Firms that are harsher with grade requirements - list

[student110]

I think it would be helpful if we compile a list of firms that are more stringent with grade requirements. In my case, I have quite an inconsistent grade profile, so am uncertain as to which firms I should realistically apply to! I'll start the list, and would really appreciate if anyone can assist

HSF Kramer - 2:1 in every module (generally).
Slaughters - high 2:1 average; unsure what they think about blips, but unlikely sympathetic!
Davis Polk - high 2:1, but strong pref for 1st

 

[mg42guy32]

I think it would be helpful if we compile a list of firms that are more stringent with grade requirements. In my case, I have quite an inconsistent grade profile, so am uncertain as to which firms I should realistically apply to! I'll start the list, and would really appreciate if anyone can assist

HSF Kramer - 2:1 in every module (generally).
Slaughters - high 2:1 average; unsure what they think about blips, but unlikely sympathetic!
Davis Polk - high 2:1, but strong pref for 1st

Cleary Gottlieb requires a 68%+ and a minimum of 65% in each module according to their early recruitment team.
Ashurst require a strong 2:1
NRF 67% minimum
LInklaters generally require 60% minimum in all modules

 

[Luckyleaf]

Cleary Gottlieb requires a 68%+ and a minimum of 65% in each module according to their early recruitment team.
Ashurst require a strong 2:1
NRF 67% minimum
LInklaters generally require 60% minimum in all modules

hiya, can I ask where did you get this from?

 

[mg42guy32]

hiya, can I ask where did you get this from?

Hey of course,
Cleary from my uni law fair
NRF from grad rec I think it’s in a couple of posts here actually (I think if you’re borderline they’ll be more flexible)
Linklaters from their grad rec virtual events

 

[vacschemes]

I think it would be helpful if we compile a list of firms that are more stringent with grade requirements. In my case, I have quite an inconsistent grade profile, so am uncertain as to which firms I should realistically apply to! I'll start the list, and would really appreciate if anyone can assist

HSF Kramer - 2:1 in every module (generally).
Slaughters - high 2:1 average; unsure what they think about blips, but unlikely sympathetic!
Davis Polk - high 2:1, but strong pref for 1st

White & Case (look for a 2:1 on average across university modules)
A&O Shearman (went to their open day grad rec said they look for a 2:1 in every module)
Hogan Lovells (look for a 2:1 across all modules)

Slightly different from the above but still quite strict:
Macfarlanes (grad rec said they look for an overall degree classification of 2:1. you do not have to have achieved this in every module, but the majority must be 2:1)
Clifford Chance (require a 2:1 minimum at university, a strong academic background and would be looking at consistent results across all modules)

 

[Tyler2203]

White & Case (look for a 2:1 on average across university modules)
A&O Shearman (went to their open day grad rec said they look for a 2:1 in every module)
Hogan Lovells (look for a 2:1 across all modules)

Slightly different from the above but still quite strict:
Macfarlanes (grad rec said they look for an overall degree classification of 2:1. you do not have to have achieved this in every module, but the majority must be 2:1)
Clifford Chance (require a 2:1 minimum at university, a strong academic background and would be looking at consistent results across all modules)

Good afternoon,

Where did you receive the information about HL from? I made it through the initial assessment and am about to do the virtual interview, but I had a pretty disastrous first year, with a first overall (non-law). Just wondering if I still have a chance of getting to AC now.

Thanks

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Good afternoon,

Where did you receive the information about HL from? I made it through the initial assessment and am about to do the virtual interview, but I had a pretty disastrous first year, with a first overall (non-law). Just wondering if I still have a chance of getting to AC now.

Thanks

Hello!

Just to add my thoughts, if you’ve made it through to the next stages after the initial application, it’s unlikely that your grades will now stop you from progressing.

Whilst this differs from firm to firm, most firms will base progression on the current stage of the process. Therefore, your chance of getting to AC is likely to be based on your assessment and virtual interview

 

[babylawyer2000]

Hi, is there a list for firms that are more leinent xx

 

[FutureLawyer1]

Hi, do firms really look at first year grades that seriously? If you outperform your first year grades by miles in both second and third year bringing your average to a 1st class honours, would that suffice to get you through? My first year average was a 2:2 - I genuinely struggled with first-year exams and there were no exceptional circumstances involved. Could you also let me know, if you do know, the stance of the above firms mentioned with stringent academic grade requirements their response to my question? Thank you.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi, do firms really look at first year grades that seriously? If you outperform your first year grades by miles in both second and third year bringing your average to a 1st class honours, would that suffice to get you through? My first year average was a 2:2 - I genuinely struggled with first-year exams and there were no exceptional circumstances involved. Could you also let me know, if you do know, the stance of the above firms mentioned with stringent academic grade requirements their response to my question? Thank you.

Hi @FutureLawyer1 generally firms do not place that much emphasis on first year grades, as recruiters are well-aware that different people adapt to university life at different pace; and thus know that the first set of results is not the most representative of one's general academic ability. Furthermore, an overall first is a really impressive result, and in the context of low initial grades also shows amazing resilience and progress.

As such, I doubt there are many firms that would not look past any preference for 2.1s in every module in this context. An overall first meets even the high threshold of the historically very grade-focused firms (such as Slaughters, Cleary, and Davis Polk). In any case, I cannot imagine how your academic record would be an issue with all but one or two exceptionally stringent firms, so I do not think this is something that should affect your application strategy too much.