guys, I don't know what you are fighting about, when we have all agreed that luck plays a major role in the whole thing...;)

although, I have to admit - this disscusion has been turning my optimism on and off with every post! now I'm not sure in anything. thanks for the confusion :)

Work experience is without a doubt a plus to be admitted in top LLM programs.

It can get all students in better programs than equivalents without work experience. That's a certainty.

On the other hand I don't think you need to go and work for two-three years before applying for your LLM. A good student can get into diverse top LLM programs without work experience. Good grades, erasmus exchance, moot courts, law review, ... all help a lot.

This statement is based on personal experience, which is until now very limited, but I have already been admitted to King's, LSE and Duke without being top of my year and without working experience.

Without a doubt I could get into better programs with working experience, but I don't want to start working next year and think that I might nog do the LLM after a few years of work. Reasons enough to try pursue the degree next year :)

Santa, congradulations!

btw, I wrote you a letter this Christmas, still waiting for my present - LLM/MJur at Oxbridge... don't you forget me!! :D

Thanks for your valuable contribution santa..

Wish you a great success ahead in LSE...

Thanks for the reply, nicemanin. You correctly noted, and others have reinforced, that "luck" seems to be a major factor for admission regardless of institution and nation.

As far as personal connections are concerned....Wouldn't we all like to be able to say we've donated $xxxxxx of money to an institution and/or we are buddies with the dean's aunt's brother-in-law and/or our parents are members of the same golf club as the president of the board of trustees. Alas, most of us (including me!) are not so blessed. Accordingly, we rely on our perseverance, skill, experience, brilliance and, most importantly, luck!

Here's to luck for all of us on this board!!!

nicemanin,

you should be nominated for "disscusion moderator of the year"! really, you are good at it. Asking for suggestions, thanking for contributions....nice.
As for my comments, I guess my lame jokes didn't deserve any reply :)

hey as you have already nominated me... now it is my time to say sorry for your confusion.... wish you the best of luck for Oxbridge.. :)

hehe, it's not your fault. I actually like this topic!
good luck to you, too!
good luck to all of you...

Santa, congradulations!

btw, I wrote you a letter this Christmas, still waiting for my present - LLM/MJur at Oxbridge... don't you forget me!! :D

I request from all admitted students to share their experience...

Santa, congradulations!

btw, I wrote you a letter this Christmas, still waiting for my present - LLM/MJur at Oxbridge... don't you forget me!! :D

Yep I got your letter man! You're gonna get in Oxford and start there next year.

No problem!

US law school success index_

Harvard_ it is only law school (in top 10) a fresher may apply... they look true professionals ... lawyers.. lecturers are rare..., for yale and harvard you have to be born brilliant since inception
( success rate-5% because everyone apply )

I believe it is rather difficult and even impossible to judge what is behind the admission process.. However it is safe to follow of what is written in the websites.... Now i am sure to say luck plays a major role after merits ...

Additionally i am not able to understand that why there is a fee difference in law Schools at UK as international students pay approx 2.5 times more.. It is not the case with the Law Schools in USA.. However in USA, for most of the (TOP) Law schools, everyone pay 60,000$= 43,000 GBP (approx)(including living,insurance...), which is too high... Any clue?

Its the difference between an out and out capitalist state and a welfare state.
USA being a capitalist state, there is no allowance for home students, and they are expected to either win a scholarship or take a loan. However, one has to note that all the universities, which are the most sought after, are private universities. If one looks at State universities in US, the fees are uniformally low for both national and international students.

On the other hand, all the sought after universities in UK recieve government assistance in one form of the other and most of it is for the benefit of home and EU students becuase they are the children of tax-payers.

Plus, Overseas students are looked upon as great revenue generating machines and hence, heavy and taxing fee structures for them.

Jagsmehn is absolutely correct. Several U.S. law profs have confirmed to me that their respective LLM programs are lucrative money-generators for the institution. As evidence of this fact, most U.S. schools seem to have established, or are in the process of establishing, an LLM program. Aside from the purportedly "top" law schools, most LLM programs are filled by foreign students who return to their respective home countries after graduation. According to the profs with whom I've spoken, these students truly appreciate the education that they receive in U.S. LLM programs, so it's a win-win for everyone.

I do wonder about one point that Jagsmehn makes...I am beginning to wonder whether the US is drifting away from capitalism. In light of the recent economic crisis, it appears that we are moving toward a welfare state or perhaps a quasi-capitalist state. It will be interesting to see where we end up.

By face of the above reading It is amply clear that LLM will provide a win-win situation for every foreign student but not in terms of job security in USA... Atkins and Jagsmehn, when do you expect to get the current situation (economic crisis) be normal in near future?

I believe the present moment makes studying in the US even more interesting at this time. I wonder how rich will be the discussions in class...

I think it will be a long, hard winter for the U.S. economy. My suspicion (i.e., speculation) is that the economy will begin to sprout-up again (but not blossom) in early-to-mid 2010. As of the present....Massive layoffs are being announced each day, and thousands upon thousands are losing their jobs. U.S. Law firms, too, are laying off people, albeit with greater stealth.

The entire situation should be interesting fodder for class discussions in LLM programs.