Dear all,

I am planning my ll.m in the USA and wondering at the moment which colleges are within my reach. I will be honest, that after reading about the qualifications and credentials of so many of you, I am seriously intimidated :)

I am working as a litigation lawyer in india since past five months, preceding to which I graduated from Cardiff Law School (thus have an english ll.b). I had a 2:2 which is second division which doesn't seem good enough? I am not in a rush to start my ll.m and am thus planning to invest the next couple of years (maybe add another) in building a stronger background to be able to be accepted in the top 10-15 law schools.

Among other things I have considered doing a judicial clerkship, doing an indian ll.m/diploma from NLSIU (top law school in asia), continuing as a litigation lawyer, publishing papers. Would these things help overlook my weak academic background?

I am very interested in either UCLA or NYU, are they way out of my league? Any suggestions to help enhance my chances of admissions over next couple of years?

Thanks in advance! :)

aqua girl.

I think you are right in your plans to gain valuable work experience. I also think that publications will help demonstrate your intellectual ability and hopefully make up for the 2:2. For US schools, I would also recommend getting some extra-curricular activities and volunteer work on your CV. Best of luck!

I am currently working under a reasonably reputed criminal lawyer, but am getting the opportunity to do a judicial clerkship under a supreme court judge. Should I take the opportunity? my boss is a commendable man and we share a very good relationship, so I can hopefully join him back after finishing the clerkship.

But is JC preferred by universities over litigation experience while examining candidates