Hi everyone,
I would like to know what you guys think of my chances of admission to the LLM programs of Harvard, NYU, Columbia, Cambridge and Oxford (MJur), to which I applied this cycle. I've received a promising job offer for next year that requires a decision soon, prompting my inquiry into my admission prospects.

Allow me to provide some background information:

- I'm 23 years old belgian student and graduated from a top 20-30 university (according to QS ranking) last year with an LLB degree. I achieved a GPA of approximately 3.9/4.0 (possibly 4.0/4.0, uncertain about the exact UK/US grade conversion). I gained entry to the honours program of the LLB, an achievement limited to the top 5% law students with the highest GPAs in the first year, necessitating an additional 30 EC to complete. I also graduated with 'honours' (so succesfully completed the program). Currently pursuing an LLM degree in constitutional law with pending grades.




- I possess substantial work experience, including internships at a the top 1 human rights law firm known for groundbreaking litigation, such as at the European Court of Human Rights and European Court of Justice. I made significant contributions to several cases during these internships. I also served as a trainee at my country's supreme court. Presently, I work as a paralegal for the Attorney General alongside my LLM studies.

- A civil rights advocate, I narrate in my personal statement how growing up as a son of migrants in an increasingly hostile European political climate towars minorities sparked my interest in civil rights. My extracurricular engagements mirror this passion, particularly in addressing systemic discrimination against European citizens with non-Western backgrounds (of which there where numerous scandals in my country recently). I have been elected to the student goverment council of the university and was president of a national student organization (both full time positions), and found a student associations for students with the same background at the uni. I've engaged in high-level advocacy, achieving successes at ministerial and MP levels by influencing the revocation of discriminatory laws and policies. As a result of my leadership, I was appointed as an advisor to the minister of education, focusing on diversity and inclusion in higher education.

- I have extensive international academic experience, including an exchange program at a top 10 US law school where I specialized in constitutional law and civil liberties. This experience made me aware of the impact of civil rights litigation, inspired by US historical civil rights movements. Additionally, I completed legal summer programs at a top 10 US university, a top 2 British university, and in the Middle East, all of which were funded through scholarships.

- My personal statement and recommendation letters are the strongest part of my application, very personalized, and specific, including strong and detailed endorsements from the -university president, a prominent human rights lawyer, a high government official, and accomplished law professors.

- Despite my country's lack of a tradition in awards, I've earned two notable national distinctions. I was invited by the King and Queen for my social leadership in building bridges between communities and received a national award from the minister of education for outstanding academic merit and exceptional entrepreneurial spirit.

- I have one academic publication and contributed to four opinion pieces on social/legal topics (primarily civil rights) in the top three largest newspapers in my country. I also got personal interviews in those newspapers and media appearances in major media outlets.

- I am a polyglot (speaking 6 languages fluently) and I am first-generation student.

My weak points are that I do not have long post-graduate work experience. Though my grades are good, I believe there maybe are students out there with higher grades. I believe that my personal interest, shown passions in civil rights advocacy, personal statement and recommendations are the stronger parts of my application.

Interested in what you guys think!

[Edited by OberDworse7 on Jan 05, 2024]

Hi everyone,
I would like to know what you guys think of my chances of admission to the LLM programs of Harvard, NYU, Columbia, Cambridge and Oxford (MJur), to which I applied this cycle. I've received a promising job offer for next year that requires a decision soon, prompting my inquiry into my admission prospects.

Allow me to provide some background information:

- I'm 23 years old belgian student and graduated from a top 20-30 university (according to QS ranking) last year with an LLB degree. I achieved a GPA of approximately 3.9/4.0 (possibly 4.0/4.0, uncertain about the exact UK/US grade conversion). I gained entry to the honours program of the LLB, an achievement limited to the top 5% law students with the highest GPAs in the first year, necessitating an additional 30 EC to complete. I also graduated with 'honours' (so succesfully completed the program). Currently pursuing an LLM degree in constitutional law with pending grades.




- I possess substantial work experience, including internships at a the top 1 human rights law firm known for groundbreaking litigation, such as at the European Court of Human Rights and European Court of Justice. I made significant contributions to several cases during these internships. I also served as a trainee at my country's supreme court. Presently, I work as a paralegal for the Attorney General alongside my LLM studies.

- A civil rights advocate, I narrate in my personal statement how growing up as a son of migrants in an increasingly hostile European political climate towars minorities sparked my interest in civil rights. My extracurricular engagements mirror this passion, particularly in addressing systemic discrimination against European citizens with non-Western backgrounds (of which there where numerous scandals in my country recently). I have been elected to the student goverment council of the university and was president of a national student organization (both full time positions), and found a student associations for students with the same background at the uni. I've engaged in high-level advocacy, achieving successes at ministerial and MP levels by influencing the revocation of discriminatory laws and policies. As a result of my leadership, I was appointed as an advisor to the minister of education, focusing on diversity and inclusion in higher education.

- I have extensive international academic experience, including an exchange program at a top 10 US law school where I specialized in constitutional law and civil liberties. This experience made me aware of the impact of civil rights litigation, inspired by US historical civil rights movements. Additionally, I completed legal summer programs at a top 10 US university, a top 2 British university, and in the Middle East, all of which were funded through scholarships.

- My personal statement and recommendation letters are the strongest part of my application, very personalized, and specific, including strong and detailed endorsements from the -university president, a prominent human rights lawyer, a high government official, and accomplished law professors.

- Despite my country's lack of a tradition in awards, I've earned two notable national distinctions. I was invited by the King and Queen for my social leadership in building bridges between communities and received a national award from the minister of education for outstanding academic merit and exceptional entrepreneurial spirit.

- I have one academic publication and contributed to four opinion pieces on social/legal topics (primarily civil rights) in the top three largest newspapers in my country. I also got personal interviews in those newspapers and media appearances in major media outlets.

- I am a polyglot (speaking 6 languages fluently) and I am first-generation student.

My weak points are that I do not have long post-graduate work experience. Though my grades are good, I believe there maybe are students out there with higher grades. I believe that my personal interest, shown passions in civil rights advocacy, personal statement and recommendations are the stronger parts of my application.

Interested in what you guys think!