To think unconditional offers need to banned

[Debbie99hastings]

For those who haven't received grades.

Dc2 has had all there ucas offers back, predicted ABB/BBB. He had had offers in this range from two Russell groups and two non russell groups that also rank highly to study law. However he has also had an unconditional for a ex poly in the southeast which although saying it is a BCC course let's people in with CCD and DDC etc.

Ds wants to put this as his firm choice, he is almost adamant of it despite being capable of achieving entry into some good law schools. It is driving me mad, how can I change his mind. Law is so competitive he won't have great prospects with this uni.

I understand the unconditional may relieve his stress but it was never his favourite in the first place, it was a worst case scenario option.

Aibu to think this is a great marketing ploy for bad unis to attract students in a time of high competition between unis.

My collegues daughter got into the ABB uni with two grades lower and got in so he has a great chance of getting in.

Unconditional offers 30 years ago were the exception and indicated that the university really wanted you for your brains. Unconditional offers nowadays are becoming the norm and indicate that the university really wants you for your money.

18000 new law undergrads.

5700 training contracts.

I know that a few will go to the Bar (200?) and some never apply for a job but that's still less than a one in three chance of getting the job you are training to do.

If he wants to actually be a lawyer, he should know that he has no chance if he doesn’t go to a Russel group uni. He has to have his eyes wide open about that.

Fig, I've managed to mentor up a paralegal who went to an ex poly.
The only reason she's got a training contract though is because she's great and we complement each other so I've gone in to bat for her.

It's essentially (yet) another stage of a ridiculously long selection period. By the time she's qualified she'll be thinking about having kids. I was five yeras PQE by that stage and it will still hard to get back in.

I’m nearly 20 years call.

I’m also on the pupillage committee.

Wouldn’t dream of discriminating based on uni.

As long as they have a solid degree (at least a 2:1 and then at least a VC at BPTC) it’s then down to performance at interview, advocacy exercise, assessed MP and how well they’d fit in.

I obvious can’t speak for MC firms, but I do know on my circuit, since I’ve been around most sets have recruited from a hugely diverse range of backgrounds and no set has ever only had pupils from ‘acceptable’ unis.

*obviously...

In terms of shortlisting, we value the extra curriculars way over which uni they went to. Charity work, debate/mooting, sports, anumythibg interesting.

Oh Ffs. I am literate: *anything interesting.

So much nonsense on this thread from people who don’t have a clue! Why advise when you don’t know...

Two points:
A-level grades do count if you are going into a competitive graduate career. Even 20 years ago when I was at uni companies recruiting graduate entry were stating min A-level grades. EVERYTHING counts in a massively competitive market.

Russell Group really isn’t everything. I went to one and I work at one and have a pretty good understanding of the sector. However there are some institutions who only exist for their own survival and provide a very poor experience, if your DS goes for none of these he is wasting his time and money.

Some places state unconditional only if put them first - that is massively outrageous and should be banned.