many select an LLM and a law school for the wrong reasons. Someone wrote about wanting to do an LLM because he/she was 'inclined' to do it. A few do it because they see others doing it. Many do it for a job at NYC. Recently I read someone who cited heartwarming emails and the ability to sip wine with faculty as reasons (curiously that individual changed his or her username to "BlackLLM" after I wrote a reply - go figure!).

since I have time to kill before lunch here are some reasons that generally should be avoided when making a decision.

~ Dont do it for a job in NYC. You wont get one.

~ Dont do it unless you've wanted to do it for over a year. Impulsive decisions dont work out. When in doubt dont apply.

~ Dont do it unless you are sure it will help you once you get back home. That one year loss can be deadly

~ Dont do it if you're not confident of your credentials. Ask around if you must but 'taking a chance' is the WORST thing you can do and a rejection will jeopardise your chances later

~ Dont do it to take a break / gap. LLMs are demanding and its anything but fun.

~ Dont do it without six months advance preparation.

~ Dont do it if your English comprehension is weak. You will avoid a lot of frustration and heartburn later on.

~ Dont do it with a hefty mortgage. Even Harvard.

And now for selecting a law school.

~ Dont select a LS for the 'ivy league' tag. That means nothing in the job market or in terms of current academic standards. NYU, UChicago, UCLA, Michigan, the list is long of law schools that are great and beat Cornell and UPenn by a wide margin.

~ Dont select a LS by 'asking around' what people think about it, especially alumni who are not known very closely. Humans love to justify their choices and even an LLM from Prince Ticonderoga University will have you believe it trumps Stanford.

~ Dont select a LS based on the sights and sounds in the city where it is.

~ Dont select a LS based on class size or a desire to be 'exclusive'.

~ Dont select a LS based on great faculty names unless you will be taking their courses. And be sure to check if they still teach.

- Dont select a LS based on Quora trivia (ABC has the oldest library in the US)

you're welcome

The most sanctimonious post I have ever read on this forum. Get a life JSD.

Brilliant pointers, thanks JSD!!

@gjhowe - Your comments are pretty rich for someone who joined today and has contributed nothing so far. Please dont post junk. Some of us take this forum seriously. I have been reading JSDs posts and they are of much assistance.

@imnc I have been reading this forum for quote a long time but i decided to join only today. It doesn't make me a lesser being. There is no doubt that JSD makes some good points but I am sure it could be done without being smug about it. I found his post highly patronizing and offensive to specific individuals.

Besides, I am here to freely express my views so I don't need nobody to tell me what to post on this forum.

JSD, sorry for this but I think your post your quite unnecessary. Everyone of us has the right to do whatever he wants; so if someone wants to do an LLM for whatever reason he can do it!! Also, I know people who have got a job in NY because of their LLM, further to this, as a UK graduate and future barrister, I can assure you that an LLM from Chicago will add nothing to your CV, at least in the perspective of the barrister sets in UK, while an LLM from Harvard/Yale will immediately get you, at least, an interview to every set you apply!!

So stop telling people why they should not do an LLM and get a life!

@gjhowe:: You are misreading me. I say that your first post was value-less in context of getting information about LLM applikations. JSD has already done his LLM and maybe got a JSD/SJD also and at least hopefuls like me need tips from him. You on the other hand have not helped. Why do you post if it will not help someone??

For your information my direktor of the university where I am a scholar gave the same advice that JSD has written. I appreciate both their advice.

I also do not get how you say the points were offensive. JSD has quoted what other forum-members have said, I have read those posts. How someone take offense to being quoted??

JSD, sorry for this .....;

I think your post your quite unnecessary

Everyone of us has the right to do whatever he wants

I know people who have got a job in NY because of their LLM

I can assure you that an LLM from Chicago will add nothing to your CV, at least in the perspective of the barrister sets in UK, while an LLM from Harvard/Yale will immediately get you, at least, an interview to every set you apply!!

Some interesting points about job opportunities in the US:

http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/14/news/economy/jobs-market-normal/

And I guess it all depends on your prior experience, field and willingness to work a few months/years in unpaid positions that will help you make your CV robust. As I see it there are interesting positions for foreign attorneys in the US both in public and private sectors.

sobering stuff for the starry-eyed.

http://prospect.org/article/llm-lawyers-losing-money

http://abovethelaw.com/2012/01/the-value-of-the-ll-m-degree-still-low/

http://thelegaldollar.blogspot.in/2010/10/is-earning-llm-worth-it.html

http://insidethelawschoolscam.blogspot.in/2012/10/llm-programs.html

@JSD why are you so insistent on proving everybody except you who decides to do an LL.M. is unworthy? I am sure different people have different reasons and aspirations because of which they want to pursue graduate studies. Maybe sipping wine with Judge Posner and Prof Nussbaum or living in a great city like NY is what people want. At the same time, people are aware and realistic enough to realize that the US job market is not what is was during 2003-07 but they are still taking chances. Life is after all a game of chances! You acting smug and trying to prove how wrong everyone is adds nothing to this forum and neither does starting stupid threads such as these.

@imnc For your information, I am an LL.M. too. And how do you know what JSD's qualifications are? Do you gather this by his user name? I mean I could change my username to @POTUS but that does not mean that I will be the same person, right?