Good afternoon, everyone!
I have just been informed that I was unsuccessful but have also received the result of my subject access request. I will be sharing the results and will also use this as an opportunity to share my background for anyone who might find it useful.
University X (non-Russell group, top 20) (2021)
Admissions Committee note: "decent first overall in Philosophy. Some mixed results, but adversity. Currently taking PgDL at City Law School. 12/150 ranking."- They must have contacted my university for this. At the time of my application, I had only received my mock assessment feedback so my ranking must have been deduced from this. Or perhaps this was how I was ranked based on my admissions profile at City's. The adversity comment must be in reference to results affected by the pandemic. My transcript highlights all results which would have been substantially impacted by the emergency measures of my academic institution/government.
Academic transcript: 6/9- This seems like an accurate reflection of my academic performance. I averaged a 74% so not too bad but not exceptional either. I had some very weak grades in 2nd year when my university suddenly shut down and made many resources inaccessible (had a few mid 2:1s and a 2:2 in second year which was balanced against high 80s in 3rd year).
Official Ranking / Referees’ Testimony as to Place in Cohort: 3/6- This was very enlightening because this mark could have been a lot higher. My university does not ordinarily share class rank and my referees did not include it because they did not know what it was either and I had not requested it. I requested to know what it was when I was applying for mini-pupillages after my application and was informed that I had ranked first in my cohort. This would have been good to have in my references/on my application. Good to know for the next round and could have helped contextualise my academic transcript.
Knowledge of the field: 4/5- This was the strongest part of my application and must have been evidenced entirely by my statement of purpose. I centred mine entirely around my academic legal interests and the papers I was interested in and why. I did this by first talking about Hartian jurisprudence, its criticisms, how it rebuts them, and why I still thought it was lacking with reference to some of the works of the tutors on the program.
Referees’ Testimony: 3/5- Not much to say here because I do not know its contents. Mark could perhaps be improved with reference to my standing in the cohort.
Relevant Experience, Skills and Adversity: 2/5- This was the weakest part of my application. At the time of my application, I had absolutely no legal experience whatsoever. I had had some public speaking experience, but I think here they are looking for formal legal experience that can corroborate relevant legal academic skills. I suspect that the source of my marks here were my single publication and forthcoming publication in one of the Cambridge Law Journals.
Total: 18/30
I hope this was useful to some and will be useful to the next cohort of applicants.A massive congratulations to all the successful applicants. After such a long wait, your success is even more well-deserved!
To all my fellow unsuccessful applicants, please do not be discouraged!
To all future applicants, I wish you all the best!
[Edited by Godbuns on Apr 01, 2022]
Good afternoon, everyone!<br><br>I have just been informed that I was unsuccessful but have also received the result of my subject access request. I will be sharing the results and will also use this as an opportunity to share my background for anyone who might find it useful.<br><br><div>University X (non-Russell group, top 20) (2021) </div><br><div>Admissions Committee note: "decent first overall in Philosophy. Some mixed results, but adversity. Currently taking PgDL at City Law School. 12/150 ranking."</div>- They must have contacted my university for this. At the time of my application, I had only received my mock assessment feedback so my ranking must have been deduced from this. Or perhaps this was how I was ranked based on my admissions profile at City's. The adversity comment must be in reference to results affected by the pandemic. My transcript highlights all results which would have been substantially impacted by the emergency measures of my academic institution/government.<br><br><div>Academic transcript: 6/9</div>- This seems like an accurate reflection of my academic performance. I averaged a 74% so not too bad but not exceptional either. I had some very weak grades in 2nd year when my university suddenly shut down and made many resources inaccessible (had a few mid 2:1s and a 2:2 in second year which was balanced against high 80s in 3rd year).<br><br><div>Official Ranking / Referees’ Testimony as to Place in Cohort: 3/6</div>- This was very enlightening because this mark could have been a lot higher. My university does not ordinarily share class rank and my referees did not include it because they did not know what it was either and I had not requested it. I requested to know what it was when I was applying for mini-pupillages after my application and was informed that I had ranked first in my cohort. This would have been good to have in my references/on my application. Good to know for the next round and could have helped contextualise my academic transcript.<br><br><div>Knowledge of the field: 4/5</div>- This was the strongest part of my application and must have been evidenced entirely by my statement of purpose. I centred mine entirely around my academic legal interests and the papers I was interested in and why. I did this by first talking about Hartian jurisprudence, its criticisms, how it rebuts them, and why I still thought it was lacking with reference to some of the works of the tutors on the program.<br><br><div>Referees’ Testimony: 3/5</div>- Not much to say here because I do not know its contents. Mark could perhaps be improved with reference to my standing in the cohort.<br><br><div>Relevant Experience, Skills and Adversity: 2/5</div>- This was the weakest part of my application. At the time of my application, I had absolutely no legal experience whatsoever. I had had some public speaking experience, but I think here they are looking for formal legal experience that can corroborate relevant legal academic skills. I suspect that the source of my marks here were my single publication and forthcoming publication in one of the Cambridge Law Journals.<br><br><div>Total: 18/30</div><div><br>I hope this was useful to some and will be useful to the next cohort of applicants.</div>A massive congratulations to all the successful applicants. After such a long wait, your success is even more well-deserved!<br><br>To all my fellow unsuccessful applicants, please do not be discouraged!<br>To all future applicants, I wish you all the best!<br><div><br><br><br><br>
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