Nice discussion... Kazaf, did you decide to go to Harvard in the end?

I did:


Just for holidays though :-)

Hi there,
I might be drifting away from the topic here, but not because i don't want to reply, but because, i myself need a bit of help here. I observed the sensible talk that the two of you were having, and thought that i might get some good advice for myself.

I am doing my LLB from UCL (external degree) and waiting for my second year's result. I've heard that after u get your 2nd yr results, that is the right time to apply to universities. i need to know 2 things. Firstly; what is a better option after you're done with LLB... BAR or an LLM? What is the market like? what does it demand? LLM deg. holder or something else? And, if i do LPC, would it only help me if i decide to work in europe ? Because people tell me that , do your lpc, only if u want to live in europe.. but not if u want to come back to your country . (back to asia i;e)

Secondly, what are my chances if i decide to change my track and go to USA after completing my LLB? Will i need to do JD, some bar exam or can i just straight away do my LLM? IS doinf LLM from usa after 3 extensive years of studying british law a good idea? Would it help me in my career? Or should i stick to UK , weigh my options and see whether i want to do LLM or become a barrister?

I guess i seem pretty confused right now.. i would really like and appreciate some sincere advice and tips !
Waiting for a reply.... !

Hi! If you need my advice, I think you should turn the LLMs down, because from a career perspective, you've got all that's need from you LLB. The knowledge of law is mostly refined through practice, and you can learn more from the excellent lawyers who have graduated from Harvard. Then, you will be learning some more valuable things: experience that come beyond H.LLM!!
Good luck!

I am not going to Harvard but to Stanford for the SPILS/JSM program this year. I have been practicing law for 5.5years. I think this is another way to approach US LLMs, ie to pursue one after your career interests and perspectives have got more defined through several years of practice. I could have done an LLM right after law school, but chose not. I am glad of my choice because now, my master degree will make much more sense that it would have then. best of luck in finding your best path.

Hi all! First of all Kazaf, getting an offer from Harvard and Oxbridge makes u an extremely lucky person..i hope u do realise that...there thousands of students who are not even considered by these universities.. let alone a conditional or an unconditional offer...their applications are simply thrown in the dustbin...so getting all this panicky and jumpy won't get u any sympathy..if u got an offer then thank ur stars and stop throwing around tantarums!

Jes like Max 123, stop being so bloody bitter! Certainly, Kazaf was very lucky to get an offer from both institutions, but I'm sure he appreciates that. Why then would you preclude him from raising valid concerns and seeking advice, which is partly the reason for the existence of this site. So whether you or anyone you know or whatever, did not get a consideration from these institutions does not entitle you to be down right bitchy to everyone else who was forunate enough to get those offers. Try be a little more productive next time, will you?!

first of all Kazaf is a she not a he...secondly i got an offer from cambridge but went to UCL...the absurdity of this situation is that she studied in UK and got a 1st and still doesn't know the difference between oxbridge and Harvard..and for your info out my law class of 30 four went to harvard, so I bloody well know the difference btw oxbridge and Harvard..and plz do try to be more civilised.. my reply was to Kazaf not to u..I don't know whether I touched ur achilles heel or what but I haven't used 'bitchy' language as yet, if I had u would't be on this forum for long

I dont' take kindly to threats generally, but I'll let that slide.
This is what you said: 'so getting all this panicky and jumpy won't get u any sympathy..if u got an offer then thank ur stars and stop throwing around tantarums!'.

Now, yes, you were not making that statement to me, and if Kazaf is your friend and you were being sarcastic, then I apologise. However, if she (oh and thanks for that correction) is someone you do not know, I still believe your statements were unproductive and incredibly negative (how is that for civility) and to that end, as a member of this forum, I have a right to voice out my opinion.

I don't want to fight with you dude, I just thought your statement was ill-conceived and inappropriate, likewise your current statement.

I second lit - its ppl like max-whoever who bring bitterness to this forum which is otherwise very proactive and helpful Just ignore them

I second lit - its ppl like max-whoever who bring bitterness to this forum which is otherwise very proactive and helpful Just ignore them

One more amen in addition to Busingye's

I studied in the US at Columbia and think the Oxford BCL is a superior experience over any of the Ivy Leagues LL.M. simply because it is a graduate degree (unlike Harvard or Columbia where you get put in with the JD/LLB students) and it is more intellectually challenging (I have friends who have done both degrees - Harvard and BCL).
All that being said, you can't beat the U.S. experience. It really is quite amazing to be able to study here and get exposed to American legal thinking and with a Harvard LL.M you will have a diversified CV and can get a job anywhere - the UK or the US. The starting salaries in the US are phenomenal so you would pay of your loan in no time.

At the end of the day though I do think the Harvard LLM is more about the name than anything substantively better than other institutions so whether you choose to go there might be influenced by how much that matters to you.
Congratulations though - what a great decision to have to make!

err... I think Kazaf might hv made his/her decision a year ago though --- her post is actually from '06 -- but I agree what a great decision to have to make

How funny! It is actually from April 2005. How on earth did it end up at the top of the list? I just noticed that Kazak hasn't replied so I doubt she is even reading all our posts. Very funny.

it all started (re-started I should say) with max deciding to take on lit... but I think the whole episode has increased the longevity of the thread - its been brought back from the dead so to speak -- usually I think threads more than 2 yrs old on this site are removed by th LLM Guide management

I hope to see you in Cambridge in the fall.
Holger

Harvard is certainly not worth it.

Harvard LLM is just cash cow.

Harvard is overpriced charm school with good marketing.

Harvard Law so big you get lost.

Harvard not as good in job market as NYU and Columbia.

Yueping say take Penn Law over Harvard anyday.

Harvard sux0rs.

Okay okay I withdraw my statements..u lot happy now..Kazaf, I think has done her LLM so there is no reason to prolong this thread..and Lit I apologise for the rude language.

How in the world did you decide that I am a "she'? =) I am actually a guy - come on, "Kazaf" is about as "boyish" a name as it can get!

And yes, I did choose Harvard in the end. Amazing experience - I would highly recommend it to anyone!

Kazaf - you are one of the legendary figures here!