Those of you who have already gone through the application procedere: As an international LLM wannabe ( ;-) ), how many schools should you plan to apply at to make sure to be accepted by at least one of them? I mean can you be quite sure to be accepted by the school you want to go to in the first place (even if it´s a better one), or do you have to apply to a number of alternative schools too?

Hi Julius, I applied for 8 universities in total but more because I wasnt sure where I wanted to exactly. Actually, I got accepted to all of them. I have heard however that you may run into difficulties with the rellay prestigious law schools like Kings College, harvard, Columbia etc. If you are German´that means they will look for your Staatsexamen grade e.g.. I think also that for some University of London programs you have to have at least "befriedigend" to get in but I am not sure. So it really depends on where you want to go.

That was supposed to be "Hi Matthias, I am Julius" of course....

It is extremely hard to get accepted in Harvard. I know two students with publications, good recommendations who had passed the first German state exam with "gut" and the second state exam with 10 something (top 3 percent) and who were still not accepted at Harvard. It will probably be similar in Cambridge. In London very much depends on when you apply. The most important is to apply as early as possible (as soon as you may). This will generally increase your chances a lot.

Thanks for your advice! Yeah, I figured that the top schools like Yale and Harvard and stuff would be quite an own league, I myself wouldn´t even try it there in the first place..., I´m more gonna go for a more "average" school

I guess the LLM year at Harvard or Yale would not be too much fun anyway, as the priogram will probably be so competitive that students will not have much time to spend outside the library...

Ok, I have browsed through the board and its topics, and I believe this one to be the most appropriate to the issue I am bringing at this time.

I have seen your postings here, and have come to the conclusion that some of you harbor good knowledge regarding general information to the admissions to the bar exam in America.

I took the opportunity to read 'section' (?) or paragraph 520.6 of the NY state bar regulation which points out the guidelines for foreigners to take the exam in NY. Nevertheless, I have not yet clearly understood the requirements set forth. Maybe you could help me understand it a little better.

-What does a "first degree" in law - in the US - mean?
-What is the "pro hac vice" procedure? I read it, but could not fully comprehend it.
-Would Brazil be considered a country with principles set under the English Common Law? I know it is based on Roman Law, but what would "principles" be considered, in casu?

I will be a licensed attorney with a bachelor in law from Brazil wishing to take the bar in America.

I know that many from Brazil have taken the bar after completing the LLM courses in the states. However, what I do wonder is about the possibility of taking the exam without the LLM. It would be a situation solely based on a foreigner bachelor's degree + license to act as an attorney at my country of origin.

Anyone?

Sincerely,

Tom (SP/SP)

Hi Tom, regarding your questions about the NY Bar and Brazil. I am a US attorney, licensed in 4 jurisdictions. Typically "First Law Degree" in the US will refer to a JD (Juris Doctorate) degree. In the US,most of us have 4 years of undergraduate school (bachelors degree) and 3 years of law school in order to obtain the JD. SOme state limit bar admission by allowing only those students with degrees from ABA ( American Bar Association)accredited law schools. "Pro Hac Vice" generally refers to a licensed member of another state bar applying for limited admission to a practice before a court in another jurisdicition. This admission will be limited to one matter or case before the court. It sounds like Brazil is based on Civilian law...which I do not think would necessarily limit you from taking a common law bar exam. I was trained and licensed in Louisiana, the only Civil law system in the states. I then went on to be licensed in 3 common law jurisdictions. Hope this helps.

There is one Duke College where you can get an llm which will make you elegible to sit the NY bar exam

That was meant for Tommy ofcourse

Hello Matthias,

I applied at King's College, Nottingham Trent University and Westminster. I wanted to apply at Edinburgh as well, but when King's and NTU accepted me, I decided not to, as I found decision-making difficult enough already. Westminster lost my reference letters or something, and after sending them a second time I never heard from them again...
Anyways, for King's college you need at least 8.0 in the First State Exam and 630/5.0 in the TOEFL/TWE. I agree with the others that application well before the deadline (I applied in February) is a must.

Good luck,

Nicky

Hi Matthias (did I get that?),
I applied to 12 schools!...but I had to consider a number of factors e.g. scholarship offers, reputation, admission certainties, etc...for even though I have good grades, I realized that certain schools might have a problem appreciating the tenor of my qualifications. The top schools are difficult to get into. Good grades are insufficient. Since u don't mind the 'average' schools, do a good search in ur area of interest and find out which schools are not so picky but have excellent programs&professors. Take your time and read the threads on this Guide...really helpful stuff

Nomad:
Seeing ur qualification in Louisiana gave me a jump! I've been agonizing over goin to LSU where I've got a research fellowship (LLM) at the Paul Herbert Center. The contact guys are so nice and are enthusiastic to have me over. Since funds are my sole concern presently, I may have to overlook Cornell&LSE (UK). As u may know, LSU doesn't appear averagely ranked on any of the popular polls and I don't c any 'big' firms with LI offices so I'm worried about the future with an LSU LLM. (I have a commonlaw bg) Please tell me anything helpful in respect of LSU includin future job possibilities (in LI and the larger cities) as well as practice qualifications. I'm licensed to practice in Nigeria.

Hyugo, LSU has an outstanding law school....very tough and ranked in the top 100 of the US law schools. Having said that, your LLM would be in Civil law studies...unless they now have newer options. LSU has a great reputation in La and surrounding states. What are you intending to do after the LLM program? LSU is not as well known as some other schools in other jurisdictions, so if you intend to live in another state in the US, you may want to obtain a LLM from a more "popularly known" school. One thing I can guarantee, if you do go to LSU, you will receive a top-notch education...but be prepared to work hard! Good luck.

Who dug out this topic?? ;-) Thanks for the advice! :-) I´ve narrowed down at least the continent I want to go to by now...

Nomad:
Thanx for the advice! Greatly appreciated. I wouldn't mind spendin some time overseas (UK/US) after the LLM getting some serious legal experience in Corporate/Project finance and securitization as well as Tax. After that, I'll happily return to my country to make things happen here. 'bout the work load, have no fear. I already work over 12hrs daily and I'm totally unafraid of serious academic work. I believe you when u say the Law Center will be giving me an excellent education. I'm looking forward to it, all the way.
Cheers!