Hey guys a bit of advice would be great. Im starting an LLM in LSE in September 09 and am considering applying for another to start in Sep 2010 as I am such a glutton for academic punishment. Does Oxbridge accept people with an LLM? Will it help or hinder my chances do you think? I'm also considering applying to NYU, Columbia, Berkley, UCLA and Duke. Anyone know how they view applicants who already have an LLM from an English University? Also are they much harder to get into than LSE? Any thoughts are welcome!

My supposition is that an LLM in the US would be unnecessary in light of your academic history. As a glutton for academic punishment, have you considering earning an SJD from one of the listed American law schools or, alternatively, a Ph.D. (or D.Phil.) from an English law school? Based upon my knowledge of the American academic system, I suspect that a terminal doctorate would be of much greater value than a second LLM.

If I recall correctly, Cambridge will not normally accept applicants who already hold an LLM, and I would imagine Oxford takes the same view.

You'd have no problem getting into some of the top US uni's, but you have to question the value of it.

As the above poster says, a research degree might be a better option, but you'll be looking at 3/4 years in academic purgatory (though some SJDs are shorter).

Thanks for the advice guys. I think a large part of me wants the experience of studying in Oxon or particularly the US, but perhaps not for the length of time needed for an SJD. I'll weigh up the options over the coming months. Perhaps after a year at LSE I'll be sick of the books anyway! : )