Thanks to jmromero for that answer, it helped, but I'm still a bit confused: my American immigration law is sketchy at best, so do excuse me. Presumably most people who study an LLM in the States do so under a J1 Visa. How is it then that those people are eligible to stay in the States to work after completing their studies? In other words, how are Fulbrighters any different to other students, from an immigration perspective. Yes Fulbright says that recepients must go back to their home countries after completing their degrees, but I still do not see how this is policed and why Fulbrighters can't apply for a job upon completion of their studies like everybody else. I feel like I'm missing something and if I sound dumb, my apologies again.

Dear Lit,

Further to your inquire, please refer to link below. I am pretty sure that it will provide you with the most precise orientation/answers on any questions you still may have over this matter.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html

To Lit,

Please be reminded that the purpose of Fulbright Program is for mutual understanding and cultural exchange, meaning that the program expects its grantees to return to their respective countries in order to contribute to the socio-economic development of their countries and to the promotion of relationship between their countries and the USA. So, working in the US would be incompatible with the Fulbright purpose and also not in compliance with the grantee's initial career plan. Because, the Fulbright panel will never grant the scholarship for students who plan to work in the US after their graduation. However, the extension of Fulbright grant is still possible where the student desires to undertake a short term internship for the sole purpose of his/her study effectiveness.

To Shayan,

I haven't either had any news from the IIE or US Embassy. However, i understand from my last meeting with the Fulbright official that this wait is gonna be quite long and the answer will come up only within March or April or even later for some programs. I think patience is what we need now :)).

Regards,

Lit,
Fulbrighters receive a J-1 visa to enter into the US, and can stay for a 1-year internship, but after that they are required to return to their home country for at least two years before working in the US.
All other students receive F-1 visas, and aren't subject to these conditions.
I know it's possible to get a waiver as a fulbrighter, allowing you to stay on in the US, but I'm not sure how this works.

Hi Fulbrighters
I got an e-mail from IIE. On behalf of me, they applied in four universities, Fordham, George Washington University Law School,Tulane and U. California Davis. Fordham and GWU need a separate application other than the fulbright application.
What do you think which one is better, I am going to focus on International Corporate Law. Please give me some advice.

Thanks to LegAd and susiee for their input, really helped and clarified my confusion.

Go to Fordham, there's nothing like NYC in the entire U.S.

I was just notified by the Fulbright Foundation that I have also received a grant from the Program.
As far as the queries pertaining the commitment of a Fulbright scholar to come back to his country after the LL.M. are concerned, I've been told that it would be quite for a period of 2 years after your LL.M. to get a visa and work in the U.S. However, if you want to pursue a S.J.D. it won't be difficult to renew your student visa, as Fulbright allows a scholar to pursue his dissertation after the LL.M.
Consequently, I guess that if you want to seek employment in the U.S. after completing the LL.M. you should not apply for a Fulbright grant.

According to my understanding, each fulbright grantee is submitted to four universities, if one fulbright grantee be admitted in two universities, does he have the right to choose which one to attend? Or IIE will choose one for you?

To Shayan,

According to the Fulbright Officer, in case of admission by more than one univ, the IIE will choose one of them for the grantee. The choice will base on the quality of univ. However, if two univ are equals in terms of quality, the cheaper one will be chosen.

To LegAd and others
That is very bad. What happens if two universities are not equal in quality. For instance in my case, Fordham vs Tulane.

If there's no equal quality (based on the recognized ranking and IIE's expert's consideration), the IIE will choose the best for the grantee. For your sample case, the IIE will choose Fordham for you (higher ranking and better reputation of the field). So it's not too bad, is it?

To LegAd
What do you think about Fordham and GWU? Which one looks better? In my country, no one has heard of Fordham. GWU is more popular. But in corporate law, Fordham looks better than GWU.

To Shayan,

I don't have any experience with any of those univ. But, based on my research and your field, Fordham would be better (be careful of the univ rankings which are for general LLM not the specialized LLM). Take a look at their academics and possibility of intership or clinical training and then see if it matches what you want. The best is not necessary Harvard, Yale etc but the program that matches exactly what you want.

By the way, have you already known your admission? for me, i haven't yet.

Thanks,


Cheers,

Thanks for the information. I don't know about my admission either. I know that IIE submitted me to four universities, Fordham, GWU, Tulane and California Davis. The two last ones do not need separate application forms, but GWU and Fordham do. I submitted these two applications to IIE last week. Is this the same case with you? which schools you are submitted too?

I haven't heard any news from the IIE. However, following their standard instruction re the LLM students, i have requested the IIE via the US Embassy to forward my additional application form to Fordham which i think fits the best my study objective: LLM in banking, corporate and finance law. Hopefully, it will work for me.

To LegAd
I did the same thing, but IIE didn't agree. I asked them to send my applications to Boston University School of Law and Verginia university law school instead of UC. Davis and Tulane. However, they replied that they select two top schools and two safe ones regarding placement and there are some other elements they consider.

To Fulbrighters
Last years, there were Pre-academic programs for LLM Fulbright Grantees for three or four weeks in Georgetown and California Davis which lasted from July 8th to August 4. What do you think is it for all LLM applicants and is the date fixed this year or not yet?
Thanks

Hi,

According to the Fulbright officer, before the begining of the academic year at the enrolled univ, the Fulbright grantees will participate in an "orientation meeting" which will be held in Washington (for this year) where the grantees will get to know each other and learn the basic of American culture and American student life, and the Fulbright program itself (benefits, procedures etc).

Hope the above is of help to your question.

Cheers,

Thanks LegAd
So, maybe we can meet each other in some months in Washington!