My very difficult situation

[AK105]

Hello everyone,
I am in dire need of guidance. I used to think my module marks were high because I go to university in Scotland, and I converted my letter grades to percentages. However, I have to put my letter grades as they are on applications. I am pursuing a 4 year law degree, and I am reaching the end of my second year. My A levels were BBC due to mitigating circumstances, and my first year marks were a high 2.2. In second year I secured a low 2.1. However, most of my modules are below a 2.1. In my second year, I have made a fundamental mistake in all of my essays, which lowered my marks significantly, and it is very frustrating. I do not know whether my low 2.1 in second year will enable me to apply for vacation schemes. I do not know how to spend my summers productively. The next two years I have to nail a first class degree, and get consistent good marks.I really am confused on what steps to take and would throughly appreciate guidance. I already know what to do when it comes to academics, because it goes without saying I need better grades. However, how do I enhance my skills over the summers, because I can’t apply for vacation schemes due to my academics, and there are only immigration law firms in my area. I am keen on a career in commercial law, but I am no longer focused on city law, because that is near impossible for me.

 

[Jacob Miller]

In terms of your A-level grades, don't panic too much: firms will give heed to mitigating circumstances for grades. Similarly, with university, if you have any mitigating circumstances there, these are worth mentioning too so that firms can take these into account.

In Scotland, you're also at an advantage because your 1st and 2nd year subjects almost certainly won't count towards your degree classification - depending on your uni, it'll be either some of your third year and some or all of your fourth year subjects, or just fourth year subjects, that count towards your classification. In your second year in Scotland, you'd also still be applying for first-year events for English firms - you won't be applying for vac schemes until your penultimate or final year, depending on the firm.

My grades from first year were a low 2:1 and slipped a bit in second year to a mix of 2:1s and 2:2s due to mitigating circumstances and I never really felt it held me back hugely. Obviously, there will always be some firms who appear more grade-focussed where you might find it a bit harder, but, generally, grades aren't the biggest piece in the puzzle for firms. Generally, they're looking for well-rounded candidates who have different things going on in their lives rather than those who are just focussed on uni with nothing else to offer. The bottom line here is that City law is absolutely not impossible for you. Don't give up at this stage!

In terms of how you utilise your summer, getting some work experience is great if you can -the specialism doesn't matter a huge amount here, so long as you're nevertheless able to justify "why commercial law?" when asked. My first work experience was with an immigration team in a law centre in Glasgow! You can also use the time to get ahead on applications for next cycle, improve your commercial awareness, etc, to come back into the next app cycle even stronger.

 

[AK105]

In terms of your A-level grades, don't panic too much: firms will give heed to mitigating circumstances for grades. Similarly, with university, if you have any mitigating circumstances there, these are worth mentioning too so that firms can take these into account.

In Scotland, you're also at an advantage because your 1st and 2nd year subjects almost certainly won't count towards your degree classification - depending on your uni, it'll be either some of your third year and some or all of your fourth year subjects, or just fourth year subjects, that count towards your classification. In your second year in Scotland, you'd also still be applying for first-year events for English firms - you won't be applying for vac schemes until your penultimate or final year, depending on the firm.

My grades from first year were a low 2:1 and slipped a bit in second year to a mix of 2:1s and 2:2s due to mitigating circumstances and I never really felt it held me back hugely. Obviously, there will always be some firms who appear more grade-focussed where you might find it a bit harder, but, generally, grades aren't the biggest piece in the puzzle for firms. Generally, they're looking for well-rounded candidates who have different things going on in their lives rather than those who are just focussed on uni with nothing else to offer. The bottom line here is that City law is absolutely not impossible for you. Don't give up at this stage!

In terms of how you utilise your summer, getting some work experience is great if you can -the specialism doesn't matter a huge amount here, so long as you're nevertheless able to justify "why commercial law?" when asked. My first work experience was with an immigration team in a law centre in Glasgow! You can also use the time to get ahead on applications for next cycle, improve your commercial awareness, etc, to come back into the next app cycle even stronger.

Thank you soo much Jacob, for your advice!! With regards to a lot of vacation schemes. Their deadlines are early January. Therefore I would only have my first and second year results to show them. Shall I still go ahead and apply for vacation schemes in that cycle. Including some of the magic circle firms, because for Freshfields, you can’t apply for a vacation scheme unless you are in your penultimate year? I do think I can make the most of this summer to come back a string

 

[Jacob Miller]

Thank you soo much Jacob, for your advice!! With regards to a lot of vacation schemes. Their deadlines are early January. Therefore I would only have my first and second year results to show them. Shall I still go ahead and apply for vacation schemes in that cycle. Including some of the magic circle firms, because for Freshfields, you can’t apply for a vacation scheme unless you are in your penultimate year? I do think I can make the most of this summer to come back a string

By January you ought to also have Year 3 Semester 1 results too, no?

I would say it's 100% worth making applications - it's super cliche but you'll never win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket. I can't comment on precisely what firms you should apply for, but generally a good mix of types of firms is always better than sticking your eggs in one basket.

If I've read everything correctly, you'll currently be in the final weeks of your final semester of second year, meaning you'll be in third year come September and for the upcoming app cycle? If this is the case, you'll obvs be okay to apply for schemes which allow penultimate year applicants: just check if they specify penultimate year law but final year non-law, whether a Scots law degree will put you in the first or second category

 

[AK105]

By January you ought to also have Year 3 Semester 1 results too, no?

I would say it's 100% worth making applications - it's super cliche but you'll never win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket. I can't comment on precisely what firms you should apply for, but generally a good mix of types of firms is always better than sticking your eggs in one basket.

If I've read everything correctly, you'll currently be in the final weeks of your final semester of second year, meaning you'll be in third year come September and for the upcoming app cycle? If this is the case, you'll obvs be okay to apply for schemes which allow penultimate year applicants: just check if they specify penultimate year law but final year non-law, whether a Scots law degree will put you in the first or second category

Thanks Jacob!!
I do law with English law. Therefore ill
Be in the first category. Excited to finish my final exam, and finally start researching firms.

 

[Jacob Miller]

Thanks Jacob!!
I do law with English law. Therefore ill
Be in the first category. Excited to finish my final exam, and finally start researching firms.

Best of luck! Do you mind me asking what uni you're at? I'm at Aberdeen myself

 

[AK105]

Best of luck! Do you mind me asking what uni you're at? I'm at Aberdeen myself

I’m at Aberdeen as well 😊