I'm looking for some advice on whether to apply for an LLM in Tax or not. I'd ultimately like to pursue a career in tax, but I'm not sure if getting an LLM is the right move at this point. If it is, I'm not sure what my chances of getting in are. I'm planning to apply to the Big 3, but I'm also considering UW. I wouldn't be opposed to staying on the West Coast and applying to some more regional programs.

I'm starting my third year of law school in the fall in Oregon. I tanked my first year, so my grades aren't steller (I think I'm around a 2.99 right now), but I've gotten A's in both Fed Tax I and II. I'm signed up for four more tax classes this year. When I graduate I'll have certificates in both Tax and Business law. I have limited work experience, but I have worked as a clerk for the Oregon tax court.

I'm trying to decide whether to apply for LLM programs that would start in the fall of 2014. Right now I'm leaning towards yes just in case I don't have a job lined up when I graduate. Any insight?

What is your ultimate goal? And what is your undergrad degree? Based on the amount of tax experience you have and your specialization, if you're interested in the Big 4, you may be able to convince them to hire you right out of law school (especially if you have some sort of undergrad business degree). I've been working for a Big 4 accounting firm in tax for over four years now (and had offers from the other two where I applied)...granted, I graduated undergrad with a 4.0 in accounting, but in the past few recent years, we've picked up quite a few JDs with undergrad degrees in econ and similar majors. As long as you have some sort of business background, the accounting firms will consider your resume.

Having said that, at least in my city, almost all of the attorneys at law firms have LLMs. If where you're ultimately hoping to practice is like that, and you want to work for a law firm, you definitely would want to consider the LLM.

I will say in the Big 4 world, the LLM doesn't really help you that much (you may start slightly higher salary-wise initially...and I do mean slightly...and per what I've recently heard, start as a staff 2 instead of a staff 1) unless you otherwise wouldn't get invited to the dance (i.e., liberal arts undergrad degree and limited tax experience/interest demonstrated). The good thing is all of the Big 4 recruiting is in October, so you'd know before the applications were due whether you should apply to an LLM program or not.

My ultimate goal is to have a career in tax, whether that is with a law firm or an accounting firm doesn't matter much. My undergrad degree is in English, so that probably won't get me too far. It sounds like an LLM is going to be in my future. Thank you for your response!

I am asking here because this topic is one of the most informative on the tax llm.
What do you think do the graduates of the top 10 taxation programs other than NYU, Georgetown and UFL actualy have chances to get decent job in taxation field, if not in the US then at least in the overseas offices of Big Law, Magic circle or Big4 ?
I was thinking of school like Boston University, San Diego, Loyola LA and Miami,

Anyone gone 3 for 3 for top 3 tax LLM programs!? Officially heard back from NYU, Georgetown and UF... All good news! Anyone else heard back? Also going to GULCs open house event this month! Anyone else?

Into Northwestern almost as soon as application complete- (March 2016).

JD Third tier regional school, bottom half of class, but 3.75 GPA in 13 credit hrs of tax.

Applied late to GULC, not optimistic, and UF. Florida Native, but also not optimistic.

Congrats to everyone that was admitted! :)

I took no tax courses in law school but landed a tax court clerkship, which I'm completing now. Turns out I LOVE tax law and want to do an LLM to learn the subject matter, not necessarily to bolster my resume (though of course, I'd like to go to the best school I can get into).

Here are my stats:
Work Experience: 8+ years, primarily as a financial analyst
Law School: Top 50 school, bottom 1/4 of the class
Current position: Clerking for a Tax Court judge (I know I was lucky to get this position given my stats, and I'm hoping it opens the door for an LLM opportunity I otherwise would not have.)

I applied to NYU's executive LLM in tax, Villanova's online LLM in tax, and NYLS' LLM in tax. Do you think I have a shot at any of these programs? Are there any other schools I should apply to? I know it's late in the cycle, but a few programs' deadlines haven't passed yet. Also of note, I have small children, so I prefer schools in the Northeast (Boston to DC, maybe to Atlanta) or programs that are online so I can find a way to spend as much time with them as possible.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

LoveTax16,

It really is surprising, but also outstanding, that you managed to land a Tax Court clerkship given your stats. Congratulations! You must be a heck of an interviewer and personable person, things which probably aren't my strongest points.

As far as which schools you will get into, it is really hard to determine because of your rather extraordinary situation. A Tax Court clerkship being under your belt has to be an excellent boost to your resume. I think you'll almost certainly get into NYLS and VIllanova. NYU is really tricky... without the clerkship, I would say no realistic chance, but maybe you do have one now. Also, I think the Executive LLM programs may be a little bit less selective, so that may help you even more. Sorry to not be able to offer any better prediction, but you have a very unique set of circumstances.

In regard to other programs, you should also definitely apply to Georgetown. Georgetown has an online program as well. You may also consider Northwestern in Chicago. Florida is another school with a good tax LLM program, but it is even further away from your area of preference.

Hope this information helps. Good luck!

TaxGuy17, Thanks for the info (especially the advice of applying to Georgetown)! I really appreciate it.

You were right, I got into NYLS and Villanova, as well as BU. I'm still waiting to hear from NYU and Georgetown. I recognize that it's a long-shot and I'm perfectly content with BU, but one can dream! Those are the only 5 schools I applied to, and so far, I'm obviously pretty happy with how things turned out. Thanks again!

In at Northwestern and planning to attend. I am tied to the Chicago market, so it is the only program I was interested in, as I am not open to moving.

First off, I would like to congratulate individuals who have been admitted to the top Tax LLMs in the US. I am a foreigner and I would like to hear your opinion on my situation.

I am planning to apply for a Taxation LLM at the top 6 ranked US law schools namely: NYU, Georgetown, Northwestern University, University of Florida Levin College of Law, Boston University and University of Michigan.

My background are as follows: I'm a CPA Lawyer with the rank of associate tax manager currently employed by a reputable audit / tax firm in my country with RSM International as its affiliate. I've also worked as a tax lawyer for Ernst & Young Philippines and a litigation lawyer for a medium sized law firm.

In addition, I have a MBA degree from one of best graduate schools here, which is where I also earned my law degree. However, I just have good grades but not spectacular ones. Despite this, I have a significant amount of working experience as an auditor during my law school days as well as law apprenticeships with some of the top if not the best law firms in my country. Likewise, I used to teach taxation and other law subjects in certain Universities part-time.

In view of the above, what are my chances in being admitted to these schools? Any tips and suggestions on how to increase my chances to get a favorable response from the named law schools. Thank you in advance.

[Edited by waiting4miracles on Sep 28, 2016]