Feeling very discouraged and alone - Non RG Grad

[Optimistic1111]

Hi all,

I am feeling quite lost and contemplating whether I am a good fit for firms.

I have ABC A-Levels (with extenuating circumstances) and a High 2:1 (68%) from a NRG Uni. I will be graduating with a Merit LLM from a RG Uni and I'm in the process of finishing the LPC.

I am currently looking at firms that I could apply to or realistically get a TC at. It seems from my research (via firm websites, trainees LinkedIns etc), that most firms that accept NRG candidates, only accept them if they have received a 1st. The firms I am looking at are Ashurst, BCLP etc.

I feel very discouraged and feel as if I have failed. Do you have any stories of people who have achieved a 2:1 at a NRG obtaining a training contract at a good firm?

Thanks all x

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hiya @Optimistic1111

Just wanted to start by saying that a high 2:1 from an NRG university, a merit in your LLM and completing your LPC are great! A 68% in undergrad is just a couple of marks off a First, and it still places you in a very competitive position, even at top firms. Please don’t underestimate the strength of your profile!

There are definitely people who’ve secured training contracts at firms like Ashurst and BCLP with a 2:1 from an NRG background. You may not always see them on LinkedIn, and firms aren’t always transparent about their recruitment data, but they’re there. I generally tell candidates to avoid making assessments about themselves based on LinkedIn profiles or firm bios, which can be incredibly misleading; these tends to surface people from certain universities and backgrounds more than others, and doesn’t show you the full picture.

I think what matters most now is strategy. Specifically, I'd encourage you to really think about how you present your story, how you align your motivations with what these firm actually do, and how well you demonstrate commercial awareness. This last point about commercial awareness is, frankly, the most important. I've seen candidates with excellent grades from Oxbridge rejected because, unfortunately, this was the biggest hurdle they struggled to overcome. Many strong candidates fall short not because of their grades, but because they struggle to show real insight into how firms operate commercially, or what’s going on in the markets their clients care about. If you can focus on improving that area, and tailor your applications tightly to each firm’s priorities, you can really increase your chances.

You might also consider widening your net a bit; there are fantastic firms outside the Magic and Silver Circle that offer high-quality work, excellent training, and far more flexibility when it comes to academic profiles. These include firms that actively work with Rare, SEO, and Aspiring Solicitors, where contextualisation is taken seriously and you’ll be assessed more holistically.

The fact that you're actively reflecting and asking how to improve is a really good sign that you are a good fit! You just need the right window of opportunity and a strategy that gets you through it