Georgetown v. GW -WTO/Investment (with scholarship)

33 26

Posted Mar 26, 2015 13:54

Hello everyone!!

I have received admission offer from Georgetown, George Washington and American University for LLM in International Law (all three with scholarship).

I am interested in pursuing International Trade (WTO) and Investment arbitration. And wish to work in a law firm or international organization focusing on the above subjects.

I am keen on Georgetown as it suits my professional goals however its expensive and the scholarship offered is very less compared to GW. I am not sure if GWU has good reputation/courses/faculties in these subjects. Can anyone share information on reputed faculties/programmes in International Trade and Investment?

Is it worth spending more on Georgetown (approx 20 K) as compared to GW ?

* I know this comparison has been made many times on this forum. However, I am confused because of the scholarship offer and my area of interest.

quote

kan10

33 26

Posted Mar 26, 2015 19:08

Anyone ? My deadline is very near, so appreciate any information that would help me make a decision.

quote

forzik

20 40

Posted Mar 26, 2015 19:43

Anyone ? My deadline is very near, so appreciate any information that would help me make a decision.

not really an expert on your areas of interests but I would have a general insight for all potential LLMs - therefore you too. While the brand name is of course a big deal and one cannot simply ommit the rankings it is VERY important to understand the job prospect of ANY llm graduate. It is still the case (and I believe it always has been) that an LLM degree from top law school does NOT translates into a bright career at the top law firm in the US. Law firms are not stupid - they hire people who have something to offer (and an LLM degree from a TOP 5/10/14 LS does not seal the deal). Law firms will hire you perhaps for your language proficiency (Japanese, Chinese, Spanish native speakers might have an edge). But in most cases job offer comes through networking and contacts !!!!! Therefore an LLM degree from a school outside the T14 with a solid networking options will most likely be better than an LLM degree from T14 without any contacts.

So back to your question - think twice of the chances of landing a job in the U.S. Think of what might happen if you do not find a job after school - what would 20K of extra debt mean to you? Would you go home and work there to pay back the loan? In my country (CEE region) this would mean 2 - 5 year savings (while working at the top international law firms). I would most likely take the extra 20K of scholarship.

<blockquote>Anyone ? My deadline is very near, so appreciate any information that would help me make a decision.</blockquote>

not really an expert on your areas of interests but I would have a general insight for all potential LLMs - therefore you too. While the brand name is of course a big deal and one cannot simply ommit the rankings it is VERY important to understand the job prospect of ANY llm graduate. It is still the case (and I believe it always has been) that an LLM degree from top law school does NOT translates into a bright career at the top law firm in the US. Law firms are not stupid - they hire people who have something to offer (and an LLM degree from a TOP 5/10/14 LS does not seal the deal). Law firms will hire you perhaps for your language proficiency (Japanese, Chinese, Spanish native speakers might have an edge). But in most cases job offer comes through networking and contacts !!!!! Therefore an LLM degree from a school outside the T14 with a solid networking options will most likely be better than an LLM degree from T14 without any contacts.

So back to your question - think twice of the chances of landing a job in the U.S. Think of what might happen if you do not find a job after school - what would 20K of extra debt mean to you? Would you go home and work there to pay back the loan? In my country (CEE region) this would mean 2 - 5 year savings (while working at the top international law firms). I would most likely take the extra 20K of scholarship.

quote

Joy Hopefu...

78 156

Posted Mar 27, 2015 19:50

Anyone ? My deadline is very near, so appreciate any information that would help me make a decision.

First of all, congrats! What a great achievement to have so many offers. I know for sure that Georgetown has a great expertise in WTO and I would pay for the brand. Think about the school that will provide you with better networking connections and academic prestige. Georgetown is more known abroad and has better position in the general ranking. It does not mean that the other two Universities wil be bad choices, especially if you have a scholarship.

<blockquote>Anyone ? My deadline is very near, so appreciate any information that would help me make a decision.</blockquote>

First of all, congrats! What a great achievement to have so many offers. I know for sure that Georgetown has a great expertise in WTO and I would pay for the brand. Think about the school that will provide you with better networking connections and academic prestige. Georgetown is more known abroad and has better position in the general ranking. It does not mean that the other two Universities wil be bad choices, especially if you have a scholarship.

quote

kan10

33 26

Posted Mar 30, 2015 17:27

@Forzik: Thanks a lot for sharing your opinion. And yes, I have heard this from many, that employment opportunities for internationals are bleak in USA, especially since I come from India where foreign law firms are restricted. In such a scenario, networking and connections help to some extent. And given the expensive fee structure in US, I want to make sure that the LLM is worth the investment, as similar to your country, it amounts to 4-5 years of savings.

quote

kan10

33 26

Posted Mar 30, 2015 17:30

@Joy : Thanks a lot Joy for the reply. I am also leaning more towards Georgetown for its better rank and reputation. I guess, GW is also known, but more for IP.

quote

Joy Hopefu...

78 156

Posted Mar 30, 2015 18:57

@Joy : Thanks a lot Joy for the reply. I am also leaning more towards Georgetown for its better rank and reputation. I guess, GW is also known, but more for IP.

@Kan: I have the same problem: I was accepted for WTO program at Georgetown and Michigan. Both are amazing and we don't have anything like that in Brazil, my home country.People say that finding a job in the US is a combination of T-14 school + networking.

<blockquote>@Joy : Thanks a lot Joy for the reply. I am also leaning more towards Georgetown for its better rank and reputation. I guess, GW is also known, but more for IP. </blockquote>

@Kan: I have the same problem: I was accepted for WTO program at Georgetown and Michigan. Both are amazing and we don't have anything like that in Brazil, my home country.People say that finding a job in the US is a combination of T-14 school + networking.

quote

kan10

33 26

Posted Apr 01, 2015 23:41

@Joy : Yes I totally agree with you. However, some students studying in DC are of the opinion that jobs are very difficult to get as you are competing with JD students. Plus work experience and nationality also matters a lot. Since you are from Brazil with good amount of work exp., this would be very helpful.

I have hardly two years work experience and that too not in the areas I want to pursue. So I dont know whether this is the right time or maybe I should go after some years.

quote

Joy Hopefu...

78 156

Posted Apr 02, 2015 00:24

@Kan: From my own experience, being near the action is good for your resumé and expands your job oportunities. Also, I can tell you that jobs are not a guarantee anywhere. What matters most is your ability to communicate well with others and seek oportunities.

You have to go with the school that is a better combination of your goals. I want the brand name and I want the connections. The LLM is going to be very expensive either way and it is once in a lifetime (so, I don't think this should be your main criteria). it is a name that is going to be in your resumé forever.

Waiting can be strategic if you plan carwefully what the next steps that will improve your resumé. Maybe yopu will be accpeted at harvard or yale next year. Or you can do an LLM now and do an externship in Government Agency at the US and improve your resumé in a different way. In order to have such nice scholarships, I would bet that your grades are excellent.

quote

kan10

33 26

Posted Apr 15, 2015 16:06

Thanks a lot Joy for your helpful insight. Specifically your last paragraph was one of the most sorted advice I have received till now and this made me introspect further and also made me realize that both options are win-win situation if planned carefully. I will PM you for further doubts. :)

quote

newyear

26 21

Posted Apr 12, 2020 07:20

Hi, congratulations on your achievements. To be honest comparing Georgetown and AU is like comparing apples to oranges. Georgetown is a T14 and AU is ranked #76 and out of these 3 schools lowest-ranked and imagine in DC with thousands of graduates each year, that a lot of competition especially in a recession. Even GWU is way better than AU. But if funding is an issue, sometimes you have to say no even to the best. Perhaps you can consider 2nd best in that case.

quote