SMU Law entry

[nicolchoi]

Hi there,

I'm terribly stressed regarding my chances of being accepted into SMU's Law Degree Programme. I just graduated from Ngee Ann Poly's Mass Communication course with a GPA of about 3.1(Wished I studied harder). I regret like maaaad not entering a JC and just going the more direct route of entering a University, but that's that.

My L1R4 is 4, and my L1R5 is 7. I haven't taken my SATs yet, but I'm aiming for at least a 2200. I've also done well in my Law module during the last semester, and have testimonials from my Law lecturer as well as my editor from Singapore Press Holdings(SPH) during internship.

I know SMU's direction is more unique compared to NUS/NTU, and countless of people have told me that the Interview is crucial. But I mean, though they've said that "Grades are not everything", they're still something, right?

Do you guys think my chances are slim? I'm terrified.

 

[Havok_ex]

I mean no offense but I have to be terribly blunt here. With that GPA, you'd be lucky to get into ANY course in SMU at all. Much less law. Yes, interview is crucial, but you need the grades to get yourself an interview first. Work hard on those SATs. Honestly, its the only hope you have left. And 2200 might not gonna cut it either. Aim for a 2250-2300 for a good chance.

To answer your question, your chance is slimmer than Chee Soon Juan becoming prime minister at the next GE. Unless you can get those SAT scores. So dont lose hope yet. Try hard for your SAT and good luck.

And testimonials are supposed to supplement good grades to get into Law. Not all AAA/A students can get into law, only those with a good testimonial by their teachers/employers can. So without the good grades, your testimonials are useless.

 

[nicolchoi]

hey havoc,

thanks for the honest reply, was what I was looking for. Will work my ass off for the SATs and apply. If I'm not successful then oh well I know I tried.

Thanks again!

 

[Havok_ex]

As an alternative if you are not accepted to SMU law. You could get a degree first, then apply for their postgraduate J.D or NUS's postgraduate GLP. Either that, or you could go to australia or UK to read law. Australia's criteria is not as stringent as here. You can still take the bar here when you come back.

 

[SGRevolution]

your o level dam zai...mass comm really so hard to score?

 

[nitokit]

To be honest, even though interview is crucial, GPA 3.1 won't get you into interview.

Also, 2.3k for SAT is actually quite common. In fact, I've got a few friends who got 2.4k or close to 2.4k. So, even if you managed that, it will not help much.

In that case, you can only go for the non-academic achievements route (i.e. discretionary admission). Even so, the chances are still very slim.

Perhaps you can try exploring other law schools (private or foreign) if you really want to study law?

 

[Havok_ex]

Foreign would still be better. Private law schools here cannot admit you to the bar, hence, you can never practice.