Hello all,
I am new to this board, but would like some educated opinions as to my chances of admission for the following programs: NYU, GU, UF, NW, BU, UM, Wash U St. Louis, and SMU. Here is a little about me:

-T3/4 Law School (T3 when I graduated in 2005, fell to 4 in 2009)
-Top 8% of class
-Editor-in-Chief, Law Journal; published note on Sarbox
- GPA in tax courses and courses with inherent tax consequences; Fed Tax 4.0, Trusts & Estates 3.7
- 15 years work experience prior to law school, majority in quality control/assurance and statistical analysis
-Undergrad in History and Political Science
-Have practiced law for three years, no tax experience

Hard to explain my fascination and affinity for tax. If one would have told me prior to law school this topic would interest me most, I would have laughed.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Your numbers are awesome, that plus EIC should get you in to all of the above. Unless you have strong ties to any of the above places, I would not waste the application fee on any school oustside of NYU, UF, GU and NW. The only thing you need to do is to explain your career move. (ie you had one project that involved you researching tax and you really loved it- something like that.) Based on your numbers, your essay will be the only thing that could keep you out of any of those schools.

FYI
I got into to UM and NW, rejected from NYU and GU and waitlisted at UF (they still havent rejected me)
numbers: T2, top 1/3, no law review, 1 tax class 'B'

Thanks for the reply. It is good to get some information from a person currently invovled in the application process. Have you committed at either UM or NW, or are you waiting on UF before committing?

Thanks again.

However raderoot, based on the date of this post, I am sure you have already committed to one of those programs. If you don't mind, which one did you decide upon, and for what reasons. Were you able to get any scholarship help?

Thanks again for taking time to respond to my initial post.

I choose Miami over Northwestern for this upcoming year. (however UF did call me yesterday to ask me if I would accept a spot if one opens this week- which I will) The reasons why I choose Miami over Northwestern: cheaper (tuition/ rent and transportation), I want to work down south, Miami offers a concentration in International Tax, At Miami, only your first semester are required courses; both semesters at NW are largely required couses (you take the same 4 core classes both semesters at NW). Its summer all year around in Miami, not so much in Chicago. Miami has a larger Alumni base. Miami has an internship program with the IRS OCC for credit.
To be fair the negatives about Miami include lower rank, more credits required (30 vs 26 at NW), the career center is mostly absent for LLM students (NW career center has an LLM program/ contact person)

All very good reasons for choosing Miami. You have definitely done your homework. I have spent some time in Chicago during late January and early February, and in no way could that weather be confused with summer! I hope Florida comes through for you. I am currently in the south, and like you, would be looking to work here as well. I am just in the beginning stages of preparing for applying for fall 2009. Is there any advice you could pass along to me from your experiences (essay writing/content, phone interviews etc). I know there are situational differences with everyone, but any insight into the process outside of the hard numbers would be appreciated.

I know this is a hectic time for you, so again thanks for any insights.

NW is infinitely superior and I find it unfortunate to choose an option as a function of the weather. Especially since Chicago is one of the most interesting city in USA, if not the mosy interesting. Everything is a matter of choice ...

Florida was/is my number 1 choice. I would have gone there over GU and NYU anyway.
What state are you from? The reason why I ask is that Florida has in-state tuition reciprocity with most southern states. I'm a VA resident and would be granted instate status for Florida. With that, Florida is all but free.
As for the application process...be honest and upfront with your reasons to get an LLM. For my essay I told them that I went into law school with the intention of avoiding tax. The only reason I took a tax class was because my roommate talked me into it. After that, I was sold on tax law. You will want to explain why the change in career.
For some reason, I was never asked to give a phone interview. I hear that NW and BU gives one to everybody (just not me). They are just looking to see that you are mentally sound (its more of a chat- they ask nothing about tax, which would have been a nice change of pace from my previous job interviews where they asked nothing but hypos.)
All in all I would say that the process is easy; however, I will say that once you turn in your application be prepared to wait. Once you turn everything in, most schools will send you a 'completed application" shortly. They will also let you know what is missing. Miami and UF will not say anything so it is on you to make sure they have a completed file. I called UF a few weeks after most other decisions were mailed only to find out that my file was incomplete. As for a decision, NYU will make you wait, no matter when you sent in you app, you will not hear until May/ June. My other schools had decisions within 2 weeks of my completed application, not including UF. However, I have heard from other people that many schools used the NYU approach and they did not receive a decision until the summer.

True. I have spent a fair amount of time in Chicago and have enjoyed the city. I cannot speak entirely for the Miami choice (since it was not my decision), but the weather comment came across to me as more tongue and cheek, and not one of the main factors. There did seem to be other legitimate reasons for choosing Miami.

My roommate in law school and my preacher are from Chicago, one of my best friends went to NW. It just wasn't for me. Although, I will say Go Cubs! As I have already said, the endless winter was not the only reason why I choose NW.
I was impressed that they sent me a nice leather folder with my admission letter. Come to think of it, if they send everybody a leather folder, no wonder why they charge so much for tuition.

raderoot

Thanks for the comments/suggestions regarding the application process. BTW, I am a resident of Tennessee, currently working in Nashville.

As an aside, I believe we all know NW is a fantastic program, and I do not think anything in your post regarding your choice of schools implies otherwise.

raderoot

After some quick research, it looks as if Tennessee is included in the reciprocity agreement with Florida for in state tuition.

NW is a great school; I was very impressed with talking to their staff/ current students and alumni. They all seemed very helpfull in not just selling themselves but making sure I found the right fit. I even recieved a job offer for the summer. I would go as far as to say that NW is the most professional, helpful and personable school. I almost chose them based on how well they treated me.
Moreover, you can even take a few MBA classes as part of the LLM. Hows that for a resume booster, Kellog educated. (I think they are the #1 business school in the country)
Nashville is a great city; I would not mind working there. Here is the info regarding reciprocity. http://search.sreb.org/acm/states.aspx

raderoot

Nashville is a good place. It has a strong legal market, and has a strong diversified economy that offers multiple opportunities. Outside of the music and publishing industries, there is an enormous amount of health care here. Within the last couple of years, Nissan has relocated its North American headquarters here from the LA area. Nissan also has big assembly plants in the area, as well as GM. Likewise, Cracker Barrel corporate HQ is approximately 30 minutes to the east in Lebanon. These are just a few that comes to mind.

I wish you nothing but the best in the upcoming year. Keep me posted on the UF decision, or anything else that you may want to discuss.

NYU lets some people know quickly. A few of my classmates were accepted within 10 days. For other applicants, the process is much longer--I was notified two months later in May.

On the other hand, UF notified me within two weeks. GULC took about a month.

Schools will accept you quickly if you're a strong candidate. But I'm in no way knowledgeable about what makes a candidate "strong" -- outside of the obvious T1, top of your class.

Your best opportunity for knowledgeable feedback will be on TaxTalent.Com.

Thanks for the advice. I stumbled across that site recently, and will solicit feedback there.

JBW,
I was just accepted into UF(very last minute). I'll be headed there next week. If you need any inside advice, just ask.

raderoot

Congratulations! I am sure you will be happy and do very well there. I also am sure that I might lean on you for some advice in the upcoming months.

Thanks again for all of your help up to now.

When I get my new e-mail, I'll go ahead and give you my contact info.