Dear folks,

I am currently doing my LLM in the UK and intended to pursue another LLM in the USA. I have a couple questions to be asked:

1). Why does the USA LLM (I guess all courses) has an application fee, whereas the UK does not have one?

2). Is that true that the application procedure is far more complicated than the UK? Especially, when making the application, the applicant has to register with the LSAC first of all. Do all USA Law schools apply LSAC system?

3). Is that true where the academic trascrips shall be sent directly by the institutions/uni, instead of the applicant him/helself? As in the UK, they are flexible with this policy. The academic transcripts can possibly be sent by the applicant him/herself as long as they are notarized.

4). Is that true where the LLM in the USA is more prestigious than the UK one? If so, to what extend?

5). How long the application result is issued once all required docs are submitted?

6). Will I be exempted from TOEFL/IELTS as I will have my LLM from the UK (one of the English-speaking countries)?

7). Which Law Schools are recommended for International Commercial Law, International Economic Law, International Trade Law, or Private International Law? I prefer the the schools which are not in the big cities, yet with good reputation.

8). How many lecturers and seminars that normally take place for a semester? Fyi, in the UK, normally there only 2-3 lecturers/seminars per week.

9). Is the student assisted during the period of writing the dissertation? Fyi, in the UK, students are not normally assisted. The schools/prof give supervision to students 2-3 times during the disseration plan only. Afterward, you go all alone.

10). What are the basic assesment criterions when it comes to grading system? In the UK, students have a coursework, presetation (sometimes assessed but sometimes not), and final-exams (3 hrs written exam). Is the participation of student in the class/discussion counted in the USA? Here in the UK, it is not at all.

Apologize for torturing you with all these questions. Any thought is highly appreciated.

Cheers,
ps. preferably want to hear from current/former LLM students in the USA.