Hi Im new to this site so if a query similar to this has been frequently posted here before; please forgive me.

I am studying law at one of Irelands top universities and want to apply for the Cambridge llm for 2008/2009. However as I have not yet graduated will this effect my application; is it advisable to wait until 2009/2010 to apply as opposed to getting a conditional offer? Does Cambridge prefer applicants who have already graduated?

Furthermore I have only have a high 2:1 in first year. But I do have a very high first in second year with prizes as well as a training contract with a Magic Circle firm. I am also confident that I will graduate with a first. However I have no academic papers or the like published.

Do you think I have a shot at gaining a place?

Firstly, yes there are many similar threads already on this so it would probably be worth searching for them
Bottom line for Cambridge - your final year result. They will probably offer you a place on a first (although have been known to offer on a 67%). They take a lot of Irish students and I would say that there is a reasonable mix of people between those who have waited a year to apply and those who applied straight away. Not really sure what the relevance of your training contract is? If you can pull off a first next year, have good references and are capable of demonstrating logically why you want to do the LLM you have a really good chance of either Cambridge or Oxford. I have to laugh at your: I am studying law at one of Irelands top universities, given that there are like 6 universities that offer law in the whole country...

Yellow - when you say a 67 - is that equivalent to a third class honours. The reason I ask is because I am applying to Cambridge (2008-09) and only have a third class honours degree (69 %) from the University of Melbourne. I am however, about to complete a masters with a 2:1. What do you think of my chances? I am also applying to LSE.

By the way - I got a GPA of 75 for my final year?