Hello -

I am currently applying to Florida'sTax LLM Program, and I was curious if I could get feedback as to the odds of my acceptance. I graduated in 2007 from a school near the top of Tier 2. My credentials were as follows: Top 5% Overall, Top 1% after my first year and Law Review. However, I did not take any Tax classes in law school. I am interested in pursuing an LLM in Tax due to my work experience. Since graduation, I have worked at an AM Law 100 law firm, working on many transactions which are primarily tax credit transactions. These transactions have been very challenging and rewarding - particularly learning the tax aspects of such transactions. In any case, my primary motivation for pursuing an LLM in Tax is so that I can work on both the corporate and tax aspects of such transactions, as well as expand my practice to other areas of corporate tax.

Isn't taking an income tax class a requirement for applying for a tax llm program? That requirement might be waived because of your experience in tax law. I think you should check with the school.
Otherwise, you look like a strong candidate.

Thank you for responding to my post Florida's website did not include any requirements that fed tax was a prerequisite of an application for admission. However, on your advice, I emailed the admissions department regarding such requirement.

I appreciate your input. Marlowe

I didn't notice that there was no mention of taking a Fed. Income tax course as a precondition on the UF's website. It is very interesting how your preoccupied conception or bias can blind you. So what did the school say?

I talked to the school and they informed me that taking a tax class in law school is not a prerequisite for admission. Further, the school mentioned that while it is unusual for an applicant not to have done so, the situation does occur where the applicant's interest in taxation arose after law school, while in practice.

Thanks for the reply.
The explanation makes sense.
Are you applying for this fall?
good Luck!

I am applying for this upcoming Fall. Hopefully, it works out!

Thanks for your help and insight!

I think your personal statement can focus on your after law school experience that has led your interest in tax law.
Can you go back to your current job after this LL.M program?

I think your right. I should focus on my experience, my representative matters - speak to my work in tax law and then dive into how that led to my interest in tax law and what I intend to achieve from pursuing an LLM.

As for my current job, I believe they would permit me to come back after the program. However, I am not sure if this a certainty especially if the economy isn't recovering, and I may want to work at another law firm.

I am at a T3 school with a 3.3 GPA, around 29% of my class rank, and a 3.8 GPA in four tax courses. Does anyone have any idea of the chances of getting into any of UF, NYU, Georgetown, or Northwestern?