Hi, I am law graduate from Turkey. My GPA is 2.85 and I graduated in the top %20 of my class from a private university here in Turkey. I am planning to get my masters degree in the US. I am interested in studying International Law or Business Law. I am also a resident of Florida.
Looking at the rankings the best law school for L.LM. in Florida seems like Florida State University. It is in the top 50 (U.S. New Ranking) and as it is a state university, it won't be as expensive for me. Tuition would be around $20.000. I guess it would cost me around $40.000.
On the other hand, I would love to go to an ivy league law school or at least to a law school in the top 20. Tuition would be approx. $50.000 - $60.000. Total cost would be around $90.000.
My question is that, is the ranking or the name of the school really that important when you are getting a job in the States? If the school is not an ivy league school does it really worth paying $50.000 for tuition (for instance George Washington Uni.)?
Is the ranking or the name of the school really that important when you are getting a job in the States?
Posted May 04, 2018 14:41
0
Hi, I am law graduate from Turkey. My GPA is 2.85 and I graduated in the top %20 of my class from a private university here in Turkey. I am planning to get my masters degree in the US. I am interested in studying International Law or Business Law. I am also a resident of Florida.
Looking at the rankings the best law school for L.LM. in Florida seems like Florida State University. It is in the top 50 (U.S. New Ranking) and as it is a state university, it won't be as expensive for me. Tuition would be around $20.000. I guess it would cost me around $40.000.
On the other hand, I would love to go to an ivy league law school or at least to a law school in the top 20. Tuition would be approx. $50.000 - $60.000. Total cost would be around $90.000.
My question is that, is the ranking or the name of the school really that important when you are getting a job in the States? If the school is not an ivy league school does it really worth paying $50.000 for tuition (for instance George Washington Uni.)?
Looking at the rankings the best law school for L.LM. in Florida seems like Florida State University. It is in the top 50 (U.S. New Ranking) and as it is a state university, it won't be as expensive for me. Tuition would be around $20.000. I guess it would cost me around $40.000.
On the other hand, I would love to go to an ivy league law school or at least to a law school in the top 20. Tuition would be approx. $50.000 - $60.000. Total cost would be around $90.000.
My question is that, is the ranking or the name of the school really that important when you are getting a job in the States? If the school is not an ivy league school does it really worth paying $50.000 for tuition (for instance George Washington Uni.)?
Posted May 04, 2018 16:57
1
Hi, I am law graduate from Turkey. My GPA is 2.85 and I graduated in the top %20 of my class from a private university here in Turkey. I am planning to get my masters degree in the US. I am interested in studying International Law or Business Law. I am also a resident of Florida.
Looking at the rankings the best law school for L.LM. in Florida seems like Florida State University. It is in the top 50 (U.S. New Ranking) and as it is a state university, it won't be as expensive for me. Tuition would be around $20.000. I guess it would cost me around $40.000.
On the other hand, I would love to go to an ivy league law school or at least to a law school in the top 20. Tuition would be approx. $50.000 - $60.000. Total cost would be around $90.000.
My question is that, is the ranking or the name of the school really that important when you are getting a job in the States? If the school is not an ivy league school does it really worth paying $50.000 for tuition (for instance George Washington Uni.)?
Speaking from personal experience (in Europe), the legal market is extremely competitive, and usually a degree from a respected university will be an asset, provided of course you performed well and have some good work experience. I believe this applies in an equal manner to the US market.
However, one should bear in mind that grades are not everything nor the brand of the university should put a chip on your shoulder. I guess that as long as you have some other academic and/or extra-curricular activities, your CV will be boosted. If you attend the Ivy league go for it, of course it would not be detrimental, but if the costs are a problem I don't know how much it is worth spending a fortune. The US tuition fees are ridiculous. Further, as far as I am aware of, an LLM is not sufficient to be a lawyer in the US, the JD is required... perhaps I am wrong, maybe an American can shed light for you?
[Edited by Mombastic on May 04, 2018]
[quote]Hi, I am law graduate from Turkey. My GPA is 2.85 and I graduated in the top %20 of my class from a private university here in Turkey. I am planning to get my masters degree in the US. I am interested in studying International Law or Business Law. I am also a resident of Florida.
Looking at the rankings the best law school for L.LM. in Florida seems like Florida State University. It is in the top 50 (U.S. New Ranking) and as it is a state university, it won't be as expensive for me. Tuition would be around $20.000. I guess it would cost me around $40.000.
On the other hand, I would love to go to an ivy league law school or at least to a law school in the top 20. Tuition would be approx. $50.000 - $60.000. Total cost would be around $90.000.
My question is that, is the ranking or the name of the school really that important when you are getting a job in the States? If the school is not an ivy league school does it really worth paying $50.000 for tuition (for instance George Washington Uni.)?[/quote]
Speaking from personal experience (in Europe), the legal market is extremely competitive, and usually a degree from a respected university will be an asset, provided of course you performed well and have some good work experience. I believe this applies in an equal manner to the US market.
However, one should bear in mind that grades are not everything nor the brand of the university should put a chip on your shoulder. I guess that as long as you have some other academic and/or extra-curricular activities, your CV will be boosted. If you attend the Ivy league go for it, of course it would not be detrimental, but if the costs are a problem I don't know how much it is worth spending a fortune. The US tuition fees are ridiculous. Further, as far as I am aware of, an LLM is not sufficient to be a lawyer in the US, the JD is required... perhaps I am wrong, maybe an American can shed light for you?
Looking at the rankings the best law school for L.LM. in Florida seems like Florida State University. It is in the top 50 (U.S. New Ranking) and as it is a state university, it won't be as expensive for me. Tuition would be around $20.000. I guess it would cost me around $40.000.
On the other hand, I would love to go to an ivy league law school or at least to a law school in the top 20. Tuition would be approx. $50.000 - $60.000. Total cost would be around $90.000.
My question is that, is the ranking or the name of the school really that important when you are getting a job in the States? If the school is not an ivy league school does it really worth paying $50.000 for tuition (for instance George Washington Uni.)?[/quote]
Speaking from personal experience (in Europe), the legal market is extremely competitive, and usually a degree from a respected university will be an asset, provided of course you performed well and have some good work experience. I believe this applies in an equal manner to the US market.
However, one should bear in mind that grades are not everything nor the brand of the university should put a chip on your shoulder. I guess that as long as you have some other academic and/or extra-curricular activities, your CV will be boosted. If you attend the Ivy league go for it, of course it would not be detrimental, but if the costs are a problem I don't know how much it is worth spending a fortune. The US tuition fees are ridiculous. Further, as far as I am aware of, an LLM is not sufficient to be a lawyer in the US, the JD is required... perhaps I am wrong, maybe an American can shed light for you?
Posted May 04, 2018 17:31
0
Mombastic, thanks a lot for your answer. When you get your master's degree from a US law school, you can sit for the bar exam in a few states. JD is 3 years, L.LM. is 1 year so L.LM. would be a much cheaper and faster way to become a lawyer in the states. I have done my research about that. The only thing on my mind is, does it really worth spending x2 more money on a degree when I can get it for $40.000?
[Edited by ilaf on May 04, 2018]
Mombastic, thanks a lot for your answer. When you get your master's degree from a US law school, you can sit for the bar exam in a few states. JD is 3 years, L.LM. is 1 year so L.LM. would be a much cheaper and faster way to become a lawyer in the states. I have done my research about that. The only thing on my mind is, does it really worth spending x2 more money on a degree when I can get it for $40.000?
Posted May 04, 2018 17:55
1
Mombastic, thanks a lot for your answer. When you get your master's degree from a US law school, you can sit for the bar exam in a few states. JD is 3 years, L.LM. is 1 year so L.LM. would be a much cheaper and faster way to become a lawyer in the states. I have done my research about that. The only thing on my mind is, does it really worth spending x2 more money on a degree when I can get it for $40.000?
Personal opinion - if I can sit the bar exam in a few states, and those states are in my interest, I would be crazy to spend x2 more money on a degree than for the LLM, so definitely the LLM. If so, I would attend a University which has a good reputation in the local market I am seeking to work in. This includes a course which is stellar on my interests and is catchy nowadays. Hope this helps, good luck! :)
[Edited by Mombastic on May 04, 2018]
[quote]Mombastic, thanks a lot for your answer. When you get your master's degree from a US law school, you can sit for the bar exam in a few states. JD is 3 years, L.LM. is 1 year so L.LM. would be a much cheaper and faster way to become a lawyer in the states. I have done my research about that. The only thing on my mind is, does it really worth spending x2 more money on a degree when I can get it for $40.000?[/quote]
Personal opinion - if I can sit the bar exam in a few states, and those states are in my interest, I would be crazy to spend x2 more money on a degree than for the LLM, so definitely the LLM. If so, I would attend a University which has a good reputation in the local market I am seeking to work in. This includes a course which is stellar on my interests and is catchy nowadays. Hope this helps, good luck! :)
Personal opinion - if I can sit the bar exam in a few states, and those states are in my interest, I would be crazy to spend x2 more money on a degree than for the LLM, so definitely the LLM. If so, I would attend a University which has a good reputation in the local market I am seeking to work in. This includes a course which is stellar on my interests and is catchy nowadays. Hope this helps, good luck! :)
Posted May 05, 2018 14:10
1
I know it's not the main question, but: if you are choosing between an LL.M. or a J.D., go for the JD. Employers prefer JDs over LL.Ms, as they are trained directly to practice in the US (and passing the bar does not fix that).
I know it's not the main question, but: if you are choosing between an LL.M. or a J.D., go for the JD. Employers prefer JDs over LL.Ms, as they are trained directly to practice in the US (and passing the bar does not fix that).
Posted May 05, 2018 17:23
0
I know it's not the main question, but: if you are choosing between an LL.M. or a J.D., go for the JD. Employers prefer JDs over LL.Ms, as they are trained directly to practice in the US (and passing the bar does not fix that).
Thank you very much. Really appreciate your opinion.
First of all J.D. programs are very expensive (I won't be able to afford it) and takes 3 years + I have to take LSAT. If I get my L.LM. first, it is cheaper and just 1 year + I can always get J.D. after L.LM. and would finish J.D. in 2 years as I would have taken some of the classes in L.LM. (it would be cheaper as well because I have to take fewer classes) and I wouldn't have to take LSAT as I have L.LM. degree. That's why I prefer L.LM. for now and I am not really sure if I would stay in the states or would go back to Turkey.
[Edited by ilaf on May 05, 2018]
[quote]I know it's not the main question, but: if you are choosing between an LL.M. or a J.D., go for the JD. Employers prefer JDs over LL.Ms, as they are trained directly to practice in the US (and passing the bar does not fix that).[/quote]
Thank you very much. Really appreciate your opinion.
First of all J.D. programs are very expensive (I won't be able to afford it) and takes 3 years + I have to take LSAT. If I get my L.LM. first, it is cheaper and just 1 year + I can always get J.D. after L.LM. and would finish J.D. in 2 years as I would have taken some of the classes in L.LM. (it would be cheaper as well because I have to take fewer classes) and I wouldn't have to take LSAT as I have L.LM. degree. That's why I prefer L.LM. for now and I am not really sure if I would stay in the states or would go back to Turkey.
Thank you very much. Really appreciate your opinion.
First of all J.D. programs are very expensive (I won't be able to afford it) and takes 3 years + I have to take LSAT. If I get my L.LM. first, it is cheaper and just 1 year + I can always get J.D. after L.LM. and would finish J.D. in 2 years as I would have taken some of the classes in L.LM. (it would be cheaper as well because I have to take fewer classes) and I wouldn't have to take LSAT as I have L.LM. degree. That's why I prefer L.LM. for now and I am not really sure if I would stay in the states or would go back to Turkey.
Posted Aug 02, 2018 05:40
1
My personal experience has shown repeatedly that law school ranking matters more than I could have ever imagined before. I went to a top ranked program, Stanford, had very good legal experience before the US, and it still has been INCREDIBLY hard to find a job in the US.
I am at such a huge disadvantage compared to JDs even in a state where you only need a LLM to practice law. Why would they hire me over someone with a JD who has more legal training in the US? There is NO reason to do so unless I can show my value to them in other ways such as my previous work experience, languages I speak, ties to other countries or businesses.
Another option to consider is the accelerated JD or JD programs that will grant advance standing based on a LLB degree you already have. That might be a good choice for some. It also gives you more time to network when in the US and look for work. From the day you come to the US on a LLM or accelerated JD, start to network and make contacts. It is the best way you can find work here. Your LLM is not worth the paper it is printed on for the most part. It just gives you the option to set for a bar exam in some states. Better start preparing for the bar early as well.
My personal experience has shown repeatedly that law school ranking matters more than I could have ever imagined before. I went to a top ranked program, Stanford, had very good legal experience before the US, and it still has been INCREDIBLY hard to find a job in the US.
I am at such a huge disadvantage compared to JDs even in a state where you only need a LLM to practice law. Why would they hire me over someone with a JD who has more legal training in the US? There is NO reason to do so unless I can show my value to them in other ways such as my previous work experience, languages I speak, ties to other countries or businesses.
Another option to consider is the accelerated JD or JD programs that will grant advance standing based on a LLB degree you already have. That might be a good choice for some. It also gives you more time to network when in the US and look for work. From the day you come to the US on a LLM or accelerated JD, start to network and make contacts. It is the best way you can find work here. Your LLM is not worth the paper it is printed on for the most part. It just gives you the option to set for a bar exam in some states. Better start preparing for the bar early as well.
I am at such a huge disadvantage compared to JDs even in a state where you only need a LLM to practice law. Why would they hire me over someone with a JD who has more legal training in the US? There is NO reason to do so unless I can show my value to them in other ways such as my previous work experience, languages I speak, ties to other countries or businesses.
Another option to consider is the accelerated JD or JD programs that will grant advance standing based on a LLB degree you already have. That might be a good choice for some. It also gives you more time to network when in the US and look for work. From the day you come to the US on a LLM or accelerated JD, start to network and make contacts. It is the best way you can find work here. Your LLM is not worth the paper it is printed on for the most part. It just gives you the option to set for a bar exam in some states. Better start preparing for the bar early as well.
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