Advice on the future

x.iram.x

Hi, so I received my A levels today and I got shockingly lower than I ever expected. I got CCD when I was predicted AAB. My ambition is to be a lawyer at a top 100 uk law firm, and my plan was to get in to a good Russel group uni in order to help me achieve my ambition. Obviously due to my results a Russel group uni is off the cards this year, but I have two plans as to what to do moving forward I'm just struggling to see which one is the right plan. I can either take a gap year to resit, get a job, get legal experience and work hard to get higher then I achieved this year so I can gain a place at a Russel group uni which will better my chances of getting a training contract. My other plan is to accept an offer from the lower ranking unis that I gained through clearing, these unis being Keele, NTU, University of Law, Brunel and Greenwich. I could accept a place at these unis and try and get a first in my degree alongside mountains of legal work experience to get a chance of getting a training contract at a top firm, but I feel like my chances are slimmer with this path. Any advice from those who have been through a similar situation to me or are studying Law would be extremely helpful, thank you?

Reply 1

Cookie pie

7

Original post by x.iram.x

Hi, so I received my A levels today and I got shockingly lower than I ever expected. I got CCD when I was predicted AAB. My ambition is to be a lawyer at a top 100 uk law firm, and my plan was to get in to a good Russel group uni in order to help me achieve my ambition. Obviously due to my results a Russel group uni is off the cards this year, but I have two plans as to what to do moving forward I'm just struggling to see which one is the right plan. I can either take a gap year to resit, get a job, get legal experience and work hard to get higher then I achieved this year so I can gain a place at a Russel group uni which will better my chances of getting a training contract. My other plan is to accept an offer from the lower ranking unis that I gained through clearing, these unis being Keele, NTU, University of Law, Brunel and Greenwich. I could accept a place at these unis and try and get a first in my degree alongside mountains of legal work experience to get a chance of getting a training contract at a top firm, but I feel like my chances are slimmer with this path. Any advice from those who have been through a similar situation to me or are studying Law would be extremely helpful, thank you?

I’ve heard a lot about keele university not being the best in law. I know people who have transferred and restarted the year at other uni’s. I have heard UCLAN is really good a lot of people I know in my family and friends have studied here and done well. University of law also seems like a good shout. I’d definitely look at places that are known for teaching law. Don’t worry too much I think of you work hard and get good grades and make connections as you go you should be good 🙂 good luck

Original post by x.iram.x

Hi, so I received my A levels today and I got shockingly lower than I ever expected. I got CCD when I was predicted AAB. My ambition is to be a lawyer at a top 100 uk law firm, and my plan was to get in to a good Russel group uni in order to help me achieve my ambition. Obviously due to my results a Russel group uni is off the cards this year, but I have two plans as to what to do moving forward I'm just struggling to see which one is the right plan. I can either take a gap year to resit, get a job, get legal experience and work hard to get higher then I achieved this year so I can gain a place at a Russel group uni which will better my chances of getting a training contract. My other plan is to accept an offer from the lower ranking unis that I gained through clearing, these unis being Keele, NTU, University of Law, Brunel and Greenwich. I could accept a place at these unis and try and get a first in my degree alongside mountains of legal work experience to get a chance of getting a training contract at a top firm, but I feel like my chances are slimmer with this path. Any advice from those who have been through a similar situation to me or are studying Law would be extremely helpful, thank you?

Hi @x.iram.x

Firstly, don't be disheartened by your grades, it is clear you have the right mindset to do well in the future and have got 2 great plans in place.

Put simply, either plan will work and the decision is yours to make. Taking a year out and getting better grades would allow you to pursue a Russel Group uni. I would be wary of thinking you can do heaps of legal experience during this time or getting a job if you are resitting all 3 as this will take up a considerable amount of time and you don't want to take the year to better your grades only to find you don't have the time to dedicate to them to get this result.

Alternatively, you could take one of your offers you have received in clearing. Although some firms do still look at the uni you attended, many now view candidates "blind" which means certain information is redacted from their applications such as their name, gender, age and uni. With this being the case, then where you studied is less likely to matter. Also, it is the grade that they care about more and the experience you have so being able to get a first and also have some moots under your belt or pro bono work then there is every chance you get a TC in a firm you want.

What is most important, in my opinion, is that you study somewhere you like the course and in a location you want to live in. There is no point going somewhere you don't actually want to attend. Therefore, I would look at your clearing options closely and see what their courses entail, where they are located and the societies they have on offer. If you like them and could be happy there then perhaps go for it. Equally, if you know you want to go somewhere else then don't accept these offers. A year now is no time in the long run and it will make very little difference on your experience. However, going to uni is a great time in a student's life and it is important you choose somewhere that reflects you and will allow you to make the most of your experience.

I know it may seem like whichever decision you choose will be "wrong" but, trust me, it likely won't. Also, if you make the "wrong" decision you can rectify it, so don't worry too much!

Good luck!

Original post by x.iram.x

Hi, so I received my A levels today and I got shockingly lower than I ever expected. I got CCD when I was predicted AAB. My ambition is to be a lawyer at a top 100 uk law firm, and my plan was to get in to a good Russel group uni in order to help me achieve my ambition. Obviously due to my results a Russel group uni is off the cards this year, but I have two plans as to what to do moving forward I'm just struggling to see which one is the right plan. I can either take a gap year to resit, get a job, get legal experience and work hard to get higher then I achieved this year so I can gain a place at a Russel group uni which will better my chances of getting a training contract. My other plan is to accept an offer from the lower ranking unis that I gained through clearing, these unis being Keele, NTU, University of Law, Brunel and Greenwich. I could accept a place at these unis and try and get a first in my degree alongside mountains of legal work experience to get a chance of getting a training contract at a top firm, but I feel like my chances are slimmer with this path. Any advice from those who have been through a similar situation to me or are studying Law would be extremely helpful, thank you?

Hi @x.iram.x

Sorry to hear that you didn't get the grades that you expected and haven't been able to attend the university that you planned to. You sound very passionate about studying Law and giving your all so I'm sure you will go on to do well whatever path you take.

I'm currently studying at Brunel and know that there are clearing spaces in Law still available here. I'm not sure where you're based or if you've had a chance to visit Brunel on one of our open days? We're based in West London with great transport links to the city and the university is campus based. There is a great community feel here with lots of societies, sports clubs, cafes and places to eat all on site! If you apply through clearing by the end of August you will also be guaranteed accommodation in our halls which is something to keep in mind as a lot of universities can't offer this.

Anyway, if you have any specific questions about Brunel or are considering accepting this offer feel free to ask and I'll try and help 🙂

All the best with your journey either way!

Sophie
Brunel London Student Rep

Reply 4

BarryScott2022

15

Sorry it didn’t go to plan. Some RG unis will accept resits but not all. So that’s something to check.

Regarding your list, the only one really worth much there for law is NTU. They have a reasonable law school and some good links as they do postgraduate courses like the Bar Course.

No one can tell you what to do. But do bear in mind that ‘top law firms’ usually do have a filter of AAB ish minimum for A-levels at sift stage. Obviously if you have strong extenuating circumstances for your grades and can get a high 2:1 / First in your degree then that may circumvent issues but no guarantees.

Being honest, if it were me I think I’d resit, but as above, do check out the resit situation with any unis you’re considering now as some won’t take resits and some say you have to resit all 3 together in one sitting to be eligible.

I would resit.

I concur.

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