Law rejection (Gap Year?)
Had a ruthless application got rejected from Oxford, Durham, KCL, LSE (offer from Exeter). Stats were A*AA, 31 LNAT, 988888766 Home non contextual student with extenuating circumstances.
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
You may know your raw LNAT score but remember that those Unis may also have read and scored your essay - and read your Personal Statement - as part of their assessment. This could have been what let you down. Have you asked for feedback?
You do not have to make a big decision about this now - you could Firm Exeter, and then sit tight until Results Day. Depending on your results, you can then make a more rational decision about if it is worth reapplying, if you need to resit A levels, or if you should just go to Exeter.
If you do reapply, my advice would be to spread the risk far wider than you did this year. Oxford, Durham, KCL, LSE (and include the likes of Bristol, Warwick, and UCL) are all risky choices even if you meet or exceed the basic entry requirements, simply because of the thousands of applications each receives. And remember that you would have to retake LNAT next year if you do reapply - and you may not get the same score.
You do not have to make a big decision about this now - you could Firm Exeter, and then sit tight until Results Day. Depending on your results, you can then make a more rational decision about if it is worth reapplying, if you need to resit A levels, or if you should just go to Exeter.
If you do reapply, my advice would be to spread the risk far wider than you did this year. Oxford, Durham, KCL, LSE (and include the likes of Bristol, Warwick, and UCL) are all risky choices even if you meet or exceed the basic entry requirements, simply because of the thousands of applications each receives. And remember that you would have to retake LNAT next year if you do reapply - and you may not get the same score.
Original post by McGinger
You may know your raw LNAT score but remember that those Unis may also have read and scored your essay - and read your Personal Statement - as part of their assessment. This could have been what let you down. Have you asked for feedback?
You do not have to make a big decision about this now - you could Firm Exeter, and then sit tight until Results Day. Depending on your results, you can then make a more rational decision about if it is worth reapplying, if you need to resit A levels, or if you should just go to Exeter.
If you do reapply, my advice would be to spread the risk far wider than you did this year. Oxford, Durham, KCL, LSE (and include the likes of Bristol, Warwick, and UCL) are all risky choices even if you meet or exceed the basic entry requirements, simply because of the thousands of applications each receives. And remember that you would have to retake LNAT next year if you do reapply - and you may not get the same score.
You do not have to make a big decision about this now - you could Firm Exeter, and then sit tight until Results Day. Depending on your results, you can then make a more rational decision about if it is worth reapplying, if you need to resit A levels, or if you should just go to Exeter.
If you do reapply, my advice would be to spread the risk far wider than you did this year. Oxford, Durham, KCL, LSE (and include the likes of Bristol, Warwick, and UCL) are all risky choices even if you meet or exceed the basic entry requirements, simply because of the thousands of applications each receives. And remember that you would have to retake LNAT next year if you do reapply - and you may not get the same score.
My feedback from lse and kcl was I was not as competitive as the other applicants, I thought my personal statement was strong and I do essay subjects for a level - thank you for your advice I think I’ll firm Exeter and decide whether to reapply on results day
Reply 3
Original post by noonboons
Had a ruthless application got rejected from Oxford, Durham, KCL, LSE (offer from Exeter). Stats were A*AA, 31 LNAT, 988888766 Home non contextual student with extenuating circumstances.
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
Hey,
First off, I’m really sorry to hear about the rejections. It’s completely valid to feel disheartened, especially after putting together such a strong application and getting a 31 on the LNAT — that’s seriously impressive.
It’s easy to feel like Exeter is a “consolation prize” in the moment, but don’t underestimate how respected it is in the legal world. Many students go on to vac schemes, training contracts, and brilliant legal careers from unis outside the big names — what often makes the biggest difference is how you make use of your time once you're there. Strong grades, legal experience, mooting, networking, and using your careers service well can take you far.
That said, if your heart’s really set on Oxford/Durham/LSE/KCL and you feel you could strengthen your application or benefit from more time, a gap year is a valid option — especially if you have a plan. That might include getting more work experience, engaging in legal reading, reapplying with contextual info or stronger references, or even exploring slightly different courses like PPE or History and Politics if you’re open to switching paths.
Just be sure it’s a gap year for something, not just to reapply and hope for a different outcome without changing much, the competition stays fierce. Also, consider how you'll explain the gap year in future applications.
Bottom line: you’ve clearly got the potential. Whether you go to Exeter or reapply, your path to a legal career is still very much open. Choose what feels right for you, not based on what others might expect. You’ve already shown resilience — and that matters a lot in law.
Original post by noonboons
My feedback from lse and kcl was I was not as competitive as the other applicants, I thought my personal statement was strong and I do essay subjects for a level - thank you for your advice I think I’ll firm Exeter and decide whether to reapply on results day
I may be rude and blunt but not mean to be offensive. I apologise if it hurts.
Given your very strong stats, it must be something with your application or LNAT essay leading to the disastrous outcome.
Exeter is also good for law. Maybe you could firm Exeter now and leave all others for the moment. Then concentrate all your efforts at the exam. Find out what that "something" was if you want to take a gap year. If that "something" remains mysterious or you could not resolve that, gap year for Oxbridge and LNAT-unis law will be too risky.
Reply 5
Original post by noonboons
Had a ruthless application got rejected from Oxford, Durham, KCL, LSE (offer from Exeter). Stats were A*AA, 31 LNAT, 988888766 Home non contextual student with extenuating circumstances.
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
Firstly, congrats on your Exeter offer!
If you want to take a gap year: have you got other plans for your gap year (aside from uni applications)? Will you be okay if this very same thing happens the same time next year? Also, did you get feedback from Durham and Oxford? KCL and LSE don’t consider the LNAT essay, so is it possibly something to do with your personal statement? It might just be bad luck, but it’s worth looking for a second opinion (e.g. from another teacher).
Honestly, only change your course if you decide you don’t want to study law anymore (or that you find another subject more interesting). Please don’t change course because of the rejections you’ve faced. A gap year might give you the time and space to consider what course you really want to study.
The LNAT is very unpredictable. Are you confident you’ll score brilliantly next year too? You’ll have to resit the LNAT, so are you prepared for that?
Best of luck whatever you decide to do!
Reply 6
Original post by noonboons
Had a ruthless application got rejected from Oxford, Durham, KCL, LSE (offer from Exeter). Stats were A*AA, 31 LNAT, 988888766 Home non contextual student with extenuating circumstances.
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
Hiya! I'm in a very similar boat to you right now, as I also got rejected from similar unis, with similar GCSEs, same predicted and a 30 LNAT score! Right now, the advice I've been given is to firm my offer for another uni, and just focus on achieving the best grades. I'm also thinking about a gap year, just to gain more experience, and engage in Law more to see if its really what I want to study and if it is I can strengthen my application. Best of luck!
Original post by noonboons
Had a ruthless application got rejected from Oxford, Durham, KCL, LSE (offer from Exeter). Stats were A*AA, 31 LNAT, 988888766 Home non contextual student with extenuating circumstances.
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
Sorry about your rejections firstly.
Note that your LNAT obviously isn’t carried over to the next application cycle, so you’d have to resit- it’s very unpredictable so no guarantees for achieving the same score again( or higher). It also may have been the essay as mentioned in another comment.
If you’re confident you’ll achieve your PGs( or higher), re- applying may well be worth a shot, but this isn’t a decision to be made until results day- it’s a big risk, and Exeter is a strong offer, although the right decision won’t be made clear until August I’d imagine.
Original post by noonboons
Had a ruthless application got rejected from Oxford, Durham, KCL, LSE (offer from Exeter). Stats were A*AA, 31 LNAT, 988888766 Home non contextual student with extenuating circumstances.
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
I was in this situation a couple years ago and firmed the one offer I received (SOAS), only to back out at the very end and reapply two cycles later. Saying yes to Exeter gives your more time and that’s wise because there’s a difference between an enthusiastic yes and a yes under duress
It’s risky to reapply sure but it CAN work out and it did for me and Kings. I too was told by Cambridge and 3 other top unis the same reason of “not competitive enough” so I really believe timing is everything. My LNAT was a point higher and my marks were the same but I had changed in those 2 years. Come July, you may feel like Exeter is the one because you can see yourself there and they believed in you from the start; you could feel even more determined to reapply; or you forget law altogether. Give yourself the grace and space to let it play out, really research Exeter, and go from there. What do YOU want the next year of your life to look like?
We don’t have to live with the gap year or going to Exeter so don’t feel pressured- do what’s best for you and be proud of said decision
Original post by noonboons
Had a ruthless application got rejected from Oxford, Durham, KCL, LSE (offer from Exeter). Stats were A*AA, 31 LNAT, 988888766 Home non contextual student with extenuating circumstances.
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
Unsure what to do now - do I go to Exeter which seems like a waste of such a good LNAT or do I take a gap year and reapply for law or maybe even a different course. Whole thing has left me disheartened after I had what I thought was a really strong application
Hey really sorry to hear about ur rejections, i think the unis are just stupid ur stats are amazingg. IMO i dont think you should take a gap year, exeter is an amazing law school still and a lot of students from exeter end up at magic circle firms. Its about what you do in law school and looking at ur stats i think you can get a first class degree. If you work hard youve got a better chance than someone from oxford, its all about the mindset.
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