longer matter anyway near as much, and the same goes for when you complete a degree imo. What you got three years prior to graduating is irrelevant (although top A-level grades obviously will look good).

Unfortunately not how many law firms, and other grad recruiters, see it. A Levels are a great way to filter out and save them time, so they use them to an extent.

Reply 4

Doglamlico

16

Original post by roh

Unfortunately not how many law firms, and other grad recruiters, see it. A Levels are a great way to filter out and save them time, so they use them to an extent.

Okay, fair enough, but I'm assuming that the OP still has a solid chance at some good law firms with a 2.1 from Manch?

Reply 5

arrowhead

20

As far as you get a strong 2:1 in your degree, they'll be happy to overlook your BBB. You will be filtered out by some firms who have a minimum UCAS points or A-Level requirement, but BBB is enough for many top firms.

Concentrate on your degree result. If you get a high 2:1/1st classification that will entirely eclipse your A-Levels.

Reply 6

jamespierce0987

OP

3

Original post by arrowhead

As far as you get a strong 2:1 in your degree, they'll be happy to overlook your BBB. You will be filtered out by some firms who have a minimum UCAS points or A-Level requirement, but BBB is enough for many top firms.

Concentrate on your degree result. If you get a high 2:1/1st classification that will entirely eclipse your A-Levels.

This has made me more motivated :smile:

, thanks. I hope it's true, a first will be hard, but I'll try and aim for that/high 2.1. Obviously first year result means nothing for the rest of my degree, so it's hard to judge how well I will do.

Reply 7

h-g-1

14

Original post by arrowhead

As far as you get a strong 2:1 in your degree, they'll be happy to overlook your BBB. You will be filtered out by some firms who have a minimum UCAS points or A-Level requirement, but BBB is enough for many top firms.

Concentrate on your degree result. If you get a high 2:1/1st classification that will entirely eclipse your A-Levels.

In London as mentioned by OP, it is highly unlikely that any top firms will easily look over the BBB simply because OP has a decent 2.1. Usually the screening questions before you get onto the actual application asks for whether you have the requisite AAA-AAB.

Original post by jamespierce0987

I got into my first choice in September - Manchester, to study History and Economics - and am still not 100% sure what I wish to do after my degree. Assuming I got a 2.1 and was on target for a 2.1 in my second year, how tough will it be to gain some work experience/internship?

I got BBB, narrowly missed out on AAB by 4 UMS (means nothing now), but is law closed off for me or is it unlikely that I will be able to land something with a decent firm in London? I would want to have a firm pay for a GDL as I think it is quite risky to pay a lot of money for something that is not guaranteed to get you in.

Thanks

While I don't want to be a pessimist, you should know that that it will be very VERY difficult even if you get a 2.1. There are firms in London that may not require or have any A-Level filters but every single firm I applied to; US firms, MCs, SCs, medium sized, international to name a range all had filters and I struggled with ABB.

I suggest that you do some research prior to your final year to better assess your chances when it comes to that time for applications.

I wish you well in getting that 2.1 but I think it's better with law applications and for people who still aren't sure about law to view things with a glass half empty approach but nothing's guaranteed and A-Levels are important.

Reply 8

roh

17

Original post by The Polymath

Okay, fair enough, but I'm assuming that the OP still has a solid chance at some good law firms with a 2.1 from Manch?

If they can find the firms, like CC, who don't filter, but as h-g-1 has pointed out unfortunately most do use A Levels as such a filter.

Normally the very first qs you answer are 'please confirm you have have A) 320/340 UCAS points (depending) from your best 3 A Levels and B) have or are predicted a 2.1.

Unless you can say yes to both it won't let you progress further.

Reply 9

username474976

15

Original post by jamespierce0987

I got into my first choice in September - Manchester, to study History and Economics - and am still not 100% sure what I wish to do after my degree. Assuming I got a 2.1 and was on target for a 2.1 in my second year, how tough will it be to gain some work experience/internship?

I got BBB, narrowly missed out on AAB by 4 UMS (means nothing now), but is law closed off for me or is it unlikely that I will be able to land something with a decent firm in London? I would want to have a firm pay for a GDL as I think it is quite risky to pay a lot of money for something that is not guaranteed to get you in.

Thanks

From the research I've done on the top 200 UK firms, a lot of the lower ranked ones do not state an a-level requirement, only a 2.1 so may be more lenient.

On the downside, they only take on around 5 trainees a year, some only a couple!

Reply 10

nulli tertius

21

Original post by maskofsanity

From the research I've done on the top 200 UK firms, a lot of the lower ranked ones do not state an a-level requirement, only a 2.1 so may be more lenient.

On the downside, they only take on around 5 trainees a year, some only a couple!

The fact that a firm does not state an A level requirement doesn't mean they don't have one. The omission may be to avoid deterring non-traditional candidates. Moreover a firm may look at someone's A levels as part of the overall process without it being a filter.

In this case the OP will have to commit to funding the GDL. It is worth the OP seeing how far he gets with TC applications before committing to the cost. If he is not getting long-listed for assessment centres/first interviews, he might want to reconsider his plans.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 11

h-g-1

14

Original post by maskofsanity

From the research I've done on the top 200 UK firms, a lot of the lower ranked ones do not state an a-level requirement, only a 2.1 so may be more lenient.

On the downside, they only take on around 5 trainees a year, some only a couple!

Just out of curiosity - how many were in London?

I have no doubt that your research is accurate but just to give OP perspective on location...

Original post by nulli tertius

In this case the OP will have to commit to funding the GDL. It is worth the OP seeing how far he gets with TC applications before committing to the cost. If he is not getting long-listed for assessment centres/first interviews, he might want to reconsider his plans.

I would say this plan is sound - make the applications and gauge firms' interest / likelihood of success before committing will always work out better than going on faith alone.

Reply 12

username474976

15

Original post by nulli tertius

The fact that a firm does not state an A level requirement doesn't mean they don't have one. The omission may be to avoid deterring non-traditional candidates. Moreover a firm may look at someone's A levels as part of the overall process without it being a filter.

In this case the OP will have to commit to funding the GDL. It is worth the OP seeing how far he gets with TC applications before committing to the cost. If he is not getting long-listed for assessment centres/first interviews, he might want to reconsider his plans.

I agree, I didn't say they don't have one, simply that they may be more lenient.

It makes sense that the top firms which specify the need of certain A-level grades (and require you to confirm you meet these pre-requisites before even being allowed to start the application process) are less lenient about A-levels than the ones I mentioned.

Reply 13

Makebelieve15

12

Any tables available? I'm in the same position as OP

Reply 14

nulli tertius

21

Original post by Makebelieve15

Any tables available? I'm in the same position as OP

Seriously, there are no statistics for something like this. My firm wouldn't filter for A level grades but it would be part of the holistic assessment. If you are not a non-traditional candidate, your A level grades are likely to have had an impact on where you are doing your degree. That is also going to be a relevant factor. Someone who doesn't auto-filter you out is likely to look at where you got those A levels.

Reply 15

Makebelieve15

12

Original post by nulli tertius

Seriously, there are no statistics for something like this. My firm wouldn't filter for A level grades but it would be part of the holistic assessment. If you are not a non-traditional candidate, your A level grades are likely to have had an impact on where you are doing your degree. That is also going to be a relevant factor. Someone who doesn't auto-filter you out is likely to look at where you got those A levels.

I'm at Manchester Uni with BBB.

I will probably have a greater look this summer, I have found 2 or 3 which aren't so stringent on A-levels.

Reply 16

tizzybelle

Won't necessarily mean you can't have a legal career. I have a friend who received BBC at A-Level and is working with a firm towards a TC. It's obviously not the bigger firms but it's still a career in law... so just depends where you apply and how you sell yourself.

Work hard on your undergrad, get decent experience and also try and stand out from as early on as possible. Also, do NOT give up if this is what you really, really want! I made that stupid mistake in second year after getting knocked back from a number of firms... and in third year didn't make any applications. Big mistake. But anyway, just if you really want this go and fight for it.

It will be hard but you just need to keep motivated and show them how awesome you are =)

Reply 17

x.iram.x

5

Original post by Makebelieve15

I'm at Manchester Uni with BBB.
I will probably have a greater look this summer, I have found 2 or 3 which aren't so stringent on A-levels.

if you dont mind me asking how did u get in to Manchester uni with BBB dont they usually ask for A's and A*s

Could I still get into a Law firm with BBB?

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