Hi guys, I was wondering if you could share your thoughts about the LLM in these school, and if you were me what would you choose. I live in NY, and I was accepted to do LLM in Fordham (50k), Berkeley (63k), and Iowa (20k). My points are for this schools are.

Fordham: 50k, ranking 37, however is in NY, I want to pursue Corporate Law, International trade. Which I know most of the law firms are based in NY. Since I live here, I have a pretty good deal in rent, so my cost of living are ok. Therefore, I believe Fordham, well know in NY, would provide me a good network, since I'd have the facility to be living in the city where I want to work in the future.

Berkeley 60k, 10k more than Fordham, top 10. Great network all over the country, but I dont know if it would be better than Fordham. In California will be even more expensive than only 10k, since live there would be more expensive to live than here in NY. However, is a top 10 in the US. and well recognize also in Europe, since I also have the European citizenship, it could help me also there (as a plan B).

Iowa, 20k, ranking 29. It is ranked better than Fordham. However, I dont know how would be the network there to work in NY. I know it is a good school, it the cheapest one. but I don't know how is the reputation of Iowa in NY, especially comparable with Fordham or even Berkeley. Iowa would spark me especially because of the price, which is almost 1/3 of others. (this is because of scholarship. In normal way it would be also around 40k). I would also might be able to do the JD there for 20k/y only. which sounds pretty reasonable, but I dont know If would be well appreciate for Job Market.

Therefore, I have, network X price X ranking. Taking a loan is not an option, especially because I am a foreigner here and after the OPT, if I dont have a job I would have to come back to Brazil, and I dont want to have a debt after school. Plus, many people say that LLM is only for foreigners or people who couldn't find a job. So far I have 35k saved, and Im trying to get more scholarship.

Thank you and I hope you can help me on that.

[Edited by Rcestari on Feb 22, 2020]

Just to clarify, you have already received an offer from Berkeley? If so could you let us know when?

I think Berkeley would be a worthy investment in the long term. It is significantly better than Fordham and Iowa in many aspects and is also a national school, so landing a job in NY is definitely achievable.

Just to clarify, you have already received an offer from Berkeley? If so could you let us know when?

I think Berkeley would be a worthy investment in the long term. It is significantly better than Fordham and Iowa in many aspects and is also a national school, so landing a job in NY is definitely achievable.

Just to clarify, you have already received an offer from Berkeley? If so could you let us know when?

I think Berkeley would be a worthy investment in the long term. It is significantly better than Fordham and Iowa in many aspects and is also a national school, so landing a job in NY is definitely achievable.

Hi. Thanks for answering me. So, I was accepted so far only for professional track. I contacted the office yesterday, and unfortunately she informed me that in professional track I’m not allow to take the NY bar. And for traditional track they would let us know the answer early March, in two weeks so.

But thanks for you answer. This is the most important aspect why I’m considering Berkeley. National school too 10. Because it will be more than double of what I have saved. And most of the people say that LLM is a box to check off only, therefore for them would make more sense to do Iowa then, even though the network would be tough.
What do you guys say about the importance of a LLM ?

Are you a qualified lawyer in Brazil already? If so, you might be able to take the NY Bar directly without an LLM and you can have more flexibility in terms of where to do your LLM.

Chances are you will need to work in your home country for a year or two at least before you can find a permanent job in the US, given how competitive the legal market is, especially in NY. So I feel long-term benefits such as Berkeley's reputation and its alumni network might be more important than the immediate costs.

If you must choose a programme that gives you eligibility to take the NY Bar, consider Boston University as well. It's ranked higher than Fordham/Iowa and also offers quite a few scholarships to LLM students. They are still accepting applications I believe. Good luck!

[Edited by kyotolawllm on Feb 22, 2020]

Hi kyotolawllm, yes. I am a lawyer already in Brazil, I’ve been working in the field for 3 years already. That’s the point. I didn’t want to go back to Brazil and then come back to the US. Especially because in Brazil, if you didn’t go to top 5 in the US, it doesn’t matter. In the end you will have a LLM from the US, which is pretty strong anyway. If so, the cheapest one would make more sense.
About to the bar right away, it’s only allow in California so far. But Thank you for all the infos and also for the tip about Boston. I checked and the applications are still open. I will definitely check it out.

Berkeley sounds amazing. And it’s the best option I totally agree if wasn’t the price. Hahaha. But hopefully I will get more scholarship ????