Hi! all,

I'm from India.
I've been rejected by LSE even though i had a First Class and a reasonably good work experience (only internships, no full time work). I've been offered a place for LL.M. by King's.
What is it that LSE actually looks for? How can i make my CV stronger for securing a place at LSE? Should i drop 1 year and try again the next year? or should i take King's? I'm much more interested in LSE. Please help!! Thanks

Have you tried asking LSE for feedback? This might give you some clue as to whether the reason why you didn't get an offer is something that you can fix or not.

Hey Thanks Imwoods... The LSE website clearly says that it is not the policy of the school to give reasons for its decisions. It only gives a general guideline, e.g., excellent references, good test results, focussed SoP and in some cases, relevant work experience. I dont think they'll give me a specific reply apart from this. I really wanted to have a specific and a very precise reply as to why my application was rejected. Where can i find expert opinion, if there is any? Should i really try next year? Or is King's fine?

Hi tagotra,

In making all of my applications, one of the things that I have found important is the personal statement. It not only needs to be well written, but it also needs to demonstrate a clear reason for wanting to pursue an LLM. The more specific your answer to this question (ie a very well refined research interest or career goal) the greater your chances are of admission. You also need to show exactly why the LSE is the best or only place you can pursue your goals.

You clearly have the educational qualifications (they are far superior to mine and I have been admitted to the LSE with a merit award), so you may need to look at the other aspects of your application. If you are a recent LLB graduate, your lack of work experience may be a relevant factor also.

Kings is a great school - certainly don't view it as a lesser option. There is far too much emphasis placed on rankings, names, etc, and I think that if you need to do an LLM now, or you have the opportinity now, then you should go for it. An extra year can be a long wait and probably not justified just so you can say you went to LSE. On the other hand, if the LSE has a particular specialisation which Kings does not, then it would make sense to wait another year.

Lastly, if you really want to go to LSE, you will certainly get in.

Cheers
Jasonjb

Only the admissions committee knows the reason. We can only speculate. My guess is that the reason is regional diversity. There are a many applicants from huge countries and not all of them can be admitted. No matter how good they are. I mean LSE can not admit 50 Indians and 50 Chinese per year to a class of 250 or so. That's my 2 cents.

Ps. King's law department is exellent, go there and don't worry!

It is hard to say what is right here...

I have a question of why do you want to go to LSE so much?.. Are there really some extra programs or courses, which are not offered by KCL?.. Or it is just your personal preferency?.. In official international university rankings KCL is ahead... Yes, in UK law schools rankings it is placed below LSE... But both of the universities are reputable... I do not believe in VERY big difference between them.

I am not quite in the same situation, but though I would like to be admitted to LSE. Currently I hold offer from KCL and am waiting for UCL and LSE... Now, when all this mass with application and collection of documents have passed, I understand that I could spent much more time with my Personal Statement and to add some additional information to the application form. Knowing all this I clearly understand that I may not be admitted to LSE. But I understand what I want to get from my LLM and understand that both KCL and UCL are able to provide me with good academic background and add a vague note to my CV.

I think it is also a question of what you gonna do during this extra year, which you will spend waiting for LSE?.. As if you going to work with some major law firm, you probably will not want to leave it after a year...

So to solve the problem you have to think of: (I) what do you want from your LLM? And (II) can KCL provide you with that?..

Many good people are rejected each year... And many weak applicants are getting in. The fact that you were rejected does not mean anything. It is just annual application lottery...

Good luck!

P.S./ I am sorry for asking, but when have you submitted your application to LSE and when did you receive the rejection?..

Also, with LSE it is important to make the application early. The decisions are made on a rolling basis and it is well known that the earlier you apply the greater your chance of admission.

Hi MariArti and Jasonjb

I applied in the third or fourth week of January.. probably 21st or 22nd January and got a rejection on 10th March. Will my chances really increase if i apply early next year and build up a good CV in one year by having some work experience and publications. Plz reply.
Sahil

Dear Sahil,

Thank you for your reply. I applied in the beginning of January, but my application was submitted and sent to concideration on 30 January 2008. So currently I am not in position to advice, as at the moment I did not receive any response from LSE.

I wrote quote a large post, which unfortunately was not saved...

(1) I am sure that if you really want to get in LSE, you definetely will be admitted.

(2) I think that LSE is not worth all this. if you think that King's is not good enough for you, you should apply to Oxbridge, Harvard, Yele and Prinston... And not just wait another year for LSE. Because difference between them is not too great. Ecpecially if you want to return to your country after the LLM.

(3) You have just 8 months (or even less) to improve your CV to a new level. So it will be hard times...

Anyway, good luck to you with your decision.

Regards,
Maria

Hi MariArti and Jasonjb

I applied in the third or fourth week of January.. probably 21st or 22nd January and got a rejection on 10th March. Will my chances really increase if i apply early next year and build up a good CV in one year by having some work experience and publications. Plz reply.
Sahil

Yes. I applied very early on and I think this was a big factor (as well as my work experience, etc). Also, if you have a strong interest in a particular area of law, consider writing a journal article or case comment. This shows dedication to the discipline.

sorry for the question, but does anybody knows what the complete fees at kings are? (1 year of studies + exam fees)?
thanks a lot for an answer and if possible some LL.M- Links for kcl

cheers

one more question: does the TOEFL test for academic use of english just count in the U.S. or as well in the UK? or is a Cambridge Proficiency required for entering Kings?

cheers from zurich

Dear Jones

The tuition fee for the LLM is 12500 pounds this year for overseas students. I'm not sure of the exam fees. I'm waiting for my unconditional offer to reach me.

I was given a conditional offer for King's for the 2008-2009 session but since I studied my LLB in English and am fluent in English, I got a waiver and have sent them a certificate from Delhi University stating that i studied my LLB in English today.

The TOEFL is accepted by King's. You can check their website for the minimum scores. But if you did your LLB in English just give them a call and ask for a waiver of the TOEFL/ IELTS.

All the best and hope to see you at King's.

Cheers
Prash

Hi Jones

You can check out this link for the English language requirements.

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/graduate/apply/lang.html

Hi MariArti and Jasonjb

I applied in the third or fourth week of January.. probably 21st or 22nd January and got a rejection on 10th March. Will my chances really increase if i apply early next year and build up a good CV in one year by having some work experience and publications. Plz reply.
Sahil

thanks a lot for your answer. it's indeed pretty far away this whole LL.M stuff, but although it's good to be informed how much money is needed to graduate as an LL.M. cheers