Selecting a llm program

Graduate School Law School
1

<p>I'm a US citizen living with my family abroad, and I'm about to finish my undergraduate degree in law (LLB). I'm thinking about apply for a LLM program at a good (top-ish) Law School. </p>

<p>My college doesn't provide rankings, but I'm pretty sure I'm in the 5%-10% of my class, have a 2.85/3.0 GPA, have been Dean's List every year, very involved in community service (working on a project to educate poor women in their rights- trying to fight violence against women), involved in few EC's (internationally recognized, part of the board of directors), member of a college council aiming to evaluate the academic program/teachers/faculty/structure (I work with my dean and other authorities)..participated in a fair share of forums from international organizations, was awarded a scholarship for a certificate program offered by the national university and an international organization, etc. Have little work experience (like a year), but in non-law related jobs. I'm currently working on my senior thesis. Could have great rec's from teachers and college authorities.</p>

<p>I know usually people have done quite a lot, and have builded stronger cv's..but I do know most people from classes before mine have (more or less) the same and have gotten into HLS, Oxford, Duke, UVA, Georgetown, Northwestern, McGill, UCLA, USC, Tulane, American and others. My college is very recognized and quite prestigious, so I hope that helps.</p>

<p>I'm not aiming as high as HLS or YSL. Maybe a #5-#15 or #20 ranked program.
Spending money on a not-that-good program would be a waste and I would rather wait until I could build my cv a little more. I was looking into maybe pursuiting a JD program, but was discouraged from doing so.. as my counselor suggested it was better to go for a LLM (being a master's and all). </p>

<p>-Which schools are not that big on work experience?
-Should I take a year off after graduating to work on my cv in order to become more competetive, or would I have a shot right after graduation?</p>

2

<p>hey!
im pretty muchh in the same place you are, but im switching fields. i heard northwestern is very VERY focused on work experience, so maybe this one is out. others care more for your gpa and academic stuff. i dont know that well the admissions protocol for t-14 schools, but if you want a good one those are it.
i agree you probably wont need the jd, even if you stay in the us. i know several people that practice in the states after a llm and passing bar. but check u chicago, they have a program in which you can llm in a year, and then use that year for a jd.
i really dont think you NEED to take a gap year to apply to good schools, but if you’d like to be stronger… working is a huge plus. and it may also help discover what you really want to specialize in. i think your cv looks good.</p>

<p>good luckk!:)</p>

3

<p>Unlike our undergraduate JD degree, LLMs are NOT created equal. They usually have a legal emphasis;however, there are those LLMs designed for foreign trained lawyers in order to give a broad overview of the Law in the US. Do you have a field of specialty that you are considering?</p>

4

<p>@nerdycris…thanks so muchhh!!</p>

<p>@taxguy: well, many LLM programs are general. But as far as specialties go I like: inmigration and asylum law, labor law and tax law.</p>