Hey!

I've been following the forum for a while and am also a Harvard LLM hopeful for 2013/14.

I was just wondering if anybody thinks that a British 3-year law degree would be considered seriously by Harvard? A lot of the top law schools in America list on their website that a 3-year British degree is unacceptable without the requisite work experience, but Harvard and Yale do not prohibit such applicants straight out of law school.

Anyway, I applied and I'm really nervous that my application was in vain because I've seen the profiles of other realistic applications and I just don't compare.

I'm 20 with a first-class degree from the LSE in Law, with one academic award in 2nd-year so far. My first-year grades left a lot to be desired (averaged at a 63%), but I made up for it in 2nd-year and also, only 2nd and 3rd year grades combined determine the degree classification (this I mentioned on my application as well).

I've done loads of mooting and debating and have a lot of extracurricular victories under my belt. I also won the Jessup moot UK Finals last year among other successes. I've written two academic articles in my field of interest that have been published (but that was in our law school Review). I'm also Editor of the Review at present.

I want to be a barrister in England eventually and have acquired a great amount of work experience in the field in terms of vacation scheme placements and mini-pupillages so far, alongside other work experiences such as working for volunteer organisations, helping children, building schools, the like. I doubt Harvard is going to care much for the latter anyway.

Anyhow, do I stand a chance or was I stupid to apply to begin with?

All opinions are welcome. I'm basically just nervous and fearful that the 0.01% hope I have is in vain and I should just let go of it, so I'm not shocked at all when a rejection rolls in.

Thanks everyone.

Anyone? (bump)

No need to worry. I know tons of people that have been accepted recently graduated. So no, it was not in vain. You have good credentials, don't worry, hold on tight.

Good luck!
H.

I don't know what "the profiles of other realistic applications" actually look like. I understand from Harvard that they want an interesting mix of candidates in their LLM program so I do not think applying is ever in vain, regardless of average grades or work experience. They're looking at if you have an interesting profile for them, that's it. I have also applied.

Good luck & hope to see you there in August!

What non-USA law graduates fail to realize is that getting accepted into USA LLM programs is immensely easier than getting accepted into USA JD programs. 4 reasons:

1. The LLM applicants' credentials are not factored into USA Law school rankings. JD applicants are.
2. LLM programs are a cash cow for law schools that currently need extra money.
3. Schools like Harvard like to say that they have alumni from other countries practicing in important positions in their respective countries.
4. LLM students, even if in the same classes as the JD students, are typically on a different grading curve making it somewhat easier for the LLM students to get higher grades and complete the program.

All this tells you that it is worth a shot to apply for a top USA LLM program as a non-USA applicant.