Hi Everyone,

I need some advice badly in relation to LLM degrees in the US. Basically I have been applying to LLM programmes in the UK during this year and I discounted my chances of getting into a top US college so I did not to any US Law schools.

However I am regretting this decision now. I have offers from KCL, UCL and Edinbrugh. I am still awaiting a decision from LSE.

I was simply wondering what colleges I would stand a chance at getting into in the US. In first and second year of my LLB degree I had an average of 65% and in my final year I will likely graduate with a 67 or 68% average. I also have done various internships. I am not published as of yet.

My interests are in the areas of Constitutional and EU law.

Do I stand a chance of getting into an Ivy League School?

Any advice would be helpful guys.

And Thanks for taking the time to read the post.

Any assistance guys?

As Im not sure if I should defer and apply to the US next year?

As an American, I will say that if your goal is any Ivy League school, you will very likely be successful. I think Cornell and Penn, etc., are within reach. Harvard, Yale, CLS, and to a lesser extent NYU are closer questions. But with your success, I would try if the Ivy League is your goal.

Thanks ok computer.

That is great news. Because I really do not have any idea of where I stand regarding my chances of admission to a top school. Your response is most appreciated indeed.

If anybody else has any opinions I would be grateful for the help?

Hi Shambini09 and Ok_Computer

Shambini I am also Irish and hoping to apply for an LLM in the states starting September 2012.

I think a llm from a top US law school is definitely more advantageous from a career prospective primarily because of the education one would receive and because of the high level of people who have llms from top UK universities who realistically you will be competing against for jobs if you aspire to stay in this jurisdiction. I can think of maybe 20 people off hand who have llms from Cambridge alone and countless more from LSE.

I do think if you can afford it, try for the states. The contacts you would make on an international level would really benefit you, as you really can't count on getting a job/trainee contract in Ireland or England or being kept on once you qualify as I am sure you are already aware (again if thats what you want).

I personally have a lot of experience having worked as a legal exe for 2 years prior to starting my training contract and I am due to qualify as a solicitor in Dec 11. I am hoping to take a further tax course in trust and estate planning starting in September 2011 and sit the New York bar in February 2012. Along with trying to get qualified to work in the UK (not exactly sure what's involved in that at the moment as I know the procedure recently changed).

I was wondering if having the New York bar under my belt would improve my chances of acceptance to a top school?

It is my main motivation for doing it as I don't really aspire to work in New York (but I do believe it is always good to have the option if down the line I need to travel to work and it might increase my chances at the very least of being hired by an American company in another jurisdiction).

Thanks,
Scarlet

Hi guys, I'm Irish and I applied to US schools and got into Columbia, NYU (scholarship), rejected from Stanford and wait listed by Harvard. I came second in my class (72 average), already have NY bar and have done 3 years in top law firm in Dublin. I think with a 65 average, I'm sorry but I don't know about Ivy League but I think defo NYU and Chiacago to name 2 that are in your reach. I would defo defer your British LLM if you can, but make sure you do something with your year, its true that everyone from Ireland has a British LLM (I got accepted to Oxbridge too but decided it'd just be the same as my undergraduate). Anyway hope that helps!

Aooleary - Thanks for the comments. Congratulations on your acceptance to NYU and Columbia. They are two great schools. If you get the opportuinity will you take Harvard?

Dont apologise, I would rather have a realistic view of my chances before I apply. As regarding your scholarship, how exactly do they work? As in, is the full tuition waived or do you still have to pay some part of the tuition? Did you apply to UPenn as that is a college I am particuarly interested in?

Scarlett - Well done in your success thus far in your career. I agree that the fact that undertaking an LLM in the US is regarded in higher regard in Ireland, mainly due to the sheer volume of British LLM holders. Therefore if one takes the money issue out of the equation ( and I know that is a major issue with studying in the US) I feel that to study in the US would be an investment in your future.

As regarding the New York Bar I would imagine (and I do not know for sure) that doing the New York Bar would increase your chances of acceptance. The more qualifications and experience you have should improve your chances.

Do you have any preferred colleges you would like to go to?

Yep, would take Harvard in a heartbeat so am keeping my fingers crossed but if not no worries, I'm sure I'll love Columbia! Didn't apply to UPenn so can't give you any advice on that score. The scholarship I got from NYU was for half the tutition and then I'd have to pay the other half. Good luck with it all!