Golden Gate University


Hunter

Does anyone have any information on Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco? I am interested in the general LLM and possibly their tax LLM. If you have any thoughts on this school, I would appreciate your input.

Thanks.

Does anyone have any information on Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco? I am interested in the general LLM and possibly their tax LLM. If you have any thoughts on this school, I would appreciate your input.

Thanks.
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richardvf

It is a bottom tier law school. if you want a LL.M in tax and don't have the creds to go to a top tier law school, try the University of San Diego.

It is a bottom tier law school. if you want a LL.M in tax and don't have the creds to go to a top tier law school, try the University of San Diego.
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flattop55

It's quite disturbing to see the negative comments about Golden Gate given by people who likely know nothing about the university except what they've heard, yet this doesn't stop them from imparting their wisdom. Unfortunately, for me, a graduate of both Stanford Law and Golden Gate with an LL.M. in Environmental Law, I can tell you that my experience there was excellent. The teachers uniformally were great, and gave one-on-one attention to each student. The LL.M. in Tax is highly ranked, and only one of a handfull of such degrees in California. The LL.M. in Environmental Law has been ranked highly by U.S. News, and is the ONLY LL.M in environmental law in California. The other SF schools also are very good, and one should not be mislead by bar exam stats. The CA Bar is one of the most difficult in the country to pass, and all the schools have relatively low pass rates. The state-wide pass rate for CA historically is under 60%. GGU is striving to become an excellent school, and I highly recommend you disregard the hearsay negativity I have seen posted here. Call the school, go for a tour, speak with present students, and make up your own mind.

It's quite disturbing to see the negative comments about Golden Gate given by people who likely know nothing about the university except what they've heard, yet this doesn't stop them from imparting their wisdom. Unfortunately, for me, a graduate of both Stanford Law and Golden Gate with an LL.M. in Environmental Law, I can tell you that my experience there was excellent. The teachers uniformally were great, and gave one-on-one attention to each student. The LL.M. in Tax is highly ranked, and only one of a handfull of such degrees in California. The LL.M. in Environmental Law has been ranked highly by U.S. News, and is the ONLY LL.M in environmental law in California. The other SF schools also are very good, and one should not be mislead by bar exam stats. The CA Bar is one of the most difficult in the country to pass, and all the schools have relatively low pass rates. The state-wide pass rate for CA historically is under 60%. GGU is striving to become an excellent school, and I highly recommend you disregard the hearsay negativity I have seen posted here. Call the school, go for a tour, speak with present students, and make up your own mind.
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WSUJD2007

Hi! Does anyone know how competitive it is to get into an LLM program in Taxation? I'm graduating this May and I'd like to start applying for the program. My law school credentials aren't the best and I'm wondering if it's even worth my time and expense to apply. I'm considering applying to Chapman, USD, and Golden Gate! Please advise...thanks!!!

Hi! Does anyone know how competitive it is to get into an LLM program in Taxation? I'm graduating this May and I'd like to start applying for the program. My law school credentials aren't the best and I'm wondering if it's even worth my time and expense to apply. I'm considering applying to Chapman, USD, and Golden Gate! Please advise...thanks!!!
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As long as you passed the bar, you will be fine

As long as you passed the bar, you will be fine
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taxlawyer

It is a bottom tier law school. if you want a LL.M in tax and don't have the creds to go to a top tier law school, try the University of San Diego.

This is a remarkably uninformed opinion about the LL.M. program(s) at GGU. I have an LL.M. in Taxation from GGU and my J.D. from a top 20 law school and I can tell you my experience at GGU was extremely positive. My professor for Corporate Taxation and Partnership Taxation wrote the textbook - the same book used at NYU, Miami, and all the other good programs - and was an excellent teacher. My professor for Tax Procedure was a sitting judge with years of tax controversy experiece. The program was full of practicing attorneys so the small classes had lots of practical discussion. I would recommend GGU's LL.M. in Taxation to anyone, especially if you are staying in CA. If you can get into NYU, definitely go for it, but you can get an excellent education at GGU as well. I believe GGU's low ranking has to do with the bar pass rate, which is totally unrelated to the LL.M. programs. Not as impressive as NYU, but a solid program and a good value.

<blockquote>It is a bottom tier law school. if you want a LL.M in tax and don't have the creds to go to a top tier law school, try the University of San Diego.</blockquote>
This is a remarkably uninformed opinion about the LL.M. program(s) at GGU. I have an LL.M. in Taxation from GGU and my J.D. from a top 20 law school and I can tell you my experience at GGU was extremely positive. My professor for Corporate Taxation and Partnership Taxation wrote the textbook - the same book used at NYU, Miami, and all the other good programs - and was an excellent teacher. My professor for Tax Procedure was a sitting judge with years of tax controversy experiece. The program was full of practicing attorneys so the small classes had lots of practical discussion. I would recommend GGU's LL.M. in Taxation to anyone, especially if you are staying in CA. If you can get into NYU, definitely go for it, but you can get an excellent education at GGU as well. I believe GGU's low ranking has to do with the bar pass rate, which is totally unrelated to the LL.M. programs. Not as impressive as NYU, but a solid program and a good value.
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jenhorn

GGU's first-time bar passage rate for February 2007 was 68.3%. Only 36.8% of all test takers passed and the average for CA ABA Accredited schools was 61%. GGU students collectively passed at a rate 7% above the state average achieved by ABA schools.

http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10144&n=85941
www.ggu.edu/school_of_law/law_alumni_services/

GGU's first-time bar passage rate for February 2007 was 68.3%. Only 36.8% of all test takers passed and the average for CA ABA Accredited schools was 61%. GGU students collectively passed at a rate 7% above the state average achieved by ABA schools.

http://calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10144&n=85941
www.ggu.edu/school_of_law/law_alumni_services/
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taxlawyer

Yes, they have been working to get that number up, had a very impressive showing this last time around (props), and will hopefully continue in that direction. Again, though, the J.D. bar pass rate is not especially relevant to quality of the LL.M. program. I suppose it is relevant to the prestige of the program insofar as it affects GGU's "ranking," but I do not equate prestige with quality.

Yes, they have been working to get that number up, had a very impressive showing this last time around (props), and will hopefully continue in that direction. Again, though, the J.D. bar pass rate is not especially relevant to quality of the LL.M. program. I suppose it is relevant to the prestige of the program insofar as it affects GGU's "ranking," but I do not equate prestige with quality.
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Traveler

I think what you wrote about GGU on the llm-guide under topic: "Golden Gate University" was great. Can you maybe also respond to the latest person who posted last week asking specifically about eh Environmental program? Post is called "Environmental Law LL.M."

I think what you wrote about GGU on the llm-guide under topic: "Golden Gate University" was great. Can you maybe also respond to the latest person who posted last week asking specifically about eh Environmental program? Post is called "Environmental Law LL.M."
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I just got accepted into their Fall 2011 program for an LLM in tax. I come from a top 100 US law school with a B average, have mainly family law legal work experience, served as a graduate research assistant for a professor and a student ambassador while in law school.

I just got accepted into their Fall 2011 program for an LLM in tax. I come from a top 100 US law school with a B average, have mainly family law legal work experience, served as a graduate research assistant for a professor and a student ambassador while in law school.
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rspp

Hi
I am interested in studying LLM in US Legal studies at GGU. Can anyone share their experience or give any feedback.

Hi
I am interested in studying LLM in US Legal studies at GGU. Can anyone share their experience or give any feedback.
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