Guys any thoughts on Gtown v. Cornell.

Is there a big difference in perception with US employers? Yes I know one is Ivy League and the other is not, but as far as law school brands are concerned, I think Cornell is considered a shade better than the other

If Cornell is considered superior to Gtown, then do the advantages of Gtowns location (which is increased networking, access to whatever jobs international LLMs can try and get in DC) outweigh the benefits of having a superior brand in your CV.

A lot depends on your area of interest. Like Gtown is known for Internaitonal Law, Trade Law and Taxation. I dont have much idea about Cornell's particular concentrations though.

I don't want to dash you hopes but getting any sort of job opportunity in the US with an LLM is incredibly difficult even when located in a great location and from a top tier school.

Finding a job in the current US environment is MUCH more difficult than getting into Yale, Stanford or Harvard and you'll be competing with grads from those schools. The only LLM that really has a good chance of getting a job is the NYU's US Tax. GT's US Tax program might only slightly increase your chances.

With the glut of lawyers in the US and not a strong demand for new lawyers, foreign LLM grads are at a distinct disadvantage in the current legal market. Even with the best schools such as Stanford and Harvard saying it will be incredibly difficult even coming from a school with such a fine pedigree.

In your situation there isn't a huge difference between GT and Cornell. I would definitely go to GT for the better networking opportunities as that is what is going to matter more between those 2 programs. Not to mention I think Cornell is over priced for what you get.

Thanks a lot washrdvr and kan10.

I am not really hopeful if getting a job post LLM in the US, however, its something I simply want to try to do and therefore give myself the best chance. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen :).

Really appreciate your perspectives. I do feel like my view has been confirmed not just by both of you, but also while generally asking around.

Also, since I will mostly be taking corporate and transactional law courses, GT seems have to have a wider and better selection.

Hi. This is my EXACT dilemma (+ UCLA). Have you made a decision yet?

I had a similar dilema concerning Georgetown and Michigan. I chose Georgetown for the networking connections, plus location and wider variety of courses. I am still waitlisted at UPenn, but I think I rather go to Georgetown anyway.

Hi MissIse, So i chose georgetown over not just cornell, but also Duke Michigan and Berkeley. My reasons for doing so was that georgetown seemed to be the best suited to my goals from an LLM.

I am a corporate lawyer currently and post LLM I am interested in getting a job in the New York, or if that is not possible, then DC. This is because an LLM is a wasted investment in my country unless I can show some practical experience in the US before I return. The reason I want to be in New York is my personal preference for that city, having lived there for a couple of months, and that it also seems to have the most openings for corporate law than any other cities.

I would have preferred NYU, but I am waitlisted there, so unless that comes through, I will be going to Georgetown. I chose Georgetown after speaking to may people, some of whom are lawyers involved in the hiring process at their law firms in the US. Two things have now become clear to me from these discussions (1) law school pedigree is extremely important, but after the top 5 law schools, i.e, HLS,SLS,NYU,Columbia and YLS, the pedigree of the law school becomes less important and where you figure on the rank list in the law school becomes more important (2) proximity to the market you are applying for is extremely important. Georgetown has an ok reputation amongst employers in the US, and it gives a person access to networking opportunities in DC and NYC.

So its most important first to figure out what your goals are, what is needed to achieve those goals and choose a law school that will get you there.

And, yes, I don't think Cornell's Ivy League reputation counts for much.