Hi guys, is there anyone who is applying for Northwestern 2 year JD for international lawyers program? I heard from the Admissions Office that the first wave of decisions will be released in early March. I would like to know you if you are also interested in this program!
Northwestern 2 year JD
Posted Feb 18, 2013 17:06
Posted Feb 18, 2013 17:15
This is not a program limited to International Students. It is just an accelerated JD program. In fact, only 4% of the students in the current accelerated JD program are not American. So, if you are an international student, please do not think this is just another cake-walk international-student LLM program that qualifies you to take a US bar exam. You still have to take the LSAT or GMAT, which is scandalous because the LSAT is much more difficult than the GMAT.
Posted Feb 18, 2013 17:41
This is not a program limited to International Students. It is just an accelerated JD program. In fact, only 4% of the students in the current accelerated JD program are not American. So, if you are an international student, please do not think this is just another cake-walk international-student LLM program that qualifies you to take a US bar exam. You still have to take the LSAT or GMAT, which is scandalous because the LSAT is much more difficult than the GMAT.
You misunderstood, dude! There indeed is a program called "2 year JD for International Lawyers". It is different from accelerated JD program in terms of class schedule and student body. Only foreign trained lawyers can apply for this program. Besides, one has to take LSAT to apply for this 2 year JD program, just as regular 3 year JD and accelerated JD. I took LSAT last year and obtained a decent score. And I have got 8 regular 3 year JD offers so far from tier 1 law schools. So please make sure you really know the question before answering. Anyway, thank you for your response.
You misunderstood, dude! There indeed is a program called "2 year JD for International Lawyers". It is different from accelerated JD program in terms of class schedule and student body. Only foreign trained lawyers can apply for this program. Besides, one has to take LSAT to apply for this 2 year JD program, just as regular 3 year JD and accelerated JD. I took LSAT last year and obtained a decent score. And I have got 8 regular 3 year JD offers so far from tier 1 law schools. So please make sure you really know the question before answering. Anyway, thank you for your response.
Posted Feb 18, 2013 18:24
If you took the LSAT and are applying to the full 3-year JD programs, then kudos to you. You are doing what should be required of any and all people who want to be able to practice law in the USA. American JD holders all have a 4 year Bachelors already before the 3 year JD. So, allowing foreign-trained attorneys with merely an LLB the ability to take a one-year easy LLM program, or even something like this reduced 2 year JD program, then take the Bar is offensive.
Posted Feb 18, 2013 21:27
If you took the LSAT and are applying to the full 3-year JD programs, then kudos to you. You are doing what should be required of any and all people who want to be able to practice law in the USA. American JD holders all have a 4 year Bachelors already before the 3 year JD. So, allowing foreign-trained attorneys with merely an LLB the ability to take a one-year easy LLM program, or even something like this reduced 2 year JD program, then take the Bar is offensive.
Why is that offensive? The fact that they are allowed to take the Bar doesnt grant them anything, considering that such foreign-trained lawyers still have to be approved in the Bar Exam. And if they are qualified to do so, even with a *mere LLB and a one-year easy LLM program*, and some American JD holders are not, what is the problem? Dont they take the same test? What I find offensive is that you think that foreign trained attorneys are worse qualified than American ones. And that you express such opinion in a LLM forum mostly visited by foreign trained attorneys.
Why is that offensive? The fact that they are allowed to take the Bar doesnt grant them anything, considering that such foreign-trained lawyers still have to be approved in the Bar Exam. And if they are qualified to do so, even with a *mere LLB and a one-year easy LLM program*, and some American JD holders are not, what is the problem? Dont they take the same test? What I find offensive is that you think that foreign trained attorneys are worse qualified than American ones. And that you express such opinion in a LLM forum mostly visited by foreign trained attorneys.
Posted Feb 18, 2013 22:08
If you took the LSAT and are applying to the full 3-year JD programs, then kudos to you. You are doing what should be required of any and all people who want to be able to practice law in the USA. American JD holders all have a 4 year Bachelors already before the 3 year JD. So, allowing foreign-trained attorneys with merely an LLB the ability to take a one-year easy LLM program, or even something like this reduced 2 year JD program, then take the Bar is offensive.
Why is that offensive? The fact that they are allowed to take the Bar doesnt grant them anything, considering that such foreign-trained lawyers still have to be approved in the Bar Exam. And if they are qualified to do so, even with a *mere LLB and a one-year easy LLM program*, and some American JD holders are not, what is the problem? Dont they take the same test? What I find offensive is that you think that foreign trained attorneys are worse qualified than American ones. And that you express such opinion in a LLM forum mostly visited by foreign trained attorneys.
I definitely agree with your opinion. I don't understand this approach at all. Legal systems may be different but the quality of legal education cannot be compared in this way.
Why is that offensive? The fact that they are allowed to take the Bar doesnt grant them anything, considering that such foreign-trained lawyers still have to be approved in the Bar Exam. And if they are qualified to do so, even with a *mere LLB and a one-year easy LLM program*, and some American JD holders are not, what is the problem? Dont they take the same test? What I find offensive is that you think that foreign trained attorneys are worse qualified than American ones. And that you express such opinion in a LLM forum mostly visited by foreign trained attorneys.</blockquote>
I definitely agree with your opinion. I don't understand this approach at all. Legal systems may be different but the quality of legal education cannot be compared in this way.
Posted Feb 18, 2013 22:18
I never said one system was better than the other. The US Bar Exam tests theory that can be memorized and applied like a history test. If you come from a civil law country, and are educated in that country's "system," how can you expect a one-year LLM program to prepare you for adequate advocacy in a common law system? I would not feel that I could adequately represent clients in Brazil or Germany by simply taking a test. This is my point. By all means, pay the fees and take the test, but I think this website has proven that foreign-trained LLM grads (even from the best schools) have a tough time getting employed in the US.
Posted Feb 18, 2013 22:45
I never said one system was better than the other. The US Bar Exam tests theory that can be memorized and applied like a history test. If you come from a civil law country, and are educated in that country's "system," how can you expect a one-year LLM program to prepare you for adequate advocacy in a common law system? I would not feel that I could adequately represent clients in Brazil or Germany by simply taking a test. This is my point. By all means, pay the fees and take the test, but I think this website has proven that foreign-trained LLM grads (even from the best schools) have a tough time getting employed in the US.
I agree with you and I strongly believe that nobody should pursue an LLM degree if the main purpose is to get a job in the US. But I also believe that this is a very personal decision and I dont see how this could OFFEND you (this is the word you chose to use...). In the end of the day, if that lawyer is not good enough/ can not adequate represent clients, then he wont be hired by a law firm nor his services will be engaged by a client. My point here was with the pejorative language you used to describe *foreign-trained lawyers with a mere LLM and a one-year easy LLM*. Show some respect.
I agree with you and I strongly believe that nobody should pursue an LLM degree if the main purpose is to get a job in the US. But I also believe that this is a very personal decision and I dont see how this could OFFEND you (this is the word you chose to use...). In the end of the day, if that lawyer is not good enough/ can not adequate represent clients, then he wont be hired by a law firm nor his services will be engaged by a client. My point here was with the pejorative language you used to describe *foreign-trained lawyers with a mere LLM and a one-year easy LLM*. Show some respect.
Posted Feb 19, 2013 00:19
I think we are getting there. MY point was with the US legal educational training experienced between a USA JD and a foreign-trained attorney with a 1-year LLM. They are not equivalent US Legal training. This is even truer considering the disparity in rigor between JD and LLM programs, even for US JD holders. Period.
For example, if I go to Brazil and take a 1 year LLM program at the U of Sao Paolo, I did not receive the same legal training as someone who completed a full law degree at the same school.
So, while my language may have seemed pejorative, it is in fact accurate when read literally.
For example, if I go to Brazil and take a 1 year LLM program at the U of Sao Paolo, I did not receive the same legal training as someone who completed a full law degree at the same school.
So, while my language may have seemed pejorative, it is in fact accurate when read literally.
Posted Feb 19, 2013 07:14
Voice.of.Reason's position is well-argumented and I fully agree with him. Furthermore, I did not read his language as pejorative, but simply objective. No US law school will ever admit this, but the LLM program is a cash cow, even Harvard's LLM :))
A LLM has a lot of value in it, for various reasons, however a LLM is not a full degree that would qualify you to think/act/represent/etc within the same jurisdiction. I know cases where LLMs took classes aimed towards the bar exam (contracts, criminal procedure, constitutional law, etc) and guess what, they still failed the bar. But here's the trick - they failed not because they were stupid (quite the contrary, they were very bright), but because they did not fully understand the particulars of the US legal system. Surely, after failure, they admitted this ...
Even though LLMs can/are "encouraged"/might/etc take classes with the JDs, the rigor, as VoR correctly points out, is far from being equal.
A LLM has a lot of value in it, for various reasons, however a LLM is not a full degree that would qualify you to think/act/represent/etc within the same jurisdiction. I know cases where LLMs took classes aimed towards the bar exam (contracts, criminal procedure, constitutional law, etc) and guess what, they still failed the bar. But here's the trick - they failed not because they were stupid (quite the contrary, they were very bright), but because they did not fully understand the particulars of the US legal system. Surely, after failure, they admitted this ...
Even though LLMs can/are "encouraged"/might/etc take classes with the JDs, the rigor, as VoR correctly points out, is far from being equal.
Posted Feb 19, 2013 16:28
It seems that this thread has gone off the track but I'm still wondering if there is anyone applying for NW 2 year JD program.
Posted Feb 28, 2013 20:50
Mosquito,
You are right. They didn't get your question or may be they aren't informed about the 2 years J.D
tell me. What was your LSAT score? where are you from? have u taken an LSAT prep course?
Thanks for sharing your experience. Also, if you aren't admitted at NW, are u considering getting into a 3 years J.D school?
You are right. They didn't get your question or may be they aren't informed about the 2 years J.D
tell me. What was your LSAT score? where are you from? have u taken an LSAT prep course?
Thanks for sharing your experience. Also, if you aren't admitted at NW, are u considering getting into a 3 years J.D school?
Posted Mar 01, 2013 06:47
Mosquito,
You are right. They didn't get your question or may be they aren't informed about the 2 years J.D
tell me. What was your LSAT score? where are you from? have u taken an LSAT prep course?
Thanks for sharing your experience. Also, if you aren't admitted at NW, are u considering getting into a 3 years J.D school?
I just got a mid160 in LSAT. I didn't take an LSAT prep course. If I were not accepted by NW, I would go for a regular JD in another school.
You are right. They didn't get your question or may be they aren't informed about the 2 years J.D
tell me. What was your LSAT score? where are you from? have u taken an LSAT prep course?
Thanks for sharing your experience. Also, if you aren't admitted at NW, are u considering getting into a 3 years J.D school?</blockquote>
I just got a mid160 in LSAT. I didn't take an LSAT prep course. If I were not accepted by NW, I would go for a regular JD in another school.
Posted Mar 03, 2013 07:04
Mosquito,
Where are you from? Have you received any good news from Northwestern?
Have you tried Kansas state university?
Where are you from? Have you received any good news from Northwestern?
Have you tried Kansas state university?
Posted Mar 03, 2013 16:13
Mosquito,
Where are you from? Have you received any good news from Northwestern?
Have you tried Kansas state university?
Hi, I'm from China. So far I haven't received my decision from NU. I heard that the decisions on this program will be released in April. I did not apply to Kansas State University because I was sure I would be accepted by some tire 1 law schools and I indeed have got some good news from top 50 and even top 30 law schools' regular JD program. However, as to NU's 2-year JD program, it's really a long shot and I have little confidence to get in.
Where are you from? Have you received any good news from Northwestern?
Have you tried Kansas state university? </blockquote>
Hi, I'm from China. So far I haven't received my decision from NU. I heard that the decisions on this program will be released in April. I did not apply to Kansas State University because I was sure I would be accepted by some tire 1 law schools and I indeed have got some good news from top 50 and even top 30 law schools' regular JD program. However, as to NU's 2-year JD program, it's really a long shot and I have little confidence to get in.
Posted Mar 28, 2013 09:03
Hi, I am also from China and received LLM ad from NU just a couple of weeks ago.
What do you think a 2y JD for foreign lawyer v.s. LLM at the same school? I am struggling whether to take the LSAT before 14fall...any advice?
BTW, have you checked with the school whether the costs for this program is 2/3 of the regular 3y JD or make no difference, like AJD?
Hope to PM you if dont mind.
Mosquito,
Where are you from? Have you received any good news from Northwestern?
Have you tried Kansas state university?
Hi, I'm from China. So far I haven't received my decision from NU. I heard that the decisions on this program will be released in April. I did not apply to Kansas State University because I was sure I would be accepted by some tire 1 law schools and I indeed have got some good news from top 50 and even top 30 law schools' regular JD program. However, as to NU's 2-year JD program, it's really a long shot and I have little confidence to get in.
What do you think a 2y JD for foreign lawyer v.s. LLM at the same school? I am struggling whether to take the LSAT before 14fall...any advice?
BTW, have you checked with the school whether the costs for this program is 2/3 of the regular 3y JD or make no difference, like AJD?
Hope to PM you if dont mind.
<blockquote><blockquote>Mosquito,
Where are you from? Have you received any good news from Northwestern?
Have you tried Kansas state university? </blockquote>
Hi, I'm from China. So far I haven't received my decision from NU. I heard that the decisions on this program will be released in April. I did not apply to Kansas State University because I was sure I would be accepted by some tire 1 law schools and I indeed have got some good news from top 50 and even top 30 law schools' regular JD program. However, as to NU's 2-year JD program, it's really a long shot and I have little confidence to get in. </blockquote>
Posted Apr 15, 2014 11:03
Hiii
I am Kelly from Brazil, I am unable to decide out of Accelrated JD or LLM?
Please guide me
I am Kelly from Brazil, I am unable to decide out of Accelrated JD or LLM?
Please guide me
Related Law Schools
Other Related Content
Do Law Firms Value the LL.M.?
Article Oct 22, 2010
An LL.M. isn't always the certain path to Big Law glory, but it can help make a lawyer's strong resume stronger.
Hot Discussions
-
UCL LLM 2024-2025
Sep 20, 2024 8,567 71 -
Viadrina LLM International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
Sep 14, 2024 3,222 9 -
UNICRI admissions 2023-24
Sep 26, 2024 778 4 -
DPhil in Law at Oxford regular experience
Sep 19, 2024 2,564 1 -
Knight-Hennessy Scholars program
Oct 05, 2024 372 1 -
NYU Applicants 2025-2026
Sep 14, 2024 305 1 -
Where to start if wanting to become a lawyer in Europe with an American Bachelor's degree (B.A)
Sep 29, 2024 163 1 -
LLM as non-law grad. Doable? How hard?
Sep 30, 2024 139 1