Hi, I was just wondering if I had any shot at getting into the school I applied for. I applied for every T14 from Chicago to Georgetown, excluding Columbia. I also applied to UCLA. I am graduating next year from University of Kent in England - middle ranked university with a decent law program, nothing amazing. I have had a strong 2:1 average in first and second year (65) and am on track to finish third year with a high 2:1 or First, 69-70. Leaving me with an overall average of about 67-68, high 2:1, which I think translates to about a 3.5-3.6 GPA. I have had some summer work experience at a law firm and I also did a year abroad studying in Japan at a top university there with my transcript in Japan grades as “superior” by LSAC. LSAC gave my Kent marks so far “Above Average”.
Do I have a chance at any of the T14?
Chances of Admission at T14
Posted Dec 19, 2019 07:43
Do I have a chance at any of the T14?
Posted Dec 19, 2019 09:31
Hi — I think so, but it will also depend of your nationality's applicant pool (See more explanations here: https://llm-guide.com/board/usa/fresh-law-grad-applying-for-t14-llm-223981#post-id-223982). One good way to compare yourself is to use this website's tracker and have a look on the previous years admission/rejection results.
In addition, you could also apply to few others T20 law schools (like USC Gould, etc.) in order to probably get some scholarship offers and use them as negotiation leverage.
[Edited by # on Dec 20, 2019]
In addition, you could also apply to few others T20 law schools (like USC Gould, etc.) in order to probably get some scholarship offers and use them as negotiation leverage.
Posted Dec 20, 2019 02:16
I’m studying and living in England but I have Canadian nationality, are there a lot of Canadian or British students applying for US LLMs?
Posted Dec 20, 2019 09:02
To my knowledge, the British and Canadian's applicant pools should be fairly small (maybe the smallest) because :
- As their legal studies are based on English common law they don't need to do an US LLM in order to sit the New York bar exam (See Rule §520.6(b)(1)(i)(b) Substantive requirements of the NY Court of Appeals, https://www.nybarexam.org/Rules/Rules.htm#520.6); and
- Many Canadian and British applicants do their studies in USA (like you in the UK) and so will probably do a JD instead of a LLM.
By the way, many law schools are looking for applicants with 2+ years of legal experience. However, because your group should not be very competitive this requirement should not be a blocking point.
Good luck!
[Edited by # on Dec 20, 2019]
- As their legal studies are based on English common law they don't need to do an US LLM in order to sit the New York bar exam (See [i][u]Rule §520.6(b)(1)(i)(b) Substantive requirements of the NY Court of Appeals[/u][/i], https://www.nybarexam.org/Rules/Rules.htm#520.6); and
- Many Canadian and British applicants do their studies in USA (like you in the UK) and so will probably do a JD instead of a LLM.
By the way, many law schools are looking for applicants with 2+ years of legal experience. However, because your group should not be very competitive this requirement should not be a blocking point.
Good luck!
Posted Dec 26, 2019 21:43
I have similar doubts.
[Edited by KL2019 on Mar 18, 2020]
Posted Dec 30, 2019 09:35
Definitely because it's an holistic review. It means that they will take everything into consideration.My question is: could that be taken into consideration to counter my not-so-great grades?
So, if one of the requirements is below the expectations (i.e. low GPA, low TOEFL score, no work experience, etc.) it can be bypassed by the other requirements which are as of interest.
Therefore:
- 5y of work experience is a strong asset because most of the people usually have only between 0-2y.
- The big law experience is usually another good point for your application.
- The publication is another good asset, and US law schools love this kind of specific skill.
- About the Who'sWho Legal ranking, I don't know if it will help your application a lot, but at least it's still a plus.
[Edited by # on Dec 30, 2019]
So, if one of the requirements is below the expectations (i.e. low GPA, low TOEFL score, no work experience, etc.) it can be bypassed by the other requirements which are as of interest.
Therefore:
- 5y of work experience is a strong asset because most of the people usually have only between 0-2y.
- The big law experience is usually another good point for your application.
- The publication is another good asset, and US law schools love this kind of specific skill.
- About the Who'sWho Legal ranking, I don't know if it will help your application a lot, but at least it's still a plus.
Posted Feb 13, 2020 19:26
Anyone still in their final year in law school got admitted (pending results)? What are the chances of getting admitted to a T14 without post-qualifying legal experience?
Posted Feb 14, 2020 13:48
Anyone still in their final year in law school got admitted (pending results)? What are the chances of getting admitted to a T14 without post-qualifying legal experience?
I am in my final year of a Russel Group university, with only slightly higher grades than OP. I have been admitted to five T14 schools. Still waiting for a few to back to me, but haven't had any rejections yet. I think that unless it is specifically stated that post-qualifying experience is strongly preferred (like Columbia) you're not at much of a disadvantage if you come from Europe/an area where people generally do LLM right after their LLB.
I am in my final year of a Russel Group university, with only slightly higher grades than OP. I have been admitted to five T14 schools. Still waiting for a few to back to me, but haven't had any rejections yet. I think that unless it is specifically stated that post-qualifying experience is strongly preferred (like Columbia) you're not at much of a disadvantage if you come from Europe/an area where people generally do LLM right after their LLB.
Posted Feb 14, 2020 16:13
Anyone still in their final year in law school got admitted (pending results)? What are the chances of getting admitted to a T14 without post-qualifying legal experience?
I am in my final year of a Russel Group university, with only slightly higher grades than OP. I have been admitted to five T14 schools. Still waiting for a few to back to me, but haven't had any rejections yet. I think that unless it is specifically stated that post-qualifying experience is strongly preferred (like Columbia) you're not at much of a disadvantage if you come from Europe/an area where people generally do LLM right after their LLB.
Thanks for your response and congratulations. Do you have any internship experience to make up for post qualifying experience?
[Edited by newyear on Feb 14, 2020]
I am in my final year of a Russel Group university, with only slightly higher grades than OP. I have been admitted to five T14 schools. Still waiting for a few to back to me, but haven't had any rejections yet. I think that unless it is specifically stated that post-qualifying experience is strongly preferred (like Columbia) you're not at much of a disadvantage if you come from Europe/an area where people generally do LLM right after their LLB. [/quote]
Thanks for your response and congratulations. Do you have any internship experience to make up for post qualifying experience?
Posted Feb 14, 2020 22:46
Like you, I am also a final year law student from the University of Kent, and I have received offers from NYU and Cornell. I would say you have a fair chance of getting admitted in one of T14 law schools.
[Edited by ejusdemgeneris on Feb 14, 2020]
Posted Feb 15, 2020 10:44
Anyone still in their final year in law school got admitted (pending results)? What are the chances of getting admitted to a T14 without post-qualifying legal experience?
I am in my final year of a Russel Group university, with only slightly higher grades than OP. I have been admitted to five T14 schools. Still waiting for a few to back to me, but haven't had any rejections yet. I think that unless it is specifically stated that post-qualifying experience is strongly preferred (like Columbia) you're not at much of a disadvantage if you come from Europe/an area where people generally do LLM right after their LLB.
Thanks for your response and congratulations. Do you have any internship experience to make up for post qualifying experience?
I did internships every summer and some extracurricular activities during the year.
I am in my final year of a Russel Group university, with only slightly higher grades than OP. I have been admitted to five T14 schools. Still waiting for a few to back to me, but haven't had any rejections yet. I think that unless it is specifically stated that post-qualifying experience is strongly preferred (like Columbia) you're not at much of a disadvantage if you come from Europe/an area where people generally do LLM right after their LLB. [/quote]
Thanks for your response and congratulations. Do you have any internship experience to make up for post qualifying experience?
[/quote]
I did internships every summer and some extracurricular activities during the year.
Related Law Schools
Other Related Content
Aiming for the US Bar Post-LLM? Don’t Miss This Event
News Jan 15, 2024
Hot Discussions
-
Cambridge LL.M. Applicants 2024-2025
3 hours ago 140,792 544 -
NUS LLM 2024-25 Cohort
Oct 25 11:01 AM 5,726 34 -
Oxford 2025-2026 BCL/MSCs/MJUR/MPHIL/MLF
11 hours ago 1,040 21 -
LLM Technology law Germany in English lang.
Oct 21, 2024 786 5 -
NUS LLM cohort 2025/26
6 hours ago 210 4 -
GW University, LLM. Scholarship
Oct 23 10:43 PM 728 3 -
Going into arbitration?
Oct 20, 2024 228 3 -
Harvard LLM Personal Statement Part A
Oct 27 09:32 PM 3,787 2