Hi all,

I am highly interested in applying to KCL's LLM in International Dispute Resolution. I am a final year Law student at the LSE, but am worried my application may not be competitive enough so here's my profile:

Age: 20.

School: LSE (LLB in Laws, min. 2:1 expected due to extenuating circumstances).

A-Levels: A*, A*, A, A, A.

Work/ volunteering experience: Summer Intern (8 weeks, paid) in the Legal department of a leading biomedical research charity—1 of 24 chosen from a pool of 1200 and offered an extension due to outstanding performance; various Mini Pupillages with top commercial sets in London; Debate Mate; Free Representation Unit caseworker in social security (soon to move to employment tribunals); and interning with an American investment bank next summer, i.e. the summer before the LLM commences.

Mooting: winner of 4 LSE moots; currently taking part in a national competition; Honourable Mentions in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot.

Other: winner of prize for best submission in the LSE Law Review (10,000 word article); winner of a national Law essay writing competition.

Optional modules taken in LLB: commercial contracts, taxation, labour, family, and human rights.

My main concern is that in my second year my grades suffered due to a struggle with anxiety and depression, so my transcript may not be as impressive as other applicants', who probably have stronger 2:1s and, in many cases, 1sts. However, I am on medication/ therapy now and have made a strong recovery, so I have reason to anticipate a much better performance. Either way, I should leave LSE with at least a 2:1. I understand this LLM pathway to be one of the more competitive ones, so what are my chances?

Is it worth the application fee, drafting and re-drafting of personal statement, etc.?

Any feedback and insight would be appreciated. Cheers!

Hello! I think you will not have problems in getting in.
I have been admitted with a CV really similar to yours.
However, I think I will decline the offer to go to the US!
Just work on your application, and if you feel worried about your grades explain your situation in your personal statement, but don't struggle too much! You have really good chances to get in!

Hi all,

I am highly interested in applying to KCL's LLM in International Dispute Resolution. I am a final year Law student at the LSE, but am worried my application may not be competitive enough so here's my profile:

Age: 20.

School: LSE (LLB in Laws, min. 2:1 expected due to extenuating circumstances).

A-Levels: A*, A*, A, A, A.

Work/ volunteering experience: Summer Intern (8 weeks, paid) in the Legal department of a leading biomedical research charity—1 of 24 chosen from a pool of 1200 and offered an extension due to outstanding performance; various Mini Pupillages with top commercial sets in London; Debate Mate; Free Representation Unit caseworker in social security (soon to move to employment tribunals); and interning with an American investment bank next summer, i.e. the summer before the LLM commences.

Mooting: winner of 4 LSE moots; currently taking part in a national competition; Honourable Mentions in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot.

Other: winner of prize for best submission in the LSE Law Review (10,000 word article); winner of a national Law essay writing competition.

Optional modules taken in LLB: commercial contracts, taxation, labour, family, and human rights.

My main concern is that in my second year my grades suffered due to a struggle with anxiety and depression, so my transcript may not be as impressive as other applicants', who probably have stronger 2:1s and, in many cases, 1sts. However, I am on medication/ therapy now and have made a strong recovery, so I have reason to anticipate a much better performance. Either way, I should leave LSE with at least a 2:1. I understand this LLM pathway to be one of the more competitive ones, so what are my chances?

Is it worth the application fee, drafting and re-drafting of personal statement, etc.?

Any feedback and insight would be appreciated. Cheers!

Judging from your summary of credentials, I would be astonished if you were not admitted. If I were you, I would aim higher than Kings!

I'm an LLB graduate from the UK myself, looking to undertake an LLM in the US next year.

Judging from your summary of credentials, I would be astonished if you were not admitted. If I were you, I would aim higher than Kings!

I'm an LLB graduate from the UK myself, looking to undertake an LLM in the US next year.

Thank you very much. That's very reassuring. How would you recommend I go about structuring the personal statement? And what ratio of academic:professional/extracurricular endeavours did you use?

Hello! I think you will not have problems in getting in.
I have been admitted with a CV really similar to yours.
However, I think I will decline the offer to go to the US!
Just work on your application, and if you feel worried about your grades explain your situation in your personal statement, but don't struggle too much! You have really good chances to get in!

Hi all,

I am highly interested in applying to KCL's LLM in International Dispute Resolution. I am a final year Law student at the LSE, but am worried my application may not be competitive enough so here's my profile:

Age: 20.

School: LSE (LLB in Laws, min. 2:1 expected due to extenuating circumstances).

A-Levels: A*, A*, A, A, A.

Work/ volunteering experience: Summer Intern (8 weeks, paid) in the Legal department of a leading biomedical research charity—1 of 24 chosen from a pool of 1200 and offered an extension due to outstanding performance; various Mini Pupillages with top commercial sets in London; Debate Mate; Free Representation Unit caseworker in social security (soon to move to employment tribunals); and interning with an American investment bank next summer, i.e. the summer before the LLM commences.

Mooting: winner of 4 LSE moots; currently taking part in a national competition; Honourable Mentions in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot.

Other: winner of prize for best submission in the LSE Law Review (10,000 word article); winner of a national Law essay writing competition.

Optional modules taken in LLB: commercial contracts, taxation, labour, family, and human rights.

My main concern is that in my second year my grades suffered due to a struggle with anxiety and depression, so my transcript may not be as impressive as other applicants', who probably have stronger 2:1s and, in many cases, 1sts. However, I am on medication/ therapy now and have made a strong recovery, so I have reason to anticipate a much better performance. Either way, I should leave LSE with at least a 2:1. I understand this LLM pathway to be one of the more competitive ones, so what are my chances?

Is it worth the application fee, drafting and re-drafting of personal statement, etc.?

Any feedback and insight would be appreciated. Cheers!

I believe that the MIDS Geneva is (much) better than King's regarding international dispute resolution.

If you want to focus on international arbitration, apparently Queen Mary is top notch as well. They also have an LL.M. in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution, but not sure what it is worth (would not be surprised if it was very good too, since it is part of their School of Arbitration).

I believe that the MIDS Geneva is (much) better than King's regarding international dispute resolution.

If you want to focus on international arbitration, apparently Queen Mary is top notch as well. They also have an LL.M. in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution, but not sure what it is worth (would not be surprised if it was very good too, since it is part of their School of Arbitration).