Intercalated 2:2 BA classification applying to commercial law after studying medicine

[wordyversus]

I am a medical student studying at oxbridge who decided during my intercalated third year to pursue a career in corporate law. During my intercalated degree, I received a 2:2 as the BA classification, which I recognise is below the typical standard expected for top UK MC and US law firms.

I plan to complete my medical degree (MBBS) and aim to perform more strongly in my clinical years (which are graded by deciles). I understand that many doctors transition into corporate law without an intercalated degree, relying primarily on their MBBS performance.

Given this, I wanted to ask: in applications to top law firms, would strong performance in my MBBS (e.g. high decile ranking) mitigate or outweigh a 2:2 in my intercalated degree, or would the 2:2 remain a significant barrier?

I would greatly appreciate your insight.

 

[Alison C]

This is a tough situation - you must be exhausted, too. Well done for finding a new direction as I can imagine there has been some soul-searching involved. Ihe situation you describe is really quite technical, and personal, so it's the grad rec teams who need to answer this question.

However, I do have some thoughts that may help. You will need to be clear (and honest with yourself) if there were any mitigating circumstances or not. The intercalated degree is a technicality - and specific to your choice of degree course/medical training. The 2:2 is a concrete outcome, and one to which law firms are notoriously averse. As with so much in life, and in law applications, it is about how you mop up afterwards, what you learned etc.

Some of the IP firms/teams would be delighted to have a trained medic on their roster - and many already do (Bird & Bird, Osborne Clarke, etc). Another big question is going to be around why the change, at this point, for which you need to show that you have done your due diligence about the profession. The skillset and mindset in medicine and law not only have marked similarities, but also gaping differences.

I'd suggest approaching grad rec teams as succinctly as possible, by email and/or phone, recognising that firms who don't accept your 2:2 don't share your value system. And remember, the training contract is only the start. Just because you don't get a TC at a 'top' firm doesn't mean you won't have a career in one.

Lastly, you should not feel the need to apologise for what is already a huge achievement. Keep going if you can - you never know what is around the corner.