Goodmorning dear co-members!

I am writing this post in order to ask for your invaluable contribution in regard to my decision for an LL.M. next year, since I am really confused and believe that could really use some help.

To begin with, I am a 23-year old trainee lawyer from Greece, I graduated as the Valedictorian Graduate of my class in July 2013 with a GPA of 9.54/10, which was also the 3rd highest grade in my law school (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) for over a decade (2004-2013), and went on to study the Criminal Law LL.M. of my school, from which I am going to graduate this June (current GPA: 9.67/10). I do not have important work experience, since in the meantime I decided to fullfil my military obligations in Greece (9 months), but I have been working as a trainee lawyer in Thessaloniki for almost a year. Apart from that, I participated in an International Moot Court Competition in Hague in April 2013 (International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition), where our team was ranked 4th in the world and was awarded two distinctions (Best Non-Native English Speaking Team and Best Prosecution) and I have been very active in organizing law-related conferences in Greece.

In regard to my interests, I have decided to pursue a career in academia, without an essential limitation in regard to the preffered country. I wanted to live the experience of a distinguished common law university in order to complete my methodological expertise and broaden my horizons in general. In regard to specific fields, I have studied extensively International Criminal Law (also attended a relevant summer school in Salzburg), Criminal Law and Civil Liberties. I am interested also in Jurisprudence and would like to write a PhD on an important matter of legal theory (already have some ideas and hope to reach a final decision during the next year ).

Therefore, I applied to 6 US Universites and 2 European. So far I have received acceptances from University of Chicago (+20,000$ fin.aid), University of Pennsylvania, NYU (International Legal Studies - Dean's Graduate Award), Leiden University and University of Oxford (MJur), whereas Harvard has placed me on the waiting list and Yale has (obviously) rejected me without an answer up to date. Columbia has yet to communicate. Finally, I will be notified today in regard to my application for a Fulbright Scholarship.

Since it is not possible to wait for a place at Harvard while having important offers with financial assistance, I have narrowed down my options to Oxford, Chicago and NYU. I believe that these options are best suited for my interests and my career prospectives. There are important advantages and disadvantages to every option and I have been really having a hard time in deciding.

I would really like to hear from you all!

Allow me to add that I have been nominated as a Fulbright Scholar (alternate candidate - limited funding of 5,000-10,000$). Expecting your contribution! :)