Law 25 entry (seeking for advice
Well, to begin with, I am an student from China main land but not studying any international curriculum, which means my grades for application is Gaokao and AST (something you might not heard of, but btw Gaokao is regarded as one of the most difficult exams in the world). I got an 8 in IELTS so language is not a problem for me.
I am planning to start preparing for LNAT using arbitio in May. For my PS, I do moot courts and MUN, a lot, I am even the academic director of my school MUN community. I write academic reports on international environmental law and the US Supreme Court , listen to oral arguments on oyez ( huge fan of USSC). I read books about law, and entered the 24 Robert Walker Prize, I am currently searching inspiration for 24 John Locke.
But my questions comes as follows:
1. I live in a relatively remote city in my country where no one ever succeeded in applying to a British university. In fact, I am the second one in history that ever had this thought. This means that everyone else believes I am crazy.
2. Gaokao is , in fact, a lot more difficult and competitive than a levels. I now have a chance to get into PKU via Gaokao, but both me and my parents fear I might lose the chance if I distract myself from Gaokao for my application.
3. Even if I succeed, the Chinese legal regime (civil law) is significantly different from English law. This means I might not be employed if I decide to return to China after graduation. Hong Kong has similar legal regime as England but being a barrister in Hong Kong is very difficult.
However, I wish to be a barrister in the future but technically there is no such a job as a barrister in the Chinese legal regime. Also, I prefer studying case law over statute law so studying law in my own country is not exactly what I want.
I am caught in anxiety currently. Continuing to prepare for my application will cause more pressure and greater risks, but if I stop now, I am sure I will not be satisfied just being a common Gaokao student. I visited a therapist to treat my anxiety but she was not very helpful . So what I should do next?
I am planning to start preparing for LNAT using arbitio in May. For my PS, I do moot courts and MUN, a lot, I am even the academic director of my school MUN community. I write academic reports on international environmental law and the US Supreme Court , listen to oral arguments on oyez ( huge fan of USSC). I read books about law, and entered the 24 Robert Walker Prize, I am currently searching inspiration for 24 John Locke.
But my questions comes as follows:
1. I live in a relatively remote city in my country where no one ever succeeded in applying to a British university. In fact, I am the second one in history that ever had this thought. This means that everyone else believes I am crazy.
2. Gaokao is , in fact, a lot more difficult and competitive than a levels. I now have a chance to get into PKU via Gaokao, but both me and my parents fear I might lose the chance if I distract myself from Gaokao for my application.
3. Even if I succeed, the Chinese legal regime (civil law) is significantly different from English law. This means I might not be employed if I decide to return to China after graduation. Hong Kong has similar legal regime as England but being a barrister in Hong Kong is very difficult.
However, I wish to be a barrister in the future but technically there is no such a job as a barrister in the Chinese legal regime. Also, I prefer studying case law over statute law so studying law in my own country is not exactly what I want.
I am caught in anxiety currently. Continuing to prepare for my application will cause more pressure and greater risks, but if I stop now, I am sure I will not be satisfied just being a common Gaokao student. I visited a therapist to treat my anxiety but she was not very helpful . So what I should do next?
(edited 1 year ago)
哇你好！(I’ll use english since we’re on an english speaking forum and my Chinese isn’t the best)
First of all, amazing achievements (北大。。。好厉害呀). You definitely have a lot to talk about in your personal statement to show your passion and abilities.
I would recommend that you have a think about where you want to be in the future and what you would like to do. Do you really want to work in China in the future? But then you say that you would prefer not to study in China. I think you have to make up your mind here. If you truly would like to study abroad and also work abroad, then why not? However, if your goal is to work in China, perhaps studying abroad might not be the best option.
Moreover, I usually would state that if it’s something you really want, then why not give it a shot? However, mental and physical health should always come first. I know how gruelling the 高考 exam is— it really doesn’t allow time for anything else.
Unfortunately, I cannot advise you on “what to do next”, this is entirely up to you. I don’t know exactly what position you’re in and how things are going for you. I would just recommend you to calm down, and just do what you can. Excessive worrying will only further deteriorate your mental state.
Are your grades being affected by your UCAS application? If you start the preparation now, you can spread the workload across the months. UCAS shouldn’t distract you from your studies that much. Do you have an hour or two to put aside for the application each day? That would be plenty. However, you must remember that your Gaokao is the most important. I hate to quote Asian parents, but it will literally “decide your future”. Even if you receive an offer from the UK, you will need a very competitive Gaokao score in order to get in. To be honest, the LNAT is the only aspect that requires a gargantuan amount of time (of course, the personal statement does too, but if you know what you’re going to write about it shouldn’t be too hard/ time consuming). The problem is whether you can spare a few hours every week to work on the application. If you truly want to do this, then think about whether you can cut time from any other area in your life that’s not your studies? It will be tough, no doubt about it, but perhaps it will all pay off in the end.
Either option you choose will come with many regrets and risks. Being realistic — even if you apply, the outcome may not be favourable. This may (like you’ve said) affect your performance in the Gaokao, hence affecting your future. Not applying might be a safer option, but nothing is guaranteed. Furthermore, like you’ve said, you will have many regrets if you do not apply. This is not an easy choice and I completely empathise with you. I too had to make the same choice, although the education system I am under is nowhere near as arduous as yours.
Lastly, if you really feel that your anxiety is too much, I would recommend against pushing yourself to the limits and applying to UCAS. If you push yourself too far, you may end up with more regrets than you would have if you had chosen to not apply. Life can take many different paths, there is no one fixed path for anyone. Take care of yourself so that you will have the chance to walk down more paths in the future. If your “UK dream” isn’t fulfilled, don’t be disheartened. You’re super smart (we all know how amazing having good grades, having a chance of getting into PKU, and thinking about applying abroad is) and you’ll do fine no matter where you end up. Don’t become fixed on one thing, don’t let it ruin you. Life is not all about studies even though it does seem like that right now! A choice you make now is not the end all and be all. There are plenty of other opportunities in the future to pursue what you want. You might have to take a longer route, but if it’s truly meant for you, it will come to you.
Wishing you all the best! 加油💪
First of all, amazing achievements (北大。。。好厉害呀). You definitely have a lot to talk about in your personal statement to show your passion and abilities.
I would recommend that you have a think about where you want to be in the future and what you would like to do. Do you really want to work in China in the future? But then you say that you would prefer not to study in China. I think you have to make up your mind here. If you truly would like to study abroad and also work abroad, then why not? However, if your goal is to work in China, perhaps studying abroad might not be the best option.
Moreover, I usually would state that if it’s something you really want, then why not give it a shot? However, mental and physical health should always come first. I know how gruelling the 高考 exam is— it really doesn’t allow time for anything else.
Unfortunately, I cannot advise you on “what to do next”, this is entirely up to you. I don’t know exactly what position you’re in and how things are going for you. I would just recommend you to calm down, and just do what you can. Excessive worrying will only further deteriorate your mental state.
Are your grades being affected by your UCAS application? If you start the preparation now, you can spread the workload across the months. UCAS shouldn’t distract you from your studies that much. Do you have an hour or two to put aside for the application each day? That would be plenty. However, you must remember that your Gaokao is the most important. I hate to quote Asian parents, but it will literally “decide your future”. Even if you receive an offer from the UK, you will need a very competitive Gaokao score in order to get in. To be honest, the LNAT is the only aspect that requires a gargantuan amount of time (of course, the personal statement does too, but if you know what you’re going to write about it shouldn’t be too hard/ time consuming). The problem is whether you can spare a few hours every week to work on the application. If you truly want to do this, then think about whether you can cut time from any other area in your life that’s not your studies? It will be tough, no doubt about it, but perhaps it will all pay off in the end.
Either option you choose will come with many regrets and risks. Being realistic — even if you apply, the outcome may not be favourable. This may (like you’ve said) affect your performance in the Gaokao, hence affecting your future. Not applying might be a safer option, but nothing is guaranteed. Furthermore, like you’ve said, you will have many regrets if you do not apply. This is not an easy choice and I completely empathise with you. I too had to make the same choice, although the education system I am under is nowhere near as arduous as yours.
Lastly, if you really feel that your anxiety is too much, I would recommend against pushing yourself to the limits and applying to UCAS. If you push yourself too far, you may end up with more regrets than you would have if you had chosen to not apply. Life can take many different paths, there is no one fixed path for anyone. Take care of yourself so that you will have the chance to walk down more paths in the future. If your “UK dream” isn’t fulfilled, don’t be disheartened. You’re super smart (we all know how amazing having good grades, having a chance of getting into PKU, and thinking about applying abroad is) and you’ll do fine no matter where you end up. Don’t become fixed on one thing, don’t let it ruin you. Life is not all about studies even though it does seem like that right now! A choice you make now is not the end all and be all. There are plenty of other opportunities in the future to pursue what you want. You might have to take a longer route, but if it’s truly meant for you, it will come to you.
Wishing you all the best! 加油💪
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 2
Original post by Coeoe
哇你好！(I’ll use english since we’re on an english speaking forum and my Chinese isn’t the best)
First of all, amazing achievements (北大。。。好厉害呀). You definitely have a lot to talk about in your personal statement to show your passion and abilities.
I would recommend that you have a think about where you want to be in the future and what you would like to do. Do you really want to work in China in the future? But then you say that you would prefer not to study in China. I think you have to make up your mind here. If you truly would like to study abroad and also work abroad, then why not? However, if your goal is to work in China, perhaps studying abroad might not be the best option.
Moreover, I usually would state that if it’s something you really want, then why not give it a shot? However, mental and physical health should always come first. I know how gruelling the 高考 exam is— it really doesn’t allow time for anything else.
Unfortunately, I cannot advise you on “what to do next”, this is entirely up to you. I don’t know exactly what position you’re in and how things are going for you. I would just recommend you to calm down, and just do what you can. Excessive worrying will only further deteriorate your mental state.
Are your grades being affected by your UCAS application? If you start the preparation now, you can spread the workload across the months. UCAS shouldn’t distract you from your studies that much. Do you have an hour or two to put aside for the application each day? That would be plenty. However, you must remember that your Gaokao is the most important. I hate to quote Asian parents, but it will literally “decide your future”. Even if you receive an offer from the UK, you will need a very competitive Gaokao score in order to get in. To be honest, the LNAT is the only aspect that requires a gargantuan amount of time (of course, the personal statement does too, but if you know what you’re going to write about it shouldn’t be too hard/ time consuming). The problem is whether you can spare a few hours every week to work on the application. If you truly want to do this, then think about whether you can cut time from any other area in your life that’s not your studies? It will be tough, no doubt about it, but perhaps it will all pay off in the end.
Either option you choose will come with many regrets and risks. Being realistic — even if you apply, the outcome may not be favourable. This may (like you’ve said) affect your performance in the Gaokao, hence affecting your future. Not applying might be a safer option, but nothing is guaranteed. Furthermore, like you’ve said, you will have many regrets if you do not apply. This is not an easy choice and I completely empathise with you. I too had to make the same choice, although the education system I am under is nowhere near as arduous as yours.
Lastly, if you really feel that your anxiety is too much, I would recommend against pushing yourself to the limits and applying to UCAS. If you push yourself too far, you may end up with more regrets than you would have if you had chosen to not apply. Life can take many different paths, there is no one fixed path for anyone. Take care of yourself so that you will have the chance to walk down more paths in the future. If your “UK dream” isn’t fulfilled, don’t be disheartened. You’re super smart (we all know how amazing having good grades, having a chance of getting into PKU, and thinking about applying abroad is) and you’ll do fine no matter where you end up. Don’t become fixed on one thing, don’t let it ruin you. Life is not all about studies even though it does seem like that right now! A choice you make now is not the end all and be all. There are plenty of other opportunities in the future to pursue what you want. You might have to take a longer route, but if it’s truly meant for you, it will come to you.
Wishing you all the best! 加油💪
First of all, amazing achievements (北大。。。好厉害呀). You definitely have a lot to talk about in your personal statement to show your passion and abilities.
I would recommend that you have a think about where you want to be in the future and what you would like to do. Do you really want to work in China in the future? But then you say that you would prefer not to study in China. I think you have to make up your mind here. If you truly would like to study abroad and also work abroad, then why not? However, if your goal is to work in China, perhaps studying abroad might not be the best option.
Moreover, I usually would state that if it’s something you really want, then why not give it a shot? However, mental and physical health should always come first. I know how gruelling the 高考 exam is— it really doesn’t allow time for anything else.
Unfortunately, I cannot advise you on “what to do next”, this is entirely up to you. I don’t know exactly what position you’re in and how things are going for you. I would just recommend you to calm down, and just do what you can. Excessive worrying will only further deteriorate your mental state.
Are your grades being affected by your UCAS application? If you start the preparation now, you can spread the workload across the months. UCAS shouldn’t distract you from your studies that much. Do you have an hour or two to put aside for the application each day? That would be plenty. However, you must remember that your Gaokao is the most important. I hate to quote Asian parents, but it will literally “decide your future”. Even if you receive an offer from the UK, you will need a very competitive Gaokao score in order to get in. To be honest, the LNAT is the only aspect that requires a gargantuan amount of time (of course, the personal statement does too, but if you know what you’re going to write about it shouldn’t be too hard/ time consuming). The problem is whether you can spare a few hours every week to work on the application. If you truly want to do this, then think about whether you can cut time from any other area in your life that’s not your studies? It will be tough, no doubt about it, but perhaps it will all pay off in the end.
Either option you choose will come with many regrets and risks. Being realistic — even if you apply, the outcome may not be favourable. This may (like you’ve said) affect your performance in the Gaokao, hence affecting your future. Not applying might be a safer option, but nothing is guaranteed. Furthermore, like you’ve said, you will have many regrets if you do not apply. This is not an easy choice and I completely empathise with you. I too had to make the same choice, although the education system I am under is nowhere near as arduous as yours.
Lastly, if you really feel that your anxiety is too much, I would recommend against pushing yourself to the limits and applying to UCAS. If you push yourself too far, you may end up with more regrets than you would have if you had chosen to not apply. Life can take many different paths, there is no one fixed path for anyone. Take care of yourself so that you will have the chance to walk down more paths in the future. If your “UK dream” isn’t fulfilled, don’t be disheartened. You’re super smart (we all know how amazing having good grades, having a chance of getting into PKU, and thinking about applying abroad is) and you’ll do fine no matter where you end up. Don’t become fixed on one thing, don’t let it ruin you. Life is not all about studies even though it does seem like that right now! A choice you make now is not the end all and be all. There are plenty of other opportunities in the future to pursue what you want. You might have to take a longer route, but if it’s truly meant for you, it will come to you.
Wishing you all the best! 加油💪
Thank you soooooo much! It’s so good to have someone understanding my situation. I think most people outside of China cannot imagine how suffocating Gaokao is.
To be honest , being an idealist, I really wish I can stay in London or Hong Kong to be a barrister(maybe US ) instead of returning to mainland. However, as a foreigner, this could be extremely hard ( lack of cultural background). I am now hesitating: stay, and be someone like my father and use law merely to make a living ( my dad is a lawyer but I am not interested in his business, he mainly focus on contract law and tort). Or leave, and try to be someone like RBG though extremely hard( I am a huge fan of her). (I lean on the latter)
Sorry I am being unrealistic , but I am only 17, I guess I am just so young, it’s always young people who are being unrealistic
Original post by Xing Zhener
Thank you soooooo much! It’s so good to have someone understanding my situation. I think most people outside of China cannot imagine how suffocating Gaokao is.
To be honest , being an idealist, I really wish I can stay in London or Hong Kong to be a barrister(maybe US ) instead of returning to mainland. However, as a foreigner, this could be extremely hard ( lack of cultural background). I am now hesitating: stay, and be someone like my father and use law merely to make a living ( my dad is a lawyer but I am not interested in his business, he mainly focus on contract law and tort). Or leave, and try to be someone like RBG though extremely hard( I am a huge fan of her). (I lean on the latter)
Sorry I am being unrealistic , but I am only 17, I guess I am just so young, it’s always young people who are being unrealistic
To be honest , being an idealist, I really wish I can stay in London or Hong Kong to be a barrister(maybe US ) instead of returning to mainland. However, as a foreigner, this could be extremely hard ( lack of cultural background). I am now hesitating: stay, and be someone like my father and use law merely to make a living ( my dad is a lawyer but I am not interested in his business, he mainly focus on contract law and tort). Or leave, and try to be someone like RBG though extremely hard( I am a huge fan of her). (I lean on the latter)
Sorry I am being unrealistic , but I am only 17, I guess I am just so young, it’s always young people who are being unrealistic
If you lean towards the latter (go to the UK) and be like RBG (is that Ruby Granger?), then why not give it a try. However, you must be very clear on the consequences, risks and opportunity costs that come with this decision.
To be honest, I fully support you following your dreams. However, you must understand that some graduates (especially international) have a hard time finding jobs in the UK after a law degree. I've heard of instances where some graduates from UCL and even Oxbridge have struggled to find a firm to take them in. I'm not saying this to crush your hopes-- contrary to that, I believe that everything is possible. You might just have to work extra hard while over here.
I think you've misunderstood me 😭 I'm not saying that you're being unrealistic! I am also 17 haha. I'm merely stating the realities of applying to universities-- no matter where you come from. The competition is tough, and it's not guaranteed that you will gain an offer from an university. (But I have complete faith in you, if you work hard, you will have a good chance). I'm just encouraging you to think thoroughly about this choice you're about to make.
I myself have almost failed to gain an offer from UK universities. At those moments I felt like all my hard work had gone to waste, and all that time I had spent on my application was wasted too. This may not happen to you though, who knows!!
If you truly want to chase your ideal pathway, then do. Just mind your own health and ensure it doesn't affect your results in the long run. Best of luck!
Reply 4
Original post by Coeoe
If you lean towards the latter (go to the UK) and be like RBG (is that Ruby Granger?), then why not give it a try. However, you must be very clear on the consequences, risks and opportunity costs that come with this decision.
To be honest, I fully support you following your dreams. However, you must understand that some graduates (especially international) have a hard time finding jobs in the UK after a law degree. I've heard of instances where some graduates from UCL and even Oxbridge have struggled to find a firm to take them in. I'm not saying this to crush your hopes-- contrary to that, I believe that everything is possible. You might just have to work extra hard while over here.
I think you've misunderstood me 😭 I'm not saying that you're being unrealistic! I am also 17 haha. I'm merely stating the realities of applying to universities-- no matter where you come from. The competition is tough, and it's not guaranteed that you will gain an offer from an university. (But I have complete faith in you, if you work hard, you will have a good chance). I'm just encouraging you to think thoroughly about this choice you're about to make.
I myself have almost failed to gain an offer from UK universities. At those moments I felt like all my hard work had gone to waste, and all that time I had spent on my application was wasted too. This may not happen to you though, who knows!!
If you truly want to chase your ideal pathway, then do. Just mind your own health and ensure it doesn't affect your results in the long run. Best of luck!
To be honest, I fully support you following your dreams. However, you must understand that some graduates (especially international) have a hard time finding jobs in the UK after a law degree. I've heard of instances where some graduates from UCL and even Oxbridge have struggled to find a firm to take them in. I'm not saying this to crush your hopes-- contrary to that, I believe that everything is possible. You might just have to work extra hard while over here.
I think you've misunderstood me 😭 I'm not saying that you're being unrealistic! I am also 17 haha. I'm merely stating the realities of applying to universities-- no matter where you come from. The competition is tough, and it's not guaranteed that you will gain an offer from an university. (But I have complete faith in you, if you work hard, you will have a good chance). I'm just encouraging you to think thoroughly about this choice you're about to make.
I myself have almost failed to gain an offer from UK universities. At those moments I felt like all my hard work had gone to waste, and all that time I had spent on my application was wasted too. This may not happen to you though, who knows!!
If you truly want to chase your ideal pathway, then do. Just mind your own health and ensure it doesn't affect your results in the long run. Best of luck!
Thank you so much for your advice!
And RBG stands for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the former Justice in the US Supreme Court. She was a lawyer before becoming a justice.
Thank you again!😄
Original post by Xing Zhener
Thank you so much for your advice!
And RBG stands for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the former Justice in the US Supreme Court. She was a lawyer before becoming a justice.
Thank you again!😄
And RBG stands for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the former Justice in the US Supreme Court. She was a lawyer before becoming a justice.
Thank you again!😄
Haha ooh I see! It's great that you have amazing ambitions already haha. Good luck, you'll be fine no matter if you go to the UK, PKU or anywhere else.
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