Will my grades limit me?

[historygrad765]

Hello,

I was just looking for some advice on the extent that my grades will limit me (individual module results).

In my first year of university, I made the biggest mistake of my life in missing an exam - I wrote down the incorrect time, and so missed an exam I was otherwise confident for. As a result, my re-sit was capped at a pass (40).

I was just wondering the extent that these undergraduate grades will hold me back. Should I, for example, limit my applications to a certain type of firm? My area of interest lies in commercial law, and I want to work on larger deals.

Any help on this would be much appreciated. I have felt very disheartened at my undergraduate grades since deciding to career change into law.

 

[Amma Usman]

From what I can see, you have excellent experiences, and it’s great to see how you've bounced back and excelled in the GDL and your professional roles! Most firms primarily look at your overall grade (your 2:1), and they often won’t focus too much on individual module scores. Plus, many application forms allow you to disclose any mitigating circumstances, which you could consider mentioning.

If you take a closer look at the FAQ sections of firms' training contract and vacation scheme pages, most will specify their exact requirements. From what you've shared, I don’t think this is an issue or that you're at a disadvantage, especially with the strong overall grade you achieved.

If you want to be absolutely sure before sending out your applications, where this info isn’t readily available on firm‘s sites, it’s worth emailing firms individually to ask. With your professional experience and recent academic achievements, you're definitely on the right path.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hello,

I was just looking for some advice on the extent that my grades will limit me (individual module results). At A-Level, I received 3 As, but in my undergraduate I had a couple of mixed grades. This was a history degree at a good London Russell Group uni (think KCL/LSE).

In my first year of university, I made the biggest mistake of my life in missing an exam - I wrote down the incorrect time, and so missed an exam I was otherwise confident for. As a result, my re-sit was capped at a pass (40).

My only other blip was a 59 in a final year module (also very embarrassing). The rest of my grades were 2:1/1sts, with me ultimately receiving a 2:1 (65%).

I am a few years post-graduation now, after undertaking a senior property role post university. Deciding I wanted to practice law has given me more professional/academic direction. I recently received a distinction in the GDL (79%), have volunteered at Citizens Advice for a year, and volunteer as an Independent Custody Visitor (attending police stations to ensure detainees are having legal rights upheld). I am currently studying for SQE1, with preparation included in the conversion course.

I was just wondering the extent that these undergraduate grades will hold me back. Should I, for example, limit my applications to a certain type of firm? My area of interest lies in commercial law, and I want to work on larger deals.

Any help on this would be much appreciated. I have felt very disheartened at my undergraduate grades since deciding to career change into law.

I really don’t think this will be an issue considering it is really only one exam/module. The 59% module will definitely not be an issue - it’s really only the capped resit that will raise an eyebrow. You may want to explain this in applications given the circumstances.

 

[historygrad765]

I really don’t think this will be an issue considering it is really only one exam/module. The 59% module will definitely not be an issue - it’s really only the capped resit that will raise an eyebrow. You may want to explain this in applications given the circumstances.

Thank you the response Jessica, that is quite reassuring. So would you advise explaining the circumstances of the missed exam in my initial application and the ways in which I have learned form it (where prompted)? I have been in a bit of a limbo with this - whether to omit an explanation so that the missed exam is not highlighted to the recruiter, or to explain it.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thank you the response Jessica, that is quite reassuring. So would you advise explaining the circumstances of the missed exam in my initial application and the ways in which I have learned form it (where prompted)? I have been in a bit of a limbo with this - whether to omit an explanation so that the missed exam is not highlighted to the recruiter, or to explain it.

I think you just have to say you unintentionally missed the exam and so the module was resat. If you have the grade you achieved in the resit (if you were told this), then you could list that detail but explain the result was capped at 40% were it was deemed a resit.