Since I've been rejected by harvard, I decided to apply for JD after graduation of the llm program so i'll have another chance.

I've rejected all other schools that admitted me, leaving penn and chicago. Giving that i'll take lsat and apply for the 2011 jd program in US after the 2009-2010 llm program, which one should I choose? I mean, it was said in penn it's easier to get higher grades(i dont know whether this is true, since i think it's hard for people to compare them), and that's important for JD applicants from outside US. But it also seems Chicago got a better reputation among the faculties..

any advice would be very helpful! (esp for information regarding gradings of the 2 schools, if such information is available..)

definitely Chicago. As far as I know, it is not difficult to transfer to JD internally in Chicago. The only thing is, few Chicago LLMs are interested in transferring to JD program for another two years

My understanding is that he would like to apply to Harvard's JD program after completing his LLM at Chicago or UPenn (rather than transfer internally to UPenn / Chicago's JD program).

If that case, I think go for Chicago because their rankings are better.

However, personally, my two cents is that this entire exercise you are intending to do is a waste of time and money! Just apply directly to HLS for their JD program. No need for an additional LLM at Chicago / UPenn because it will not reduce your JD length at HLS!

Sorry.

I agree with Gregor. go for the JD ...