Has anyone done a GDL?

[wrinklyraisin]

I have been accepted on a distance learning GDL with BPP and was wondering if anyone else out there has done this course?

I know those who have. What do you want to know?

Hi thanks for replying Xenia :) really just wanted to see how they found the course, and how helpful it has been in getting their foot in the legal door if they are entering the profession for the first time. I want to work (eventually, I know I have a while to go but I want to start researching firms and sending letters expressing interest etc soon) for a regional or even decent high street firm specializing in family/child law. I have a fairly mediocre first degree, (it's a now stale LLB(Hons)) due to Major Issues I was going through at that time. Am now in a Much Better Place and wanting to pick up where I left off iyswim. I am concerned I won't even get a look in TC wise even if I do spectacularly in the GDL. Am determined to give it a bloody good go though as I will regret not trying.

Anyhoo, I would love to hear opinions on BPP as a whole, I have a pretty good impression of them and have heard mainly great reviews. I'll be investing a lot of money though so I would really appreciate knowing if there are any issues I should be aware of?

My daughters would say they were good, I'm sure. There is an argument no one shoudl do the GDL without first getting a firm to sponsor them through it and the LPC otherwise you're taking a risk but some people (lots) do it without. Get lots of experience at different firms and just keep applying. You probably know most firms recruit at least 2 years ahead so when ypu're 2 years away from completing the LPC make sure all your applications are in and do a lot of vacation schemes if those firms you're interested in have them. I think most people can do anything if they try hard enough so just keep persisting.

Thanks Xenia. I'm planning on getting year one under my belt and seeing how good my work is (or not lol) then churning out cvs to as many regional firms that focus on my interests as I can. I'm almost bloody mindedly determined as I wanted this 8 years ago but life and stuff conspired against me. So its a case of better late than never lol.

What did your daughters think of the course materials? Are they as comprehensive as bpp claim? And what kind of hours did they put into the course? I really appreciate your replies thanks a lot! :)

They are brilliant, really good. They both did it full time (and back living at home and without children so much easier for them). As they did it full time it was like being back at school. They found it harder than the next LPC year.

Great :) I feel good about my decision am just nervously awaiting the Big Box of Books to arrive lol... am starting 3 weeks into the program so I have some catching up to do.

Did both your daughters get TCs arranged before the GDL or LPC in order to get sponsored?

Not quite (one got hers during the GDL year but they repaid the fees to her and paid her the support grant for that year so it was as if she had got the funding) but they are both trainees now and enjoying it very much. Small firms doing family law probably aren't as likely to pay, though

Yeah, I figured as much. I'm in the lucky position of earning/having saved enough to cover the GDL myself. I'm hoping to find somewhere that would at least partially cover my LPC down the road though. If not it's no biggie as my main concern is getting the TC in the first place! Once I'm in the door so to speak I will worry more about finances. My current position (HP nanny) pays well enough to cover me for the next 2 years studying part time for the GDL so I am luckier than a lot of people who have to take out even more student loans. Gosh it is exciting to actually be taking a giant leap like this now :)

Well good luck with it and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.