Advice from the Cambridge Lawyer

Sharyn Wong holds an unconditional offer from University of Cambridge to read law.

According to the official University of Cambridge brochure for applicants, ‘successful applicants achieve academic results in the top 1-2% of their year’. If I were you, a fresh-faced student secretly harbouring hopes of frolicking on the lush, green grass in Cambridge, I would quit reading this and start perusing my books Right Now.

In all seriousness, you probably have the grades, the charisma, the IQ and a freshly-pressed suit – ironed 6 months before your interview. You’re here because you want to know what it’s going to be like.

I won’t go into the nitty-gritty of form-filling, let’s delve straight into the process itself.

Let’s face it: you have a reason for choosing Law as your degree. You’re extremely passionate about the law and no one could make you give up your dream even if they offered you a million dollars. Why else would you spend the next 40 years of your working life looking at pages upon pages of statutes? Internalise that passion, and you’re on your way to a winning personal statement.

What next? Oh, just the interview. You’re a future award-winning lawyer, this should be easy-peasy. Come here, let me give you a tip or two.

Whoops, trick question! Lawyers don’t need tips. You’re perfectly capable of answering any question thrown at you because your charisma and confidence makes everyone believe what you say. Keep it that way.

Okay, one tip: My magic formula for measuring success in an interview is simple; if I go in smiling and I come out without any changes in my facial muscles, I consider it a success.

Unless a monster mauled my face in there. But rest assured, the Cambridge interview has been tested as 100% safe by numerous eyewitnesses who have survived with flying colours.

As you emerge with nary a speck of dust on your tailored suit, you will be whisked away to a huge hall of sweaty, nervous students to sit for the Cambridge written test. Naturally, you will have cooling pads hidden underneath your clothes as you breeze past the competition.

The questions revolve around solving a hypothetical case and answering one essay question. If you don’t know how to answer these questions with the logic and innate legal abilities that you have possessed since you were in the womb, maybe it’s time to reconsider that dream career.

At last! The final hurdle. (Drumroll.) Wait, there’s one more? Of course, dear, it’s called your A-Levels. Remember the opening sentence of this essay? ‘Successful applicants achieve academic results in the top 1-2% of their year.’

I hope you learned a lot from this essay. It’s always my pleasure to help people achieve their dreams. :’)

This advice just cost you $100. I shall be sending the legal bill to you soon.

Disclaimer: The author does not accept any responsibility or liability for the advice contained in this article. Follow at your own risk.

Sharyn Wong Yi Jien is a student who will be pursuing her law degree in the University of Cambridge.