EPQ grades and University
Hi all,
I'm thinking of applying to law at top universities (Oxford, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham) this October, and I was wondering how badly an A or B on my EPQ would affect my application. For context, I haven't finished it yet, but I already hate it and find it hard to put significant work into it, especially given the relatively mundane nature of the topic I chose (analysing reoffending in Britain). I spoke to my teacher about dropping it and she said that would be quite damaging to my application, given that the universities know my school offers the EPQ (thus it would be expected of me to take it and show that I've demonstrated an interest in law).
For context, I feel like my application is already somewhat strong. I achieved seven 9s, one 8, and one 7 at GCSE, and I'm currently predicted 3 As (maths, english lit, history) before my y12 mocks. I gained some volunteering experience at Citizens Advice Bureau, I do MUN (my school doesn't have a debate club), I'm going to attend the oxford law taster day and the 'Maccabean' lecture on jurisprudence at the LSE, I have read two books on law, I participated in the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize (although to no avail), I've completed two job simulations on 'Forage' run by magic circle law firms, I've applied to a Sutton Trust Summer school (although I'm not expecting to be accepted), I am competing in the Gresham College Young Orator of the Year competition, and I'm thinking about doing the Trinity College politics essay prize (not the law one because it's due soon and I simply have no time). And on the side I achieved Grade 7 ABRSM piano and am currently studying for my grade 8. Also, I imagine universities care considerably more about the LNAT score, so surely I should allow much more time to practise for that.
My worry is, all of this would be essentially nullified if extremely competitive universities (especially Oxford and UCL) look at my application and see an A (competitive applicants likely getting A*s) or B for my EPQ. So I guess what I'm asking is, since I already basically have to do it for my application, how badly would an A or B on my EPQ affect my application?
*otherwise, just how much do these universities care about the LNAT? Cos if that's the main point of consideration I could theoretically just put all my effort into absolutely smashing that.
I'm thinking of applying to law at top universities (Oxford, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham) this October, and I was wondering how badly an A or B on my EPQ would affect my application. For context, I haven't finished it yet, but I already hate it and find it hard to put significant work into it, especially given the relatively mundane nature of the topic I chose (analysing reoffending in Britain). I spoke to my teacher about dropping it and she said that would be quite damaging to my application, given that the universities know my school offers the EPQ (thus it would be expected of me to take it and show that I've demonstrated an interest in law).
For context, I feel like my application is already somewhat strong. I achieved seven 9s, one 8, and one 7 at GCSE, and I'm currently predicted 3 As (maths, english lit, history) before my y12 mocks. I gained some volunteering experience at Citizens Advice Bureau, I do MUN (my school doesn't have a debate club), I'm going to attend the oxford law taster day and the 'Maccabean' lecture on jurisprudence at the LSE, I have read two books on law, I participated in the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize (although to no avail), I've completed two job simulations on 'Forage' run by magic circle law firms, I've applied to a Sutton Trust Summer school (although I'm not expecting to be accepted), I am competing in the Gresham College Young Orator of the Year competition, and I'm thinking about doing the Trinity College politics essay prize (not the law one because it's due soon and I simply have no time). And on the side I achieved Grade 7 ABRSM piano and am currently studying for my grade 8. Also, I imagine universities care considerably more about the LNAT score, so surely I should allow much more time to practise for that.
My worry is, all of this would be essentially nullified if extremely competitive universities (especially Oxford and UCL) look at my application and see an A (competitive applicants likely getting A*s) or B for my EPQ. So I guess what I'm asking is, since I already basically have to do it for my application, how badly would an A or B on my EPQ affect my application?
*otherwise, just how much do these universities care about the LNAT? Cos if that's the main point of consideration I could theoretically just put all my effort into absolutely smashing that.
Reply 1
Original post by elionye
Hi all,
I'm thinking of applying to law at top universities (Oxford, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham) this October, and I was wondering how badly an A or B on my EPQ would affect my application. For context, I haven't finished it yet, but I already hate it and find it hard to put significant work into it, especially given the relatively mundane nature of the topic I chose (analysing reoffending in Britain). I spoke to my teacher about dropping it and she said that would be quite damaging to my application, given that the universities know my school offers the EPQ (thus it would be expected of me to take it and show that I've demonstrated an interest in law).
For context, I feel like my application is already somewhat strong. I achieved seven 9s, one 8, and one 7 at GCSE, and I'm currently predicted 3 As (maths, english lit, history) before my y12 mocks. I gained some volunteering experience at Citizens Advice Bureau, I do MUN (my school doesn't have a debate club), I'm going to attend the oxford law taster day and the 'Maccabean' lecture on jurisprudence at the LSE, I have read two books on law, I participated in the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize (although to no avail), I've completed two job simulations on 'Forage' run by magic circle law firms, I've applied to a Sutton Trust Summer school (although I'm not expecting to be accepted), I am competing in the Gresham College Young Orator of the Year competition, and I'm thinking about doing the Trinity College politics essay prize (not the law one because it's due soon and I simply have no time). And on the side I achieved Grade 7 ABRSM piano and am currently studying for my grade 8. Also, I imagine universities care considerably more about the LNAT score, so surely I should allow much more time to practise for that.
My worry is, all of this would be essentially nullified if extremely competitive universities (especially Oxford and UCL) look at my application and see an A (competitive applicants likely getting A*s) or B for my EPQ. So I guess what I'm asking is, since I already basically have to do it for my application, how badly would an A or B on my EPQ affect my application?
*otherwise, just how much do these universities care about the LNAT? Cos if that's the main point of consideration I could theoretically just put all my effort into absolutely smashing that.
I'm thinking of applying to law at top universities (Oxford, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham) this October, and I was wondering how badly an A or B on my EPQ would affect my application. For context, I haven't finished it yet, but I already hate it and find it hard to put significant work into it, especially given the relatively mundane nature of the topic I chose (analysing reoffending in Britain). I spoke to my teacher about dropping it and she said that would be quite damaging to my application, given that the universities know my school offers the EPQ (thus it would be expected of me to take it and show that I've demonstrated an interest in law).
For context, I feel like my application is already somewhat strong. I achieved seven 9s, one 8, and one 7 at GCSE, and I'm currently predicted 3 As (maths, english lit, history) before my y12 mocks. I gained some volunteering experience at Citizens Advice Bureau, I do MUN (my school doesn't have a debate club), I'm going to attend the oxford law taster day and the 'Maccabean' lecture on jurisprudence at the LSE, I have read two books on law, I participated in the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize (although to no avail), I've completed two job simulations on 'Forage' run by magic circle law firms, I've applied to a Sutton Trust Summer school (although I'm not expecting to be accepted), I am competing in the Gresham College Young Orator of the Year competition, and I'm thinking about doing the Trinity College politics essay prize (not the law one because it's due soon and I simply have no time). And on the side I achieved Grade 7 ABRSM piano and am currently studying for my grade 8. Also, I imagine universities care considerably more about the LNAT score, so surely I should allow much more time to practise for that.
My worry is, all of this would be essentially nullified if extremely competitive universities (especially Oxford and UCL) look at my application and see an A (competitive applicants likely getting A*s) or B for my EPQ. So I guess what I'm asking is, since I already basically have to do it for my application, how badly would an A or B on my EPQ affect my application?
*otherwise, just how much do these universities care about the LNAT? Cos if that's the main point of consideration I could theoretically just put all my effort into absolutely smashing that.
I’m no law uni expert but it sounds like you have done lots of good extra/super-curriculars and got a strong academic record. The LNAT is very important.
A high grade in an EPQ (A/A* but sometimes a B) can be useful for getting a lower grade offer from a uni, but again, I don’t know specifically about those ones, so you would need to check on the websites or email them to see if they offer reduced grades for an EPQ. An EPQ can also be useful for UCAS points too, so do bear that in mind if you are thinking of applying to oxbridge. I have heard that one of the oxbridge unis (Cambridge I think?) ‘likes’ EPQs but I don’t think they actually specify this. Oxford may be the reason you choose to keep going with your EPQ though.
Im quite sure no uni will disadvantage you if you do not do an EPQ just because your school offers them! That is a ridiculous (and discriminatory) notion. Unis may make extra consideration if an applicants schooling has been a particularly low achieving school, but not based on what a school ‘offers’. An EPQ can definitely add to an application but it doesn’t - to me - look like you are desperately in need of things to add to yours. Do your own research on the web pages/entry policies of those unis you particularly want as you may find this information on those. Old freedom of information requests may tell you how many successful candidates had an epq in the past to give you a better idea. Email the admissions teams to ask as well, but note that the minimum requirements may not be what’s actually needed to get an offer. Good luck
Reply 2
Original post by elionye
Hi all,
I'm thinking of applying to law at top universities (Oxford, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham) this October, and I was wondering how badly an A or B on my EPQ would affect my application. For context, I haven't finished it yet, but I already hate it and find it hard to put significant work into it, especially given the relatively mundane nature of the topic I chose (analysing reoffending in Britain). I spoke to my teacher about dropping it and she said that would be quite damaging to my application, given that the universities know my school offers the EPQ (thus it would be expected of me to take it and show that I've demonstrated an interest in law).
For context, I feel like my application is already somewhat strong. I achieved seven 9s, one 8, and one 7 at GCSE, and I'm currently predicted 3 As (maths, english lit, history) before my y12 mocks. I gained some volunteering experience at Citizens Advice Bureau, I do MUN (my school doesn't have a debate club), I'm going to attend the oxford law taster day and the 'Maccabean' lecture on jurisprudence at the LSE, I have read two books on law, I participated in the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize (although to no avail), I've completed two job simulations on 'Forage' run by magic circle law firms, I've applied to a Sutton Trust Summer school (although I'm not expecting to be accepted), I am competing in the Gresham College Young Orator of the Year competition, and I'm thinking about doing the Trinity College politics essay prize (not the law one because it's due soon and I simply have no time). And on the side I achieved Grade 7 ABRSM piano and am currently studying for my grade 8. Also, I imagine universities care considerably more about the LNAT score, so surely I should allow much more time to practise for that.
My worry is, all of this would be essentially nullified if extremely competitive universities (especially Oxford and UCL) look at my application and see an A (competitive applicants likely getting A*s) or B for my EPQ. So I guess what I'm asking is, since I already basically have to do it for my application, how badly would an A or B on my EPQ affect my application?
*otherwise, just how much do these universities care about the LNAT? Cos if that's the main point of consideration I could theoretically just put all my effort into absolutely smashing that.
I'm thinking of applying to law at top universities (Oxford, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham) this October, and I was wondering how badly an A or B on my EPQ would affect my application. For context, I haven't finished it yet, but I already hate it and find it hard to put significant work into it, especially given the relatively mundane nature of the topic I chose (analysing reoffending in Britain). I spoke to my teacher about dropping it and she said that would be quite damaging to my application, given that the universities know my school offers the EPQ (thus it would be expected of me to take it and show that I've demonstrated an interest in law).
For context, I feel like my application is already somewhat strong. I achieved seven 9s, one 8, and one 7 at GCSE, and I'm currently predicted 3 As (maths, english lit, history) before my y12 mocks. I gained some volunteering experience at Citizens Advice Bureau, I do MUN (my school doesn't have a debate club), I'm going to attend the oxford law taster day and the 'Maccabean' lecture on jurisprudence at the LSE, I have read two books on law, I participated in the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize (although to no avail), I've completed two job simulations on 'Forage' run by magic circle law firms, I've applied to a Sutton Trust Summer school (although I'm not expecting to be accepted), I am competing in the Gresham College Young Orator of the Year competition, and I'm thinking about doing the Trinity College politics essay prize (not the law one because it's due soon and I simply have no time). And on the side I achieved Grade 7 ABRSM piano and am currently studying for my grade 8. Also, I imagine universities care considerably more about the LNAT score, so surely I should allow much more time to practise for that.
My worry is, all of this would be essentially nullified if extremely competitive universities (especially Oxford and UCL) look at my application and see an A (competitive applicants likely getting A*s) or B for my EPQ. So I guess what I'm asking is, since I already basically have to do it for my application, how badly would an A or B on my EPQ affect my application?
*otherwise, just how much do these universities care about the LNAT? Cos if that's the main point of consideration I could theoretically just put all my effort into absolutely smashing that.
Why would your University know your school offers the EPQ? In my school it is offered and barely anyone takes it. I disagree with your teacher as the EPQ is extremely time consuming and competitive universities arent going to penalise you because you didn't take an EPQ!
I just applied to Uni and I'm doing an EPQ and got 5/5 offers not one mentioning the EPQ even though I put it in my application.
I got in for Cambridge English and they did not mention my EPQ at all; my friend got in for Cambridge HSPS and all Cambridge requested of them was to complete the EPQ.
Original post by Songbird19
I’m no law uni expert but it sounds like you have done lots of good extra/super-curriculars and got a strong academic record. The LNAT is very important.
A high grade in an EPQ (A/A* but sometimes a B) can be useful for getting a lower grade offer from a uni, but again, I don’t know specifically about those ones, so you would need to check on the websites or email them to see if they offer reduced grades for an EPQ. An EPQ can also be useful for UCAS points too, so do bear that in mind if you are thinking of applying to oxbridge. I have heard that one of the oxbridge unis (Cambridge I think?) ‘likes’ EPQs but I don’t think they actually specify this. Oxford may be the reason you choose to keep going with your EPQ though.
Im quite sure no uni will disadvantage you if you do not do an EPQ just because your school offers them! That is a ridiculous (and discriminatory) notion. Unis may make extra consideration if an applicants schooling has been a particularly low achieving school, but not based on what a school ‘offers’. An EPQ can definitely add to an application but it doesn’t - to me - look like you are desperately in need of things to add to yours. Do your own research on the web pages/entry policies of those unis you particularly want as you may find this information on those. Old freedom of information requests may tell you how many successful candidates had an epq in the past to give you a better idea. Email the admissions teams to ask as well, but note that the minimum requirements may not be what’s actually needed to get an offer. Good luck
A high grade in an EPQ (A/A* but sometimes a B) can be useful for getting a lower grade offer from a uni, but again, I don’t know specifically about those ones, so you would need to check on the websites or email them to see if they offer reduced grades for an EPQ. An EPQ can also be useful for UCAS points too, so do bear that in mind if you are thinking of applying to oxbridge. I have heard that one of the oxbridge unis (Cambridge I think?) ‘likes’ EPQs but I don’t think they actually specify this. Oxford may be the reason you choose to keep going with your EPQ though.
Im quite sure no uni will disadvantage you if you do not do an EPQ just because your school offers them! That is a ridiculous (and discriminatory) notion. Unis may make extra consideration if an applicants schooling has been a particularly low achieving school, but not based on what a school ‘offers’. An EPQ can definitely add to an application but it doesn’t - to me - look like you are desperately in need of things to add to yours. Do your own research on the web pages/entry policies of those unis you particularly want as you may find this information on those. Old freedom of information requests may tell you how many successful candidates had an epq in the past to give you a better idea. Email the admissions teams to ask as well, but note that the minimum requirements may not be what’s actually needed to get an offer. Good luck
Thanks!!
Original post by jilliams44
Why would your University know your school offers the EPQ? In my school it is offered and barely anyone takes it. I disagree with your teacher as the EPQ is extremely time consuming and competitive universities arent going to penalise you because you didn't take an EPQ!
I just applied to Uni and I'm doing an EPQ and got 5/5 offers not one mentioning the EPQ even though I put it in my application.
I got in for Cambridge English and they did not mention my EPQ at all; my friend got in for Cambridge HSPS and all Cambridge requested of them was to complete the EPQ.
I just applied to Uni and I'm doing an EPQ and got 5/5 offers not one mentioning the EPQ even though I put it in my application.
I got in for Cambridge English and they did not mention my EPQ at all; my friend got in for Cambridge HSPS and all Cambridge requested of them was to complete the EPQ.
thanks, this actually makes me feel MUCH better
)Reply 5
Original post by jilliams44
Why would your University know your school offers the EPQ? In my school it is offered and barely anyone takes it. I disagree with your teacher as the EPQ is extremely time consuming and competitive universities arent going to penalise you because you didn't take an EPQ!
I just applied to Uni and I'm doing an EPQ and got 5/5 offers not one mentioning the EPQ even though I put it in my application.
I got in for Cambridge English and they did not mention my EPQ at all; my friend got in for Cambridge HSPS and all Cambridge requested of them was to complete the EPQ.
I just applied to Uni and I'm doing an EPQ and got 5/5 offers not one mentioning the EPQ even though I put it in my application.
I got in for Cambridge English and they did not mention my EPQ at all; my friend got in for Cambridge HSPS and all Cambridge requested of them was to complete the EPQ.
Hii!! Question .. My school had limited spaces for an epq so it was competitive and I got rejected . I also want to apply to Oxbridge and other good unis for Law and was wondering if I should push my teachers to let me do it . Do you think it would be of benefit or can I just do a few essay competitions ? Thank you !
Reply 6
Original post by elionye
Hi all,
I'm thinking of applying to law at top universities (Oxford, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham) this October, and I was wondering how badly an A or B on my EPQ would affect my application. For context, I haven't finished it yet, but I already hate it and find it hard to put significant work into it, especially given the relatively mundane nature of the topic I chose (analysing reoffending in Britain). I spoke to my teacher about dropping it and she said that would be quite damaging to my application, given that the universities know my school offers the EPQ (thus it would be expected of me to take it and show that I've demonstrated an interest in law).
For context, I feel like my application is already somewhat strong. I achieved seven 9s, one 8, and one 7 at GCSE, and I'm currently predicted 3 As (maths, english lit, history) before my y12 mocks. I gained some volunteering experience at Citizens Advice Bureau, I do MUN (my school doesn't have a debate club), I'm going to attend the oxford law taster day and the 'Maccabean' lecture on jurisprudence at the LSE, I have read two books on law, I participated in the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize (although to no avail), I've completed two job simulations on 'Forage' run by magic circle law firms, I've applied to a Sutton Trust Summer school (although I'm not expecting to be accepted), I am competing in the Gresham College Young Orator of the Year competition, and I'm thinking about doing the Trinity College politics essay prize (not the law one because it's due soon and I simply have no time). And on the side I achieved Grade 7 ABRSM piano and am currently studying for my grade 8. Also, I imagine universities care considerably more about the LNAT score, so surely I should allow much more time to practise for that.
My worry is, all of this would be essentially nullified if extremely competitive universities (especially Oxford and UCL) look at my application and see an A (competitive applicants likely getting A*s) or B for my EPQ. So I guess what I'm asking is, since I already basically have to do it for my application, how badly would an A or B on my EPQ affect my application?
*otherwise, just how much do these universities care about the LNAT? Cos if that's the main point of consideration I could theoretically just put all my effort into absolutely smashing that.
I'm thinking of applying to law at top universities (Oxford, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham) this October, and I was wondering how badly an A or B on my EPQ would affect my application. For context, I haven't finished it yet, but I already hate it and find it hard to put significant work into it, especially given the relatively mundane nature of the topic I chose (analysing reoffending in Britain). I spoke to my teacher about dropping it and she said that would be quite damaging to my application, given that the universities know my school offers the EPQ (thus it would be expected of me to take it and show that I've demonstrated an interest in law).
For context, I feel like my application is already somewhat strong. I achieved seven 9s, one 8, and one 7 at GCSE, and I'm currently predicted 3 As (maths, english lit, history) before my y12 mocks. I gained some volunteering experience at Citizens Advice Bureau, I do MUN (my school doesn't have a debate club), I'm going to attend the oxford law taster day and the 'Maccabean' lecture on jurisprudence at the LSE, I have read two books on law, I participated in the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize (although to no avail), I've completed two job simulations on 'Forage' run by magic circle law firms, I've applied to a Sutton Trust Summer school (although I'm not expecting to be accepted), I am competing in the Gresham College Young Orator of the Year competition, and I'm thinking about doing the Trinity College politics essay prize (not the law one because it's due soon and I simply have no time). And on the side I achieved Grade 7 ABRSM piano and am currently studying for my grade 8. Also, I imagine universities care considerably more about the LNAT score, so surely I should allow much more time to practise for that.
My worry is, all of this would be essentially nullified if extremely competitive universities (especially Oxford and UCL) look at my application and see an A (competitive applicants likely getting A*s) or B for my EPQ. So I guess what I'm asking is, since I already basically have to do it for my application, how badly would an A or B on my EPQ affect my application?
*otherwise, just how much do these universities care about the LNAT? Cos if that's the main point of consideration I could theoretically just put all my effort into absolutely smashing that.
You don't need the EPQ at all! Drop it if you don't enjoy it. My school offers EPQ and many people got offers from Cambridge, Durham, etc. even though they didn't do an EPQ. Out of the two of us with Law offers, one didn't do an EPQ.
Nottingham don't consider the LNAT. The others do, though they weight it differently. Durham and UCL care about the essay a lot (I don't know very much about Oxford, sorry, but I imagine they do too). One point to note is that you do need to bring your predicted grades up to A*AA to be able to meet minimum entry requirements for some of your choices.
Reply 7
Original post by futuredrlawyer
Hii!! Question .. My school had limited spaces for an epq so it was competitive and I got rejected . I also want to apply to Oxbridge and other good unis for Law and was wondering if I should push my teachers to let me do it . Do you think it would be of benefit or can I just do a few essay competitions ? Thank you !
You don't need to do an EPQ, but if you want to do one, push for it. It's of benefit if you enjoy it. I'd recommend doing essay competitions anyway, regardless of whether you do an EPQ or not. I did do one because I really enjoyed it and I believe it did help my Cambridge application, but again, it's not necessary at all.
Reply 8
Original post by futuredrlawyer
Hii!! Question .. My school had limited spaces for an epq so it was competitive and I got rejected . I also want to apply to Oxbridge and other good unis for Law and was wondering if I should push my teachers to let me do it . Do you think it would be of benefit or can I just do a few essay competitions ? Thank you !
Definitely do it if it interests you! It takes up a lot of time and I'm not sure when your school does it but I'm in Year 13 and we're still doing it so I was doing it through the application process. Therefore, do something you enjoy.
Also definitely look at essay competitions! I realised I wanted to apply to Cambridge way too late so I didn't add any to my application. It clearly didn't inhibit it but it's always nice to add a further layer and also it's something that shows you're interested in law more than just in school and take things into your own hands.
Reply 9
Original post by elionye
Hi all,
I'm thinking of applying to law at top universities (Oxford, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham) this October, and I was wondering how badly an A or B on my EPQ would affect my application. For context, I haven't finished it yet, but I already hate it and find it hard to put significant work into it, especially given the relatively mundane nature of the topic I chose (analysing reoffending in Britain). I spoke to my teacher about dropping it and she said that would be quite damaging to my application, given that the universities know my school offers the EPQ (thus it would be expected of me to take it and show that I've demonstrated an interest in law).
For context, I feel like my application is already somewhat strong. I achieved seven 9s, one 8, and one 7 at GCSE, and I'm currently predicted 3 As (maths, english lit, history) before my y12 mocks. I gained some volunteering experience at Citizens Advice Bureau, I do MUN (my school doesn't have a debate club), I'm going to attend the oxford law taster day and the 'Maccabean' lecture on jurisprudence at the LSE, I have read two books on law, I participated in the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize (although to no avail), I've completed two job simulations on 'Forage' run by magic circle law firms, I've applied to a Sutton Trust Summer school (although I'm not expecting to be accepted), I am competing in the Gresham College Young Orator of the Year competition, and I'm thinking about doing the Trinity College politics essay prize (not the law one because it's due soon and I simply have no time). And on the side I achieved Grade 7 ABRSM piano and am currently studying for my grade 8. Also, I imagine universities care considerably more about the LNAT score, so surely I should allow much more time to practise for that.
My worry is, all of this would be essentially nullified if extremely competitive universities (especially Oxford and UCL) look at my application and see an A (competitive applicants likely getting A*s) or B for my EPQ. So I guess what I'm asking is, since I already basically have to do it for my application, how badly would an A or B on my EPQ affect my application?
*otherwise, just how much do these universities care about the LNAT? Cos if that's the main point of consideration I could theoretically just put all my effort into absolutely smashing that.
I'm thinking of applying to law at top universities (Oxford, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham) this October, and I was wondering how badly an A or B on my EPQ would affect my application. For context, I haven't finished it yet, but I already hate it and find it hard to put significant work into it, especially given the relatively mundane nature of the topic I chose (analysing reoffending in Britain). I spoke to my teacher about dropping it and she said that would be quite damaging to my application, given that the universities know my school offers the EPQ (thus it would be expected of me to take it and show that I've demonstrated an interest in law).
For context, I feel like my application is already somewhat strong. I achieved seven 9s, one 8, and one 7 at GCSE, and I'm currently predicted 3 As (maths, english lit, history) before my y12 mocks. I gained some volunteering experience at Citizens Advice Bureau, I do MUN (my school doesn't have a debate club), I'm going to attend the oxford law taster day and the 'Maccabean' lecture on jurisprudence at the LSE, I have read two books on law, I participated in the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize (although to no avail), I've completed two job simulations on 'Forage' run by magic circle law firms, I've applied to a Sutton Trust Summer school (although I'm not expecting to be accepted), I am competing in the Gresham College Young Orator of the Year competition, and I'm thinking about doing the Trinity College politics essay prize (not the law one because it's due soon and I simply have no time). And on the side I achieved Grade 7 ABRSM piano and am currently studying for my grade 8. Also, I imagine universities care considerably more about the LNAT score, so surely I should allow much more time to practise for that.
My worry is, all of this would be essentially nullified if extremely competitive universities (especially Oxford and UCL) look at my application and see an A (competitive applicants likely getting A*s) or B for my EPQ. So I guess what I'm asking is, since I already basically have to do it for my application, how badly would an A or B on my EPQ affect my application?
*otherwise, just how much do these universities care about the LNAT? Cos if that's the main point of consideration I could theoretically just put all my effort into absolutely smashing that.
Did you participate the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning competition too? I got no reply to my submission up till now, i wrote several emails to consult about the results but they did not reply to me.
Original post by Mike q
Did you participate the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning competition too? I got no reply to my submission up till now, i wrote several emails to consult about the results but they did not reply to me.
Yes I did, they emailed back and said 'you didn't win' and nothing else :')
Reply 11
Can you please send me the link to sign up to the LSE "Maccabean " lecture on jurisprudence . Thank you !
Original post by elionye
Hi all,
I'm thinking of applying to law at top universities (Oxford, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham) this October, and I was wondering how badly an A or B on my EPQ would affect my application. For context, I haven't finished it yet, but I already hate it and find it hard to put significant work into it, especially given the relatively mundane nature of the topic I chose (analysing reoffending in Britain). I spoke to my teacher about dropping it and she said that would be quite damaging to my application, given that the universities know my school offers the EPQ (thus it would be expected of me to take it and show that I've demonstrated an interest in law).
For context, I feel like my application is already somewhat strong. I achieved seven 9s, one 8, and one 7 at GCSE, and I'm currently predicted 3 As (maths, english lit, history) before my y12 mocks. I gained some volunteering experience at Citizens Advice Bureau, I do MUN (my school doesn't have a debate club), I'm going to attend the oxford law taster day and the 'Maccabean' lecture on jurisprudence at the LSE, I have read two books on law, I participated in the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize (although to no avail), I've completed two job simulations on 'Forage' run by magic circle law firms, I've applied to a Sutton Trust Summer school (although I'm not expecting to be accepted), I am competing in the Gresham College Young Orator of the Year competition, and I'm thinking about doing the Trinity College politics essay prize (not the law one because it's due soon and I simply have no time). And on the side I achieved Grade 7 ABRSM piano and am currently studying for my grade 8. Also, I imagine universities care considerably more about the LNAT score, so surely I should allow much more time to practise for that.
My worry is, all of this would be essentially nullified if extremely competitive universities (especially Oxford and UCL) look at my application and see an A (competitive applicants likely getting A*s) or B for my EPQ. So I guess what I'm asking is, since I already basically have to do it for my application, how badly would an A or B on my EPQ affect my application?
*otherwise, just how much do these universities care about the LNAT? Cos if that's the main point of consideration I could theoretically just put all my effort into absolutely smashing that.
I'm thinking of applying to law at top universities (Oxford, UCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham) this October, and I was wondering how badly an A or B on my EPQ would affect my application. For context, I haven't finished it yet, but I already hate it and find it hard to put significant work into it, especially given the relatively mundane nature of the topic I chose (analysing reoffending in Britain). I spoke to my teacher about dropping it and she said that would be quite damaging to my application, given that the universities know my school offers the EPQ (thus it would be expected of me to take it and show that I've demonstrated an interest in law).
For context, I feel like my application is already somewhat strong. I achieved seven 9s, one 8, and one 7 at GCSE, and I'm currently predicted 3 As (maths, english lit, history) before my y12 mocks. I gained some volunteering experience at Citizens Advice Bureau, I do MUN (my school doesn't have a debate club), I'm going to attend the oxford law taster day and the 'Maccabean' lecture on jurisprudence at the LSE, I have read two books on law, I participated in the Peter Cane Legal Reasoning Prize (although to no avail), I've completed two job simulations on 'Forage' run by magic circle law firms, I've applied to a Sutton Trust Summer school (although I'm not expecting to be accepted), I am competing in the Gresham College Young Orator of the Year competition, and I'm thinking about doing the Trinity College politics essay prize (not the law one because it's due soon and I simply have no time). And on the side I achieved Grade 7 ABRSM piano and am currently studying for my grade 8. Also, I imagine universities care considerably more about the LNAT score, so surely I should allow much more time to practise for that.
My worry is, all of this would be essentially nullified if extremely competitive universities (especially Oxford and UCL) look at my application and see an A (competitive applicants likely getting A*s) or B for my EPQ. So I guess what I'm asking is, since I already basically have to do it for my application, how badly would an A or B on my EPQ affect my application?
*otherwise, just how much do these universities care about the LNAT? Cos if that's the main point of consideration I could theoretically just put all my effort into absolutely smashing that.
Not to disrespect your teachers advice, but it’s very bold for being so untrue.
EPQ is barely/ not looked at in the institutions you’re applying to- it may (at most) reflect an interest in the subject, but you have more than enough extra/ super- curriculars to express this without it( more than you actually need for the non Oxbridge unis). Thus, If you achieve A*/A/B in this- it will make no difference.
So my advice- drop EPQ if it will reduce grades at all in your other subjects, or time for LNAT prep- Instead, ensure you get at least one A in your year 12 mocks, to increase your PG in at least one of your subjects to an A*( preferably all of them, if you can get 3 As)- as the min/ standard ER’s of most of these unis are A*AA, but some (particularly Oxford) still expect higher.
Then study hard for the LNAT- your app will be much more competitive than with worse grades, but an EPQ.
(edited 1 month ago)
Reply 14
I agree than an EPQ may be more of a distraction than a benefit. As to grades, AAA is the standard offer for law at Oxford.
Reply 15
Original post by Stiffy Byng
A recording or transcript of the lecture may appear on the British Academy website im due course.
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