Oxford BCL and Cambridge LLM Applicants 2009


AlvinSee

I went for Gonville too, haha. Didn't you try for the Tapp Studentship in Law?

I went for Gonville too, haha. Didn't you try for the Tapp Studentship in Law?
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QSWE

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AlvinSee

Yea, I'm just trying my luck for the scholarship.

Would there be further co-incidence for the Oxford application? My first choice college is Merton.

Yea, I'm just trying my luck for the scholarship.

Would there be further co-incidence for the Oxford application? My first choice college is Merton.
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QSWE

It ran out.
My choices are Balliol and Exeter in that order for the same reasons...

It ran out.
My choices are Balliol and Exeter in that order for the same reasons...
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OpinioJuri...

Which is why the comment involves a mere satirical reference. Note that U.S. universities now issue a statement that "the application for financial aid shall not in any way prejudice the application for admission of an applicant to the school" in their application forms. There appears to be no counterpart provision in the application forms of British universities.

I continue to believe in the integrity of the admissions system, but I have to add that it is the totality of objective and subjective criteria, a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors, which determines whether an offer of admission is to be made. I don't think a young, exiled Nelson Mandela or a youthful Dalai Lama, even in dire financial straits, would be refused admission to Oxbridge. These are people who have more to offer than even the quality of their academic performance. But they are the exception to the rule.

In this age of a global meltdown, schools are likewise experiencing financial difficulties. I fear that the prospect facing educational institutions may include a drastic cut in scholarships just to keep afloat.

Which is why the comment involves a mere satirical reference. Note that U.S. universities now issue a statement that "the application for financial aid shall not in any way prejudice the application for admission of an applicant to the school" in their application forms. There appears to be no counterpart provision in the application forms of British universities.

I continue to believe in the integrity of the admissions system, but I have to add that it is the totality of objective and subjective criteria, a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors, which determines whether an offer of admission is to be made. I don't think a young, exiled Nelson Mandela or a youthful Dalai Lama, even in dire financial straits, would be refused admission to Oxbridge. These are people who have more to offer than even the quality of their academic performance. But they are the exception to the rule.

In this age of a global meltdown, schools are likewise experiencing financial difficulties. I fear that the prospect facing educational institutions may include a drastic cut in scholarships just to keep afloat.
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AlvinSee

OpinioJuris, I have to point out that there is actually a 'no prejudice' statement for the Cambridge application, though its kind of obscured. You will have to click 'help' (online application) which will open up another browser which states that.

OpinioJuris, I have to point out that there is actually a 'no prejudice' statement for the Cambridge application, though its kind of obscured. You will have to click 'help' (online application) which will open up another browser which states that.
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OpinioJuri...

Thanks for the info. The policy statement may be clearer on the hard copy of their graduate prospectus. The Oxbridge pages online are not as easy to navigate as the other schools.

Good luck on your application.

Thanks for the info. The policy statement may be clearer on the hard copy of their graduate prospectus. The Oxbridge pages online are not as easy to navigate as the other schools.

Good luck on your application.
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Sl21

Hey all,
I did my summer course at Harvard last year, and while being there I dropped by the Graduate Law School Admissions Office to ask them few questions. One of which was: do applicants compete with the rest of the world? Or do they take into consideration each applicants background by which they compare his/her application with applicants from the same country/region? They answered, that they take into consideration the background and applicants do NOT compete with the rest of the world. I was wondering if anyone knows whether Oxbridge follow the same approach? Because if they do I believe that we have better chances.
Thanks

Hey all,
I did my summer course at Harvard last year, and while being there I dropped by the Graduate Law School Admissions Office to ask them few questions. One of which was: do applicants compete with the rest of the world? Or do they take into consideration each applicant’s background by which they compare his/her application with applicants from the same country/region? They answered, that they take into consideration the background and applicants do NOT compete with the rest of the world. I was wondering if anyone knows whether Oxbridge follow the same approach? Because if they do I believe that we have better chances.
Thanks
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OpinioJuri...

What summer course did you attend at HLS? PIL Negotiation?

What summer course did you attend at HLS? PIL Negotiation?
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Sl21

Didn't attend HLS's summer courses, but rather HSS where i took IP & Legal Writing.

Didn't attend HLS's summer courses, but rather HSS where i took IP & Legal Writing.
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OpinioJuri...

British universities don't usually follow the approach in American universities. In British universities, the competition is based on academic performance rather than background or geographical origin.

British universities don't usually follow the approach in American universities. In British universities, the competition is based on academic performance rather than background or geographical origin.
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Sl21

Thanks, but not really what i hoped to hear. Let's wait and c what happens.
Good luck!

Thanks, but not really what i hoped to hear. Let's wait and c what happens.
Good luck!
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OpinioJuri...

Oxbridge colleges tend to be more academically-oriented. If they like what they read in your application, they'll accept you, even if you graduated with second class honours. They also recognise that academic standards vary per university. Good luck.

Oxbridge colleges tend to be more academically-oriented. If they like what they read in your application, they'll accept you, even if you graduated with second class honours. They also recognise that academic standards vary per university. Good luck.
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QSWE

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Bender

The comparison isn't between raw percentages: it's based on your ranking within a graduating class.

A first typically equates (roughly) to the top 10% of graduates, regardless of where you're from. I haven't heard of "regional pooling".

The basic prerequisite for admission to Oxbridge (for graduate studies) is a first, or its equivalent. While there might be exceptions to the rule, I haven't met any.

The comparison isn't between raw percentages: it's based on your ranking within a graduating class.

A first typically equates (roughly) to the top 10% of graduates, regardless of where you're from. I haven't heard of "regional pooling".

The basic prerequisite for admission to Oxbridge (for graduate studies) is a first, or its equivalent. While there might be exceptions to the rule, I haven't met any.



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AlvinSee

I think, if there is any regional pooling at all, that would be based on the location of the universities and not on the regional representation of the applicants themselves. One does not necessarily graduate from his home country.

I think, if there is any regional pooling at all, that would be based on the location of the universities and not on the regional representation of the applicants themselves. One does not necessarily graduate from his home country.




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QSWE

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OpinioJuri...

The basic prerequisite for admission to Oxbridge (for graduate studies) is a first, or its equivalent. While there might be exceptions to the rule, I haven't met any.


I know some people who fall within the exceptions to the rule:

Oxford BCL: 2:1 (tough law programme); graduated at the top of the class; editor of the law review; top law firm attorney; daughter of a magistrate; outside sources of financing; now works for a law firm in the City after getting the BCL

Oxford BCL: 2:2 (tough law programme); not at the top of the class; editor of the law review; top law firm attorney; outside sources of financing; now works in an international organisation after getting the BCL

Cambridge LLM: 2:2 (tough law programme); former Member of Parliament in his home country; leader of a political party; outside sources of financing; became government deputy minister in his home country after getting the Cambridge LLM

The above Oxbridge alumni graduated from jurisdictions that considered the study of law as a graduate, and not as an undergraduate, course. These people applied to Oxbridge having earned two degrees, an undergraduate degree and a professional (graduate level) law degree, as well as relevant professional experience. It must be stressed, however, that they are the exceptional cases.

<blockquote>The basic prerequisite for admission to Oxbridge (for graduate studies) is a first, or its equivalent. While there might be exceptions to the rule, I haven't met any.</blockquote>

I know some people who fall within the exceptions to the rule:

Oxford BCL: 2:1 (tough law programme); graduated at the top of the class; editor of the law review; top law firm attorney; daughter of a magistrate; outside sources of financing; now works for a law firm in the City after getting the BCL

Oxford BCL: 2:2 (tough law programme); not at the top of the class; editor of the law review; top law firm attorney; outside sources of financing; now works in an international organisation after getting the BCL

Cambridge LLM: 2:2 (tough law programme); former Member of Parliament in his home country; leader of a political party; outside sources of financing; became government deputy minister in his home country after getting the Cambridge LLM

The above Oxbridge alumni graduated from jurisdictions that considered the study of law as a graduate, and not as an undergraduate, course. These people applied to Oxbridge having earned two degrees, an undergraduate degree and a professional (graduate level) law degree, as well as relevant professional experience. It must be stressed, however, that they are the exceptional cases.
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QSWE

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Hi guys, fellow Cambridge LLM applicant here! I'm from Malaysia and am still doing my law degree. Anyone else in a similar position? Cheers! :)

Hi guys, fellow Cambridge LLM applicant here! I'm from Malaysia and am still doing my law degree. Anyone else in a similar position? Cheers! :)
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