Oxford BCL/MJur 2019-2020


Mombastic

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]

Have created this thread for prospective BCL applicants to avoid confusion on the forum. Good luck to everyone :)
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LPrime84

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

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

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Sgwarn

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?

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

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

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.

[quote]Also out of curiosity, how strict do you guys think the top 5% requirement is?[/quote] 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.
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Inactive User

[quote]
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razmataz

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?


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

[quote][quote][quote]Also out of curiosity, how strict do you guys think the top 5% requirement is?[/quote] 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.[/quote]

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

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

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?


Short answer - yes. The more in the top the better, but these are all relative numbers. Don't waste your energy on the percentage, it's just to advertise you better. Highlight how your academic achievements etc. have prepared you for the course.

Good luck!

[Edited by Mombastic on Jan 09, 2019]

[quote]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?[/quote]

Short answer - yes. The more in the top the better, but these are all relative numbers. Don't waste your energy on the percentage, it's just to advertise you better. Highlight how your academic achievements etc. have prepared you for the course.

Good luck!
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Mombastic

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! :)


Literally, no one cares about the 0.3% - don't desperate. Just put 5%.

[quote][quote][quote][quote]Also out of curiosity, how strict do you guys think the top 5% requirement is?[/quote] 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.[/quote]

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

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

Literally, no one cares about the 0.3% - don't desperate. Just put 5%.
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Inactive User

quote

quote
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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.
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Mombastic

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.


Correct. The paper I submitted was my Dissertation. It had one of the highest grades out of my final year assignments. Make sure it has critical analysis and (perhaps the most important aspect) you are able to argue your POINT.

I am saying this because during tutorials you will not simply say what X,Y,Z said for apples and what A,B,C said for peaches. You are indeed expected to outline the arguments of both sides, but you must form your OWN opinion. This is crucial here! I am sure you will do well :) As long as your paper has, I repeat, a coherent structure, you should be on the right track. Good luck!

[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.[/quote]

Correct. The paper I submitted was my Dissertation. It had one of the highest grades out of my final year assignments. Make sure it has critical analysis and (perhaps the most important aspect) you are able to argue your POINT.

I am saying this because during tutorials you will not simply say what X,Y,Z said for apples and what A,B,C said for peaches. You are indeed expected to outline the arguments of both sides, but you must form your OWN opinion. This is crucial here! I am sure you will do well :) As long as your paper has, I repeat, a coherent structure, you should be on the right track. Good luck!
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Sgwarn

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.

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.
quote

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!
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Mombastic

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!


You overcomplicate it. Just apply - you have chances! Have trust in yourself :)

[quote]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! [/quote]

You overcomplicate it. Just apply - you have chances! Have trust in yourself :)
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Sgwarn

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. 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.
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F_Cvl

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

Just submitted my MJur application as well. Best of luck to all of you!
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Submitted with 2 mins to spare. Good luck all.

Submitted with 2 mins to spare. Good luck all.
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