Hello all!

Im a final year LLB student of scots law at the university of Edinburgh looking to apply for a masters in the usa. im quite confused and dont know where to start, so i'll outline my confusion in a few points.

1) the apps seem straightforward, but the acronym LSAC keeps popping up and im not sure what it means. is there anything outside the apps that I have to do relating to this LSAC?

2) our grading here is a bit odd....or different. degrees in uk are classified and in scotland this is based on the performance in the last two years of university. now my situation is a bit weirder in that i went abroad last year to study in the National University of Singapore. so my classification is based only on this years performance.

Now...when i submit my applications for llm here in the uk they give me a conditional offer so they stipulate if i get an avg of 65% i will be admitted into the program.

So....how will i be treated in the US?? my grades from my first two years as they are not so hot ( its tough and they dont count for a reason i suppose since it is a time when dont do much thinking but rlly just learning core areas of law, and then in the final two years specialise and this is when grades matter) my grades from my year abroad are strong, and this yr hopefully better.

any guidance from any of you guys who would know or any other UK undergrades who did LLMs in the states would be greatly appreciated!!

oh and im applying to AU, Georgetown, UVA, Penn atm. Georgetown is my top choice!
any reccomendations of other unis on the east coast prefeably are also welcome

thanks!

That's a really good question, because I'm also in my final year in the UK. I'm also quite interested in doing an LLM in America (I was living there for 5 years before moving back to England for university, really)....

I know exactly what you're talking about when you mention the problems with your marks. I suggest that you contact the schools directly - perhaps by phone so that it'll be a bit more personal. People on here can give you advice, but it's BETTER to get answers from the schools themselves.

I've talked to my personal law tutor about studying abroad (he did his LLM at Harvard), and I guess I just came to the conclusion that it'll be better [for me] to apply for school from the 2010-2011 academic year, so that I would have my full transcript to offer and not have to worry about reaching particular marks. Have you considered applying the fall after you graduate?

The LSAC is just some medium that you have to register with...I did so a while ago, and if I'm not mistaken they translate grades on there - guess that's another issue considering how you're not done with your LLB yet.

Also I'd say try to get the best school you can possibly get into (unless you're looking at specific programs where, in that case, the best schools of choice wouldn't necessarily follow those on conventional rankings).

Hope this helped a bit :P

So , you guys have decided to Go for an LLM. from the US.

Firstly, LSAC is an law school Credential Service( in this case the LLM Credential assembly service). Its meant for You need to submit your transcripts, Mark-Statements to them , so they give an appoximate US equivalent grades to the law school in which you indent to apply.
They charge 185$ ( till date, may change later) through your Credit card or though Bankers draft.
Thats about the LSAC LLM credential Assembly Service.
Otherwise, you are also free to use the 'World Education Service' transcript service, similar to LSAC.

Secondly, LL.M. seems to be a good idea. But guys have you thought about the Bar Exam after your LLM. In the US, Bar Exam is open to Foreign Attorneys, who have qualified (as Attorney/Solicitor ) in their own Jurisdiction. Reference to NY Bar and California Bar.

So, in my opinion Guys you should think about the Bar Exam seriously.

So , you guys have decided to Go for an LLM. from the US.

Firstly, LSAC is an law school Credential Service( in this case the LLM Credential assembly service). Its meant for You need to submit your transcripts, Mark-Statements to them , so they give an appoximate US equivalent grades to the law school in which you indent to apply.
They charge 185$ ( till date, may change later) through your Credit card or though Bankers draft.
Thats about the LSAC LLM credential Assembly Service.
Otherwise, you are also free to use the 'World Education Service' transcript service, similar to LSAC.

Secondly, LL.M. seems to be a good idea. But guys have you thought about the Bar Exam after your LLM. In the US, Bar Exam is open to Foreign Attorneys, who have qualified (as Attorney/Solicitor ) in their own Jurisdiction. Reference to NY Bar and California Bar.

So, in my opinion Guys you should think about the Bar Exam seriously.

Yeah. Indeed Bar Exams are the thresh hold, by which you Become an Attorney. And, primarily most people go for an LL.M in the US only with a considerable work-experience, Unlike UK.

So, In most Instance, they are qualified attorneys in their own jurisdictions.( Solicitor in case of UK). And, as per the latest, CA and NY Bar allows foreign attorneys to sit for the Bar. And, yeah you can transfer to other State , on basis of parity or admission on motion. Louisana joined the states which would allow foreign Trained Attorneys, to sit for the Bar ( A recent Louisana Supreme Court Judgement, sets the precedent ).

Otherwise most jurisdictions wont allow you to sit for the bar, although if you are from OXBRIDGE, you can have certain consessions as, the two Oxford and Cambridge , are recogonised ABA school, which makes you eligible to sit for the BAR.

And, if you havent qualifed as a solicitor, then you wont be able to sit for the BAR, or apply for admission on motion, as you would be required to prove your law school credentials.
In the UK , law is an undergraduate course, taking 3 years.In the US , it takes 7 years + Bar exam to be an attorney.

Thats all. All the best for you!

Hi, thanks for the messages. I need someones advice! I graduated with a 3 year law degree from the UK. I started the LPC but had to quit half way. I ended up moving to the United States (New York). I am taking my bar examinations in February. However, I would like to pursue my LLM. Do I need to finish my LPC in England in order to pursue an LLM in America? Or pass the bar before I apply?


Thanks in Advance

Hi, Sophia.
LPC, is one of the ways to be a solicitor. You take the Lpc and then 2 years Training contract. Than , Enroll as a Solicitor.

Since, you said that you are giving the Bar Exam in the United States ( I assume the New York Bar o California- But i am unclear about this, since you are not an Attorney, which route you are following).

And, eventually when you write the US Bar Exam, and qualify. You can try the UK QLTT , if you like to qualify for the UK SRA.

The only criteria for LLM is a US JD ( or equivalent i.e. LL.B in your case). But , the question you need to ask what does you want your LL.M. do do for you. You can pursue it anytime, so i would rather suggest that get some " attractive Work Experince' in the legal filed , and then jump for the LL.M.
So, the Employers find you more attractive to Hire.

Hope, this is of help.....

Thanks Hun. Its so difficult to get relevant work experience considering I'm a UK graduate. Does anyone have any ideas where to start!! Considering I haven't passed the bar yet!

Thanks
Sophia

Am glad that the post was helpful to you. I guess you can start your work-experience, in legal area , by an Internship, though it might be less paid, otherwise or unpaid, but te experience you would have received is tremendous.
Even when i was at my law school, for my JD equivalent, i had done couple of summer internships with law firms and Internships during my Term-Breaks, so lastly it all counted. And, I had my first degree in Business, and then too i had volunteered with various Non-Profits , and that had been of enormous help, apart for vast professional contacts.
I guess you can follow this, volunteer or do an Internship.I bet , you won't regret it.

Thanks. I have lots of opportunities doing unpaid internships but I support my sisters kid so can't do it! I will defintely take note of your suggestions. Thanks!

ok, I'm about to ask a very silly question - but I'm thinking the most of you have probably found work already. I'm applying to law firms - but I don't know whether I should:

1. email them first with my resume and then call/visit;
2. Contact them via phone then send me resume;
3. or hand in my resume personally(sometimes very difficult)

Any suggestions?
Sophia