I recently sent in my applications to the above schools for the tax LL.M. programs and wanted to know what you all thought my chances might be.

I graduated in the top half of my class at USC, with a decent but not spectacular GPA (3.18). I went to the University of California, Irvine for undergrad and graduated w/ a 3.7, but a 3.9 the final two years. I've been working for the past two years at a insurance defense firm.

So, do you all think I have a shot at any of the above three? How hard is Florida out-of-state? IDo they give in-state residents preference? It's climate will probably suit me the best, but living in a city like NY or DC would be an experience too!

i think you have a good chance at all of those schools. if i'm correct, USC is a top 20 law school and i think being at the top half of your class will give you a decent shot at NYU and should give you a good shot at UF and GU. i'm in the UF program right now. i went to a 2nd tier law school and graduated in the top 30% of my class and that got me into UF and GU, but not NYU.

as far as i know, UF does not give preference to in state residents. good luck.

It seems the International Tax LL.M at NYU is more competitive to enter into compared to the LL.M. in Taxation.
I read on the NYU law website that only 15-25 are admitted each for the int tax class, while 200 are admitted for tax.

I personally applied to the int tax prog but am getting increasingly scared after finding out those details.
Any thoughts on this?

One more question- Is the Int tax program really that respected as the Grad Tax prog? I seem to think that US employers are more interested in Grads with tax instead of int tax since tax deals specifically with US tax law. Does some one think differently?

Please, kindly let me get your views on the above.

Hi Marungu

In fact, the International Tax LL.M at NYU is designed for foreign students, whereas in the Graduate Tax LL.M there are mainly Americans and fewer foreign students. It is true that the International Tax Program is much smaller.

We can basically take the same courses (but courses like International Taxation I&II and Taxation of International Business Transactions are mandatory in the International Tax Program).

Thanks alot for your thoughts!

It seems the International Tax LL.M at NYU is more competitive to enter into compared to the LL.M. in Taxation.
I read on the NYU law website that only 15-25 are admitted each for the int tax class, while 200 are admitted for tax.

I personally applied to the int tax prog but am getting increasingly scared after finding out those details.
Any thoughts on this?

One more question- Is the Int tax program really that respected as the Grad Tax prog? I seem to think that US employers are more interested in Grads with tax instead of int tax since tax deals specifically with US tax law. Does some one think differently?

Please, kindly let me get your views on the above.

As far as I know, the admissions process for the ITP this year was specially tough - a lot of people applied to the program. I have heard that around 30 candidates will receive admissions offers. I think you will have a good chance if: a) you´re not from a country that traditionally has many applicants (like Brazil); b) you have 2 or + years of professional experience related to tax law; c) good Law School grades; d) good TOEFL score.

I think the ITP is pretty respected - it is an old program and many firms know it, so ITP graduates can be found in many of the main firms and Big 4s in town. Having said that, it is also true that the GTP is regarded as "the" Tax program - although there is no significant difference between both. As an ITP, you may be required to take some different courses (like Tax Treaties or International Business Transactions), but GTPs also take the mentioned courses. In addition, the ITPs have some advantages: almost every Friday we have special lunch lectures and we are invited to some special events (like the Tillinghast lecture). It is often said among NYU´s LLM population that ITPs are extremely well-treated, and that´s true.

Regarding your last statement, I guess the answer is the following: it is not about whether you are a GTP or ITP, it is about the courses you take. If you take the courses that are considered as "important" courses, like Partnership Tax, International Tax I & II, Taxation of M&A, Taxation of Private Equity or Taxation of Financial Instruments, you will be regarded as a candidate as good as any GTP - provided that your grades are better than theirs´ (or as good as theirs).

Thanks Ivan for your insightful thoughts. I have one and a half years working experience in tax, have the highest CGPA in my faculty since inception, was on top of the class in my LL.B and top in the bar exam, applied for a TOEFL waiver coz my LL.B. was taught exclusively in English.
Have a moot experience (All-Africa)....Is this good enough?

Thanks in advance!

Branson:
you said that you were admitted to UF and GU with top 30% Tier 2 school. How long ago was this? I am in a similar position, top 30% in tier 1 school, and I have lots of tax classes with high grades. Do you think I would have a chance at either of those currently? Do you have any suggestions to increase my chances?
Thanks in advance!

Top 30% at a tier 1 is probably good enough for UF and Gtown. As for whether it is good enough for NYU is a more difficult call. You have a chance but it is far from a lock. The higher up in tier 1 the better your chances are. Also make sure to have good recommendations and a well written personal statement. Be sure to point out any relevant work experience too if you have it.