Guys, for those who can't be away for a whole year, Berkeley has an alternative program which is taught during two consecutive summers. It is a god opportunity to get a LLM degree using your vacation period and without quitting your job. As a Berkeley Alumni, I can assure the University is awesome, and the faculty for the Summer LLM is the same for the "traditional" one-year LLM. You can contact me if you are interested to know more about it. Cheers!

Hi Grugani,
I would be interested in the program since I have been working for nearly 6 years, I have a daughter and am not able to move away for one year.
I know the deadline for 2011/2012 will expire on 1st september so I think I'll apply for 2012/2013.
I would like to ask you some questions:
1) What is the background of the students? I mean, they are either professionals or newly garduated?
2) Since, i said before, I have been working for many years it is not easy for me obtaining accademic reference letters. Are job referees well regarded as well?
I appreciate a lot your reply.
Cheers

Hi. I've sent you a message.

Check Berkeley´s webpage. They extended the deadline until octuber 1.

thanks, you are right they've extended the deadline til mid October

just saw that they have even extended the deadline further til 1st of december. does anybody know about study costs for the summer program? couldn't find that on the website

however this leaves me confused...:

2010
May 5 Application form available for 2011-2012 Summer LLM program
December 1 Deadline to apply for 2011-2012 Summer LLM program
Sep-Nov Admissions decisions finalized, applicants notified ?????

joey86,

The deadline to apply to the Summer LLM program starting in 2011 has been extended until December 1. Because we have rolling admissions for summer, unlike for the academic year, applicants are notified of admissions decisions as they are made, usually within a few weeks of submitting the summer application.

I hope this makes sense. If you still have questions, please send us an email at llm@law.berkeley.edu.

- Berkeley Law, Advanced Degree Programs Office

Guys, as you can see, Berkeley's ADP office is ready to answer to any questions! In addition, if you want to have the view of a former Berkeley LL.M., do not hesitate to contact me!

Hello!

I intend to apply to the Summer LL.M. programme at Berkeley. I was wondering though whether there is any big difference between the Academic LLM and the Summer one besides that it is split into two summers. What does the diploma mention; Summer LLM or LLM? Is it looked down on by those who attend the Academic one or potential employers? I would really appreciate if the ADP could answer these questions.

Thanks

ga2010,

Graduates from our Summer LL.M. program earn the exact same degree as our academic year graduates, a Berkeley Law LL.M. degree. It is a general LL.M. degree, and appears the same way on summer student transcripts as on academic year student transcripts, apart from the semesters attended.

In fact, because it is the exact same degree with courses taught by the same outstanding faculty that teach the same courses during the academic year, our Summer LL.M. program is currently the ONLY accelerated LL.M. program in the US to qualify graduates for both the California and New York state bar exams.

The biggest differences between the two programs include:

1) the Summer LL.M. program spans two consecutive summers instead of one continuous academic year

2) Summer courses are intensive and taught in sequence, apart from Intro to US Law and Legal Research & Writing, both of which span an entire summer

3) Because J.D. students do not take classes during summer, there are fewer course offerings during the summer. Starting in 2011, summer LL.M. students will have 9 electives to choose from, in addition to the required courses. Summer LL.M. students also enjoy smaller class sizes and more individualized attention from their faculty instructors than academic-year students generally do.

In short, there is absolutely no reason for potential employers or academic year LL.M. students to "look down on" our Summer LL.M. program. Berkeley Law offers one, top-quality, internationally-recognized LL.M. degree - with two pathways to earn it.

For more information on our Summer LL.M. program, please visit our website: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/5652.htm. Or feel free to drop us an email at llm@law.berkeley.edu and we'll be happy to answer any further questions you may have.

- Berkeley Law, Advanced Degree Programs Office

Great!! Thank you so much for the information!!

llm@law.berkeley.edu
Berkeley's Summer LLM program looks to be pretty well suited to working professionals and I am very much interestered in. However, my only concern is about fee payment. All admitted students have to pay the tuition fee for the entire program at once ie., at the time of admission to the program or do we have the option to pay the fee in two installments ie., dividing the total fee over two summers.

It would appreciate if Berkerley ADP office can answer this question. Thanks in advance.
-LegalIndia.

legal India:

I have asked the same question to Berkeley's LLM office and you pay tuition per semester and not the full tuition.

Thanks Wheretogo_. So, what's ur decision, are u decided to go for this program.

BU is also starting one Exe LLM-International Business Law which is also designed well to suit the working professionals and the most i liked is their curriculum. So, I am yet to decide between these two.
Which one you suggest. which program weighs more in your view?

Thanks - LegalIndia

I was admitted to this course two years ago but declined due to lack of funds. I remain interested but until then I have to find funds.

I think it is a good course but very expensive. You wouldn't be able to focus that much in modules of your interest but more on a US legal system programme with limited choice. However it does look good!!!
The BU course looks very good too and I think more reasonable!

American LL.M. programs are generally very expensive but Boalt is a very good university and the Bay Area is just awesome.

You might want to check whether you can get any tax refund. For instance, I didnt pay any taxes in Austria in 2009 (and will get a refund for 2010) because of the tuition fee.

Hi, Wheretogo_,
Of course funding is the most important of all other aspects. and second most important is curriculum. I see more weight in BU curriculum than Boalt SUmmer LLM and their all inclusive tuition also looks pretty less when compared some other programs in USA. Yes, I agree with you, Boalt program is for those who wants t0 gain more insight into US legal system and interested in taking NY &CL bar exams.

I need to check up on Hanna.Vienna's suggestion. But I dont think it will apply to foriegners.
-LegalIndia

I meant it this way: should you have had some income during the year when you started/intent to start your LL.M. (for instance, you worked in a law firm from January to July) you might file a tax declaration. At least in Austria, any expenses for education will be deducted from your salary. Should your salary + tax rate be high (which normally goes together), it is a nice amount of money that you will get back. At Boalt, you can even pay the tuition fee in installments. Hence, you will also generate some expenses for the second year. At least for a tax declaration, deductible expenses are great ;-).

However, your own tax law might be different.

Any of you know how many students are there in the Summer LLM course?