Law and HSC subjects

[lsdpoon1337]

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I'm considering on studying law and next year and was wondering what HSC subjects give an indication of how well you'll do in law?

[lyounamu]

Originally Posted by lsdpoon1337

I'm considering on studying law and next year and was wondering what HSC subjects give an indication of how well you'll do in law?

No HSC subject can really give you an indication of how well you will do it because no HSC subject is directly related to Law Course except Legal Studies which has some overlap.

However, even Legal Studies doesn't give much of an indication from what I know. Many friends of mine have done Legal and did extremely well in it (like 95+ in HSC) but when it came to University Law, they find it much harder. I reckon there is some significant difference between HSC and University Law.

[lsdpoon1337]

My guess (note: guess) is that people who would do well in HSC english would tend to do well in law.

[chewy123]

^Not necessarily, after my first law assessment the lectuerer was complaining about how everyone was writing so flamboyantly, and told us to forget everything we learnt in HSC English because ít's not compatible with legal writing. But true that knowing some English is necessary since there is a lot of readings involve.

OP: ATAR is probably the best available indicator.

[Cookie182]

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Seriously, the people who present well-structured, logical arguments there backed by evidence would be an example of a student of a student who would do well in law.

Basically, you need strong written advocacy skills and well developed reasoning.

[cannibal.horse]

Originally Posted by Cookie182

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Seriously, the people who present well-structured, logical arguments there backed by evidence would be an example of a student of a student who would do well in law.

Basically, you need strong written advocacy skills and well developed reasoning.

This.

The students who tend to do well in my course come from strong debating/ english backgrounds (I'm a trained adjudicator, and half my friendship group do college debating competitions).

If you want something that will help you, pick the humanities courses (yes, legal studies does provide you with a general outline of your first unit, criminal law) but remember its the uai you need to focus on in order to get in.

[circusmind]

To thrive in legal education, you will need:

-excellent comprehension and written expression
-strong analytical reasoning
-work ethic

The first two will be well-developed in the humanities. English is often trotted out as an indicator of suitability for law at uni, but I would suggest that something like Modern History/History Extension is much more relevant. In those subjects and others like them, you are drilled in how to present a well-expressed and coherent argument. Conciseness and precision is preferred above literary flair, and solid research is a must. You are expected to read widely and filter out the relevant information, and to critically examine the reasoning of the historians you are reading. This sort of work is the bread and butter of uni law.

Legal studies is a good subject to do if you have a genuine interest in what that course involves. Don't do it expecting it to give you an edge in law school--it won't.

Extra-curriculars like debating will help you develop your reasoning and quick thinking. Whether you want to fulfill every aspect of the law student stereotype is your choice!

The third is something that depends on your own character, choices and experience. Some people quite reasonably opt to focus on leadership/work/co-curricular stuff at uni, and sacrifice grades accordingly. Others power through on Ds/HDs consistently. A brilliant few can do both at the one time. Ambition will help you in law school, and also in your HSC. I know when I was in high school, keeping my mind on my tertiary goals helped me survive the drudgery of the final years of high school. Unfortunately, uni is just as stressful, and though you might love the law, you are guaranteed to absolutely despise some courses, and it will really suck at times. Work ethic, I think, is what really tends to divide the sheep from the goats at uni. Everyone who gets into a law course obviously has half a brain and has demonstrated a certain level of competence. The academic powerhouses you meet at uni are sometimes geniuses, but more frequently just absolute library rats.

Having said that, there is no way for your HSC subject choices to define how well you will do in law. Uni and school are two entirely different undertakings. What is most important, I would wager, is your ambition, your work ethic, and your intelligence. If I were you, I would focus on the HSC and let law school take care of itself. Do the HSC subjects which interest you most, and which you think will allow you to fully demonstrate your ability and gain an optimal UAI. As you walk through the gates of uni in O Week, your slate will be wiped clean. Your UAI, HSC experiences, the school you went to are all largely irrelevant. You will realise that uni, and law school particularly, is a new game.

Also remember that law is a field which, for all its grade-whoring, is also very much about who you know and what experience you have. Follow up any connections you might have. Do your work experience in a law firm, or legal aid. Volunteer time doing shitkicker work at a local community legal centre, if such a thing is available. Try and score a part-time gig at a law firm in your gap year, etc. etc. It's a good idea to demonstrate interest in the law and also get a close-up look at the work involved, to see if it truly is the career for you.

Good luck with your HSC.