Have created this thread for prospective BCL applicants to avoid confusion on the forum. Good luck to everyone :)

[Edited by Mombastic on Mar 19, 2019]

Hey, thanks for creating the thread! The deadline is still a bit away, but has anybody else applied?

Hi all,

I'm also applying to the BCL this year, after having been rejected last year. As I've now graduated, I'm (slightly) more hopeful. How are everyone's applications going?

intending on applying to BCL, also attempting to write an essay. Are most people writing something specific for their application?

Also out of curiosity, how strict do you guys think the top 5% requirement is?

Also out of curiosity, how strict do you guys think the top 5% requirement is?

Also out of curiosity, how strict do you guys think the top 5% requirement is?

Rather strict, I hear. Once the top 5% hurdle has been crossed, I am told the written sample (2,000 words) and references play a determining role.

I'm in the top 5.3%. Do you think the extra 0.3% will have an impact?

Cheers Razmataz that is helpful.

In the anecdotal experience/opinion of the group, do you guys think that you may be in with a shot if you were in the 5-10% of your class?

Cheers Razmataz that is helpful.

In the anecdotal experience/opinion of the group, do you guys think that you may be in with a shot if you were in the 5-10% of your class?

[Edited by Mombastic on Jan 09, 2019]

Rather strict, I hear. Once the top 5% hurdle has been crossed, I am told the written sample (2,000 words) and references play a determining role.

I'm in the top 5.3%. Do you think the extra 0.3% will have an impact?

No, not really. I think you should still have a competitive chance. Cheers and good luck to you! :)

quote

Most of my friends that were successful in their applications slightly modified papers that they submitted for university assignments.

It does say somewhere on the oxford website that a lack of publications won't be viewed negatively, and that they understand that there are limited opportunities to have work published for a lot of applicants. In those circumstances I reckon you will be fine adapting a uni paper.

Most of my friends that were successful in their applications slightly modified papers that they submitted for university assignments.

It does say somewhere on the oxford website that a lack of publications won't be viewed negatively, and that they understand that there are limited opportunities to have work published for a lot of applicants. In those circumstances I reckon you will be fine adapting a uni paper.

How is the application going for everyone? Only a few days left now, and I'm still refining (or, rather, attempting to refine) my personal statement.

It's all just very concerning when we don't know what we're judged on or, for that matter, whether we are what they're looking for.

Hi, I'm from a top Indian law school, have a couple of solid publications, other academic experience at the university level including a teaching assistantship and good referees (including one from a professor who holds a BCL and DPhil from Oxford). I also have decent mooting and extra-curricular achievements on my CV. I'm concerned, however, with the suggestion that the top 5% requirement at Oxford is applied strictly - I'm ranked 5th in a class of around 80 students so I'm in the top 6%. As trivial as it sounds, does anyone have a sense of whether this would significantly affect my chances at getting into Oxford, and possibly getting a scholarship for the BCL? My interests are broadly in the intersection between public and private law, and I've expressed that pretty clearly in my SoP and essay. I'd really appreciate your views. Thanks!

Hi, I'm from a top Indian law school, have a couple of solid publications, other academic experience at the university level including a teaching assistantship and good referees (including one from a professor who holds a BCL and DPhil from Oxford). I also have decent mooting and extra-curricular achievements on my CV. I'm concerned, however, with the suggestion that the top 5% requirement at Oxford is applied strictly - I'm ranked 5th in a class of around 80 students so I'm in the top 6%. As trivial as it sounds, does anyone have a sense of whether this would significantly affect my chances at getting into Oxford, and possibly getting a scholarship for the BCL? My interests are broadly in the intersection between public and private law, and I've expressed that pretty clearly in my SoP and essay. I'd really appreciate your views. Thanks!

Just submitted. Hopefully the wait won't be too long before we find out. Best of luck to all who apply, I'm sure we're all worthy students.

Just submitted my MJur application as well. Best of luck to all of you!

Submitted with 2 mins to spare. Good luck all.