I am interested in pursuing an LLM degree in the UK -- possibly with Oxford, Cambridge, or the London School of Economics.

I graduated in the top 5% of my class from a decent law school here in the US. I was a member of the Law Review and received honors upon graduating. However, I did not attend a school on par with Oxford's reputation (i.e. I did not attend Harvard, Yale, etc.).

I have practiced for the last year and a half as a litigation associate in Washington, DC. However, with the recent economic downturn, I have been laid off. Hardly what I expected so soon out of school.

What I need is a completely (painfully) honest opinion as to the likelihood that I would be accepted by one of these schools. Any takers?

Dear LLM555


I have just graduated from the LLM program at Cambridge. I was also accepted by the LSE but not by Oxford. It sounds like you would likely be admitted. I went to a third tier law school in NYC. I also graduated in the top 5% of my class. Although I did not do law review or moot court etc, I was published in numerous papers for issues unrelated to law. I also interned for a criminal law judge and for the AG's office. No hurt in applying right?

Studying at Cambridge was the most unique, demanding, and enriching experience of my life and I encourage you to apply.

Good luck.

give it a shot - you will stand a good chance at all three. Best of luck. All three schools are great and you would have an amazing time, intellectually and socially, at any of them.

Please post how you fare on this board, I'm a 2L in basically the same boat and considering applying to Cambridge or Oxford after a couple years of practice.

hey are you planning to apply this year? If you, the intake for LL.M. at LSE is already full for this year. For the next year, I think you should get it, though in view of the exponential increase in the international reputation of LSE in the past 2-3 years, the competition is quite intense. My honest advise to you is to apply as soon as the application process begins next year. They admit on a rolling basis. Plus concentrate on making an excellent SoP. That is extremely important.

Good luck
Sahil

Correction, I'm a 3L (third and final year of JD) or at least I will be in 2 weeks.

I would be surprised if you don't get accepted in Cambridge and LSE, at least. Oxford seems like a very reasonable prospect for you also. Go for it. Many of the applications (save a few) are free.

But, write good applications, and, as it was my experience that I was admitted based almost exclusively on GPA, apply early. You have to realize that admissions directors don't want to waste time filling up spaces on the program. Applications open in early fall, generally, I think, and you can be working on them now.