The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is taken by about 60,000 students annually, making the competition fierce for prestigious spots in some of the best law schools of the country. With limited seats and a high number of students, securing a place becomes challenging. Understandably, many students fall short of this goal. So, if you find yourself among them, fear not.
Here are alternative paths you can consider in case the CLAT does not work out for you
How to deal with this pressure?
Dealing with stress after the CLAT results can be challenging. However, several crucial steps can help you effectively navigate this period. Begin by recognising your mistake to gain a clear understanding of a Plan B for the future. To address this, embrace your emotions like the natural feelings of embarrassment, anxiety, grief, fear, and anger as these feelings can motivate you to prepare better. Look for healthy coping mechanisms like talking to a friend, relaxation techniques, or engaging in passion-related activities that bring you peace. Moving forward, create a strategic plan and focus your energy on new possibilities.
New directions to explore
Options after just missing NLU cut-offs: If your rank falls within the high range of 3000-4000, consider exploring alternative colleges such as the School of Law, Nirma University; School of Law, NMIMS; School of Law, UPES, BITS Law School among others. These institutions accept admissions based on CLAT scores which can offer you promising opportunities beyond the NLUs.
Explore alternative entrance exams: If your CLAT rank is not promising, consider other entrance exams for other law schools like LSAT-India for private colleges nationwide including Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat; SLAT for Symbiosis Law Schools; NLAT for NMIMS; CUET for government universities across the country; Jamia Millia Islamia; CET for GGS IPU; MH CET for colleges in Maharashtra including Government Law College Mumbai and ILS Law College Pune, among others. These law schools offer good legal programmes, providing aspiring students with an alternate route.
Board exams clashes with CLAT: If it is CLAT that you are determined to crack, consider taking a drop year to prepare afresh. It is important to focus on your Class 12 exams too, so you can ace those board exams this year and re-appear for CLAT next year. Use this time to reassess your study methods, strengthen your foundation and gain an edge for next year’s exam.
Consider related specialisations or professions: If you’re interested in other law-related fields like Corporate Law, Media Law, Intellectual Property Law, or Entertainment Law, explore professions aligned with these interests before returning to law. Moreover, pursuing a three-year LLB degree instead of the typical five-year programme is an option often overlooked as it can provide a foundation for later transitioning into law. Additionally, you can explore diverse career avenues beyond traditional litigation such as Legal Technologists, Cybersecurity and Privacy Law, or Human Rights and Social Justice.
Courtesy : The Indian Express
