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?

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]

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?

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]

I have similar doubts.

[Edited by KL2019 on Mar 18, 2020]

My question is: could that be taken into consideration to counter my not-so-great grades?

[Edited by # on Dec 30, 2019]

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?

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?

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.

[Edited by newyear on Feb 14, 2020]

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]

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?