Hey guys please tell me whether a specialist LL.M. scores over a tailored / general LL.M. in terms of market value?

I'm not getting my choice of combination of subjects under a particular specialist LL.M. at King's.

Thanks
Sahil Tagotra

Depends. If you know exactly the practice area you want to concentrate on and if the specialism will help you achieve your goals in that practice area, then I think it definitely is a good thing to have on your CV.

However, it can be somewhat limiting. If you have a specialism in human rights, for example, you might get some strange looks on Wall Street, if you, the humanist you are, get an interview.

I don't think anyone can answer this question for you, but I eventually elected a specialism, fully intending to use my dissertation to write on my specialism, but adding a completely different dimension to it. You can branch out from your specialism a bit if you can get the topic approved. You may have various related options for specialisms also, and I eventually elected the broadest specialism in my area of interest.

Hi guys!

I am also in a situation where I am not quite sure whether to choose specialism or a more general LLM, but I agree with what you say P_Martini; it at all depends on your interests and motivation.

However, I presume that while writing the personal statement, the process would be a lot easier if one choose to specialize (On the other hand, I believe this should not be decisive for the choice we make). My question is really; how do you write the personal statement if your LLM is very general? I have read other posts that emphasize the importance of stating your motivaton, field of interest and the goals you wish to achieve by taking the LLM, but this seems a bit difficult if you have applied to a general LLM.

Any inputs or advice?

Best regards,

JohnDoe4

Yes, I think for application purposes I probably said I wanted to specialize, simply to convey the intensity of my interest. However, when I arrived at my university, we were generally cautioned against specializing unless we had thought it through very carefully. I'm not sure from your comment whether you have already applied or whether you are anticipating applying, but you now know what at least one other student did.

Hi Martini and all,

I have already been selected by Kings College London and I've accepted their offer. I believe it is the right view that specialism narrows the prism of one's choices; in that sense a general LL.M. may score over a specialist LL.M.

Any other views on this would be appreciated.

Thanks all
Sahil