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Are the rumours true that SMU Law's reputation is on a decline in Singapore?

Heard that firms, especially international firms in Singapore, are generally reluctant to take on SMU law students. Very few SMU law students are able to secure training contracts with the top JLV which offers TCs (there is only one JLV which offers TCs in Singapore at present). Could this be because SMU's (lack of) international ranking makes it less desirable to employers?

Generally, the SMU novelty factor has worn off after so many years and firms are looking more at traditional indicators.

Yeah that's the same things I'm hearing from my law friends in SMU. But to put things in perspective, there was a time when NTU did not fare well in the international rankings. But in recent years they have been on an upswing. I think international rankings are unfavorable to newer institutions (i.e. Less than 50 years old).

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Are the rumours true that SMU Law's reputation is on a decline in Singapore?

Heard that firms, especially international firms in Singapore, are generally reluctant to take on SMU law students. Very few SMU law students are able to secure training contracts with the top JLV which offers TCs (there is only one JLV which offers TCs in Singapore at present). Could this be because SMU's (lack of) international ranking makes it less desirable to employers?

Generally, the SMU novelty factor has worn off after so many years and firms are looking more at traditional indicators.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Are the rumours true that SMU Law's reputation is on a decline in Singapore?

Heard that firms, especially international firms in Singapore, are generally reluctant to take on SMU law students. Very few SMU law students are able to secure training contracts with the top JLV which offers TCs (there is only one JLV which offers TCs in Singapore at present). Could this be because SMU's (lack of) international ranking makes it less desirable to employers?

Generally, the SMU novelty factor has worn off after so many years and firms are looking more at traditional indicators.

I'm not sure where you've heard this. I'm the guy with a magna from SMU. I have a TC with the JLV that you are talking about and about half of their intake from my year is from SMU.

Have about 4 years PQE in a big 4. Have heard many things of late. My advice to JC2 students is this. If you have a choice do law at Oxbridge, LSE or UCL, go for it. If you have to take up loans of some sort, it's worth it in the long run.
Then try to do the BCL/LLM from Oxbridge thereafter. It's not easy for local unis grad to go to international firms. That's the reality. The profession is still about branding and image.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I'm not sure where you've heard this. I'm the guy with a magna from SMU. I have a TC with the JLV that you are talking about and about half of their intake from my year is from SMU.

He probably means CC, which has few if any SMU grads according to its website.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

He probably means CC, which has few if any SMU grads according to its website.

Ah. Yeah thats true then. My batch has only 1 SMU trainee in CC. I'd also like to add that there are some firms (including 1 of the big 4) that seem prejudiced against SMU grads.

Hi guys,

I am currently a final year student at one of the law schools in the UK. I'm just curious how many seniors in Part A currently are without a TC?

Regards,
Terence

Originally Posted by Unregistered

He probably means CC, which has few if any SMU grads according to its website.

True. Have heard of that.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Ah. Yeah thats true then. My batch has only 1 SMU trainee in CC. I'd also like to add that there are some firms (including 1 of the big 4) that seem prejudiced against SMU grads.

Thats weird. I don't really see much of a prejudice.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Have about 4 years PQE in a big 4. Have heard many things of late. My advice to JC2 students is this. If you have a choice do law at Oxbridge, LSE or UCL, go for it. If you have to take up loans of some sort, it's worth it in the long run.
Then try to do the BCL/LLM from Oxbridge thereafter. It's not easy for local unis grad to go to international firms. That's the reality. The profession is still about branding and image.

Thats quite extreme. Going at all costs have associated consequencs.