Hi everybody!

I am planning to apply this year to several schools, including, obviously NYU, CLS and HLS. My main area of interest is international law and my first option is NYU. I would like to get some advise on my chances of getting into these three schools and of getting a scholarship.

I'm 25 years old, South American, graduated from probably the best Law School of my country, my marks are 8.40/10 (rank in class 3). I've been awarded a recognition for Academic Excellence by the Local Bar and two Fulbright Scholarships for Young Leaders. I teach Public International Law as a hybrid Teaching Assistant/Adjunct Professor at the same school. I'm currently working as Chief of Counsels on Human Rights Issues for the Government of my Province, previously worked as a Law Clerk in a Judicial Human Rights Office and as Legislative Counsel at the National Chamber of Deputies. I have published four papers in local journals and collaborated in a book published by Thompson Reuters (my name is on the cover). I've also directed the Law School's Law Journal.

I could really use your input.

Thanks a lot.

Best,

Hi everybody!

I am planning to apply this year to several schools, including, obviously NYU, CLS and HLS. My main area of interest is international law and my first option is NYU. I would like to get some advise on my chances of getting into these three schools and of getting a scholarship.

I'm 25 years old, South American, graduated from probably the best Law School of my country, my marks are 8.40/10 (rank in class 3). I've been awarded a recognition for Academic Excellence by the Local Bar and two Fulbright Scholarships for Young Leaders. I teach Public International Law as a hybrid Teaching Assistant/Adjunct Professor at the same school. I'm currently working as Chief of Counsels on Human Rights Issues for the Government of my Province, previously worked as a Law Clerk in a Judicial Human Rights Office and as Legislative Counsel at the National Chamber of Deputies. I have published four papers in local journals and collaborated in a book published by Thompson Reuters (my name is on the cover). I've also directed the Law School's Law Journal.

I could really use your input.

Thanks a lot.

Best,

Hi everybody!

I am planning to apply this year to several schools, including, obviously NYU, CLS and HLS. My main area of interest is international law and my first option is NYU. I would like to get some advise on my chances of getting into these three schools and of getting a scholarship.

I'm 25 years old, South American, graduated from probably the best Law School of my country, my marks are 8.40/10 (rank in class 3). I've been awarded a recognition for Academic Excellence by the Local Bar and two Fulbright Scholarships for Young Leaders. I teach Public International Law as a hybrid Teaching Assistant/Adjunct Professor at the same school. I'm currently working as Chief of Counsels on Human Rights Issues for the Government of my Province, previously worked as a Law Clerk in a Judicial Human Rights Office and as Legislative Counsel at the National Chamber of Deputies. I have published four papers in local journals and collaborated in a book published by Thompson Reuters (my name is on the cover). I've also directed the Law School's Law Journal.

I could really use your input.

Thanks a lot.

Best,

How many students were there in your class all in all?

Hi everybody!

I am planning to apply this year to several schools, including, obviously NYU, CLS and HLS. My main area of interest is international law and my first option is NYU. I would like to get some advise on my chances of getting into these three schools and of getting a scholarship.

I'm 25 years old, South American, graduated from probably the best Law School of my country, my marks are 8.40/10 (rank in class 3). I've been awarded a recognition for Academic Excellence by the Local Bar and two Fulbright Scholarships for Young Leaders. I teach Public International Law as a hybrid Teaching Assistant/Adjunct Professor at the same school. I'm currently working as Chief of Counsels on Human Rights Issues for the Government of my Province, previously worked as a Law Clerk in a Judicial Human Rights Office and as Legislative Counsel at the National Chamber of Deputies. I have published four papers in local journals and collaborated in a book published by Thompson Reuters (my name is on the cover). I've also directed the Law School's Law Journal.

I could really use your input.

Thanks a lot.

Best,

How many students were there in your class all in all?

Very few, since it is a small, private, prestigious school. Around 30. The School doesn't rank the students or give any awards, though. As far as I am aware, they only inform the GPA and average graduates from the school have been accepted into very prestigious schools.

Hi everybody!

I am planning to apply this year to several schools, including, obviously NYU, CLS and HLS. My main area of interest is international law and my first option is NYU. I would like to get some advise on my chances of getting into these three schools and of getting a scholarship.

I'm 25 years old, South American, graduated from probably the best Law School of my country, my marks are 8.40/10 (rank in class 3). I've been awarded a recognition for Academic Excellence by the Local Bar and two Fulbright Scholarships for Young Leaders. I teach Public International Law as a hybrid Teaching Assistant/Adjunct Professor at the same school. I'm currently working as Chief of Counsels on Human Rights Issues for the Government of my Province, previously worked as a Law Clerk in a Judicial Human Rights Office and as Legislative Counsel at the National Chamber of Deputies. I have published four papers in local journals and collaborated in a book published by Thompson Reuters (my name is on the cover). I've also directed the Law School's Law Journal.

I could really use your input.

Thanks a lot.

Best,

How many students were there in your class all in all?

Very few, since it is a small, private, prestigious school. Around 30. The School doesn't rank the students or give any awards, though. As far as I am aware, they only inform the GPA and average graduates from the school have been accepted into very prestigious schools.

How can you know your class rank was 3rd (which is what your said in your first post) when (according to your second post) your school "doesn't rank the students"?

Well, ok then.

Let's assume for the moment that you're indeed ranked third in a class of thirty.

That's a good rank, but not a superb one. It will not get you into Harvard, but it just might get you into NYU.

There's one more thing though.

So far you've only told us about your strengths.

But what about your weak points?

That scholarship you missed.

That intership at Freshfields the other guy got.

That journal article you still haven't finished.

That one failed exam in second year.

That chick who's ranked first and is banging the dean and will be getting that letter you're longing for so bad.

I'm sure there's something.

Please tell us what it is.

Well, ok then.

Let's assume for the moment that you're indeed ranked third in a class of thirty.

That's a good rank, but not a superb one. It will not get you into Harvard, but it just might get you into NYU.

There's one more thing though.

So far you've only told us about your strengths.

But what about your weak points?

That scholarship you missed.

That intership at Freshfields the other guy got.

That journal article you still haven't finished.

That one failed exam in second year.

That chick who's ranked first and is banging the dean and will be getting that letter you're longing for so bad.

I'm sure there's something.

Please tell us what it is.

Dear Sark,

Despite the fact that I was admitted to two universities from your list, I am no an expert on the selection process. Still I think that you have good chances to get into several or all law schools on your list. My feeling is that credentials are important, but not the only determining factor in the process. Though you have good credentials, personal statement seems to play a huge role in the process as well. Do your best and good luck!

Dear Sark,

Despite the fact that I was admitted to two universities from your list, I am no an expert on the selection process. Still I think that you have good chances to get into several or all law schools on your list. My feeling is that credentials are important, but not the only determining factor in the process. Though you have good credentials, personal statement seems to play a huge role in the process as well. Do your best and good luck!

Hey-

Out of curiosity why have you not included YLS in that list? Your background of actual teaching of international law coupled with public policy oriented work could be an advantage. Also YLS is a pretty amazing school to study just about anything, and international law in particular.

Don't listen to Eppendorf... he is LLM-Guide's resident bad boy and prankster. He was not being serious with what he wrote.

I think you have a very good shot with many of these schools. Some schools (I think CLS specifically) request some form of ranking in their application forms. Would your university be able to issue some form of a letter? Even a broader statement that you graduated summa cum laude would suffice.

Obviously the crux of the application would be your personal statements and reccomendation letters. For me personally that was a big part of my success in the application process, I feel.. even more than my grades and resume. But like someone said before me here none of us can know for certain.

Good Luck!

I agree 100% with hopefulcandidate! And I re-emphasize DON'T LISTEN TO EPPERNDORF! I don't know why this guy has not been banned yet!!! I doubt he even has a law degree!! being 3rd in your class is great! I know people who got into Harvard without even being in the top 10% of their class!!! So your CV is excellent and you have a pretty good chance of being accepted!

Dear hopefulcandidate,

Thank you for your message and for your advice. They're both encouraging. Regarding YLS, I could well have mentioned it. The truth is that I've only seriously studied the NYU International Legal Studies LLM Program, which at first glance seemed the most attractive to me. I was planning to look deeper into the YLS program and I plan to do so even more after your message and your suggestion that teaching experience and public policy oriented work could be especially appreciated there. I will need some kind of financial aid or scholarship to enroll. I see you're enrolling in YLS, so congratulations and good luck! I hope to be in your place one day.

Dear law01,

Thanks a lot to you too! I'll keep you posted on my applications.

Best,

Hello everyone!

Can we pls get your opinion on the nature of one's work experience to increase chances of admission to HLS?

In particular, what is the ideal number of years of Supreme Court clerkship?

Thanks for your advice.

I have some friends who were admitted to HLS with three years of work experience but can't comment on the ideal number of years of Supreme Court clerkship.

My advice for you will be to write the best SoP possible. I have six years of work experience, am the third best valedictorian of the history of the best law school in my law country but was turned down by HLS and CLS while a friend who had lower credentials got admitted. Thus, I believe it is the SoP that made the difference. I would have loved to assist you with drafting the a strong SoP but it seems I personally don't know it either so my advises regarding that won't be worthwhile.

In addition, I would strongly recommend you to get solid letters of recommendation from people with/for whom you worked who can describe specific details about the work you had undertook under their supervision and your input in the relevant matters.

Thank you for the reply.

Do you have any opinion on the ideal class rank to have higher chances of admission in HLS or CLS?

Thank you for the reply.

Do you have any opinion on the ideal class rank to have higher chances of admission in HLS or CLS?

I agree with all the folks that grades and ranking are not all that matters. There is one more ting pertinent to US top law schools selection criteria - diversity. Admission Councils always look for diversity in the class they tailor and the personal statement is truly important in the application process. The sooner you realize that without a good motivation letter you are not getting in, the better chances you have. While excellence is something they always look for, being different and being the one that stands out in some way is attractive to US top law schools. I have a few friends who got accepted this year to HLS (as being the most prestigious on your list of potential schools and the most stringent one in selection of LLM candidates) all of them excellent students but none of them best in their class. However, all of them did a lot of extracurricular activities and explained in detail why their career this far and their academic background fit perfectly with the LLM spirit of HLS.
So, pay attention to your motivation letter/personal statement and build up the CV in the areas you lack in the upcoming months.... PLus, research the application procedure for LSAC (this takes some time getting used to)! All the best of luck!

Hi Sark, I agree with the majority of what has been said including the remarks from stellarlights hopefulcandidate and the Boss35.
I got into all three schools and although I felt good about it, I was actually quite surprised. I wasnt the valedictorian and didnt have the best grades either. I know lots of friends from my country with higher grades and more distinguished careers who didnt get in. I believe I "cured" that deficiency with the rest of the application (personal statement, CV and recommendations). These elite schools look for distinguishing features in applicants and not necessarily the generic top 5%. Treat each part of your application as equally important and with the successes you have highlighted, I have no doubt you'll get into all three and be giving advice on LLM Guide next year!
Cheers

Hello! Thank you very much for your advice! Just a follow-up question though. The research application procedure for LSAC only applies to CLS right? I think this does not apply to HLS? Thanks again.

Note that this tends to change from year to year, but as of this past application cycle all of the big law schools (NYU, CLS, YLS, SLS, UC-Berkeley, UPenn, Cornell, Duke, UMich, Virginia, Chicago) relied on LSAC. The only exception was HLS.

With that been said while they all used the same service, each had its own variation of the application process. Therefore it was suggested that you research the specificalities of each application requirements and read carefully about the school, its character, its programs, and faculty - before sitting down to write your applicatoin.