This week we received a cry for help from the wannabe lawyer grandson of the late, great "gorgeous" George Carman QC. Charlie Carman's email is below, followed by advice from Legal Cheek's world-weary elder statesman Alex Aldridge and its bright-eyed rookie Lucy Pether.
ALEX'S ADVICE
Dear Charlie,
Whatever they might claim, magic circle firms prefer to recruit Oxbridge graduates. So look at it this way: which university, Durham or UCL, can you weave the most persuasive story around about why you chose it over Oxford or Cambridge?
I'm not saying that's what you'll have to do directly in your training contract application forms or interviews, but it's a good starting point for making this decision.
As far as I'm aware, never in the history of mankind has anyone ever gone to Durham when they had an undergraduate offer from Oxbridge. Why go for a replica when you could have the real thing?
UCL, on the other hand, offers something different to Oxbridge in the sense that it's located in an big, international city – and benefits from its close links with all the interesting people who live in it or pass through regularly (including lots of magic circle lawyers). To choose UCL over Oxford or Cambridge is a plausible thing to do.
Having said all that, you've got to consider where you'd be happiest and able to work to the best of your abilities – because, generally speaking, what result you get at university is more important than where you went. And top law firms would prefer a 1st from Durham than a 2:1 from UCL.
Alex
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LUCY'S ADVICE
Dear Charlie,
I was faced with a similar conundrum when picking my LLB course. I chose LSE and have no regrets.
Though some may find London overwhelming at first, its size means you’d be hard pushed not to find people you fit in with or an interest that can’t be indulged. You can find these things too in smaller university towns, but it may be harder. And students in these places stick out like a sore thumb, which is less of a problem in London. Though this may mean local businesses are desperate for your custom – spoiling you with drinks deals and dodgy theme nights, it can mean you live within an unrealistic bubble.
Plus in London you’re spoilt for choice in terms of ways to unwind after a day cramming in the library. You can pop to the Tate between lectures, or catch a West End show after class. If this doesn’t tickle your fancy and you want to stick to law after-hours, there are countless public lectures throughout the year offered by the likes of UCL, LSE and the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. This sort of thing gives your studies an extra dimension, and it's a real thrill to be able to reference extra-curricular debates you’ve attended in an essay or exam.
Then there is the all-important careers question. Studying in London means that City firms are on your doorstep. You will find your diary quickly becomes packed full of open evenings and careers fairs, and they’re all just as accessible as a trip to your local pub. This is great for networking, and you’ll inevitably find that you’ll keep bumping into the same people again and again.
Best of luck with your choice!
Lucy
For more on George Carman QC, check out 'No Ordinary Man', the brilliant biography of the legal legend penned by Charlie's dad, journalist Dominic Carman.