Hi everybody,

I have been reading the boards and I dont believe that anyone is in the situation that I am in. I understand that it can be difficult to secure a job after an LLM in the USA but what about in the UK.

I have graduated with a decent 2(i) in my LLB with an average of 67% in my modules from City University. I know it is not a great institution but the department is improving. I am currently undertaking my LPC at ICSL and was seriously considering doing an LLM in the USA. I was looking at Georgetown and Stanford as my choices, what do you think my chances are? plus after I do my LLM in the US I planned to come back to the UK to practise as I think the time spent in the USA will also help me develop as a person.

What are your feelings and employability of someone who has done a US LLM and then coming back to work in a UK london City firm.

Thanks in advance for your comments they are much appreciated.

Hey!!

I am in the same situation!!

I also did my LLB at City, I did my LPC at College of Law and worked for two years as a paralegal in small London office of a Latin American Law firm, I have now moved to a US firm in the City (one of the largest US firms) I am also thinking about doing an LLM in the US. I am going to apply to Harvard, Columbia and Yale.

From the research I have done it is not so much you academic background it is more about how well you can spin a story in your personal statement about what you hope to gain from the LLM and take back to the UK and what you plan on doing with that sort of education and if you have anything interesting in you background use it!

Good luck, don't let anyone put you of. It is hard but it is possible. I hear so many people saying how impossible it is but I am not going to let that bother me. I am even going to try and get a scholarship. You will only know if you try. the forms look scary, but go for it. I am if you don't get in try again!! but only apply to the top schools cos they are the only ones worth going to.

Thanks alot Tolsu, thats great to hear someone from City do so well. Your right I have a feeling that it is more to do with your personal statement, I think that I have a good grasp of why I want to do the LLM in America and for what purpose. Your right it really is only worth applying to the top schools. I was thinking Stanford, Georgetown, Columbia and maybe Harvard also possibly Geroge Washington. What do you think? I prefebly want to focus on IP (hence George Washington there ranking is strong in this area). Drop me an e-mail and let me know how your applications are going. Who was your favourite lecturer at City, mine was Gary Scanlan (I dont know if he was around at your time).

How weird! I was around and Gary was my favourite in fact he wrote a reference for me when I was applying to LSE for my masters (I turned down the offer because this job came up.) sorry I don't know too much about George Washington, other than it is a highly rated school. I am going to New York in February for my bar exams I am also going to use that time to check out NYU and Columbia. Stanford is also a good choice. I have narrowed my choices down to Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, Yale, NYU and possibly Duke, but Ill see.
Are you thinking of going for a scholarship and what year are you applying for. I am applying next year. I am not sure how I am going to fund mine, but my attitude is pretty much getting in to one of them and sorting out my financing later.