Oxford BCL/MJur 2013-2014


arun12

Hi everyone,

Let's start a thread for the Oxford class of 2014 to keep each other updated about the application process.

Who else will be applying? Has anyone applied yet? As the deadline to submit applications is 18 January 2013, I think it's time to prepare everything now.

Arun

Hi everyone,

Let's start a thread for the Oxford class of 2014 to keep each other updated about the application process.

Who else will be applying? Has anyone applied yet? As the deadline to submit applications is 18 January 2013, I think it's time to prepare everything now.

Arun

quote
Inactive User

No no no no no no no!!
I'm on the BCL now and its HELL.

Just DON'T DO IT. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. PEOPLE ARE CRYING. PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR WHOLE COMMITMENT TO LAW.

Just don't - make life easier on yourself and go to Cambridge/Harvard/somewhere that isn't Oxford

No no no no no no no!!
I'm on the BCL now and its HELL.

Just DON'T DO IT. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. PEOPLE ARE CRYING. PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR WHOLE COMMITMENT TO LAW.

Just don't - make life easier on yourself and go to Cambridge/Harvard/somewhere that isn't Oxford
quote
sav_kls

Why do you say its not worth it ? its in which context ? Do add for where you did your bachelor's from. I mean from which country ?

Why do you say its not worth it ? its in which context ? Do add for where you did your bachelor's from. I mean from which country ?
quote
arun12

PEOPLE ARE CRYING. PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR WHOLE COMMITMENT TO LAW.


It's always helpful to get feedback from current students, but the purpose of this thread is to bring together who ALREADY HAVE DECIDED to apply to Oxford.

Why don't you start a new discussion about your experiences? I'm sure everyone here is interested to hear why BCL students are "crying". By the way, where are you from?

<blockquote>PEOPLE ARE CRYING. PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR WHOLE COMMITMENT TO LAW. </blockquote>

It's always helpful to get feedback from current students, but the purpose of this thread is to bring together who ALREADY HAVE DECIDED to apply to Oxford.

Why don't you start a new discussion about your experiences? I'm sure everyone here is interested to hear why BCL students are "crying". By the way, where are you from?
quote

No no no no no no no!!
I'm on the BCL now and its HELL.

Just DON'T DO IT. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. PEOPLE ARE CRYING. PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR WHOLE COMMITMENT TO LAW.

Just don't - make life easier on yourself and go to Cambridge/Harvard/somewhere that isn't Oxford


Could you give us a little bit more context please. Is it dry? tough? courses? lectures? professors?

Regards,
Archana

<blockquote>No no no no no no no!!
I'm on the BCL now and its HELL.

Just DON'T DO IT. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. PEOPLE ARE CRYING. PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR WHOLE COMMITMENT TO LAW.

Just don't - make life easier on yourself and go to Cambridge/Harvard/somewhere that isn't Oxford</blockquote>

Could you give us a little bit more context please. Is it dry? tough? courses? lectures? professors?

Regards,
Archana
quote

I'm at the University of Reading, I got a high 2.2 in first year (long story, very disappointed) but in second year I got a first, like top three in my year (out of about 185), lowest mark was 65% and the highest was 85%. I also received an award from the university that is given to the top 80 students in the whole university.

I'm Master of Moots, President of the Debate Society and coordinate a pro bono project that has over 250 students taking part.

I also spent last summer working for a front bench MP on a part-time research and policy development internship. This mainly focussed on researching Bills passing through Parliament.

Anyone got any idea what my chances are? My lecturers all seem pretty confident (since they're giving me excellent references) and say that first year isn't too important.

Any thoughts?

Cheers!

I'm at the University of Reading, I got a high 2.2 in first year (long story, very disappointed) but in second year I got a first, like top three in my year (out of about 185), lowest mark was 65% and the highest was 85%. I also received an award from the university that is given to the top 80 students in the whole university.

I'm Master of Moots, President of the Debate Society and coordinate a pro bono project that has over 250 students taking part.

I also spent last summer working for a front bench MP on a part-time research and policy development internship. This mainly focussed on researching Bills passing through Parliament.

Anyone got any idea what my chances are? My lecturers all seem pretty confident (since they're giving me excellent references) and say that first year isn't too important.

Any thoughts?

Cheers!
quote

I'm on the BCL! Yes, it's tough, it's challenging, it's hell, and at times I hate my life - but I wouldn't say it's not worth it. Just be prepared to do a lot of work - the reading list is what everyone talks about (few hundred pages a week for one subject is a norm - and that's not even the whole reading list). Remember that you'll be taking four subjects, plus you'll have tutorials, which mean writing essays on top of reading for seminars! Good luck!

I'm on the BCL! Yes, it's tough, it's challenging, it's hell, and at times I hate my life - but I wouldn't say it's not worth it. Just be prepared to do a lot of work - the reading list is what everyone talks about (few hundred pages a week for one subject is a norm - and that's not even the whole reading list). Remember that you'll be taking four subjects, plus you'll have tutorials, which mean writing essays on top of reading for seminars! Good luck!
quote

Yeah I definitely expected to be doing a lot of work for it! I'm happy that I've found someone who sees the reality of it but still thinks it's worthwhile.

I'm writing my Statement of Purpose as we speak...so hard to condense it all to a page and a half.

Yeah I definitely expected to be doing a lot of work for it! I'm happy that I've found someone who sees the reality of it but still thinks it's worthwhile.

I'm writing my Statement of Purpose as we speak...so hard to condense it all to a page and a half.
quote
CT73

No no no no no no no!!
I'm on the BCL now and its HELL.

Just DON'T DO IT. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. PEOPLE ARE CRYING. PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR WHOLE COMMITMENT TO LAW.

Just don't - make life easier on yourself and go to Cambridge/Harvard/somewhere that isn't Oxford


Hi everyone,

I'm on the BCL course at the moment and thought I should offer an alternative view to the above.

I'm having a fantastic time and would thoroughly recommend the course. It is hard work, absolutely, but it wouldn't be such a well-respected masters course if it was easy.

The above quote is definitely not representative of people on the course. Everyone I know is enjoying it just as much as I am. The quality of teaching is excellent and the people here are exceptional. A lot is expected from us, but we all knew that would be the case when we applied, as I'm sure you do.

In short, it's an excellent masters course - don't be put off applying!

<blockquote>No no no no no no no!!
I'm on the BCL now and its HELL.

Just DON'T DO IT. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. PEOPLE ARE CRYING. PEOPLE ARE QUESTIONING THEIR WHOLE COMMITMENT TO LAW.

Just don't - make life easier on yourself and go to Cambridge/Harvard/somewhere that isn't Oxford</blockquote>

Hi everyone,

I'm on the BCL course at the moment and thought I should offer an alternative view to the above.

I'm having a fantastic time and would thoroughly recommend the course. It is hard work, absolutely, but it wouldn't be such a well-respected masters course if it was easy.

The above quote is definitely not representative of people on the course. Everyone I know is enjoying it just as much as I am. The quality of teaching is excellent and the people here are exceptional. A lot is expected from us, but we all knew that would be the case when we applied, as I'm sure you do.

In short, it's an excellent masters course - don't be put off applying!
quote

That is definitely reassuring!

I'm currently working on my SoP, my UCL application and deciding on a college at Ox; it's a lot to take in!

Any hints/tips?

That is definitely reassuring!

I'm currently working on my SoP, my UCL application and deciding on a college at Ox; it's a lot to take in!

Any hints/tips?
quote

I know that it is a little annoying but I still want to ask what you think of my chances to getting into Oxford. Thank you for commenting.

Here are my credentials:
- good grades
- 2nd price for the best master
- rather big university in a country where rankings do not matter
- Toefl: 113
- internship in a major business law firm
- employment in a major business law firm
- some athletic achievements
- no publications
- no contact with important Oxford graduates

I know that it is a little annoying but I still want to ask what you think of my chances to getting into Oxford. Thank you for commenting.

Here are my credentials:
- good grades
- 2nd price for the best master
- rather big university in a country where rankings do not matter
- Toefl: 113
- internship in a major business law firm
- employment in a major business law firm
- some athletic achievements
- no publications
- no contact with important Oxford graduates
quote
expert


Here are my credentials:
- good grades


That's not enough. You need very good grades (from a good school).

<blockquote>
Here are my credentials:
- good grades</blockquote>

That's not enough. You need very good grades (from a good school).
quote

Any idea/opinion about my chances? (See above for details!), cheers!

Any idea/opinion about my chances? (See above for details!), cheers!
quote
expert

You will need to apply to find out. When will you get your third year results?

That's someone else wrote about this.

i also know of others who did the bcl without firsts. they were all oxonians, and were presumably predicted 1sts by their referees. because of the structure of the oxford ba in jurisprudence oxford applicants have few grades on which to be judged, and the bcl offer is not always conditional on a 1st, so if you flame out in finals your place on the bcl nonetheless awaits you..

Any idea/opinion about my chances? (See above for details!), cheers!

You will need to apply to find out. When will you get your third year results?

That's someone else wrote about this.

<i>i also know of others who did the bcl without firsts. they were all oxonians, and were presumably predicted 1sts by their referees. because of the structure of the oxford ba in jurisprudence oxford applicants have few grades on which to be judged, and the bcl offer is not always conditional on a 1st, so if you flame out in finals your place on the bcl nonetheless awaits you.. </i>

<blockquote>Any idea/opinion about my chances? (See above for details!), cheers!</blockquote>
quote

I don't get them until June; so well after the date!

I'm certainly applying, I'm just one of those people who will worry until I find out!

Like I said I'm top 2% in my year and top 80 in my university, so I'm reasonably happy with those results!

I don't get them until June; so well after the date!

I'm certainly applying, I'm just one of those people who will worry until I find out!

Like I said I'm top 2% in my year and top 80 in my university, so I'm reasonably happy with those results!
quote
Oliver_J

I know that it is a little annoying but I still want to ask what you think of my chances to getting into Oxford. Thank you for commenting.

Here are my credentials:
- good grades
- 2nd price for the best master
- rather big university in a country where rankings do not matter
- Toefl: 113
- internship in a major business law firm
- employment in a major business law firm
- some athletic achievements
- no publications
- no contact with important Oxford graduates
Really the most important criteria for admission to Oxford is your grades (and class rank). In practice, they care little about extracurriculars or work experience (unlike the USA where experience is, rightly imo, given more weight). These only have some minor role in choosing between those who already have very good grades. So, perhaps you can give some more detail on what "good grades" means? Generally to be in with a chance you would need to be at least in the top 10% of your year, which is essentially the equivalent of a "first" at most institutions.

Athletics won't help you for anything but scholarships, in terms of personal qualities to show you are well rounded. It is completely irrelevant.

<blockquote>I know that it is a little annoying but I still want to ask what you think of my chances to getting into Oxford. Thank you for commenting.

Here are my credentials:
- good grades
- 2nd price for the best master
- rather big university in a country where rankings do not matter
- Toefl: 113
- internship in a major business law firm
- employment in a major business law firm
- some athletic achievements
- no publications
- no contact with important Oxford graduates</blockquote>Really the most important criteria for admission to Oxford is your grades (and class rank). In practice, they care little about extracurriculars or work experience (unlike the USA where experience is, rightly imo, given more weight). These only have some minor role in choosing between those who already have very good grades. So, perhaps you can give some more detail on what "good grades" means? Generally to be in with a chance you would need to be at least in the top 10% of your year, which is essentially the equivalent of a "first" at most institutions.

Athletics won't help you for anything but scholarships, in terms of personal qualities to show you are well rounded. It is completely irrelevant.
quote

Do you have any idea what the situation is where someone has cocked up first year but then in second has done very well (top 2-3% in the year)?

Also how much do they look at references? Since my references are very strong I'm hoping references are looked at heavily!

Do you have any idea what the situation is where someone has cocked up first year but then in second has done very well (top 2-3% in the year)?

Also how much do they look at references? Since my references are very strong I'm hoping references are looked at heavily!

quote
Oliver_J

Do you have any idea what the situation is where someone has cocked up first year but then in second has done very well (top 2-3% in the year)?
I don't know. But if you haven't finished your studies, and they were to make an offer, I think they are likely to place an academic condition on it so that you are required to obtain a first.

If you have completed your studies, I would imagine it doesn't matter what breakdown of marks you obtained (perhaps excluding fails), provided you obtain a first.

<blockquote>Do you have any idea what the situation is where someone has cocked up first year but then in second has done very well (top 2-3% in the year)? </blockquote>I don't know. But if you haven't finished your studies, and they were to make an offer, I think they are likely to place an academic condition on it so that you are required to obtain a first.

If you have completed your studies, I would imagine it doesn't matter what breakdown of marks you obtained (perhaps excluding fails), provided you obtain a first.
quote
Oliver_J

Also how much do they look at references? Since my references are very strong I'm hoping references are looked at heavily!
I think references are important, but I don't think they will compensate for deficient grades. I think you still need to be in that competitive zone of roughly the top 10% of your year to have a chance. If you are, then the references do play a role - to what extent I don't know - in helping to distinguish you.

<blockquote>Also how much do they look at references? Since my references are very strong I'm hoping references are looked at heavily! </blockquote>I think references are important, but I don't think they will compensate for deficient grades. I think you still need to be in that competitive zone of roughly the top 10% of your year to have a chance. If you are, then the references do play a role - to what extent I don't know - in helping to distinguish you.
quote

Yeah absolute; as I said I'm currently in the top 2-3% and achieving well. I'm still studying so I won't mind academic conditions being applied to an offer.

I'm just hoping that excellent references, a very strong essay and personal statement will be enough to get over the fact first year grades weren't great, even though second year grades were!

Yeah absolute; as I said I'm currently in the top 2-3% and achieving well. I'm still studying so I won't mind academic conditions being applied to an offer.

I'm just hoping that excellent references, a very strong essay and personal statement will be enough to get over the fact first year grades weren't great, even though second year grades were!
quote

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