Should I take a gap year?; law degree

I firmed Cardiff for law and got rejected by UCL, KCL and Bristol. My LNAT was 28. I'm wondering if i should just take a gap year in the case i get A*AA (or higher) this summer, because I feel that I am capable of that; and then apply to unis like either LSE, Oxbridge, KCL etc. To what extent do universities really matter if you want to enter the law industry? Is it just the grades that matter in the most in the end? Or does uni play a role. I am aspiring to become a solicitor.

(edited 7 months ago)

Reply 1

LawStudent456

22

28 is a good score. If you really want to go to a ‘top’ uni then defer for a year and reapply. Only you know what you really want.

It’ll be easier to get an offer with achieved grades too.

Reply 2

lts_

OP

5

Original post by LawStudent456

28 is a good score. If you really want to go to a ‘top’ uni then defer for a year and reapply. Only you know what you really want.
It’ll be easier to get an offer with achieved grades too.

Not saying that Cardiff is bad and I do want to go, but I know how competitive the law industry is, so maybe would it be much better if I went to a more prestigious uni? I just don't know. Like even if I get amazing grades and a first in uni etc wouldn't I easily be overshadowed by individuals who attended the 'top' unis?

Reply 3

Stiffy Byng

19

In any law firm or set of chambers worth joining, candidates will be assessed on their individual merits, not on the basis of which university they studied at. Studying at one of the best known universities might well make you a more competitive candidate, but that would be for reasons to do with your academic achievement, and not simply the name of the university. It's becoming quite common for law firms and chambers to make recruitment decisions "university-blind".

Reply 4

lts_

OP

5

Original post by Stiffy Byng

In any law firm or set of chambers worth joining, candidates will be assessed on their individual merits, not on the basis of which university they studied at. Studying at one of the best known universities might well make you a more competitive candidate, but that would be for reasons to do with your academic achievement, and not simply the name of the university. It's becoming quite common for law firms and chambers to make recruitment decisions "university-blind".

Ah right, that's reassuring to hear! I was just worried since the things I've heard is that law firms seem to care about the uni u go to but I guess by the time I apply it won't be a problem. Thank you 😊

Reply 5

ChrisEvans81

6

Original post by lts_

I firmed Cardiff for law and got rejected by UCL, KCL and Bristol. My LNAT was 28. I'm wondering if i should just take a gap year in the case i get A*AA (or higher) this summer, because I feel that I am capable of that; and then apply to unis like either LSE, Oxbridge, KCL etc. To what extent do universities really matter if you want to enter the law industry? Is it just the grades that matter in the most in the end? Or does uni play a role. I am aspiring to become a solicitor.

I don’t really think it matters where you do your ‘Bachelors’ (especially if it’s a RG Uni). My daughter got rejected from Cambridge (after being put in the winter pool), Durham, KCL and Bristol. She then withdrew her application from LSE (and rejected Bristol’s offer of another course). She’s applied to Manchester via UCAS extra but I think she’ll end up taking a gap year (regardless what Manchester say). I think she wants another crack at Cambridge (with achieved grades). For the record, I told her to go to Cardiff (an hour up the road), then go to an ‘elite’ Uni for her Masters (if she decides to).

Reply 6

katana10000

13

Original post by lts_

I firmed Cardiff for law and got rejected by UCL, KCL and Bristol. My LNAT was 28. I'm wondering if i should just take a gap year in the case i get A*AA (or higher) this summer, because I feel that I am capable of that; and then apply to unis like either LSE, Oxbridge, KCL etc. To what extent do universities really matter if you want to enter the law industry? Is it just the grades that matter in the most in the end? Or does uni play a role. I am aspiring to become a solicitor.

I would advise you not to take a gap year and reapply but instead focus on getting as a strong degree classification from Cardiff as well as building out your CV more generally. You have no guarantee that you will get into any of your first choice universities next year and the university you go to is much less important than your quality as a candidate, when it comes to applying to law firms. A degree from Cardiff is no bar to obtaining a training contract from a top law firm.

Referring to another poster, a masters does not really make a difference when applying to law firms except in certain specific disciplines.

Should I take a gap year?; law degree

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