Top law applicant questions answered

There’s a lot to think about before you apply for a law degree, and some questions appear on The Student Room law forum regularly. 

We’ve gathered together some of these commonly asked questions, covering topics from legal work experience to writing a personal statement. 

Below, these questions are answered by Natalie Travis, deputy head of admissions at The University of Law.

All universities set their own entry requirements, so check with the institution you are applying to as to whether work experience is a requirement of admission. The University of Law does not require applicants to have work experience in a legal setting. 

However, you may wish to gain some work experience before choosing to pursue a law degree as this will give you some insight into what it is like to work in the legal profession and may help you decide what suits you best. It will also improve any applications you make later.

You could get a day or two shadowing a trainee or lawyer simply by writing speculatively to firms/chambers you’re interested in, or which are local to you. This involves sending them your CV and cover letter to see if they have a suitable role for you, despite not having advertised as so.

Find out which institutions offer qualifying law degrees and decide on what’s important to you. You can take into consideration a variety of factors including location, entry standards, student satisfaction and graduate prospects.

The website lawcareers.net is a great source of information for anyone thinking of becoming a lawyer. The site explores the different branches of the profession and provides answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions about a career in the legal sector. Have a read of prospects.co.uk to gain insight of the skills required. 

Participating in extracurricular and academic activities before and during your studies will assist you in developing key skills and this demonstrates your passion and interest in a subject.

Examples of extracurricular activities which you may wish to consider:

• law competitions

• work experience in a law firm

• Duke of Edinburgh Award

• student council

By engaging in extracurricular activities, you will develop your interpersonal, leadership, problem-solving, attention to detail, adaptability and motivation skills which are all transferable to your law degree and career.

The personal statement is much more than just listing your reasons for applying, and there are several factors to bear in mind when aiming to stand out from the crowd. 

When thinking about what to include in your personal statement, take time to really consider the reasons you're applying to university and what makes you a suitable candidate. 

Adopt a simple, concise and natural style for writing your statement, while still showing enthusiasm. Try to link any experience to skills or qualities that will make you successful. Be bold and talk about the achievements you’re proud of. 

If you have any creative ideas on how to improve a certain area within your chosen industry/subject, put this forward. This might tie in with your hobbies and work experience and could be a good way to showcase your transferable skills. 

Allow your personality to shine through and try to include something unique and memorable about yourself. What are the things that make you interesting, special or unique? 

Make sure to use your own words, proofread, and spellcheck!

• Avoid telling an in-depth chronological story of your life and personal issues unless it is relevant to your application. Keep any personal issues you may have short.

• Avoid using cliches and copying and pasting well-known quotes. This shows a lack of originality, as a personal statement should highlight your own passion for applying to the course through relevant skills and experiences.

• Do not exaggerate your skills and experience as this may be questioned and you may be caught out, should you require an interview. Be prepared to be checked if you have listed a superhuman range of extracurricular activities or claims which raise eyebrows.

• Avoid repeating information already stated on your application such as your qualifications.

• Consider your personal statement a formal document; make a professional account of your studies and personal interests.

• Poor spelling and grammar can create the wrong impression. Spending some time spell checking (and even possibly having a friend or colleague review it) can prevent this.

• Avoid stock phrases which sound like they could have been written for any application and are not specific to why you want to study law.

With those questions answered, you’ve got a great starting point for your law degree application. But you’re sure to have plenty more that you want to find out.

Try taking a look at The Student Room’s law forum to see what other students have said, or post your own question on the forum. Good luck with your application!