67% overall in Physics with inconsistent module grades - Likelihood of US/MC/SC?

[mg42guy32]

Hi Everyone,
I'm a 2025 Physics graduate out of a Durham/Warwick/UCL uni with a 2:1 (67%) overall and was wondering if I had any chance of a Vacation scheme with firms like FF, W&C, HSF, Goodwin, Ashurst, NRF and Covington with my very inconsistent grade profile or if I'm out of luck haha

First Year (58.9%)​

Physics Laboratory: 63%
Mathematics for Physicists: 54%
Physics Foundations: 46%
Classical Mechanics & Special Relativity: 40%
Quantum Phenomena: 54%
Electricity and Magnetism: 63%
Astronomy: 61%
Physics Programming Workshop: 70%
Tutorial (Physics): 76%

Second Year: 62.9% (with mitigating circumstances)​

Spanish 1: 58%
Quantum Mechanics and its Applications: 59%
Physics Skills: 71%
Mathematical Methods for Physicists: 53%
Computational Physics: 90%
Stars and the Solar System: 52%
Statistical Mechanics, Electromagnetic Theory and Optics: 51%

Third Year (70.5%)​

Surveillance States: Biometrics from the Border to the Bathroom: 72%
Philosophy of Evil: 67%
Communicating Science: 64%
Scientific Computing: 80%
Physics Project (BSc): 67%
Quantum Physics of Atoms: 64%
The Standard Model: 82%

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi @mg42guy32

These are outstanding grades (especially in physics!) and you should feel confident applying to any firm you’re interested in. They will not be a problem at all. If anything, your degree shows strong intellectual ability, particularly when compared to most law graduates (there's a reason why STEM graduates and business graduates are increasingly in demand in commercial law, often over and above those with LLBs). Your academic record is a very strong signal that you’ll be able to pick up the law quickly.

I think the more important question for you won’t be grades, but how you explain your interest in law (and specifically commercial law) in a way that feels convincing to grad recrutiers. Firms will want to see why you’re making this switch, and how you’ve evidenced that motivation through things you’ve done outside your academics (open days, insight events, work experience, wider reading, etc.). If you can build that narrative, I’ve no doubt you could have your pick of UK or US firms.

Good luck and I hope you land that TC at your dream firm!!!

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

www.stemfuturelawyers.co.uk

 

[mg42guy32]

Hi @mg42guy32

These are outstanding grades (especially in physics!) and you should feel confident applying to any firm you’re interested in. They will not be a problem at all. If anything, your degree shows strong intellectual ability, particularly when compared to most law graduates (there's a reason why STEM graduates and business graduates are increasingly in demand in commercial law, often over and above those with LLBs). Your academic record is a very strong signal that you’ll be able to pick up the law quickly.

I think the more important question for you won’t be grades, but how you explain your interest in law (and specifically commercial law) in a way that feels convincing to grad recrutiers. Firms will want to see why you’re making this switch, and how you’ve evidenced that motivation through things you’ve done outside your academics (open days, insight events, work experience, wider reading, etc.). If you can build that narrative, I’ve no doubt you could have your pick of UK or US firms.

Good luck and I hope you land that TC at your dream firm!!!

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam,

Thank you for the insight. This is a great relief! I was incredibly worried by the US and MC firms being strict on grades (I know S&M are, but I have no intention of applying there anyway). For why law, I have developed what I believe to be a strong narrative and experience-oriented motivational reason, and have done a couple of open days, and plan to do some more.

I am very interested in Cooley as well. Is there any chance I could connect with you on LinkedIn to gain a greater insight into the firm?

Many Thanks,
WIlliam