Hi all, I am a little afraid asking this question on this board where everyone seems so eager to study and learn, but I give it a try anyway:

Having good grades, recommendations and valuable work experience, I can probably get into quite a few universities in the US (maybe not the ones with the toughest admissions criteria, but hopefully a handful in the "top 20 chart").

But I really want to enjoy my year in the US, meet some great people, travel a bit...I am also bringing my spouse, so I simply cannot spend all my days and weekends at the library....so...anyone have any insiders tips on which LL.M/University that is interesting and of a certain quality - but still not too time consuming? Since I am returning to my home country afterwards and already have a nice job, straight A's are not that important to me. That said, I do not mind studying hard - just not the whole year!

And which Universities should I really stay AWAY from? I read somewhere on this forum that U of Chicago has a really demanding LL.M program...?

Anyone? Please? ANY advise and info highly appreiciated!

I think that NYU could a very good solution for you, the LL.M. program is excellent but not too time consuming (as Columbia for example; in fact NYU people are supposed to be partying much more than CLS students...), the neighborhood is the best (it's the Village we are talking about) and living in New York is something so unique - even for a family - that all other arguments are useless!
I don't think that UChicago is much more work than NYU (and the latter has now a much better reputation) and, in addition, UChicago is located in a terrible area of Chicago, so you don't want to bring your family there!

I hope this helps
P.

hi people! any other LLM program you can suggest that is not too demanding? i'm applying for LLM next school year. i don't really want a very intense program. i also want to meet people and be able to do extra curricular activities during the program. i want the experience to be fulfilling not just academically. initially, my choices are boston university, georgetown, northwestern, fordham, stanford and probably wake forest. i do hope that none of them are in a rather bad neighborhood.

any comments and suggestions would be very much appreciated.

also, i figured that i should apply with several schools so that i have more chances of getting in. i'm just being realistic since i know that the selection process is tough. thank you in advance.

Hi jcgdelros, I just got a mail from a board member suggesting the LLM at the University of Miami. More advice and tips are still very much appreicated!!

University of Texas. Austin is a great place to live and the LL.M program is not that rigorous.

I loved Wake Forest. Medium size town (Winston-Salem). Lots of stuff to do - different restaurants, hiking, sports, bars, concerts (esp if you like country music), BBQ's and what not. Plus very safe and not to mention cheap. And I found it very time manageable. I could go hiking most weekends, and also go on some weekend trips. However, classes are mandatory, so big trips will have to be made when school is out - or during spring break.

Although, I am sure a lot of people will not agree. I think it might depend on 1) how hard studying in your home country is/was and 2) how well you speak English.

Hope this helps.

Wake Forest, hmmm, I'll certainly look into that university. Thanks! Did they have many international students, and how was the language barrier for them (and you)?

The LLM program has roughly 15-20 students (mostly Asians), and you take almost all your classes with regular JD students.

The language barrier for me was almost nonexistent. However, I saw that a lot of the Asians struggled and had to study way more than me to get the same grades. So I guess it all depends on your starting point...

Good luck in your choice.

hi guys! sorry for the late post as was travelling for work and a short vacation.

i was able to look through the wake forest program and it seems very interesting. they have judicial observation programs and field trips... i'm not too sure if other schools offer that... but for me, that kind of experience will be something very helpful...

now that hannenyh mentioned that the city is not too expensive, i will really consider applying to their program... especially with the current economic situation and the financial crisis, cost is definitely an issue.

off hand, my choices are georgetown, boston university, miami and wake forest... hopefully i can submit all my applications by december... so that the results will be out early, there will also be enough time to get a back up school if needed... since i'm from asia, i would need more time to settle down and get the proper visa...

thanks for your advice and insights... they are very helpful! cheers!