Will not going to Oxbridge reduce my chances at gaining a pupillage?
Hiya, I'm in Year 13 right now. I was rejected from Cambridge for Law a couple of months ago and it hit me extremely hard as it had been my dream university since I was around 11. With all the statistics I've seen about one-quarter of pupillages being reserved for Oxbridge-only Law graduates, and three-quarters for all other universities, I can't help but think that this little decision made for me at the age of 18 will decrease my chances of employability/getting a pupillage in the far future. I only have an offer from Nottingham so far and I'm waiting on LSE, and I hate to be dramatic but have I ruined my chances by not getting into Cambridge?
Reply 1
No pupillage is reserved for Oxbridge graduates. In any event, even in the fictitious world which you describe above you would have a three in four chance of obtaining a pupillage.
I am sorry that your parents and/or your school didn't prepare you for the possibility that you wouldn't obtain a place at Cambridge. It may be unwise to fixate on a goal the achievement of which cannot be within your control.
If you hate to be dramatic, then I suggest that you stop being dramatic. Your chances of obtaining a pupillage will depend on how strong your applications are when you come to make them. Many sets of chambers won't look at the name of your university when deciding on pupillage offers.
I am sorry that your parents and/or your school didn't prepare you for the possibility that you wouldn't obtain a place at Cambridge. It may be unwise to fixate on a goal the achievement of which cannot be within your control.
If you hate to be dramatic, then I suggest that you stop being dramatic. Your chances of obtaining a pupillage will depend on how strong your applications are when you come to make them. Many sets of chambers won't look at the name of your university when deciding on pupillage offers.
As has been said, no pupillages are reserved for Oxbridge graduates. A disproportionately high number of Oxbridge candidates do obtain pupillage, but that is not because of the fact that they went to Oxbridge. The reason for the disparity in numbers is that sets recruit the strongest candidates. Oxford and Cambridge recruit the strongest candidates at an earlier stage, and whilst it doesn't automatically follow that someone who goes to Oxbridge is going to be a strong candidate for pupillage, there is a higher probability of that generally because of the fact that they were strong enough to get into Oxford or Cambridge.
However, the mistake that you're making here is that there is causative connection between the university that you go to and your chances of securing pupillage. There is a correlation, but there is not causation. The strongest candidates secure pupillage. More of those candidates come from Oxbridge proportionally than other universities, but there are still a lot of strong candidates at other universities. Indeed, as you know, the majority of candidates who secure pupillage did not go to Oxbridge at all.
The university that you go to, in and of itself, is irrelevant to your prospects of obtaining pupillage. That's why sets are increasingly anonymising university names on pupillage applications. So as much as you feel like you have ruined your chances, in fact the opposite is true. Your prospects of obtaining pupillage haven't changed at all, because they were never based on the university that you attend. They are based on your own achievements, skills, experience and ability. The university that you attend does have some correlation to that, because strong candidates at the end of undergraduate are likely to have been stronger candidates at A-Level, and stronger candidates at A-Level get into better universities, but as I say, that is correlation and not causation. You are still the same person and candidate as you were before you were rejected from Cambridge. Literally nothing has changed in that regard. There is no reason at all why you can't attend Nottingham, LSE, or a host of other good universities and go on to get pupillage. Whether you get pupillage or not, it will not be down to the university that you attended.
So instead of lamenting not going to Cambridge and getting down about it, use this as motivation to show everyone that you can go on to be a barrister without going to Cambridge. I was rejected from Cambridge too and went on to do exactly that. There's no reason why you can't do the same if you apply yourself properly.
However, the mistake that you're making here is that there is causative connection between the university that you go to and your chances of securing pupillage. There is a correlation, but there is not causation. The strongest candidates secure pupillage. More of those candidates come from Oxbridge proportionally than other universities, but there are still a lot of strong candidates at other universities. Indeed, as you know, the majority of candidates who secure pupillage did not go to Oxbridge at all.
The university that you go to, in and of itself, is irrelevant to your prospects of obtaining pupillage. That's why sets are increasingly anonymising university names on pupillage applications. So as much as you feel like you have ruined your chances, in fact the opposite is true. Your prospects of obtaining pupillage haven't changed at all, because they were never based on the university that you attend. They are based on your own achievements, skills, experience and ability. The university that you attend does have some correlation to that, because strong candidates at the end of undergraduate are likely to have been stronger candidates at A-Level, and stronger candidates at A-Level get into better universities, but as I say, that is correlation and not causation. You are still the same person and candidate as you were before you were rejected from Cambridge. Literally nothing has changed in that regard. There is no reason at all why you can't attend Nottingham, LSE, or a host of other good universities and go on to get pupillage. Whether you get pupillage or not, it will not be down to the university that you attended.
So instead of lamenting not going to Cambridge and getting down about it, use this as motivation to show everyone that you can go on to be a barrister without going to Cambridge. I was rejected from Cambridge too and went on to do exactly that. There's no reason why you can't do the same if you apply yourself properly.
Reply 3
Original post by Stiffy Byng
No pupillage is reserved for Oxbridge graduates. In any event, even in the fictitious world which you describe above you would have a three in four chance of obtaining a pupillage.
I am sorry that your parents and/or your school didn't prepare you for the possibility that you wouldn't obtain a place at Cambridge. It may be unwise to fixate on a goal the achievement of which cannot be within your control.
If you hate to be dramatic, then I suggest that you stop being dramatic. Your chances of obtaining a pupillage will depend on how strong your applications are when you come to make them. Many sets of chambers won't look at the name of your university when deciding on pupillage offers.
I am sorry that your parents and/or your school didn't prepare you for the possibility that you wouldn't obtain a place at Cambridge. It may be unwise to fixate on a goal the achievement of which cannot be within your control.
If you hate to be dramatic, then I suggest that you stop being dramatic. Your chances of obtaining a pupillage will depend on how strong your applications are when you come to make them. Many sets of chambers won't look at the name of your university when deciding on pupillage offers.
Thank you so much for the clarity and the advice! I needed a wake-up call to stop being dramatic, haha. It's much appreciated!
Reply 4
Original post by Crazy Jamie
As has been said, no pupillages are reserved for Oxbridge graduates. A disproportionately high number of Oxbridge candidates do obtain pupillage, but that is not because of the fact that they went to Oxbridge. The reason for the disparity in numbers is that sets recruit the strongest candidates. Oxford and Cambridge recruit the strongest candidates at an earlier stage, and whilst it doesn't automatically follow that someone who goes to Oxbridge is going to be a strong candidate for pupillage, there is a higher probability of that generally because of the fact that they were strong enough to get into Oxford or Cambridge.
However, the mistake that you're making here is that there is causative connection between the university that you go to and your chances of securing pupillage. There is a correlation, but there is not causation. The strongest candidates secure pupillage. More of those candidates come from Oxbridge proportionally than other universities, but there are still a lot of strong candidates at other universities. Indeed, as you know, the majority of candidates who secure pupillage did not go to Oxbridge at all.
The university that you go to, in and of itself, is irrelevant to your prospects of obtaining pupillage. That's why sets are increasingly anonymising university names on pupillage applications. So as much as you feel like you have ruined your chances, in fact the opposite is true. Your prospects of obtaining pupillage haven't changed at all, because they were never based on the university that you attend. They are based on your own achievements, skills, experience and ability. The university that you attend does have some correlation to that, because strong candidates at the end of undergraduate are likely to have been stronger candidates at A-Level, and stronger candidates at A-Level get into better universities, but as I say, that is correlation and not causation. You are still the same person and candidate as you were before you were rejected from Cambridge. Literally nothing has changed in that regard. There is no reason at all why you can't attend Nottingham, LSE, or a host of other good universities and go on to get pupillage. Whether you get pupillage or not, it will not be down to the university that you attended.
So instead of lamenting not going to Cambridge and getting down about it, use this as motivation to show everyone that you can go on to be a barrister without going to Cambridge. I was rejected from Cambridge too and went on to do exactly that. There's no reason why you can't do the same if you apply yourself properly.
However, the mistake that you're making here is that there is causative connection between the university that you go to and your chances of securing pupillage. There is a correlation, but there is not causation. The strongest candidates secure pupillage. More of those candidates come from Oxbridge proportionally than other universities, but there are still a lot of strong candidates at other universities. Indeed, as you know, the majority of candidates who secure pupillage did not go to Oxbridge at all.
The university that you go to, in and of itself, is irrelevant to your prospects of obtaining pupillage. That's why sets are increasingly anonymising university names on pupillage applications. So as much as you feel like you have ruined your chances, in fact the opposite is true. Your prospects of obtaining pupillage haven't changed at all, because they were never based on the university that you attend. They are based on your own achievements, skills, experience and ability. The university that you attend does have some correlation to that, because strong candidates at the end of undergraduate are likely to have been stronger candidates at A-Level, and stronger candidates at A-Level get into better universities, but as I say, that is correlation and not causation. You are still the same person and candidate as you were before you were rejected from Cambridge. Literally nothing has changed in that regard. There is no reason at all why you can't attend Nottingham, LSE, or a host of other good universities and go on to get pupillage. Whether you get pupillage or not, it will not be down to the university that you attended.
So instead of lamenting not going to Cambridge and getting down about it, use this as motivation to show everyone that you can go on to be a barrister without going to Cambridge. I was rejected from Cambridge too and went on to do exactly that. There's no reason why you can't do the same if you apply yourself properly.
I hadn't considered your perspective regarding causation and correlation before! Thank you so much for the great advice
Reply 5
Original post by Anonymous
Thank you so much for the clarity and the advice! I needed a wake-up call to stop being dramatic, haha. It's much appreciated!
You're welcome! Both Jamie and I have sometimes been accused of being blunt, but we are merely realistic, and the fact that you have sufficient maturity and resilience to take firm advice may be a good indication that you can recover from a passing set back and do well. Good luck.
Reply 6
Original post by Stiffy Byng
You're welcome! Both Jamie and I have sometimes been accused of being blunt, but we are merely realistic, and the fact that you have sufficient maturity and resilience to take firm advice may be a good indication that you can recover from a passing set back and do well. Good luck.
I absolutely agree and welcome 'bluntness'! It is high time for me to stop lamenting over the past and start looking to the future. I've read posts from both of you in other forums (usually about Oxbridge rejections too, haha!) and have always welcomed the refreshing clarity with which you both present yourselves. It makes me feel a lot better to receive direct, realistic advice rather than anything sugarcoated. Thank you again
Reply 7
Ace Nottingham, LSE, or wherever you go. If you get a first, and you fancy it, you could then perhaps try for a BCL at Oxford or an LLM at Cambridge. But no need to do either if you'd prefer to press on at that stage.
Reply 8
Just to add to what's already been said; given that it is harder to achieve a first at oxbridge than some other universities, and many pupillage applications are 'University blind', this could be your. opportunity to get a first in your degree and gain that extra point or two in the marking criteria.
Reply 9
Original post by Anonymous
Hiya, I'm in Year 13 right now. I was rejected from Cambridge for Law a couple of months ago and it hit me extremely hard as it had been my dream university since I was around 11. With all the statistics I've seen about one-quarter of pupillages being reserved for Oxbridge-only Law graduates, and three-quarters for all other universities, I can't help but think that this little decision made for me at the age of 18 will decrease my chances of employability/getting a pupillage in the far future. I only have an offer from Nottingham so far and I'm waiting on LSE, and I hate to be dramatic but have I ruined my chances by not getting into Cambridge?
https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/asset/55AEDEAE%2D4A33%2D4D31%2DB673038F6FBB473C/
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Degree Choice for Aspiring Barrister
- Advice from people who became Barristers
- Chances on pupillage, a bit of an unorthodox background
- Number crunching: excess of aspirant barristers over places available.
- Optimum time to start Barrister Training Course (Jan or Sept)?
- LLB Masters - is it needed ?
- I need some serious advice
- have a 2 . 2 in LLB. can i still become a barrister if i do well in LLM?
- What can you expect from a CPS Pupillage?
- Applying for pupillage in third year?
- Does the university affect chances of becoming a barrister?
- Getting pupilage in London after Cardiff BPTC...
- Will a non-law degree put me at a disadvantage when becoming a barrister?
- Good enough for mini pupillage?
- Which 5 Unis for Magic Circle firm ?
- Glasgow, Nottingham, or Liverpool for Becoming a Commercial Barrister in London?
- Can I specialise in law with the a GDL?
- Does anyone have any words of wisdom/tips before taking the BPTC?
- CMV: One should be allowed to apply to both Oxford and Camrbdige for undergrad
- What should i do?
Latest
Trending
Last reply 9 hours ago
2025 Cambridge MPhil Economics/Economic Research/Econ and Finance etc ThreadLast reply 1 day ago
MPhil Advanced Computer Science Cambridge - 2025 EntryLast reply 5 days ago
Cambridge Fitzwilliam Architectural Fitzwilliam Design CompetitionLast reply 2 weeks ago
What should I do to improve my chances of getting into CambridgeLast reply 3 weeks ago
Cambridge 2025 mphil in planning growth and regenerationLast reply 3 weeks ago
After receiving my offer, how long until I am assigned a college?
