Which is the best option for me? Please read Forum

[makarinivanalex]

I am a student in my junior year at one of England's most prestigious and academic schools with (usually) around 70-80 graduates going to Oxford/Cambridge each year, plus a fair share going to Ivy League schools. Recently these numbers have fallen considerably due to a crackdown on classism and admissions from the big private public schools such as my one in England as colleges want to be more inclusive and cease only picking students from old private boarding schools like mine.

Although I go to a school like this, I am not applying to Oxbridge because my GCSE's (10 subjects I had exams in during sophomore year) were mediocre for my school's standard and Oxbridge tend to look more into those exams unlike other universities. I'm now doing A levels, and so far it's going good. I'm being tracked AAAA, but my actual 'predicted grades' (which are the ones that matter and the ones which I apply with) are to be increased, so I'm aiming for A*A*AA or A*A*A*A. FYI these grades are generally pretty good for nearly all undergrad law degree requirements. Unfortunately I cannot afford college in the US as it is super pricey for international kids and my parents are against that but I'm also not gonna qualify for financial aid either, meaning I'm kinda stuck.

Thus I have a couple options.

1. Try to do law in the UK (UCL, KCL, Edinburgh, LSE, Bristol, etc). I know that UCL is a safe option when it comes to getting employed after, but I also need to get accepted in which I'm not entirely confident about, IDK.

2. Do law in Canada where it's significantly cheaper than in the US (I am only going to apply to McGill and their grade requirements are super generous so I have a pretty good chance of getting in without too much thought. Only issue is, I don't know if I would even be employed after that. I don't wanna work in Canada. So I don't know if any NY firms would take me although a McGill law degree is technically valid in the state of New York).

3. Do something vague and slightly different like global law at Bocconi in Milan or something similar in another European university.

I'd like to know what the best option is for me if I want to go into BigLaw after university and work in the city. London, New York, etc.

[The Lsat Airbender]

I don't wanna work in Canada.

Then I wouldn't go to Canada except in something internationally portable/in-demand (STEM). The BCL at McGill is mainly useful for practicing in Quebec. Similarly idk how a random European program is going to advance your goals.

If you really want to work U.S. biglaw, the gold standard is a JD degree from a top-14 law school, and it almost doesn't matter what you do as an undergraduate (what matters is getting the best marks possible and avoiding too much debt).

In other words you probably should either (1) do the best UK-based law degree you can or (2) get the most affordable degree you can, in something marketable like STEM or finance, and then take a second look at law as a graduate degree later on.

[crazywafflez]

I agree with Airbender. I actually attended a decent UK school myself.

In your shoes, I'd pursue the LLB (or some variation thereof) at LSE, KCL, UCL, Durham or Edinburgh. If you decide you want to go to the US after, you'll be able to do a JD program anyways. Or you can just stay in the UK and pursue becoming a solicitor or barrister.

Best of luck.

[nealric]

Keep in mind that law is a graduate degree in the U.S. and Canada. Nothing is stopping you from going to university in the UK and then applying to law school in the U.S. if you are unsatisfied with the career outcome. However, a U.S. law school will usually be even more expensive than a U.S. undergraduate institution.

You also have to consider that you come in with a recruiting disadvantage as a non-U.S. citizen because any employer will have to sponsor a visa for you. Large firms often do, but it adds uncertainty to the hiring process and visa issues have derailed biglaw careers before. Some international firms will recruit from top U.S. law schools for London-based positions, but it will be a small fraction of recruiting from a school like UCL.

[bodywithoutorgans232]

I don't wanna work in Canada.

Then I wouldn't go to Canada except in something internationally portable/in-demand (STEM). The BCL at McGill is mainly useful for practicing in Quebec. Similarly idk how a random European program is going to advance your goals.

If you really want to work U.S. biglaw, the gold standard is a JD degree from a top-14 law school, and it almost doesn't matter what you do as an undergraduate (what matters is getting the best marks possible and avoiding too much debt).

In other words you probably should either (1) do the best UK-based law degree you can or (2) get the most affordable degree you can, in something marketable like STEM or finance, and then take a second look at law as a graduate degree later on.

McGill grads receive two degrees: a JD and BCL. While one should obviously attend a US T14 if one wants to practice in the states, McGill still sends a non-negligible amount to NYC BL.

[Leojames26]

Alright, so you’ve got some solid options laid out here, and I totally get why you’re feeling a bit torn. Let’s break it down.

Law in the UK: This seems like a pretty safe bet, especially if you’re eyeing BigLaw in London. Schools like UCL, KCL, and LSE are highly respected, and if you can snag those AAAA or AAA*A predictions, you’re in a strong position. Plus, UK law schools are well-recognized by firms in the city, so you’d be setting yourself up nicely for a career in London. The downside? It’s competitive, but you already knew that. If your grades hold up, though, you’ve got a good shot.

Law in Canada (McGill): McGill’s a great school, and the cost is definitely more manageable compared to the US. However, since you don’t want to stay in Canada, you’d have to navigate the tricky path of transferring your credentials to work in the US or UK. While McGill is recognized in New York, making the jump to BigLaw from Canada could be a bit of a challenge unless you’re top of your class and can really stand out. It’s not impossible, but it’s something to consider.

Global Law at Bocconi or Similar: This is a more unconventional path, but it could work if you’re looking to specialize in something international or niche. Bocconi has a good reputation, especially in Europe, but transitioning from a more general or global law program to BigLaw in London or New York might be less straightforward. You’d need to really leverage any internships or connections you make along the way.

If your ultimate goal is BigLaw in London or New York, the UK route seems the most direct and solid, especially with schools like UCL or LSE on your list. If you’re confident you can pull those predicted grades up, it might be worth going all in on that option.

That said, if you want to keep your options open and aren’t entirely sure about the UK, McGill could be a good backup. Just be prepared for the extra steps you’d need to take to get back to the UK or the US for work.

At the end of the day, think about where you’d feel most comfortable and where you see yourself thriving. You’ve got some great choices, so it’s all about finding the right fit for you and your long-term goals.