Worried about first year grades (I know another one)

[LaDiva]

I recently received my grades and I am quite worried about one grade in particular. Please let me know your thoughts on how likely this low grade could hinder my chances of securing a VS.

Criminal law: 45
Contract law: 70
Public law: 67
Legal methods: 77
Legal ethics: 70
Law and colonialism: 79

The only 'consolation' I have is that first year does not count. However it's all firms consider in their selection process, or least it plays a major role for vs in second year. No extenuating circumstances, tried my best in revising for topics, just didn't cut it. Any comments?

 

[LaDiva]

Bump

 

[Chris Brown]

I recently received my grades and I am quite worried about one grade in particular. Please let me know your thoughts on how likely this low grade could hinder my chances of securing a VS.

Criminal law: 45
Contract law: 70
Public law: 67
Legal methods: 77
Legal ethics: 70
Law and colonialism: 79

The only 'consolation' I have is that first year does not count. However it's all firms consider in their selection process, or least it plays a major role for vs in second year. No extenuating circumstances, tried my best in revising for topics, just didn't cut it. Any comments?

It seems like it’s an anomalous grade that isn’t indicative of your academic ability. Since all of the other modules are strong 2:1 and 1st class marks, it shouldn’t be a huge problem. 🥲

Most firms ask for an end-of-year 2:1 average as opposed to a 2:1 in every module. A handful of firms like HSF and Linklaters expect a 2:1 across all modules but consider EC/MC. 😅

There are also some firms that expect a strong (64-66%) or high (67-69%) 2:1 average, such as Slaughters, SullCrom, Cleary Gottlieb, Jones Day and Willkie. You have a high 2:1 (68%). 🙂

Therefore, for virtually every firm you are good to go. They might ask you about the criminal law mark (45%) at interview, but it’s not going to impact your chances of getting a VS.

Contract and Tort law are the most important modules for city law firms. Seeing you got 70% in Contract, I think you should be fine. It might be good to contact firms in Sept to clarify. 🙂

The important thing will be ensuring that other parts of your VS applications (work experience, extracurricular activities, answers to questions on the application form, etc) are strong. 👌🏾

Firms would look at everything holistically and one ‘low’ mark won’t automatically mean that you don’t have a chance of getting a VS. Best of luck with all your VS applications! 🐐​

 

[Amma Usman]

It seems like it’s an anomalous grade that isn’t indicative of your academic ability. Since all of the other modules are strong 2:1 and 1st class marks, it shouldn’t be a huge problem. 🥲

Most firms ask for an end-of-year 2:1 average as opposed to a 2:1 in every module. A handful of firms like HSF and Linklaters expect a 2:1 across all modules but consider EC/MC. 😅

There are also some firms that expect a strong (64-66%) or high (67-69%) 2:1 average, such as Slaughters, SullCrom, Cleary Gottlieb, Jones Day and Willkie. You have a high 2:1 (68%). 🙂

Therefore, for virtually every firm you are good to go. They might ask you about the criminal law mark (45%) at interview, but it’s not going to impact your chances of getting a VS.

Contract and Tort law are the most important modules for city law firms. Seeing you got 70% in Contract, I think you should be fine. It might be good to contact firms in Sept to clarify. 🙂

The important thing will be ensuring that other parts of your VS applications (work experience, extracurricular activities, answers to questions on the application form, etc) are strong. 👌🏾

Firms would look at everything holistically and one ‘low’ mark won’t automatically mean that you don’t have a chance of getting a VS. Best of luck with all your VS applications! 🐐​

Love this, @Chris Brown ! I agree @LaDiva - most firms will look at grades holistically, and count things like extracurriculars. The mitigating circumstances section also gives you an opportunity to shed some more light on that grade.