This thread is closed
law at cambridge
hi
for law at cambridge, do you need some sort of work experience to demonstrate your commitment to the subject? i heard that the admissions people got annoyed by all the people writing 'i want to be a barrister/solicitor' on their PS and were only interested in those who wanted to tudy it as an academic subject. does anyone know if this is true?
also, i got 7A*s and 2As for gcse. i know these are very good, but im realistic enough to realise they are on the modest side for most applicants. do i have a realistic shot at a place b/c a certain director of studies told me that without straight A*s i shouldnt bother applying. or do they view LNAT results as more important?
thanks for any advice you can give me!
for law at cambridge, do you need some sort of work experience to demonstrate your commitment to the subject? i heard that the admissions people got annoyed by all the people writing 'i want to be a barrister/solicitor' on their PS and were only interested in those who wanted to tudy it as an academic subject. does anyone know if this is true?
also, i got 7A*s and 2As for gcse. i know these are very good, but im realistic enough to realise they are on the modest side for most applicants. do i have a realistic shot at a place b/c a certain director of studies told me that without straight A*s i shouldnt bother applying. or do they view LNAT results as more important?
thanks for any advice you can give me!
Scroll to see replies
I'll be starting Law at Emma this October. I remember putting Court visits on my ps, but not making a big fuss about them. The Cam course isn't advertised as a vocational-type degree, compared to some other Unis.
I don't have top grades by Scottish standards, A's but not A*s, so I wouldn't worry about that. There are loads of threads round here showing how many people with 'low' grades are accepted.
LNAT's after my time
But they're only testing them this year. Dunno about this DoS dude - if you like the course then you should apply, it's definitely worth giving it a shot!
I don't have top grades by Scottish standards, A's but not A*s, so I wouldn't worry about that. There are loads of threads round here showing how many people with 'low' grades are accepted.
LNAT's after my time
But they're only testing them this year. Dunno about this DoS dude - if you like the course then you should apply, it's definitely worth giving it a shot!ant87
for law at cambridge, do you need some sort of work experience to demonstrate your commitment to the subject? i heard that the admissions people got annoyed by all the people writing 'i want to be a barrister/solicitor' on their PS and were only interested in those who wanted to tudy it as an academic subject. does anyone know if this is true?
Firstly, I got into Cambridge without any work experience. That said, there is a reason why DoS like to see work experience: it shows that you have some understanding of what law is like. You're likely to be studying this subject without any prior knowledge of it, so a DoS will be asking 'how does this student know he's going to enjoy law?' Because if you don't enjoy law, you are unlikely to put the huge amount of time required into studying it!
But there are other ways of demonstrating an interest in, and understanding of, law. You could visit the Crown Court / County Court and follow some cases. Reading around the subject is a good idea: not law books per se but general interest books about the law, the legal system and legal philosophy.
DoS in my experience don't care too much what your career ambitions are. They will know that the probability is that you want to follow a career in law. What they do want you to realise, however, is that you are being admitted to an academic, and not vocational, degree. You will need to show that you will put the effort in to treat law as an academic subject rather than just learning black-letter law. Therefore just saying you want to study law to become a lawyer is unlikely to impress. Say it together with something about how you find law interesting, you think you'll find the intellectual reasoning challenging, you want to gain a deeper understanding of how law works, etc.
also, i got 7A*s and 2As for gcse. i know these are very good, but im realistic enough to realise they are on the modest side for most applicants. do i have a realistic shot at a place b/c a certain director of studies told me that without straight A*s i shouldnt bother applying. or do they view LNAT results as more important?
Those GCSEs are better than a lot of those held by current Cambridge law students - they will represent no problem at all. That said, A-levels are far more important, and your AS marks and teacher's reference will be really exceptionally important in measuring your academic potential.
The LNAT won't be that important at Cambridge this year, except as a secondary piece of information, but it might become more important in future years. That said, a good LNAT score can only help your application, but realise that Cambridge will still be relying on your interest and ability shown at interview and your teachers' assessment of how intellectual and hard-working you are.
jcw
The LNAT won't be that important at Cambridge this year, except as a secondary piece of information, but it might become more important in future years. That said, a good LNAT score can only help your application, but realise that Cambridge will still be relying on your interest and ability shown at interview and your teachers' assessment of how intellectual and hard-working you are.
The LNAT won't be that important at Cambridge this year, except as a secondary piece of information, but it might become more important in future years. That said, a good LNAT score can only help your application, but realise that Cambridge will still be relying on your interest and ability shown at interview and your teachers' assessment of how intellectual and hard-working you are.
The important thing to remember is that you cannot assume the LNAT will be unimportant. At St John's, for example, it is replacing a previous admissions test, so they obviously have considerable faith in it. As a general rule of thumb, colleges which haven't used tests before are less likely to emphasise it. However, further to this, a poor LNAT score will almost crucify someone's chance of success in the pool.
Which college told you it wasn't worth applying with straight A* grades? As I understand it, there is only an expectation of straight A* grades from people at the top public schools.
tomcoolinguk
The important thing to remember is that you cannot assume the LNAT will be unimportant. At St John's, for example, it is replacing a previous admissions test, so they obviously have considerable faith in it. As a general rule of thumb, colleges which haven't used tests before are less likely to emphasise it. However, further to this, a poor LNAT score will almost crucify someone's chance of success in the pool.
I don't think that is necessarily the inference to draw. One of the reasons colleges are dropping their own tests is that the University could get into trouble re: access if we were to duplicate tests (the LNAT and college tests) as it will be said that we're adding too many hurdles to applicants who are undecided about whether they are good enough to give an application a shot.
So, yes, it isn't safe to say it'll be unimportant, but the University statement on the role of LNAT was approved by various committees including the Admissions Committee (inc. college admissions staff) and the Senior Tutors committee (inc. senior tutors) so you can assume that that view represents the opinion (use as a pilot, and to confirm other indicators) of the staff who are interviewing and making selection decisions.
Obviously the LNAT essay will be far more important, because it is raw data for the college to analyse rather than an unproven 'score'.
jcw
I don't think that is necessarily the inference to draw. One of the reasons colleges are dropping their own tests is that the University could get into trouble re: access if we were to duplicate tests (the LNAT and college tests) as it will be said that we're adding too many hurdles to applicants who are undecided about whether they are good enough to give an application a shot.
So, yes, it isn't safe to say it'll be unimportant, but the University statement on the role of LNAT was approved by various committees including the Admissions Committee (inc. college admissions staff) and the Senior Tutors committee (inc. senior tutors) so you can assume that that view represents the opinion (use as a pilot, and to confirm other indicators) of the staff who are interviewing and making selection decisions.
Obviously the LNAT essay will be far more important, because it is raw data for the college to analyse rather than an unproven 'score'.
So, yes, it isn't safe to say it'll be unimportant, but the University statement on the role of LNAT was approved by various committees including the Admissions Committee (inc. college admissions staff) and the Senior Tutors committee (inc. senior tutors) so you can assume that that view represents the opinion (use as a pilot, and to confirm other indicators) of the staff who are interviewing and making selection decisions.
Obviously the LNAT essay will be far more important, because it is raw data for the college to analyse rather than an unproven 'score'.
Not sure how important the LNAT will be at cambridge as the interview is likely to remain by far the most important factor (it'll be a different story for other uni's). Having done John's old exam it is very similar to the new exam, and the the impression I got from the fellows was that it was really there as a check on the interview - just in case someone interviewed well but was incompetent at answering lawish questions in an exam situation. I doubt it will have much impact, at least in the short term.
Ant 87, your grades are great! As long as your AS's are as good you should definitely apply
it was a director of studies at another, bigger public school than mine.
i come from a 'minor' public school, so does this mean i expect straight A*s? anyway, i thought they werent allowed to see which school you came from? if it makes a difference, i was one A* off the top grades in my year at my school.
my two a-grades were for history and eng lit. which i feel i could have got A*s in, had i not screwed up eg: i answered the wrong question on my history paper. i got A*s in all my coursework and i want to take these subjects to A-level, but would not getting an A* in these at GCSE be a disadvantage? im more confident of getting higher grades in these subjects than say maths, which somehow i ended up getting an A* for. until the exam i was doing very well in these subjects and was near the top of my year.
i do debating, public speaking, learn an instrument (grade 5), d of e bronze and silver, and im in various choirs. my teachers seem to think id be good candidate for oxbridge, but in reality, is this enough?
i come from a 'minor' public school, so does this mean i expect straight A*s? anyway, i thought they werent allowed to see which school you came from? if it makes a difference, i was one A* off the top grades in my year at my school.
my two a-grades were for history and eng lit. which i feel i could have got A*s in, had i not screwed up eg: i answered the wrong question on my history paper. i got A*s in all my coursework and i want to take these subjects to A-level, but would not getting an A* in these at GCSE be a disadvantage? im more confident of getting higher grades in these subjects than say maths, which somehow i ended up getting an A* for. until the exam i was doing very well in these subjects and was near the top of my year.
i do debating, public speaking, learn an instrument (grade 5), d of e bronze and silver, and im in various choirs. my teachers seem to think id be good candidate for oxbridge, but in reality, is this enough?
ant87
my teachers seem to think id be good candidate for oxbridge, but in reality, is this enough?
The answer is simply, yes, you are a good applicant and it is well worth making an application if you are interested in the University and course. However, what you need to understand is that it takes something extra to get an Oxbridge place... you do need to be a aptitude for the subject (assessed at interview) and show an intellect capable of going beyond the simple demands of GCSE/A-level (assessed at interview and by your reference, LNAT and personal statement). So, you've got enough to go for it, but give it everything at your interview and keep working hard at what you are doing now to make sure you get a good reference. Finally, find out about the course, law generelly, etc so that you understand what you are getting yourself into, have a bit of knowledge about what law is and can show off at interview. It is not legal knowledge, but interest and an ability to analyse issues that you need to show off.
Good luck!
ant87
it was a director of studies at another, bigger public school than mine.
i come from 'minor' public school, so does this mean i expect straight A*s? anyway, i thought they werent allowed to see which school you came from? if it makes a difference, i was one A* off the top grades in my year at my school.
my two a-grades were for history and eng lit. which i feel i could have got A*s in, had i not screwed up eg: i answered the wrong question on my history paper. i got A*s in all my coursework and i want to take these subjects to A-level, but would not getting an A* in these at GCSE be a disadvantage? im more confident of getting higher grades in these subjects than say maths, which somehow i ended up getting an A* for. until the exam i was doing very well in these subjects and was near the top of my year.
i do debating, public speaking, learn an instrument (grade 5), d of e bronze and silver, and im in various choirs. my teachers seem to think id be good candidate for oxbridge, but in reality, is this enough?
i come from 'minor' public school, so does this mean i expect straight A*s? anyway, i thought they werent allowed to see which school you came from? if it makes a difference, i was one A* off the top grades in my year at my school.
my two a-grades were for history and eng lit. which i feel i could have got A*s in, had i not screwed up eg: i answered the wrong question on my history paper. i got A*s in all my coursework and i want to take these subjects to A-level, but would not getting an A* in these at GCSE be a disadvantage? im more confident of getting higher grades in these subjects than say maths, which somehow i ended up getting an A* for. until the exam i was doing very well in these subjects and was near the top of my year.
i do debating, public speaking, learn an instrument (grade 5), d of e bronze and silver, and im in various choirs. my teachers seem to think id be good candidate for oxbridge, but in reality, is this enough?
From what I know, it is generally accepted at the top public schools that straight A*s are expected. This is not prejudice, merely the manifestation of the high number of starred As these schools achieve. If your school is 'lesser' than them (e.g Eton, Winchester and Westminster) the college will know. I think the two subjects you have As in are quite common subjects for people to fall down at; History has the lowest percentage of starred As, remember.
Universities see everything about your school. They can also tap into a computer programme and obtain very detailed information including a statistical subject by subject grade by grade breakdown of performance in your school. But it is unlikely they would do that in your case, as you have excellent grades.
What I think you should be aware of is how similar every applicant is. I'm applying this year too, with very similar grades (7a*, 4a), and I have pretty similar ec activities to you. People with applications stronger than ours have been rejected on many occasions.
Have you done the sample LNAT paper yet, and which college are you looking at?
Although not related to law I got into cambridge to read engineering. I had 7 A*s and 2As at GCSE. Guess what? My As where in History and English Lit 
You certainly aren't at a disavantage doing the subjects you got As in at AS level. I did AS History and I got 105/105 on a paper about James I and the making of Stuart Monarchy.
Incidentally, I may be reading engineering but I'm still very interested at pursuing a career in Law. Infact 25% of Chem Eng. graduates go to work in the city and I want to be a part of that 25%.
You certainly aren't at a disavantage doing the subjects you got As in at AS level. I did AS History and I got 105/105 on a paper about James I and the making of Stuart Monarchy.
Incidentally, I may be reading engineering but I'm still very interested at pursuing a career in Law. Infact 25% of Chem Eng. graduates go to work in the city and I want to be a part of that 25%.
hey - what a wierd coincedence!!! thanks for all the help and advice - thats DoS had really put me off the whole idea. but now im looking forward to applying for entry in 2006 - i'll just have to try and blow their socks off with a-level (fingers crossed!!!)
if anyone else has ne more to say about grades and cam, please post - im sure i wasnt the only one who didnt get straight A*s and i find it comforting thats not all they look at.
if anyone else has ne more to say about grades and cam, please post - im sure i wasnt the only one who didnt get straight A*s and i find it comforting thats not all they look at.
hey,
i thought about applying to trinity hall, simply b/c i know someone there who's doing modern languages and she thinks its a really good college. i havent really got that far into it, though i know i like the look of the cambridge tripos for studying law, and the opportunity to do papers in other subjects. although, again, i dont want to apply to a stupidly competitive college where the average gcse grade for applicants is 14 A*s or something. maybe someone could give me good advice as to which college to chose? i like the idea of an old college with beautiful buildings, but the most important factor is how well the particular college does for law.
yer, i am aware that almost everyone else applying will have amazing grades, do lots of extra-curricular stuff etc etc. although my school is organising an oppotunity to do some mooting in a court set-up. should be fun!!! would that be useful?
also, what are they looking for at interview? there must be something otherwise they wouldnt reject applicants with 14A*s, so what is it they're looking for at interview that those candidates havent got?
i thought about applying to trinity hall, simply b/c i know someone there who's doing modern languages and she thinks its a really good college. i havent really got that far into it, though i know i like the look of the cambridge tripos for studying law, and the opportunity to do papers in other subjects. although, again, i dont want to apply to a stupidly competitive college where the average gcse grade for applicants is 14 A*s or something. maybe someone could give me good advice as to which college to chose? i like the idea of an old college with beautiful buildings, but the most important factor is how well the particular college does for law.
yer, i am aware that almost everyone else applying will have amazing grades, do lots of extra-curricular stuff etc etc. although my school is organising an oppotunity to do some mooting in a court set-up. should be fun!!! would that be useful?
also, what are they looking for at interview? there must be something otherwise they wouldnt reject applicants with 14A*s, so what is it they're looking for at interview that those candidates havent got?
I'll avoid giving advice on the law issue since I'm not a lawyer and would probably tell you wrong
However generally it seems that all they are looking for at interview is people who have a genuine flair and enthusiasm for their chosen subject, and who are able to pick things up quickly - everything moves so fast here that you need to be a fast learner really. The people with 14A*s might have just worked and worked to get them and might not be all that naturally intelligent, or the admissions tutors might just think they've chosen a degree subject they're not really suited to.
Colleges - if you have a chance go look round them and pick the one you like Any academic differences between colleges are minimal. It's all Cambridge!
However generally it seems that all they are looking for at interview is people who have a genuine flair and enthusiasm for their chosen subject, and who are able to pick things up quickly - everything moves so fast here that you need to be a fast learner really. The people with 14A*s might have just worked and worked to get them and might not be all that naturally intelligent, or the admissions tutors might just think they've chosen a degree subject they're not really suited to.
Colleges - if you have a chance go look round them and pick the one you like
Any academic differences between colleges are minimal. It's all Cambridge!the only thing is, im concerned that my A's occured in essay based subjects, while my A*s were in the sciences, languages and art. i acheived an A* in english lang. would admissions tutors not mind this, because i want to take those subjects to A-level and i suppose you could say they were related to my course as they are essay based.
The Duck
I don't have top grades by Scottish standards, A's but not A*s, so I wouldn't worry about that. There are loads of threads round here showing how many people with 'low' grades are accepted.
LNAT's after my time But they're only testing them this year. Dunno about this DoS dude - if you like the course then you should apply, it's definitely worth giving it a shot!
I don't have top grades by Scottish standards, A's but not A*s, so I wouldn't worry about that. There are loads of threads round here showing how many people with 'low' grades are accepted.
LNAT's after my time
But they're only testing them this year. Dunno about this DoS dude - if you like the course then you should apply, it's definitely worth giving it a shot!so if you get A's and B's at GCSE they won't turn you down at oxbridge? I thought that they would laugh at me if i applied
I'm going to be studying law, but will be applying to Bristol, should i give oxbridge a shot or not bother
p.s i will be getting work experience this year and hopefully go to some law conferences.
Nah, with As and Bs I'd say it's worth a shot as long as you can get straight As at A level, and as long as you're realistic (the chances of getting an offer are relatively slim no matter what GCSEs you have ) If you want to give Oxbridge a shot, then go for it. The worst they can do is say no, and you have five other universities to choose from anyway
ant87: are you predicted As at A level? I wouldn't worry that your As at GCSE were in essay subjects: I shouldn't imagine it'll be a problem as an A is still a very good grade. And a GCSE essay subject grade doesn't really predict how well you'll do in an Oxbridge law exam!
) If you want to give Oxbridge a shot, then go for it. The worst they can do is say no, and you have five other universities to choose from anyway ant87: are you predicted As at A level? I wouldn't worry that your As at GCSE were in essay subjects: I shouldn't imagine it'll be a problem as an A is still a very good grade. And a GCSE essay subject grade doesn't really predict how well you'll do in an Oxbridge law exam!
ant87
the only thing is, im concerned that my A's occured in essay based subjects, while my A*s were in the sciences, languages and art. i acheived an A* in english lang. would admissions tutors not mind this, because i want to take those subjects to A-level and i suppose you could say they were related to my course as they are essay based.
Don't worry about the As in the essay subject, if you take them to AS level, and get As in them...then it proves you have the capability. AS grades and predicted A level grades will act as a better indicator of recent and indeed future potential.
I'm going to be studying law at cambridge this october, and i had similar grades to you at GCSE, with As in history, english lang and music.
G
ant87
maybe someone could give me good advice as to which college to chose? i like the idea of an old college with beautiful buildings, but the most important factor is how well the particular college does for law.
In terms of colleges.....when i applied i was told they are more alike than they are different. It's really all about preference when it comes to choosing a college, where you'd like to go the most!
Teaching at cambridge is all done on a university level, all the lectures you have will be with all the other law students going to cambridge, regardless of college. The only thing is that supervisions are held on a college level...which is the only thing that will be different for law students at different colleges.
Like Nicky (MadNatSci) said...it's all cambridge!!!
G
MadNatSci
Nah, with As and Bs I'd say it's worth a shot as long as you can get straight As at A level, and as long as you're realistic (the chances of getting an offer are relatively slim no matter what GCSEs you have ) If you want to give Oxbridge a shot, then go for it. The worst they can do is say no, and you have five other universities to choose from anyway
ant87: are you predicted As at A level? I wouldn't worry that your As at GCSE were in essay subjects: I shouldn't imagine it'll be a problem as an A is still a very good grade. And a GCSE essay subject grade doesn't really predict how well you'll do in an Oxbridge law exam!
) If you want to give Oxbridge a shot, then go for it. The worst they can do is say no, and you have five other universities to choose from anyway ant87: are you predicted As at A level? I wouldn't worry that your As at GCSE were in essay subjects: I shouldn't imagine it'll be a problem as an A is still a very good grade. And a GCSE essay subject grade doesn't really predict how well you'll do in an Oxbridge law exam!
realistically i can, or i wouldn't bother applying, lol.
I'm not the type that wants to do law because it will look good on my C.V or anything like that. I've just always found it interesting and more importantly believed in justice.
p.s. My As were in essay writing subjects
Cellardore
realistically i can, or i wouldn't bother applying, lol.
I'm not the type that wants to do law because it will look good on my C.V or anything like that. I've just always found it interesting and more importantly believed in justice.
p.s. My As were in essay writing subjects
I'm not the type that wants to do law because it will look good on my C.V or anything like that. I've just always found it interesting and more importantly believed in justice.
p.s. My As were in essay writing subjects
Then go for it matey! I have a mate who applied to Oxford simply because otherwise he'd always wonder 'what if' and he just wanted to know he'd given it a shot - he got in and just got a high grade on his first year exams. So it happens. Like I said, be realistic, but do have a go
After all, they can't take you if you don't apply Related discussions
- applying for history and politics to two unis and law to the three other unis
- BA (Hons) - Law (Jurisprudence) at Oxford only allows choice of 2 optional papers?
- Law at Cambridge
- Law / Human, Social and Political Sciences
- Cambridge students - how did you think your interview went?
- LSE LLB Law? vs BA Law Cambridge University?
- 1st Class Law Essays
- Which law School?
- UCAS Clearing 2023 FAQ and Help Megathread
- Got a Ucas or results related question? Ask a Clearing and Applications Advisor here
- PPL at KCL, or Law at Cambridge??
- I am stuck on whether I should do Law or a Music degree
- BTEC law
- Oxbridge Law Application: Wider Reading
- Cambridge Law 2023
- university interview
- Oxford vs Cambridge Law
- Cambridge Mature Student App
- Oxford is more financially viable, Cambridge more achievable - which do I go for?
- Oxford or Cambridge?
Trending
- Cambridge Economics L100 2024 Entry
- TMUA 2023 Thread
- Sidney Sussex
- Cambridge interview invitation?
- Clare college Cambridge Applicants 2024
- St John’s Cambridge
- Cambridge Philosophy Admissions test
- has anyone got a cambridge interview yet
- Cambridge Design Tripos Opinions and Preparation?
- Cambridge Linguistics applicants 2024
- Cambridge Admissions test
- Nsaa 2023
- Cambridge L100 Economics - TMUA to Interview
- Cambridge interview rejection
- HSPS Selwyn
- Why did i get rejected from Cambridge
- Cambridge Interviews
- Cambridge MASt (Part III) applicants 2023
- Pembroke natural sciences Cambridge interview
- Cambridge Application
Latest
- Official Veterinary Medicine Applicants thread 2024 entry
- University Application help
- TFL Graduate Scheme 2024
- Which uni should I apply to for economics?
- Hypnopsychotherapy? UKCP training options
- Lloyds Banking Group 2024 Graduate Scheme
- "Can't you hear me, S.O.S.?": TLG's PhD study blog!
- UCL Medicine A100 2024
- What does it mean when she tries to get ur attention?!
- SOAS PG student looking to take over tenancy
- Law offers - 2024 entry
- Tips for multitasking multiple deadlines
- University of Oxford 2024 Undergraduate Applicants Official Thread
- Epq
- Epq
- my near-death-experience failed to change us
- Combination circuit
- Official London School of Economics and Political Science 2024 Applicant Thread
- Reapplying to Cambridge medicine
- Michelle Donelan / Freedom of Speech
- The daily Wordle puzzle thread!
- Cambridge Parents Association
- JP Morgan Degree Apprenticeship 2023
- Nursing bcu
- Does inheritance affect my student loan?
- What to wear
- Home Office - Asylum Decision Maker (EO)
- Advanced difference of two squares
- what a-levels should i choose?
- Medicine Interview Discussion 2024 Entry
- Re writing personal statement after failing A levels
- Help with calling a function - IDEA Silver award
- Clare medicine 2024 interview
- Flatmate issues
- Private to public healthcare or vice versa
- Official: Brighton and Sussex (BSMS) A100 2024 Entry Applicants
- Deloitte Graduate Scheme 2024
- A levels
- durham law offers
- ucas similarity report