Thanks for the useful info! Does anyone know if the Traditional Track is a lot more competitive to get into, compared to the Professional Track??

Thanks for all your helpful replies Lauca!! If you don't mind me asking more questions though... Do you know if there is anyone in your class that plan to remain in the US upon the completion of the degree?? Is that even possible? o.O

You are welcome. My answer to your question is not directly connected to the LLM in Berkeley and it is that today even if the US are slowly getting out of the crisis the legal market is still saturated so it is really really really really hard for foreign lawyers to stay working in the US (above all if you are looking for big law firms or inhouse jobs).

In my class anyway there is one person still in Berkeley doing don't know what kind of job and a couple more looking for short internship after graduation.

Said that (i) for people from Asian countries might be a little easier to find a job, above all in the Bay Area and (ii) if you want to try anyway and look for a job in the US you should go better for the Traditional Track.

Lauca, thank you for your considerate reply on my... somewhat sparse question! Hope you the best in the coming summer and on! :)

Hi~
I was admitted but I also waiting for the final decision of Traditional Track.
I read Lauca's kind explanation~ Thank you~
Then, I wonder what do the students of Professional Track between two sementers? going back home or stay at Boalt?
It will be great help if someone explains about that.

Thanks~

Hi asgood4,

Students in the professional track do return to their home countries in between summers; the program is generally designed to accommodate students who have personal and professional commitments to return to (although that is not the case for all students in the track).

Student visas for the professional track are valid through that summer term only; after the first summer, students return home and obtain a new visa to come back for the second summer.

If you have other questions please feel free to contact us at LLMadmits [at] law.berkeley.edu.

Hi all...

I have just received the Decision Notice from the Advanced Legal Studies Committee and unfortunately they are unable to offer me a place for the 2014-2015 traditional track. However, the Committee would like to invite me to participate in a phone interview with their Executive Director for potential admission to the professional track of LL.M. program.

Actually, I would like to take the opportunity. For that purpose, could anyone advice me on any information regarding to the following questions:

1. Whether it is possible for the Professional Track students to stay in Berkeley during the gap period of the first summer until the second summer? What is the policy for the students who want to stay? How about their visa status?
2. Can they participate in academic activity during that period? for example attending certain classes or doing research on certain issue
3. Can they use Berkeley's facility during that period? for example using the library
4. Whether it is allowed or not if they working with their Professor during that period? for example become an assistant or involved in certain project during the gap period.

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon and really appreciate your assistance on this matter.

Thank you

I think the answer is no for the first question and probably for the other ones. I read on Berkeley website that professional LLM's are not allowed to get OPT and the post above yours almost answer your questions.

Thank you for your info, mrodrigues81

As to the phone interview, could anyone here kindly advise me on some clues or any relevant information relating to that interview? What will be the topic of the interview, etc..

Hi everyone,

I will attend the professional track 2014-2015. Very happy and impatient!

Does somebody have any tips for how to find a nice (family) accommodation on campus?

Found out I was accepted yesterday. I have also been accepted to Duke so far.

Which one would you choose? I kind of have the impression that the professional LLM is designed to milk the cow and keep the cash coming during summer.

Berkeley is an exceptional university but I really want to live the law school experience during year time with JD students, not during summer.

Also my aim was to pass the NY bar exam, which is not possible with the Berkeley pro program (students can only sit for the california bar exam).

Do you guys think that the prestige difference is so important between Berkeley and Duke so as to choose Berkeley?

thanks for your help.

Hi everyone,

I will attend the professional track 2014-2015. Very happy and impatient!

Does somebody have any tips for how to find a nice (family) accommodation on campus?

Hi everyone! I was rejected for the traditional track but I was offered a phone interview for the Professional Track...is this normal to everyone rejected?

Does anyone know anything about such an interview? Any tips or? Perhaps students who are currently at Berkeley?

Thanks and congratulations to everyone admitted!

Hi SLLMS,

I had a phone interview last week. Actually it was kind of a mild discussion on how you response to the offering. They will ask you whether you want to take the professional track or not, and also explain to you certain information regarding to the professional track.

Good luck for your interview!

I have been admitted too. But I have two concerns:

1. How long will the student visa be valid?
2. During the two summer session period, could we stil be entitled to remain in US?

Thanks,
Vicky Yuan

Found out I was accepted yesterday. I have also been accepted to Duke so far.

Which one would you choose? I kind of have the impression that the professional LLM is designed to milk the cow and keep the cash coming during summer.

Berkeley is an exceptional university but I really want to live the law school experience during year time with JD students, not during summer.

Also my aim was to pass the NY bar exam, which is not possible with the Berkeley pro program (students can only sit for the california bar exam).

Do you guys think that the prestige difference is so important between Berkeley and Duke so as to choose Berkeley?

thanks for your help.

I have heard that both are very prestigious school and very renowned for their law programs.

I have a question and I hope you or someone else might help me.

I am a student in law from the University of Montreal and I wanted to know the requirements to be accepted in the professional tracks.
Is it the grades? The work experience?
Is the acceptance rate high or not?

T H A N K Y O U

Hi there,

The admissions requirements are the same for both tracks. Work experience is preferred for the professional track but not required. If you have any other questions about the program, please be sure to visit our website at www.law.berkeley.edu/llmjsd.htm or email us at llm[at]law.berkeley.edu. Good luck with your application!