Is it worth trying to become a solicitor if you went to a crap University?

Answer 1

Of course it is. As long as you have good A levels and a good degree, you won't be at a major disadvantage anywhere other than the biggest City firms. The most important thing is that you have the skills firms are looking for and are determined to succeed. If you're concerned, try and do lots of legal work experience in a range of places, as that'll look great on application forms and may counteract any prejudice about your university.

Answer 2

I would not get too obsessed about how good or bad universities are.

In reality it is not the university that you attend which is the important factor in your future career success but the quality of your qualifications and the type of person you are.

I work as a chartered accountant and a few years ago when I left university and was interviewed by KPMG I asked the interviewer whether the university that I attended would have any bearing on whether I would be offered a job or not. The interviewer told me that KPMG was not interested in which university their applicants had attended. All they were interested in where their A-level grades, degree class (which had to be a 2.1 or better) and the personality and life experiences of the individual applicants.

Instead of getting obsessed about so called university league tables and the like, my advice to you would be to concentrate solely on working hard and getting the best qualifications that you can.

Remember that 38% of university students now study at their local universities in order to keep their debts to a minimum by living at home. These individuals have obviously realised that the institution they are attending has less of a bearing of their future career than the quality of their qualifications and they are right!

Answer 3

If becoming a solicitor is what you want then go for it. Not everyone gets to go to Oxbridge. As long as you have at least a 2.1 you have a chance. Going to a top uni does not necessarily make someone a good solicitor. I know a few solicitors and there is no way I would let them represent me.

Have a think about it.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Yes. You won't get into Clifford Chance,etc, but then why would you want to. Many solicitors (particularly in family and criminal law) do not even have a degree, having come through the ILEX route.

Someone will take you, but don't expect to be doing international re-insurance work in your first few years.

Answer 5

To be honest...no. I went to UCE to read law, drop out last semester. Its broken down to those who get an oxbridge 1st, who are priority, then those who get a 1st from a recegnised uni, birmingham, then those who get a ist from a shitty uni, process begins again with the oxbridge 2.1's down and so on.
Lets say there are 1000 students studying law, there are only 600 places on post grad law courses, and then there are only 400 law jobs available. You do the maths..have you had that much experience, do you have any family contacts, are you that good. Answer yes to all three to stand a chance.
Sorry. I'm doing a psychology degree now instead..better chance of a job

Answer 6

You could find it difficult to get articled. I have to say that I would probably favour candidates from a University I had heard of to one that was previuosly a poly and about one year before that was a college of higher education.