A recent graduate; failed my first VS round after graduating, but I'm in good spirits because I know the things I did wrong(hopefully all of them, but more realistically some) and hope I can turn this around. I have the A*AA, 2:1 from Russell uni, and extracurriculars, and will be plunging full time to app and start preparing for the next cycle super early.
I also applied to GDL(PGDL) at ULaw starting this Sept for three main reasons. First, I can end up with a degree, unlike SQE prep courses from BARBRI etc, and can use this for paralegal roles etc in the future. Second, GDL is expensive and I am so so hurt over parting with this much money due to botched VS apps but also it wouldn't bankrupt me. It's a lot of money but I'll live. Third, I went to a lot of open days/firm events last cycle to hear that some of the firms I'm interested in still plan on putting their non-law grads through the PGDL anyhow, and I was also attracted to the idea of learning law more before test-prepping for SQE(also genuinely interested in learning and learning law both).
But in researching my options I'm torn because of the cost(I have trauma I'm working on in therapy about spending any money more than 50 quid even if I can afford it) and whether I'm making a stupid decision. Some portray ULaw, BPP, and other providers as doing PGDL as a scheme to suck money out of naive internationals(I am an international student), and I've no plans to be a barrister yet as I'm set on the commercial route.
Tl;dr
My question is, will PGDL actually be worth anything? Compared to SQE, are there solid reasons to choose PGDL?
Like everyone else I'm counting on getting a TC offer and receiving support for SQE for next yr onwards if possible, and will pay back my parents for PGDL with reasonable interest rates. I know they can afford this without going broke, I just want to know if its a waste of money.
Thanks!!
I also applied to GDL(PGDL) at ULaw starting this Sept for three main reasons. First, I can end up with a degree, unlike SQE prep courses from BARBRI etc, and can use this for paralegal roles etc in the future. Second, GDL is expensive and I am so so hurt over parting with this much money due to botched VS apps but also it wouldn't bankrupt me. It's a lot of money but I'll live. Third, I went to a lot of open days/firm events last cycle to hear that some of the firms I'm interested in still plan on putting their non-law grads through the PGDL anyhow, and I was also attracted to the idea of learning law more before test-prepping for SQE(also genuinely interested in learning and learning law both).
But in researching my options I'm torn because of the cost(I have trauma I'm working on in therapy about spending any money more than 50 quid even if I can afford it) and whether I'm making a stupid decision. Some portray ULaw, BPP, and other providers as doing PGDL as a scheme to suck money out of naive internationals(I am an international student), and I've no plans to be a barrister yet as I'm set on the commercial route.
Tl;dr
My question is, will PGDL actually be worth anything? Compared to SQE, are there solid reasons to choose PGDL?
Like everyone else I'm counting on getting a TC offer and receiving support for SQE for next yr onwards if possible, and will pay back my parents for PGDL with reasonable interest rates. I know they can afford this without going broke, I just want to know if its a waste of money.
Thanks!!