I have recently discovered this web board and read most of the messages that have been posted.

I am a 26 year-old Argentinean lawyer who is planning to apply to various LLMs programs (with concentration in PUblic International Law) at top US Law Schools. I have been awarded one of the FULBRIGHT Commission's Master Scholarships in my country, which will cover for my living, medical and travel expenses. However, this will not cover for tuition. I do understand that some universities grant tuition waivers, but not all provide full waivers.

I specialize in Public International Law and would like to pursue studies in that area of law during my LLM program. I am planning to apply to NYU, Columbia, Georgetown, Harvard, and probably George Washington or Michigan.
I have submitted my personal statement and study objective via the Fulbright program in September, but now I have to complete the specific applications of each university.

My idea is to ask for financial aid in all of them and to apply to specific scholarships or fellowships. Here is where I need YOUR ASSISTANCE PLEASE. What are the chances of getting a full waiver of tuition in each of the Law Schools that I mentioned? Apart from the Hauser Global Scholarship at NYU, the Human Rights Fellowship or the Appel Fellowship at Columbia, what other fellowships or programs do you suggest I apply for? And what do you know about these scholarhips?
Do you know anything about the THOMAS BUERGENTHAL SCHOLARSHIP at George Washington university? I can't find that info on the web and I have written an e-mail and they haven't answered me yet.
I am really worried about tuition costs as it would be practically impossible for me to attend an LLm program (even with the Fulbright scholarship) if I don't get a full waiver of tuition..... :-(
In exchange I offer advice or guidance to apply to Fulbright scholarships such as the one I hold.
Best regards,
Luciana

Hola Luciana.

?Como estas? ?Bien? I'm Friedemann from Germany and graduated from Vanderbilt, Nashville TN in May 2005. Of course, Vanderbilt isn't Harvard or NYU, of course, Nashville isn't New York City.

However, I preferred a small program. We were only 13 LLMs, everybody has a personal faculty advisor who offers guidance and help in every respect. You can have lunch with your professors, you can go out with them for a drink, and you know everybody. At NYU, you can't even memorize the names of all your 480 LLM colleagues - let alone 1000 or so JDs! Cynthia Coleman is the llm program coordinator and really takes time to answer any question you may have, she's very nice and dedicated to "her" llm students: First, she'll do everything to help you with the application process. Then she'll assist with finding an apartment, getting organized, etc. And she'll take care of you during your entire academic year. So it's the personal atmosphere and the high sense of partnership that make this law school second-to-none.

Needless to say, the academic environment is state of the art and very inspiring.

During my year, Vanderbilt had Fulbright scholars from Nicaragua and India.

Good luck, and please don't hesitate to ask any question you might have. !Hasta luego!

financial aid for international students? is that even possible? as far as i know, private loans are the only way besides some fellowships (at some schools only) and/or teaching assistantships...
(I'm a UBA graduate myself living in Canada, waiting for admissions decisions from the US....)
Anyway, good luck and CONGRATS on the Fullbright scholarship!!!

At the University of Michigan you can apply for the Grotius Fellowship. I got one which covered my tuition. Good luck

Hi there!

I obtained my law degree in Colombia South America and I will be applying for the LLM starting in September, 2005. Does anyone one know if diplomas and transcripts that one must submit with the application must be legalized by Apostille or is it enough with a copy certified by a public notary and certified translation of such documents?

I mean what requirements such documents should fulfill in order to be acceptable by the University?

Thanks in advance for your answer.

i sent mine with the Apostille, but I know people who sent their docs without it and had no problems or whatsoever.

Hello Luciana:

I am an attorney from Ecuador. As in your case, I was depending on University's waivers or aid (for me and my wife who is pursuing an MBA) in order to come to the US.

I graduated last spring from BU's Tax LL.M., also holding an important tuition waiver from the university and the Fulbright grant. I know for certain that Fulbrighters get an important tuition waiver at BU Law, since two friends of mine from Panama and Dominican Republic got the same last year. I also know for certain that Harvard and NYU does not easily give financial aid in the form of tuition waivers to international students. A friend of mine (from Argentina) went to Chicago for her LLM (in family law), and I guess she had some sort of financial aid. I also have a friend (also a Fulbrighter) who went to Columbia (for an LLM in Conflict Resolution) with an important waiver.

I should mention that Boston is a great city for studying, although is an expensive city to live in.

Hope this is of any help.

Roberto