dear friends,
how important is the age of a person making an application. Could somebody hope to be admitted if he's 31? or i would be considered too old?

There have been some discussions about the age of LLM students: http://www.llm-guide.com/board/650

thanks a lot my friend.
i went to that discussion i found nothing about the thing that troubles me. i wonder whether the age of the applicant has any influence on the admission decision. At the time of my application I will be around 31. Could that be an obstacle to entering a good llm program?

I don't think age is a problem. It always depends on what you have done in your life. Some law schools even prefer older students for their postgraduate programmes. I found this on the Cardiff Law School website:

The 'age and experience' route to admission

In accordance with the Law Schoolâs Strategic Plan to ensure "...access to those with diverse backgrounds and needs" we may also admit applicants on the basis of their age and experience.

In order to be admitted under this route an applicant must:

(i) be over 25 years old on the date of registration and
(ii) have held a position of responsibility of relevance to the proposed scheme of study for a minimum period of two years and
(iii) have demonstrated the potential to undertake postgraduate level study

Applicants should provide evidence of having held a position of responsibility of relevance to the proposed scheme of study for a minimum period of two years. For example, an applicant might provide a letter to that effect from their employer.

There are many ways in which an applicant may show this and each application will be carefully assessed on itâs facts. Applicants are very welcome to informally discuss with the postgraduate office whether or not their experience is likely to be regarded as compensation for their relative lack of qualifications/approved qualifications.

I know that students doing the LLM in Finance Graduate Program at the ILF in Frankfurt are up to 37 years of age. The average age is is around thirty. So just apply and see! Good luck!

thanx a lot guys!

I am 34 and was admitted to several LLM progarms in the UK. I actually think that age, coupled with work experience, is looked favorably upon. Best of luck.

After practicing as a psychologist for 25 years I entered law school at age 46, graduated at age 49, did a clerkship at the US Attorney's Office, and am now applying to LL.M. programs. I think you 31-year-olds can accomplish whatever you would like.

Jack

the age will matter in some countries like...in France!!!
But in US/Canada, it is different. You just have to explain your background and age is not important. You are still young and deserve the right to learn where you want...

I do not think that age matters in the Netherlands. There is a fair amount of older students around.

thanx a lot for your replies my friends. Hey, Marks! Don't you think that Frank Raikaard would bit a little upset with your photo? :)

DrKitaef, i really admire your courage!

Dear me! I suddenly feel so young! I am going to do my LLM at Harvard, Oxford or Cambridge, and I am only 23! I am actually really worried that I will be overwhelmed by everyone else who seems to be so much more experienced!

Hi! whats the average age on this discussion board? I am in my late 20s and feel pretty old compared to you young 23 year olds!:(

22 :))
But I'll be 23 when I begin my LL.M. (I hope I enroll fall 2005)

Just as I feared! Its awful to be one of the older ones, youve left out of all the fun.

I'm 23 too, but actually I was wondering if I'm too young. I believe - and everybody says that - it's much better to have LL.M after a few years of practice. I think the candidates who should be worried are the younger ones!

I am 26 and will be starting my LLM program this fall.......i think its great if you're 23 and already enrolling in the LLM program....i havent had much work experience though.....i've interned at a Law Firm for just about a year.....i'm wondering if most of the admitted students have had work experience.

hmm, dunno about the others. I've worked at a law firm for close to 4 yrs

I am only 21 now, and be 22 when I enrol. I often feel I am too young to be accepted by top US schools, like Harvard or Columbia.

I think it never comes down to age.It is a matter of personal approach to education as such.I am 22 and will be 23 by August,but I do not think it is an issue of being too young or perhaps older than the others.It is only an issue of knowing where you want to go and doing what you like.And always keep in mind that the universities that chose you among others had their reasons for doing that(I tend to trust them a bit :))
One thing I am also kind of preoccupied of is practice.I have had none.In this case I think one is better to choose a more theoretical field rather than a practical one,and that should do the trick more or less.However,I believe practical experiece is invaluable,so those of you who already have it,or those who will wait to obtain it,well done!That is also a very wise choice.