Hi Everyone,

I’m wondering whether I have any chances - and if so how good - to get admitted to LLM programs at top US law schools with my credentials.

I’m a Hungarian lawyer, by the time I apply I will have 2-2,5 years of work experience post graduation at an international law firm, in the corporate/m&a practice group. I have graduated with a summa cum laude distinction, based on the classification of my degree I was rank 9/64 in my class, basically top 15% of my class.
I have participated in the FDI Moot Court, where I was the captain of my university’s team, I also won a national competition, got third in another national competition and also participated in national and faculty moot court competitions as well. I have received national excellence scholarships from the Ministry of Justice twice (these are given to students, who have demonstrated some kind of an extracurricular activity and have a particularly high GPA in the given semester), I have received merit based scholarship for almost all other semesters also from the ministry, I have received a dean’s award and spent a semester on Erasmus as well.
During uni I interned at the local office of Baker&McKenzie and at another very prestigious Hungarian law firm, which used to be the Budapest office of Clifford Chance.
By the time I apply I will have 2-3 publications published as well, and also If I apply I will most likely be a Fulbright scholar since I would not be able to finance the tuition otherwise.

Based on the above what do you guys think how good of a shot I have at let’s say Harvard, Columbia, NYU, Northwestern, Stanfords Corporate Governance llm, UPenn etc.?

I just attended NYU and I’d say you have a strong shot at any of the above (with Harvard being the toughest). I think being Hungarian will help you too, because I didn’t know any Hungarians at NYU or Columbia and the programs like to have a diverse international class. Just tell your story about your past and goals in a compelling way in your personal statement and through your references and you’ll do well! Good luck!

Your state profile seems very good. You must apply to all top schools, but its kinda costly, so you might think of applying to the best 6 to 10 law schools.

Keep you file ready 1 month before applications are officially accepted on LSAC. Apply in the first opportunity possible. The process is too tedious & depressing. Start early to reach early.

All the best!