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Will poor LLM grades hurt my TC chances?
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Kirkmanmoore
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#1
Hi all. Would be really greatful for a bit of input here.
I got ABB at A-level and 65% in LLB Law with Business at a top 40 University. From what I understand, in terms of setting me up for training contract applications this academic record is ok but not great - it sure as hell won't wow any firms but it should at least meet their base criterea and then let me (hopefully) win them over with my extracurricular experience, unless we're talking the absulute cream of the crop city firms who want russell grads at absolute minimum.
However after finishing my undergrad I made what I now feel was the mistake of going on to do a Law LLM at the same University. I was motivated by the chance to use the extra year to grab some more extracurricular experience for my CV, plus demonstrate I could perform well in a straight law course as well as a joint-honors. At first things went according to plan as my results for my modules in term 1 of 2 were at worst 65% and at best 77%, but in term 2 things went badly wrong as I bit off more than I could chew in terms of extracurriculars, and my performance utterly buckled under the pressure of paid work, volunteer work, and my dissertation and end-of-year exams all at the same time. In the end I completed the course having just scraped a Merit at 60%, but the results on my academic transcript for those term 2 modules don't make for good reading at all, and most damning of all they even contain the first and only failed module of my entire student career, which I ended up being awarded compensatory credit in lieu of.
So my question is: how badly are these results likely to hurt my TC applications if I have to disclose them, as I sometimes hear that LLM results aren't considered as important or scrutinized as closely as LLB ones. And if my TC chances are likely to be hurt, would it be at all feasable for me to not mention the LLM at all in TC apps, or would any firm at all interested in me easily uncover my history on the course and then give me the swift boot for misleading them by omission?
I got ABB at A-level and 65% in LLB Law with Business at a top 40 University. From what I understand, in terms of setting me up for training contract applications this academic record is ok but not great - it sure as hell won't wow any firms but it should at least meet their base criterea and then let me (hopefully) win them over with my extracurricular experience, unless we're talking the absulute cream of the crop city firms who want russell grads at absolute minimum.
However after finishing my undergrad I made what I now feel was the mistake of going on to do a Law LLM at the same University. I was motivated by the chance to use the extra year to grab some more extracurricular experience for my CV, plus demonstrate I could perform well in a straight law course as well as a joint-honors. At first things went according to plan as my results for my modules in term 1 of 2 were at worst 65% and at best 77%, but in term 2 things went badly wrong as I bit off more than I could chew in terms of extracurriculars, and my performance utterly buckled under the pressure of paid work, volunteer work, and my dissertation and end-of-year exams all at the same time. In the end I completed the course having just scraped a Merit at 60%, but the results on my academic transcript for those term 2 modules don't make for good reading at all, and most damning of all they even contain the first and only failed module of my entire student career, which I ended up being awarded compensatory credit in lieu of.
So my question is: how badly are these results likely to hurt my TC applications if I have to disclose them, as I sometimes hear that LLM results aren't considered as important or scrutinized as closely as LLB ones. And if my TC chances are likely to be hurt, would it be at all feasable for me to not mention the LLM at all in TC apps, or would any firm at all interested in me easily uncover my history on the course and then give me the swift boot for misleading them by omission?
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Kirkmanmoore
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#2
Sure.
First term: 65, 68, 77.
Second term: 63.5 (<- dissertation), 41, 50
So yeah, a couple of modules that were well below a 60 unfortunatley.
First term: 65, 68, 77.
Second term: 63.5 (<- dissertation), 41, 50
So yeah, a couple of modules that were well below a 60 unfortunatley.
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Gmaster1980
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#3
(Original post by Kirkmanmoore)
Sure.
First term: 65, 68, 77.
Second term: 63.5 (<- dissertation), 41, 50
So yeah, a couple of modules that were well below a 60 unfortunatley.
Sure.
First term: 65, 68, 77.
Second term: 63.5 (<- dissertation), 41, 50
So yeah, a couple of modules that were well below a 60 unfortunatley.
(Original post by Kirkmanmoore)
Hi all. Would be really greatful for a bit of input here.
I got ABB at A-level and 65% in LLB Law with Business at a top 40 University. From what I understand, in terms of setting me up for training contract applications this academic record is ok but not great - it sure as hell won't wow any firms but it should at least meet their base criterea and then let me (hopefully) win them over with my extracurricular experience, unless we're talking the absulute cream of the crop city firms who want russell grads at absolute minimum.
However after finishing my undergrad I made what I now feel was the mistake of going on to do a Law LLM at the same University. I was motivated by the chance to use the extra year to grab some more extracurricular experience for my CV, plus demonstrate I could perform well in a straight law course as well as a joint-honors. At first things went according to plan as my results for my modules in term 1 of 2 were at worst 65% and at best 77%, but in term 2 things went badly wrong as I bit off more than I could chew in terms of extracurriculars, and my performance utterly buckled under the pressure of paid work, volunteer work, and my dissertation and end-of-year exams all at the same time. In the end I completed the course having just scraped a Merit at 60%, but the results on my academic transcript for those term 2 modules don't make for good reading at all, and most damning of all they even contain the first and only failed module of my entire student career, which I ended up being awarded compensatory credit in lieu of.
So my question is: how badly are these results likely to hurt my TC applications if I have to disclose them, as I sometimes hear that LLM results aren't considered as important or scrutinized as closely as LLB ones. And if my TC chances are likely to be hurt, would it be at all feasable for me to not mention the LLM at all in TC apps, or would any firm at all interested in me easily uncover my history on the course and then give me the swift boot for misleading them by omission?
Hi all. Would be really greatful for a bit of input here.
I got ABB at A-level and 65% in LLB Law with Business at a top 40 University. From what I understand, in terms of setting me up for training contract applications this academic record is ok but not great - it sure as hell won't wow any firms but it should at least meet their base criterea and then let me (hopefully) win them over with my extracurricular experience, unless we're talking the absulute cream of the crop city firms who want russell grads at absolute minimum.
However after finishing my undergrad I made what I now feel was the mistake of going on to do a Law LLM at the same University. I was motivated by the chance to use the extra year to grab some more extracurricular experience for my CV, plus demonstrate I could perform well in a straight law course as well as a joint-honors. At first things went according to plan as my results for my modules in term 1 of 2 were at worst 65% and at best 77%, but in term 2 things went badly wrong as I bit off more than I could chew in terms of extracurriculars, and my performance utterly buckled under the pressure of paid work, volunteer work, and my dissertation and end-of-year exams all at the same time. In the end I completed the course having just scraped a Merit at 60%, but the results on my academic transcript for those term 2 modules don't make for good reading at all, and most damning of all they even contain the first and only failed module of my entire student career, which I ended up being awarded compensatory credit in lieu of.
So my question is: how badly are these results likely to hurt my TC applications if I have to disclose them, as I sometimes hear that LLM results aren't considered as important or scrutinized as closely as LLB ones. And if my TC chances are likely to be hurt, would it be at all feasable for me to not mention the LLM at all in TC apps, or would any firm at all interested in me easily uncover my history on the course and then give me the swift boot for misleading them by omission?
Firms that care about academics are not going to be impressed; however, how big an impact this has on your competitiveness is going to depend on the types of firm you're interested in working for. Where are you planning on applying?
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Kirkmanmoore
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#4
Cheers for the honesty guys. I'm currently applying for the GLS / GLP Legal Trainee Scheme as I hear they don't take grades into heavy consideration so long as you have a 2:2 minimum. I've not thought much about other specific firms to apply for yet, but I suppose prestigious city ones are out of the question so I'd be better off looking into regional places. I'd been considering perhaps leaning into welfare/social security law if possible, as that ties in to my current job as a benefits adviser.
Also just to be clear, my undergrad degree was still primarily in Law and was a qualifying law degree. The business side made up about 25% of the curriculum whereas everything else was the core law modules you would expect, and I performed solidly in those. Although I get that this still probably doesn't look as good on an application as just a straight law degree, and yeah just a top 40 uni is far from ideal.
Also just to be clear, my undergrad degree was still primarily in Law and was a qualifying law degree. The business side made up about 25% of the curriculum whereas everything else was the core law modules you would expect, and I performed solidly in those. Although I get that this still probably doesn't look as good on an application as just a straight law degree, and yeah just a top 40 uni is far from ideal.
Last edited by Kirkmanmoore; 1 year ago
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Gmaster1980
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#5
(Original post by Kirkmanmoore)
Cheers for the honesty guys. I'm currently applying for the GLS / GLP Legal Trainee Scheme as I hear they don't take grades into heavy consideration so long as you have a 2:2 minimum. I've not thought much about other specific firms to apply for yet, but I suppose prestigious city ones are out of the question so I'd be better off looking into regional places. I'd been considering perhaps leaning into welfare/social security law if possible, as that ties in to my current job as a benefits adviser.
Also just to be clear, my undergrad degree was still primarily in Law and was a qualifying law degree. The business side made up about 25% of the curriculum whereas everything else was the core law modules you would expect, and I performed solidly in those. Although I get that this still probably doesn't look as good on an application as just a straight law degree, and yeah just a top 40 uni is far from ideal.
Cheers for the honesty guys. I'm currently applying for the GLS / GLP Legal Trainee Scheme as I hear they don't take grades into heavy consideration so long as you have a 2:2 minimum. I've not thought much about other specific firms to apply for yet, but I suppose prestigious city ones are out of the question so I'd be better off looking into regional places. I'd been considering perhaps leaning into welfare/social security law if possible, as that ties in to my current job as a benefits adviser.
Also just to be clear, my undergrad degree was still primarily in Law and was a qualifying law degree. The business side made up about 25% of the curriculum whereas everything else was the core law modules you would expect, and I performed solidly in those. Although I get that this still probably doesn't look as good on an application as just a straight law degree, and yeah just a top 40 uni is far from ideal.
Oh also, few firms actually ask for module breakdowns for a postgraduate studies. Probably should've mentioned that from the outset. Only the very academically selective ones or those using cvmail ask for postgrad grade breakdowns. Your profile in general grade wise isn't astounding, but you hit the minimums for enough places that I wouldn't let your LLM results disuade your from applying to city firms if your application is strong in other ways.
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Kirkmanmoore
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#6
(Original post by Gmaster1980)
If that's where you're planning on applying, I doubt your grades will cause you any issues.
Oh also, few firms actually ask for module breakdowns for a postgraduate studies. Probably should've mentioned that from the outset. Only the very academically selective ones or those using cvmail ask for postgrad grade breakdowns. Your profile in general grade wise isn't astounding, but you hit the minimums for enough places that I wouldn't let your LLM results disuade your from applying to city firms if your application is strong in other ways.
If that's where you're planning on applying, I doubt your grades will cause you any issues.
Oh also, few firms actually ask for module breakdowns for a postgraduate studies. Probably should've mentioned that from the outset. Only the very academically selective ones or those using cvmail ask for postgrad grade breakdowns. Your profile in general grade wise isn't astounding, but you hit the minimums for enough places that I wouldn't let your LLM results disuade your from applying to city firms if your application is strong in other ways.
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sloths
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#7
Echo what the others have said really. You aren't looking at city firms so you should be fine. From my experience with high street - mid size firms as long as you have passed the course then the box is ticked
Definitely big up your practical experience in interviews and applications, its all far more useful than the LPC anyway
Definitely big up your practical experience in interviews and applications, its all far more useful than the LPC anyway
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Throwaway183737
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#8
Hey everyone, I am not OP but in a similar position and would like some advice.
I am an international student with a first class LLB from a top 10 UK uni and am currently completing an LLM from a top 3 UK uni. I’ve also completed a few internships at an MC and US firm in their international offices.
I am most likely going to get a pass on my LLM. Will this hurt my chances of getting a tc at a top city firm? If so, I know my personal academic capabilities and therefore am very confident that I’ll get a distinction on the LPC/SQE. Would that make up for a pass at LLM?
I am an international student with a first class LLB from a top 10 UK uni and am currently completing an LLM from a top 3 UK uni. I’ve also completed a few internships at an MC and US firm in their international offices.
I am most likely going to get a pass on my LLM. Will this hurt my chances of getting a tc at a top city firm? If so, I know my personal academic capabilities and therefore am very confident that I’ll get a distinction on the LPC/SQE. Would that make up for a pass at LLM?
Last edited by Throwaway183737; 4 months ago
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Gmaster1980
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#9
(Original post by Throwaway183737)
Hey everyone, I am not OP but in a similar position and would like some advice.
I am an international student with a first class LLB from a top 10 UK uni and am currently completing an LLM from a top 3 UK uni. I’ve also completed a few internships at an MC and US firm in their international offices.
I am most likely going to get a pass on my LLM. Will this hurt my chances of getting a tc at a top city firm? If so, I know my personal academic capabilities and therefore am very confident that I’ll get a distinction on the LPC/SQE. Would that make up for a pass at LLM?
Hey everyone, I am not OP but in a similar position and would like some advice.
I am an international student with a first class LLB from a top 10 UK uni and am currently completing an LLM from a top 3 UK uni. I’ve also completed a few internships at an MC and US firm in their international offices.
I am most likely going to get a pass on my LLM. Will this hurt my chances of getting a tc at a top city firm? If so, I know my personal academic capabilities and therefore am very confident that I’ll get a distinction on the LPC/SQE. Would that make up for a pass at LLM?
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Throwaway183737
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#10
Sorry, I should have been clearer. My reasons are purely personal between me and my family and does not amount to mit circ.
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Throwaway183737
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#11
(Original post by Gmaster1980)
It might. Depends on the reason why you got the pass. If you have mitigating circumstances I doubt anyone will care though.
It might. Depends on the reason why you got the pass. If you have mitigating circumstances I doubt anyone will care though.
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