I don't know of any other school that offers a 2 year JD, however, UPenn and the University of Virginia let LLM's apply as transfers (alongside students who just finished their 1L). If you get in, you're admitted as a 2L. In the end the result is the same- or better because it's not a JD "for foreigners" whatever that means. You graduate alongside everyone else. I think UPenn only lets its own LLM's apply though.

Does anyone have any additional details on the waitlist process? I'm specifically wondering if 2 year JD students are on a specific list for 2 year JD spots (meaning, someone accepted as a 2 year JD would have to decline in order for someone on the waitlist to be picked) or if there is a general waitlist. Thanks! :)

I don't know how does it work either, but my application was placed on the waiting list as well. Do you know what kind of additional recomendation letters should we send in order to update our original applications?

I was put on the waiting list.

When is you guys response deadline?

I am a little reluctan about this program because is not very well known and I know a lot of lawyers who haven't heard of the existance of this program and think is more reliable to do a 3 year J.D.

Dude, it is NU. I really don't think employers will care if you did 2 or 3 years, just as long as you have a JD from NU and you passed the bar exam in whatever state you want to practice in. However, employers might care if your English skills are poor or if you don't have a work visa so they have to sponsor you, but those problems will be the same with both programs. I really don't think taking on another $50k or so of debt is good advice.

Hi guys!!

Unfortunately, I was put on the waitlist. I am very sad about it.

Is there anyone who know about this waitlisting in detail? How many applicants on the waitlist will get usually a final acceptance from NU? and who and how made it last year?

If there is anyone who has any useful informations on this subject, please share it with me. I really appreciate it.

Are there anybody out there that are waitlisted, the content of the letter. Also, want to know if anybody has been accepted from the waitlist

Hello everyone. Just thought I'd add my 2 cents.

I graduated from NU's 2-year JD program in 2005 and thought the program was excellent!

As a JD candidate you are treated exactly the same as regular (3-year) JD students, you are seated with them in class and are by no means set aside because of the program. The only differences with the 3-year students are that (i) you get a 1-year credit for your LL.B (undergraduate degree in law) and (ii) are required to take some mandatory courses. The interviewing process for jobs is also a bit different (see below).

The 2-year JD program also has some differences when compared to the LL.M the most important of which are (i) you are required to take the 1L (first year) course curriculum (core courses like Constitutional Law, Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law, etc.) during your first year (which some firms find as a plus at the time of hiring), and (ii) you are able to participate in OCI (on campus interviewing) with dozens of the most prestigious law firms from throughout the country (which LL.M students do not have access to outside of the LL.M fair in NYC).

Because NUs interviewing system does not allow firms to preselect students, you have a great shot at interviewing with very prestigious firms and impressing them at the interview which is something youll need to do given that, unlike most other candidates who will be interviewing, you will not have grades to show yet (2-year JDs interview on the outset of the program, while 3-year students interview between the 1st and 2nd years), which can be seen as a downside.

Therefore, I partially agree with some of the posts before: your level of English must be up-to-par, you need to be well-versed in the US style of interviewing and will need to highlight your accomplishments and experience during the interview to offset the absence of 1L grades (which are a big factor in how firms normally recruit their Summer Associates).

If you do, you should not have a problem. I got 5 offers to join Summer Associate programs by large firms, ended up accepting 2 (I split my Summer) and eventually got placement as a Corporate Associate in Sidley Austin in Chicago, which is one of the top firms in the US. (By the way, I chose not to practice international law, so even if you are foreign and have an LL.B, you are not restricted in your choice of practice. Because you become a US attorney with the JD degree + the bar, you can choose to specialize in whichever practice you prefer).

I hope this helps!

This is amazing. I have an LLB from Australia but I'm planning to move to the US in 4-5 years time. If more Law Schools like NU do this then it'll be a win for foreign trained lawyers.

I am seriously considering this program. Does any one know how competitive the program is to get into? Do they look at your GPA from your home university or just your LSAT?

Hello everyone. Just thought I'd add my 2 cents.



I graduated from NU's 2-year JD program in 2005 and thought the program was excellent!



As a JD candidate you are treated exactly the same as regular (3-year) JD students, you are seated with them in class and are by no means set aside because of the program. The only differences with the 3-year students are that (i) you get a 1-year credit for your LL.B (undergraduate degree in law) and (ii) are required to take some mandatory courses. The interviewing process for jobs is also a bit different (see below).



The 2-year JD program also has some differences when compared to the LL.M the most important of which are (i) you are required to take the 1L (first year) course curriculum (core courses like Constitutional Law, Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law, etc.) during your first year (which some firms find as a plus at the time of hiring), and (ii) you are able to participate in OCI (on campus interviewing) with dozens of the most prestigious law firms from throughout the country (which LL.M students do not have access to outside of the LL.M fair in NYC).



Because NUs interviewing system does not allow firms to preselect students, you have a great shot at interviewing with very prestigious firms and impressing them at the interview which is something youll need to do given that, unlike most other candidates who will be interviewing, you will not have grades to show yet (2-year JDs interview on the outset of the program, while 3-year students interview between the 1st and 2nd years), which can be seen as a downside.



Therefore, I partially agree with some of the posts before: your level of English must be up-to-par, you need to be well-versed in the US style of interviewing and will need to highlight your accomplishments and experience during the interview to offset the absence of 1L grades (which are a big factor in how firms normally recruit their Summer Associates).



If you do, you should not have a problem. I got 5 offers to join Summer Associate programs by large firms, ended up accepting 2 (I split my Summer) and eventually got placement as a Corporate Associate in Sidley Austin in Chicago, which is one of the top firms in the US. (By the way, I chose not to practice international law, so even if you are foreign and have an LL.B, you are not restricted in your choice of practice. Because you become a US attorney with the JD degree + the bar, you can choose to specialize in whichever practice you prefer).



I hope this helps!

Hi i know that this post is more than 2 yrs but I'm just happy to read about ur achievements, esp as it seems to me that you are female (let me know if i am wrong). Meanwhile, I'm just wondering if everythin has been going fine with your job. I'm really looking forward to be in your shoes after my Jd. Cheers

[Edited by Utsav Biswas on Dec 26, 2020]